The Messenger

MCA testing will begin Tuesday, April 11.

• MCA Reading Testing (Grades 3-5) - April 11-13
• MCA Math Testing (Grades 3-5) - April 18-19
• MCA Science Testing (Grade 5 Only) - May 2-3

1. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest the night before the test.
2. On the morning of the test, your child needs to get up in plenty of time so he/she won't feel rushed.
3. Students should have a nutritious breakfast. Research shows that children do better on tests if they have had a good breakfast.
4. Do as much as you can to make your child feel comfortable. Make sure she/he is dressed comfortably. Try not to say things to make him/her feel more nervous.
5. Try to reschedule any appointments that may take your child out of school the days of testing.
6. Reassure your child that no matter the outcome of the test you will still love him/her. Encourage them to do their best.

McKinley Fun Day, our version of Track and Field Day, will take place on Friday, May 19. Mark your calendars and get ready to come cheer on the students as they participate in a number of events. The day is always filled with laughter, excitement, and of course, FUN!

Parent input forms are now available from the office. The input form allows parents to share information about their child's learning style and can provide staff additional insight when creating classes for the 2023-24 school year. There are many factors that go into class placement. The parent input form is one of the criteria we consider when placing students. We will not honor requests for specific teachers. Contact the office if you would like to complete a parent input form. All forms are due no later than Friday, April 28.

Perseverance: the ability to work through situations even when there are obstacles or challenges in the way.

A lot of research today is telling us that the highest indicators of success in our kids isn’t just about their grades or their IQ. The number one skill that helps people of all walks of life be successful is GRIT! The Finnish culture calls it "Sisu." To the Finnish people, Sisu is perseverance, plus strength of will, determination, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. The ability to move forward and succeed in the face of adversity or even failure.

Over the course of the month, students will learn about inspiring people who faced many failures before they found success. We will discuss what it means to navigate tough situations, even when it feels really hard or overwhelming. We will talk about having a Growth Mindset – to see challenges and failure as an opportunity to grow.

Kindergarten Explorations:

The Kindergarten students are enjoying learning about history through the lens of family traditions. We talk about different celebrations and how traditions help us to remember important events from the past. We also talk about how different parts of the world might celebrate the same event differently. Ask your child what birthday food they would like to try from another country–we learned about a few!

First Grade Explorations:

First graders are finishing their unit on History. We have learned about different inventions, as well as taken a closer look at the 1840s and the 1950s. Ask your child what his or her favorite old-fashioned invention was from class! We will be beginning our last unit of the school year soon. It is a science unit on insects–yes, insects! This will be a fun and exciting unit, exploring a few real insects and their life cycles.

Second Grade Explorations:

The second graders have just started a unit on Geography! We will be making a few maps, reading a few maps, and also exploring some landmarks (human-made objects) and landforms (natural formations) found around the United States. Ask your student which places he or she would most like to visit!

Third Grade Explorations:

Third grade students are deep in the study of Space! We are learning about using the Sun to tell time and direction, just like ancient peoples did. We will also check out shadow patterns with a flashlight experiment, and discuss constellations and moon phases!

National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 17-23. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your willingness to volunteer at McKinley Elementary and to recognize the many great things happening at our school because of volunteer support.

I am so grateful that volunteers have been able to be back in the building in all normal capacities and for the 1,429 hours you all have generously given to our school this year. Volunteers are integral in not only helping keep our workrooms running and helping in classrooms, but because of all of you, we are able to have many exciting events and activities that wouldn’t be possible without your support to make them successful.

The McKinley Community is so lucky to have the best volunteers around!!

Melanie Gordon

Volunteer Services Coordinator

McKinley Elementary School

April 11 & 12 - Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments(MCA) - Reading - Grades 3 - 5

April 12 - New Kindergarten Student Welcome Night

April 18 & 19 - Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments(MCA) - Math - Grades 3 - 5

April 21 - McKinley Carnival

April 27 - Grade 4 Music Program

May 2 & 3 - Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments(MCA) - Science - Grade 5

May 8 - PTO Meeting - 6:30PM

May 12 - Grade 4 Kindness Retreat

May 19 - McKinley Fun Day

May 29 - Memorial Day - No School