McKinley Monthly
August 2020
Dear McKinley Families,
I hope that this August newsletter finds you well. I know that it has been a different summer for all of us, and while we were anticipating more grounding and certainty by this point in the year, we continue to face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It has been amazing to talk to many of you these past days and weeks, to learn about your celebrations, struggles, and to hear from you personally about your hopes for the children and the year ahead. I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming support and acknowledgement of the work that is going into preparations for fall. We step forward into a school year that will be unlike any other. While we do not know what the future holds for us, I can assure you that your McKinley staff has been working diligently this summer to lean into our questions, to rethink “normal”, and to work toward providing our students with the care, support, and learning that we all want and need.
You should be receiving an email from the district that asks you to choose a learning pathway for the 2020-2021 school year. The options are Wauwatosa Virtual Academy, Tosa Connected, and the “Phased In” model. Please see the WSD Reopen Information page to help with that decision. Families who do not fill out the form will be automatically kept in the Phased In pathway.
After August 10th I will have a better idea of who to expect for the start of the school year and can begin making adjustments to ensure equitable class sizes, strong groupings, and appropriate teacher matches. I will, of course, use the parent-input information and teacher suggestions that we have already processed with our learning teams in spring. Our next step as a district will be to create Hybrid Cohorts for those students who are opting for the Phased in Model. To support equitable and appropriately sized classes, student cohorts will be assigned through the district’s student management system, with a priority given to keeping members of the same household in the same cohort group. Due to the complex nature of the process and in order to get the information to families in a timely manner, we will have very limited wiggle room for any changes.
Please keep your eyes out for future emails from me and Charlotte Garder and from the Wauwatosa School District (Sarah Frittitta, Canvas) for important school specific information, including cohort grouping information, registration materials, and access dates to classroom placement information. I know that it is a lot right now. As always, please reach out to me with any questions. Hang in there--together we can do this!
Mrs. Hoffmann
Upcoming
Mid August - Registration Forms will be emailed home (via Canvas)
Mid August - Check Infinite Campus for teacher assignments (we are hoping for August 17th, if all logistics are worked through based upon learning options that families choose)
Aug 26? - Meet the teacher (Possibly staggered if allowed; perhaps via Zoom if not. TBD.)
Sep 8th, 9th - First Days of School for Cohort A (off Th, F)
Sep 10th, 11th - First Days of School for Cohort B (off M, T)
The new gym, as of August 6th
A view from the inside
Classroom learning spaces iron work continues
Reopening Framework
COVID-19 Coloring Book
The University of Wisconsin Communication Task Force for COVID-19 recently created a free activity coloring book which includes learning, strategies for coping and complying with COVID-19 safety and prevention measures, social and emotional support, and enjoyment.
The coloring book provides ten key messages written in a way children can understand. Washing hands, staying apart from friends and loved ones, staying at home, and doing fun things are organized in pictures and games throughout the book.
The final page is called the COVID Help Guide, which provides information about a wide range of social services in English and Spanish.
Access the entire coloring book at: Staying Connected While Staying Apart.
Girls on the Run
JK Registration
Kindergarten Registration is underway! Children who are currently enrolled in our Junior Kindergarten (4K) do not need to register for SK as they are already enrolled in the district.
We are also offering an online registration option for NEW students via our student information system, Infinite Campus.
Registering online can be done here.
A step by step guide on how to register online can be found here.
Information about documents required to register can be found here.
You will need to upload the required documents when prompted or you can complete all the registration information online and bring in the documents to your child’s school for verification.
Registration is not complete until all required documents are submitted.
*** Please share this info with your friends, family, and neighbors. ***
Anti-Racism, Social Justice and Diverse Book Lists
Children's Book List for Anti-racist Activism
E-book/digital sources with diverse books from Diverse Book Finder blog.
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.
Junior Trojans Basketball
Check out information on participating in Junior Trojans Basketball for 2020-2021.
Teams are available for boys and girls. Check out their website for more details.
www.jrtrojansbasketball.com
* * Tosa Cares * *
Mt. Zion Lutheran Church is closed. Food will be distributed by drive-thru only. Due to the logistics of organizing such an event, appointments will be required.
Please call, text, or email to leave a message to schedule a food pick up. Appointments will be scheduled over several weeks. We will be happy to provide your household with a food box.
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...
OverDrive is a free library collection for all elementary students to check out ebooks and digital audio books on personal devices.
It’s as easy as 1,2,3
1. Visit https://wsdlcwi.libraryreserve.com/ or open the app
Sora on any smartphone, tablet, mp3 player, e-reader, or computer. Choose Wauwatosa School District from the dropdown.
2. Login: Library card number is your school username
(same as logging onto your chromebook)
Pin is your password (same as logging onto your chromebook)
3. Read in your browser or download the epub/kindle book!
Happy Reading!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
Meegan Archambo, Elementary Library Media Services Coordinator
Wauwatosa Avenue
Office Max / Office Depot Gives Back
McKinley contact info
Website: https://www.wauwatosa.k12.wi.us/McKinley
Location: 2435 N 89th St, Wauwatosa, WI, United States
Phone: (414)773-1500