Passport Adventures in the FSP Room!
Our Functional Skills Program students have been busy traveling the world—one country at a time! With their passports in hand, this week’s destination took them all the way to Japan, where they crafted their own samurai hats and explored the art of making sushi (with a kid-friendly twist, of course!).
These cultural adventures are helping students build social, motor, and language skills through hands-on learning and sensory exploration.
Next stop: Italy! 🇮🇹 Get ready for pizza-making fun, creative pasta crafts, and more as we dive into the sights, sounds, and tastes of Italian culture.
We’re so proud of our FSP team- Mr. David, Ms Jessica & Ms. Makayla-for creating meaningful, memorable learning experiences for our students. Stay tuned for more travels around the globe!
#InclusionMatters
#AroundTheWorldWithFSP

🌱 Project: Plant a Seed Day – April 22nd
In celebration of Earth Day and the spirit of growth and giving, students at Mather Elementary will be participating in “Plant a Seed Day” on Monday, April 22nd!
Each classroom will begin by starting a seed indoors, giving students the opportunity to care for it and watch it grow into a seedling. Once the snow melts and the ground is ready, students will transplant their seedlings into our outdoor class gardens, learning firsthand about responsibility, patience, and the power of nurturing something from the ground up.
🌼 How You Can Help:
If you’re able to donate potting soil or seed packets to your child’s classroom, it would be greatly appreciated! These small contributions will make a big impact on our students' learning and connection to the natural world.
Please contact your child’s teacher for more information about how you can support this project.
Thank you for helping our students grow—both inside and out!

Mather Elementary Quarter 3 Awards Assembly Highlights
We gathered this past Tuesday to celebrate our incredible students for their effort, growth, kindness, and leadership. From STANG values to academic achievement, our Quarter 3 Assembly was full of proud moments.
All-Star STANG Students
Recognized for living out our core values every day:
Mary Lynch (K) – Stay Safe
Wayland Holly (1st) – Take Responsibility
Jensen Cole (2nd) – Act with Kindness
Ella Gerou (3rd) – Never Give Up
Amelia Bronson (4th) – Give Respect
Presley Livermore (5th) – All Five STANG Values
Reflex Math Achievements
Top Time on Task and Most Individual Growth
Huge shoutout to Hadley Lasak, Mason St. Amour, and Cohen Long for their outstanding gains!
i-Ready Reading Growth & Time on Task
Applause for Reed S, Ivy S., and Joe B. for amazing progress!
Most dedicated? Jaxon B. with nearly 10 hours of focused reading!
AR Reading Stars
500-Point Pizza Party: Ray Fondriest & Hayden Brey
750 Points Bear: Maude Bogater
Books for Bikes Winners: Leila, Josh, Stella, and Kaleb
GOLD CARD Honorees
Students who model excellence in behavior, academics, and attitude across all grades. Way to go, Loki, Charlotte, Jack, Breckin, Ari, and Ada!
Special Shoutouts
Assistant Principal Week – Our All-Star STANGs are stepping into leadership roles this week
Pay It Forward Day – April 22: Don’t forget to “Start a Seed”!
Marshmallow Challenge – April 25
Mather Poetry Night @ Gallery Coffee – April 25 (5:30–7:00 PM) – Join us to celebrate student voices and creativity!
Honor Roll students – You continue to set the bar high!
Thank you to our students, staff, and families for making this a wonderful celebration of all the growth and grit happening at Mather!
Let’s keep being STANG Strong—every day, in every way!



Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?
Kindergarten Screening – Mather Elementary
📍 ARPD Gym
📅 April 23rd
📞 Call 906-387-3102 ext. 1132 to schedule your appointment today!
Join us for a comprehensive kindergarten screening conducted by our experienced Mather Elementary team. Your child will take part in fun, age-appropriate activities designed to assess key areas of early development, including:
✔️ Motor skills
✔️ Language and communication
✔️ Early concepts (colors, shapes, numbers, etc.)
✔️ Social and emotional readiness
Parents will also have the opportunity to meet our kindergarten teacher, ask questions, and learn more about what makes Mather Elementary a special place to learn and grow.
KIndergarten is open for children who will be 5 on September 1, 2025. Please bring original birth certificate, proof of residence & immunization record.
We can’t wait to meet you and your future kindergartener!

MPS TRANSPORTATION NOTICE FOR THURSDAY 4/10 & FRIDAY 4/11: We will be short a driver on those days and returning to 4 bus routes. Pictured below are the 4 routes. Delays of 20 minutes could be seen in Shingleton, Alger Heights, Wetmore, and in-town morning pickups. Afternoon drop-offs may also be later for some stops.

