McKinley Monthly
February 2017
A Word from Mrs. Hoffmann
Dear Families,
Welcome February! The days are getting longer, and the sun is peeking out a little more often. We are confident that we are on the way to spring! By the way, the PBIS focus word this month is…Confidence! In classrooms confidence is exhibited when students attempt things that are unknown while looking forward to the results, trusting the journey, and presenting information they have learned with excitement and a true desire to share. Teachers have confidence in their students, encouraging them and leading the way to deeper, broader understandings. Last week it was a pleasure to see the confidence of 5th graders Trystin Splude, Olivia Schmidt, and Daisy Lehman at the Wauwatosa Spelling Bee. They were wonderful representatives of our school!
The confidence that we have in our staff, our district leadership, and our students will be celebrated during “I Love My Public Schools” week. At McKinley we will show our love and appreciation by attempting a “group hug” around the school at 8:15 a.m. on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14th. Students will line up as usual, but at the bell they will spread out with our teachers (and any family members that would like to join!) and hold hands around the building. My preliminary estimations predict we can do it! I am encouraging everyone to wear McKinley red that day and am hoping for cooperation from the weather.
Conferences are scheduled for the evenings of February 16th and 21st. By now you should have received a Signup Genius link to schedule your spring conferences. All parents are welcome, even if a conference is not necessary at this time. The specials teachers would love to meet with you, too! Mrs. Merriman and Mr. Roloff will be available both conference evenings; however, take a look below for the schedules of Mr. Pforr, Mrs. Daily, Mrs. Leigh, Mrs. Millicovsky and Mrs. Jaramillo, who all teach in other buildings and must attend conferences at those schools as well. At McKinley we appreciate the high engagement of our families, which contributes to the success of our school. If you have not received the Signup Genius Link from your teacher, please let us know so that we can get the link to you.
I received word this week that McKinley has been chosen as a beneficiary of GE Community Day. As a staff we put together a wish list of things for the GE employees to do when they come in August. It may include things such as having fresh playground lines painted where needed, doing some deep cleaning, or working on some of our storage spaces. I will be attending the kick off ceremony on February 11th. More to come on that in the future.
Coming up this month you won’t want to miss Family Fun Night on Friday, February 17th. If you haven’t preordered your game tickets and dinner, be sure to do so soon! Also, the Elementary Art Show opens at Metcalf’s on February 23rd, featuring wonderful creations from the students at McKinley (thank you Mrs. Leigh!); Winter Walk to School Day is the 24th; and the Publishing Center is currently collecting signups from any and all students 1st – 5th grade who would like to create their own published book, in the style that they have made in the past. These are beloved by students and parents alike, so don’t miss the opportunity! Senior Kindergarten students will make a book in class. You have received signup information in your Tuesday folders, and there is an online link in the PTO newsletter.
Even if it is a cold February, we can be confident that we will not run out of things to do!
Have a wonderful month!
Mrs. Hoffmann
☟ ☟ ☟ ☟ ☟ ☟ . . Specialist Conference Schedule . . ☟ ☟ ☟ ☟ ☟ ☟ ☟
Thursday, Feb 16 & Tuesday, Feb 21
Andy Pforr - Band - Tuesday 6:10-8 pm at McKinley
Hannah Millicovsky - Phy Ed - Thursday & Tuesday 6:15-8 pm at McKinley
Liz Daily - Orchestra - Thursday 6:15-8 pm at McKinley & Tuesday 4:30-8 pm at McKinley
Stephanie Jaramillo - Tuesday in library at McKinley
Jenny Leigh - Thursday at McKinley
📌 ... 📌 ... 📌 ... 📌 ... Dates to Remember ... 📌 ... 📌... 📌 ... 📌
Feb 14..Group Hug Around McKinley - Wear Red Outerwear!
Feb 15..Angelman Awareness Day - Wear Blue!
Feb 16 & 21..Elementary Conferences (Optional)
Feb 17..Family Fun Night from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Feb 20..No School JK-12
Feb 21..Change to a Monday schedule
Feb 24..Winter Walk to School Day
♭ ♬ ♭ ♬ ♭ ♬ ♭ ♬ ♭ ♬ . . Save the Date . . ♬ ♭ ♬ ♭ ♬ ♭ ♬ ♭ ♬ ♭
The McKinley dance will be on Friday, March 24 from 6 until 8:30 p.m.
💕💕 Group Hug Around McKinley - Wear Red Outerwear! 💕💕
❄. ❄❄ . ❄❄ . ❄ Winter Recess Reminder ❄ . ❄❄ . ❄❄ . ❄
Just a gentle reminder, we still have a few months of cold weather ahead of us. Snow pants are not just for the snow - they also protect kids from the cold. Please keep sending your children to school with the proper gear to have fun outside.
