McKinley Monthly
November 2020
Dear McKinley Families,
Here we are coming up on November already. New in our vocabulary this year are the words synchronous (face to face, or f2f) and asynchronous (online, not a livestream); concurrent (online with live stream) and hyflex (blending online and f2f); and so many more. Even though things are not as we would prefer this year, I have immense gratitude for all of the things that ARE going well. There are, indeed, so many things that are working.
I have gratitude for the teachers who are spending double and triple time planning for different models of learning. They have been learning new technologies, trying out teaching when students are home on quarantine, adjusting in a moment's time when something new shifts our direction. Teachers are rocking it and dedicating their energy to make the best possible decisions for each of their learners, finding ways to help students engage, teaching new skills that they themselves didn’t have 10 months ago, such as how to share a screen on Zoom, using the whiteboard feature, and uploading video responses to Canvas.
I am grateful for the families who have been engaged in helping to troubleshoot with technology, who have picked up Chromebooks and materials, rearranged their work schedules and home situations to be sure their kids can find success with the blended learning models that we have been able to offer.
I am grateful for the students, who have been learning how to become independent and to “own” their learning. I am grateful for their openness and honesty about how things are going. I am grateful for their optimism and engagement. In my “I wish my principal knew” rounds, I had an abundance of responses from students who wanted to tell me how much they love school--those here in person and those at home doing Tosa Connected! Many students expressed their love of the smaller class sizes, some wrote about how they love their virtual days, and others were appreciative of the ability to be in school two days a week but look forward to a time when we can all be back together.
I am grateful that the creativity that is being fostered and thriving for some students--one fourth grade student reported to me that he believes he has found a new energy and intends to do research to be sure; a girl described a video game proposal that she has developed; several students told me about their joyful family times at home. Anecdotal reports have come to me from parents about some of our more introverted students who are thriving in the hybrid model or in Tosa Connected, finding their voices and loving school more than ever. Stories like this warm my heart.
Yet, of course, there are those families who are struggling as well. For some the adjustment some days seems impossible. With fears about older adults contracting the virus, familial support systems have broken down for some. Reports of dysregulation (kid and adult!) when things do not go as smoothly as planned or hoped, for instance, tech glitches, Zoom misses, or Canvas struggles.
We all would like to be back in school, but given the intensity and the repercussions of the pandemic that we are faced with, it is important to note that not all is bad. In every school year there are struggles and complaints. This year they are just of a different nature. But for the most part, I see everyone doing their best to give each other grace. I hear the gratitude of families who recognize how teachers have gone above and beyond to make things work. I see the joy of students as they learn and play in their classrooms and at home.
I am grateful for everyone, for doing all they can to adjust to the times, to live in each day that presents itself to us, and do whatever it takes to make education in pandemic times possible. I am grateful for all of you and all you do. Some days may hit hard and take it all out of me, but when that happens I create a a gratitude list to remind myself that I GET this day. I highly recommend the strategy--to actually do it, not just think about doing it is the key.
It is a privilege to be able to serve you and the McKinley community. Please continue to reach out and let me know how I can be of service as we navigate this challenging year together.
Mrs. Hoffmann
Upcoming Dates to Know
Nov 3 - 8 Families may change model of instruction if desired
Nov 4 - Chipotle Dine Out
Nov 6 - Virtual Students School Picture Day
Nov 8 - Last day to change model of instruction for Tri 2
Nov 9-22 - Online Scholastic Book Fair
Nov 16 - Picture Make Up Day
Nov 24 - Friday Schedule
Nov 25-30 - No School
Art Announcement
Attention Parents of 1st through 5th graders, please send a large bag with your child to bring home last year's art! If your child did not attend McKinley last year, you do not need to send a bag. Artwork will be returned to to students starting on November 2nd.
Again ~ 1st grade - 5th grade students need a large bag to bring home their art!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
From Tuesday, November 3 to Sunday, November 8, 2020, families will have the opportunity to change their elementary student’s model of instruction for the second trimester if they wish. Our models of instruction are
- Phased in Learning (PIL): Depends upon pandemic metrics to decide if hybrid, full face to face, or virtual.
- Tosa Connected (TC): Virtual with district teachers and district curriculum. If PIL students go full face to face, Tosa Connected classrooms may combine and run some concurrent lessons with PIL classrooms, depending upon grade level and staffing.
- Wauwatosa Virtual Academy (WVA): Senior Kindergarten through 5th grade virtual program with Pearson curriculum and Pearson teachers. Mostly asynchronous teaching (video) and a live teacher check in one or two times a week.
If you do not wish to change your student’s model of instruction for the second trimester, no action is needed. Your child will remain in the current model of instruction unless you change it in Infinite Campus.
We will provide step-by-step instructions to guide you through the Infinite Campus change process next week. In the meantime, please make sure you can log in to your Infinite Campus parent portal. You must access the portal to change your elementary child’s model of instruction for the second trimester.
