MCKINLEY STEAM ACADEMY
October 2, 2020
NOTE FROM MR. MARTINEZ
Hello McKinley Families,
Over the next several days, you will be hearing from your child’s Advisory teacher via phone call or Google Meet. The focus of these conversations will be on providing support to families for monitoring their child’s progress. Specifically, how can we assist you in accessing and utilizing our two primary learning platforms: Infinite Campus and Google Classroom. In preparation for these conversations, I am sharing the following links that will hopefully provide some additional information prior to your conversation.
Infinite Campus: https://www.infinitecampus.com/video/campus-parent-campus-student
CRCSD Parent/Student Technology Resources: https://sites.google.com/crschools.us/crcsdparentstudenttechresource/home
Please feel free to contact McKinley STEAM Academy’s main office (319.558.2348), Principal Martinez (319.558.3002), or your student’s advisor for additional support or information.
Thank you for your continued support of McKinley STEAM Academy
CALENDAR
- PTA Meeting at 5:30 (Zoom information below)
Friday, October 9
- Early Dismissal (1:20 pm)
STUDENT HELP DESK SUPPORT
Do your students need help logging in to classes? If so, have them go to
Go to GoogleMeet
Type: msahelpdesk
NOTE: This is a change from the last few weeks
HAVE. YOU MOVED?
PTA MEETING - OCTOBER 5 - ZOOM MEETING
PTA BUSINESS MEETING on Monday, October 5 at 5:30 pm will be a Zoom meeting. Below is the log in information.
Meeting ID: 966 5213 1954
Passcode: VSiB0i
The purpose of this meeting will be to vote in the Executive Board and approve the 2020-2021 budget. We need to have at least 6 members in attendance to have a quorum vote so we appreciate you joining us. We are taking nominations for President and Vice-President and nominations can be submitted via email at PTA.McKinley@yahoo.com through October 4th. Below is the Membership/One Fund Donation form.
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
McKinley Students! Do you want to participate this school year in the “Battle of the Books!” We are teaming up with Swamp Fox Bookstore in Marion. If you want to participate; please contact Mrs. Amy Gardner at agardner@crschools.us to tell her which books off this list you are most interested in. We would like each person to read at least 4 books off the list so when the “battle” happens we have people who can answer the questions pertaining to a variety of books.
We will have fun activities and book talks leading up to the competition in early 2021. So there is plenty of time to read books off this list. If you have already read some of the books, they count.
CLICK HERE for a list of the books on this year’s 6-8th grade list
READING CHALLENGE THROUGH MAY 31
Read and review five books before May 31 and win a special prize! There will also be random drawings for chances to win special prizes throughout the school year by simply completing and submitting book reviews.
An email was sent to each student. Click on the link below for more details.
GIFT CARDS FOR MCKINLEY STAFF
We have extended the deadline to bring in or mail gift cards to October 9th to give everyone a little more time to settle into the school year, etc. If you'd like to donate and it would be easier, we can have someone from the PTA pick up the gift cards from your house, or you can mail a check to the school and someone will purchase the gift cards for you. We understand these are crazy times, we'll gladly help out in any way we can.
Here is the link to sign up to donate: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0444aea623a6fa7-staff2
If you want someone to pick up your gift cards, please respond to this email and we'll be in touch.
Thank you!
McKinley PTA
PACT STUDENTS: CHECK YOUR EMAIL
iREADY
For the second year, we will be using iReady to monitor student progress, celebrate growth, and meet a wide range of student needs with digital support. Students will begin working on their iReady reading and math diagnostics next week.
You can help our students by providing a quiet work environment. Internet hubs are always available for student use if needed. We would ask that students keep their cameras on, mics off and their backgrounds blurred for privacy during testing. Please allow your student to complete these assessments on their own so we will know how to best support their growth.
Assessments are designed so students will get approximately half of the questions correct and half incorrect. Encourage them to keep going, take their time, and give their best, without help from others. Thank you for all you do to support learning.
INTERNET HUBS AND CHROMEBOOK SUPPORT
Resources Available:
Here is information on how students and families will receive technical support for their Chromebooks, iPads, and hot spots.
Expanded Phone Support Hours: Families can call 558-2900 for support. The help desk phone line will be open for calls from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday-Thursday starting on 9/14. On Fridays, phone support will run from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Internet Hubs Available:
Student internet hub locations are available through community partnerships for those who need internet service and attend Jefferson, Kennedy, Washington, Franklin, McKinley or Taft:
Internet hubs are open from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Each location will have staff available for supervision, support, and assistance with student work
Locations include:
Jane Boyd
943 14th Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Paul Engel Center
1600 4th Ave SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Four Oaks
1924 D Street SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Four Oaks
2100 1st Avenue NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
First Lutheran Church
1000 3rd Ave SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Cedar Rapids Public Library
450 5th Ave SE
Cedar Rapids IA 52401
Salvation Army Community Center
1000 C Ave NW
Cedar Rapids IA 52405
LUNCH
Grab n’ Go Locations for Online Learners
Online learning students are able to pick up Grab N’ Go meals (breakfast and lunch together) on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. No student IDs are necessary, and parents, guardians, and students may pick up the meals. Families may pick up meals for all of their virtual learning students at one meal service location.
Cedar River Academy at Taylor Elementary School
720 7th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Grant Wood Elementary School
645 26th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Johnson STEAM Academy
355 18th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Wright Elementary School
1524 Hollywood Blvd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Harding Middle School
4801 Golf St NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
Roosevelt Middle School
300 13th St. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
Wilson Middle School
2301 J St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
WHO TO CALL
Clinic: (319) 558-2519
Counseling: (319) 558-2351
Attendance: (319) 558-2150
REGISTRATION AND ANNUAL VERIFICATION (MUST BE DONE YEARLY)
It is critical we have the most current information for every student. Please take time to update this information in Infinite Campus. The District will continue to hold drive-up Registration and Annual Verification assistance on Wednesdays from 1pm to 4pm at ELSC (located at 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405) through the month of September. Interpreters will be available. Once buildings reopen to the public, families will be able to get assist with registration and annual verification at any open CRCSD building
CLICK HERE to log into Infinite Campus
STAY ENGAGED. STAY CONNECTED
TWITTER: @CRMcKinleyMS
FACEBOOK: McKinley STEAM Academy Magnet School
INSTAGRAM: @mckinleysteamcrcsd
WEBSITE: http://mckinley.cr.k12.ia.us/
HY-VEE CASH 4 STUDENTS PROGRAM UPDATE
Thank you to all who participated in last year's Hy-Vee Cash 4 Students Program. We are in the process of sorting/counting the last of the receipts.
CONTINUE TO COLLECT HY-VEE RECEIPTS!
SCAN: If you wish to scan/take photos of your receipts, you can send them to mckhyvee@gmail.com.
Money raised from the Hy-Vee Cash 4 Students Program goes towards purchasing items for the bear paw store.
Thank you for your support.
To sign up for electronic receipts, go to https://www.hy-vee.com/perks/. Once you log in, it will bring you to your customer profile. Towards the bottom of the first column, it will ask you if you want to receive a digital receipt. Click yes. E-mail your electronic Hy-Vee receipts to Mckhyvee@gmail.com
McKinley STEAM Academy
Email: jmason@cr.k12.ia.us
Website: http://mckinley.cr.k12.ia.us/
Location: 620 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
Phone: 319-558-2348
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McKinleySTEAM/
Twitter: @CRMcKinleyMS