Congratulations to Tessa and her parents!

Congratulations to our UPSSA Boys Basketball Award Winners!

Mather Elementary Celebrates National Poetry Month
We’re thrilled to announce that we’re partnering with Ana Dolaskie to host a Family Engagement Poetry Night at Gallery Coffee on Thursday, April 25th from 5:30–7:00 PM!
Students from Mather Elementary (Grades K–5) will take the stage to share their voices—performing original poems they’ve created in school or reading favorite published pieces. It’s a warm, welcoming event that celebrates creativity, confidence, and student expression.
Our students have been practicing throughout the month in celebration of National Poetry Month, and we’re so proud of their courage and creativity.
Community and family support is essential—please join us to cheer them on! Your presence helps reinforce the value of their voices and the power of their words.
Let’s come together for a night of connection, inspiration, and celebration!

You're Invited!
Munising Middle/High School Drama Club Presents: Poisoned in the Garden
Get ready for mystery, laughter, and a little bit of mischief! Join us for a special interactive performance of Poisoned in the Garden, a who-done-it where you, the audience, help crack the case!
A 100-year-old woman has been poisoned...
The suspects? Some of the town’s most prominent (and suspicious) residents.
Can our detectives solve the case—or will you beat them to it?
Showtimes:
📅 Thursday, April 11 at 5:00 PM
📅 Friday, April 12 at 2:00 PM
📍 William G. Mather Auditorium
Admission by donation at the door
Produced in cooperation with Drama Notebook
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind performance full of twists, turns, and interactive fun! Come support our talented student performers and help solve the mystery in the garden!

April is Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month
At Mather Elementary, we are proud to celebrate the unique strengths, talents, and perspectives of individuals with autism. Autism is a spectrum—and every student with autism is wonderfully unique. This month, we shine a light on understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
💙 Let’s work together to:
Promote kindness and patience
Celebrate neurodiversity
Create classrooms and communities where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued
We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing teachers, support staff, and service providers who work with compassion, creativity, and dedication to support our students with autism every day. Your commitment to inclusive practices and individualized care is what makes Mather such a special place to learn and grow.
We believe in embracing differences and supporting every child in reaching their full potential—this month and every month. 💙
Congratulations to our UPSSA All-UP Girls Basketball Award Winners!

Mather Elementary School
Kindergarten Registration & Screening
Is your child ready to start Kindergarten this fall? We’re excited to meet our newest Mustangs! Join us for registration and a brief screening to help us get to know your child and prepare for a strong start to school.
Please call the Mather Elementary Office at (906) 387-2102 to schedule a time.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Alger Parks and Recreation Gym
In Michigan, for the 2025–2026 school year, children who turn five years old on or before September 1, 2025, are eligible to enroll in kindergarten.
We look forward to welcoming your family to the Mather Elementary community!
Call Today -Mather Elementary Office at (906) 387-2102

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2ND IS PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY
Please join Munising Public Schools in celebrating our awesome paraprofessionals!
The support that they give on a daily basis to our students and staff is critical to our success. Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, is annually observed on the first Wednesday of April. Schools, educators, students, and parents can take this day to show gratitude for the dedication and hard work of paraprofessionals. If you get the chance, don't hesitate to reach out and thank a para :-)

Congratulations to Carson and his parents!

Congratulations Juliana!

MUNISING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS CLOSED TODAY, MONDAY, MARCH 31ST due to accumulating snow in excess of what was forecasted. School buildings will remain closed for the entire day and all evening events and activities are canceled.

MPS MESSAGE #2 - WEEK OF MARCH 31ST - APRIL 4TH - FOUR (4) BUS ROUTES: Due to being short 1 driver thIs week, we will follow the attached 4 bus routes. This week student riders may experience pick-ups and drop-offs that vary by 10-20 minutes from normal times and students in Wetmore & Alger Hts. may experience being picked up 20 minutes later than usual. Riders are strongly encouraged to be visible and waiting at bus stops.

Important Announcement! Due to Munising Public Schools' 3-hour delay tomorrow, March 31, 2025, ECSE half-day classes are canceled for the day. Thank you for your understanding, and stay safe.

MPS MESSAGE #1: Due to heavy mixed precipitation and slippery road conditions, Munising Public Schools will be under a 3 hour delay on Monday, March 31st. Munising MIddle/High School will begin at 11:00 am and Mather Elementary at 11:15 am.

Munising Middle/High School is looking to hire coaches/advisors for the upcoming school year. We would love you to join our team!!
Please visit www.munisingschools.com for application materials. The postings close on April 11th at 3pm. Contact Nicole Lasak, athletic director/principal for more information.