If you will change your child's model of learning for trimester 2, please be sure you can log in to your Infinite Campus parent portal now so you’re fully prepared on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. If you cannot access Infinite Campus, or have not set up a parent portal account, click here.
Please note that we will attempt to provide consistency and maintain students' current cohort groups and teachers for the second trimester. But, in some instances, cohort or teacher changes may be required whether or not you change your child’s model of instruction.
Check out the Lost & Found!
Learning Model Family Choice Timeline
Dear Families,
You have been receiving emails from the Wauwatosa School District with updates regarding our Models of Instruction (Phased Into Learning, Tosa Connected, Wauwatosa Virtual Academy) as well as our Phase of Learning (5-day, Hybrid, Virtual). We are currently functioning in a HYBRID PHASE.
Last week the School Board heard the details of the plan for a 5-day learning PHASE should our metrics indicate we are ready to move to the 5-day learning PHASE.
On November 2nd, the School Board will look to approve the details of that plan.
It will be important for all families to understand these details in order to make an informed decision about their preference for their child's Trimester 2 Model of Instruction.
On November 3-8 families will be able to select their choice for their Trimester 2 Model of Instruction (Phased Into Learning, Tosa Connected, Wauwatosa Virtual). If you decide to move your child into a different model of learning, you must do that through Infinite Campus. (Please see the directions above.)
Families choose their Model of Instruction for Trimester 2. Families do not choose the Phase of Learning (5-day, Hybrid, Virtual). The Phase is determined by the School Board, using the established metrics.
On November 2nd, our School Board will also make a determination about the PHASE of Learning (5-day, Hybrid, Virtual) in which we will begin Trimester 2 (Dec. 1st).
Please tune into the November 2nd School Board Meeting and the important information it will yield.
As always, reach out with any questions.
Yours in education,
Mrs. Hoffmann, Principal
SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT
The Wisconsin Department of Justice is thrilled to introduce the SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT (SUSO) Resource Center! SUSO was created to help keep students safe by offering a comprehensive, one-stop place to turn with safety concerns, including a threat reporting system.
Visit https://speakup.widoj.gov/ to learn more. #SpeakUpWI
Native American Heritage Month
Hello!
November is National Native American Heritage Month. Our libraries have many stories, from folktales and trickster tales to inquiry and research. There are books on nearly every tribe in America, with over 600 books on this topic. The library assistants have provided teachers with choice boards with book options for your child/ren. This document, created by Meegan Archambo, Elementary Library Coordinator, highlights a few of those. Native American/Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month books
Also, if you are interested, here are some other links to learn more:
https://www.pbs.org/specials/native-american-heritage-month/
https://blog.nativehope.org/how-much-do-you-know-about-native-america
https://wisconsinfirstnations.org/native-people-wisconsin/
As always, please feel free to reach out to Tracy Carus, Meegan Archambo, or your school’s library assistant.
Ms. Kumferman’s Korner- News from your School Social Worker
Happy November! This month’s focus is on nurturing your child’s mental health! My intern, MaryBeth Mals, and I continue to talk with students about the importance of growing our brains in all sorts of ways, not just academically. Social and emotional growth is important, too! We might help students talk through their feelings about a particular situation, identify which Zone they are in, help them with problem solving, practice tools for calming, or even facilitate a conflict resolution process. These are all important skills to help nurture a child’s mental health and advocate for specific needs. Here are some examples of how you can help to support your child. Helping a child to feel good about himself/herself is a lifelong skill! Please let us know if you need additional resources. kumferra@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us
It's Not Too Late!
Family Info At Your Fingertips
CAN I SEND MY CHILD TO SCHOOL?
REQUESTING MEALS
**if quarantining, complete Virtual Learner form
GETTING ON A CHROMEBOOK
Step-by-Step Visual Directions
HELP DESK
Video How To (no voiceover)
Video (talks you through navigating the website)
TRANSLATING A GOOGLE DOC
TRANSLATING A WEBSITE
GETTING STARTED ON CANVAS (for parents)
Missing!
Hello McKinley Families!
The McKinley Mountain Lion is missing some favorite books! When we closed up for the school year last March, many students had library/classroom books at home. Many were returned but there are a lot that may be still vacationing in your home. Please take a few minutes this weekend and see if there are any books that may have been on vacation in your house. Please return them as soon as you are able.
Thanks!
Mrs. Smith
McKinley Librarian
OT Update: Handwriting
As we begin a new school year after some extended time away, students may be having some difficulty with handwriting. If you have a student who is having some struggles, here are a few strategies and resources to consider. Feel free to pass these along to parents as well!
At Home Handwriting Practice Resources:
At Home Handwriting Interactive Teaching Tool: 90-day free access to at-home handwriting workbooks and activities for Grades K-4 (could use for students who are continuing to develop handwriting skills after Grade 4)
Lined Paper: Link for three-lined paper with varying line widths (tri-line)
HWT Worksheet Maker: Make your own practice writing worksheets (bi-line)
Visuals:
5 Star Writing: 5 simple tips for editing and writing out sentences
Holding Your Pencil Correctly: Visuals to help support a strong pencil grip
Simple Tips to Support Handwriting:
If a child needs more room to form letters or add edits, encourage them to place an “X” at the margin of every other line. This visual reminder can encourage them to skip lines.