- Snow pants
- Boots
- Waterproof gloves
- Hats
- Scarves
- And of course a warm, winter jacket!
Thank you!
Interns & Student Teachers
McKinley has a new student teacher to introduce to you. Her name is Emily McGloin, and she is a graduate student from UW-M and will be graduating in August of this year. Emily will be here working with Mrs. Meehan, our speech teacher, everyday but Tuesdays, and her placement will continue until the second week in May. Thank you for making her feel welcome.
Ms. Kumferman’s Korner—news from the School Social Worker
As part of our comprehensive guidance program, all 5th grade students throughout our district create an Academic and Career Portfolio to assist them with the transition to middle school. My intern, Courtney, and I deliver weekly lessons in each of our 5th grade classrooms throughout the months of January, February, and March. Each student creates a personal website where we explore things such as interests, strengths, challenges, organization, time management, possible careers, goal setting, and building friendships. This process culminates with each student presenting his/her Academic and Career Portfolio during a conference later this spring where parents/guardians are invited. This is the 7th year of this initiative and the feedback from both parents and students has been very positive. Watch for a brochure in the next few weeks with more information and a conference invitation later in spring!
PBIS
PBIS Ronald McDonald House Toy Drive
The Ronald McDonald House has been a "Home Away From Home" for thousands of families with children seeking medical attention at Children's Hospital and other area hospitals. Since we opened our doors in 1984, the Ronald McDonald House in Milwaukee has been keeping families close by providing more than 38,000 family stays at little to no costs. No one is ever turned away for their inability to pay!
The House is more than just a place to stay. We offer families therapeutic programming, a comprehensive meal program, comfortable community spaces and so much more. A team of over 550 volunteers and a small dedicated staff are always ready to do whatever it takes to make a families stay a little easier during difficult times.
The Ronald McDonald House accepts new toys throughout the year to distribute to our guest families. A small yellow token is a big deal here at the House! With yellow token in hand, families get to visit the MAGIC ROOM- the most magical room in the House, filled with toys, games, and, of course, books! Children get to pick which of the very special items they choose to make their own. Each of these families visit the Magic Room while on their medical journey, selecting toys and books that provide distraction, comfort, and joy when so many things are out of their control. The Magic Room is stocked solely through the generosity of our donors- like you! Will you help us share the magic with our families? Consider donating to the McKinley Elementary School Toy Drive in February!
* AVOID Barbies, Hot Wheel Cars, Star Wars figures and Frozen figures.
*IN NEED of basketballs, footballs, legos for older children, books for older readers, baby dolls, and Dory things.
Logo Update
Logo Update: We are still in process with the drafts of the new logo and hope to have something to decide upon soon. The number of votes indicating a desire for a mascot in the last survey suggests we should continue exploring. In the near future, the next survey will be students only. Let’s see what the kids of McKinley have to say!
🎳 . . 🎳 . . 🎳 . E F W Bowling at Bowlero . 🎳 . . 🎳 . . 🎳
Bowl every Wednesday from 2:30-5 pm for $5.
Price includes shoe rental and unlimited bowling during that time frame.
Bowlero will donate $3 from each participant to the EFW. Money raised goes directly to grants awarded next school year.
AMF Bowlero is located at 11737 W Burleigh Street - 414-258-9000.
Be sure to check them out!
Office Max / Office Depot Gives Back
* * Tosa Cares * *
TosaCares is a nonprofit agency located inside Mt. Zion Lutheran Church on North Ave in Wauwatosa. TosaCares assists families in Milwaukee County with food and other services. Please contact Linda Ertel for more information at 414-258-0456 ext 410 or tosacares.gmail.com
Distribution dates:
Mar 11, 2017
Apr 29, 2017
June 17, 2017
Aug 12. 2017
Sept 30, 2017
Nov 18, 2017
Services available on those dates:
Light Breakfast
Food Pack
Clothes Closet (free, no limit)
Health Dept,
Vision, Chiropractic
Opportunity for Fellowship
Sometimes household appliances
_____________________________________________________
Hours: Monday, 1-3 p.m.; Saturday 9 - 11 a.m.; closed on legal holidays.
Clients select their desired food and pack the food in bags distributed according to family size.
Food available: non-perishable canned goods, eggs, protein.
Registration requirements: can register on site.
McKinley contact info
Website: http://www.edlinesites.net/pages/McKinley_Elementary_School
Location: 2435 N 89th St, Wauwatosa, WI, United States
Phone: (414)773-1500