If a child is struggling to stay on a line, consider highlighting the line as a visual reminder to stay close to the line.
Please let us know if you have any questions!
District OT Department
Letter to Families: Absences
Wauwatosa School District Families,
This year we will be asking families to be more forthcoming or to provide specific information when you call school and report to us that your child is sick. We are sharing this information because it is a change from past practices but one that will allow us to better look for and monitor trends.
While COVID-19 may have driven this change, having additional knowledge around the types of illness within a school can help our District Nursing Team and other health officials target preventative measures if necessary and appropriate. Please rest assured that individual health information will be properly protected. We believe that we are able to find a balance that permits important uses of information, while protecting the privacy of students and families who seek care and healing. We understand the need for privacy and if you have a sensitive situation, please report your student’s absence to their school, then reach out to your school’s nurse to provide further details or receive additional guidance.
Let’s continue working together to help make our school community safe! Thank you in advance for your help, support and cooperation.
Mr. Michael Parulski Ms. Katelyn Lasse
Director of Student Services District Nurse
For students at West, Whitman, Eisenhower, Montessori, and Madison:
Katelyn Lasse, BSN, RN, NCSN
414-773-1961
For students at East, Jefferson, Roosevelt, McKinley:
Alicia Styka, BSN, RN, NCSN
414-773-1962
For students at Longfellow, Wilson, Lincoln, Underwood, and Washington:
Becky Schauer, BSN, RN
414-773-1964
Family Resources
This is an unprecedented and challenging time for us all. But together, we will get through this. Taking care of your mental health is equally important as your physical health during this time.
Student and Family Assistance Program: District students and their families have access to six free counseling sessions through our Student and Family Assistance Program. They are teleservice at this time. Learn more.
DHS Counseling Hotline: Call 1-800-985-5990 to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7 provided through the Department of Health Services.
211 Info Hotline - Dial 211 for information about COVID-19 in Wisconsin
CDC Hotline - Get facts by calling 1-800-CDC-INFO
This is a rapidly changing situation and we will continue to keep you updated as information is shared.
For now, Stay Safer At Home and remember, we’re in this together.
* * Tosa Cares * *
Due to the spread of COVID-19, and social distancing, group distributions have been cancelled for the near future. If you need to schedule or change an appointment call, text or email Linda to leave a message for a drive-thru appointment.
Call: (414) 258-0456 x 410
Call or text: (414) 861-4725
E-mail: tosacares@gmail.com
Visit: https://www.tosacares.org/post/tosa-cares-and-covid-19 for more information.
Let’s kick READING into...
What is it?: Overdrive is a library collection of ebooks and digital audio books for use on school chromebooks and personal devices.
Student/Parent Directions for Overdrive access
What does it cost?: Your school library has purchased the rights to the books available to all students and staff, so there is no cost to you.
What devices can I use?: The Overdrive collection of ebooks and audio books can be viewed or listened to via almost any device… smartphones, tablets, ereaders, or computers. The easiest way to interact with Overdrive is through the Sora app which you can also download for free.
Can I assign copies to students?
"Always Available" copies can be assigned to students. Watch this video created earlier this spring for directions for teachers. The shared links could also be shared via Canvas.
How many ebooks can students check out? Students can check out 3 books at a time and return them when they are finished or the books will expire automatically when the time limit has been reached.
Please reach out to your building library assistant and they would gladly come to your classroom or Zoom with your students to teach them how to use Overdrive/Sora.
Happy Reading!
Office Max / Office Depot Gives Back
Reopening Resource Library
Several additional assets have been added to the Reopening Resource Library, which are listed and linked below.
BRAVE Research Center
The BRAVE Research Center, at the University of Wisconsin Department of Psychiatry, is conducting a Family COVID Survey for families with school-aged children. We need your help sharing this information with families in your school district.
As you know, the pandemic has changed the lives of youth and families across our state, the country, and the world. There is very little known about how these changes may further impact the mental health and general well-being of our communities. The BRAVE Research Center is looking at how families have been (and continue to be) impacted by the pandemic. The study targets parents/caregivers of school-aged children between the ages of 6-17. Study participation involves completing a set of online surveys. There is also an option for youth to complete surveys in addition to their caregivers. Upon completion of each survey, participants will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card. Please see below for the direct link to the survey as well as a link to the research center's website. Families can call 608-265-3610 with any questions.
- Here is the direct link to the study survey: https://redcap.ictr.wisc.edu/surveys/?s=33JL3NTH3H
- More information about the study can be found on this website: https://brave.psychiatry.wisc.edu/current-studies/
McKinley contact info
Website: https://www.wauwatosa.k12.wi.us/McKinley
Location: 2435 N 89th St, Wauwatosa, WI, United States
Phone: (414)773-1500