McKinley Monthly
September 2019
Welcome Back!
THE WILDCAT WAY
We are CARING
We are RESPECTFUL
We are RESPONSIBLE
We are SAFE
We are McKinley
McKinley PTA
Picture Day at McKinley
Picture Day is Monday, September 9, 2019! An order envelope was recently sent home and must be turned in with your student on the day of the photo shoot. Please contact the office at 701-446-5200 if you need additional information.
Things to Remember About Morning and Afternoon Procedures
- The building does not open until 7:30 a.m.
- Students should be be dropped off in the marked drop off zone
- Only bus students should use door #1
- Students and parents should use the main door #3
- Students are to go directly to the gym before schools begins
- Breakfast is served from 7:40-8:15 a.m.
- The first bell rings at 8:20 a.m. School begins at 8:30 a.m.
- Plan a meeting location outside of the building to meet your child at the end of the day
- If you need to pick your child up early, please let the office know. Parents will sign their child out for the day and the office will call the student from class. Students cannot come to the office until the parent or guardian is present. All absences should be reported to our attendance clerk at 701-446-5205
School-Parent Compact
McKinley Elementary School
School-Parent Compact
2019-2020
Title I and the parents of students participating in activities, services and programs funded by Title I agree that this compact outlines how they will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership that will help children achieve the State’s high standards. This school-parent compact is in effect during the 2019-2020 school year.
School’s Responsibilities
McKinley Elementary will:
1. Provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the participating children to meet the state’s student academic achievement standards as follows:
- · Provide curriculum and supplemental instruction at an appropriate level
- · Provide alternative methods of instruction
- · Use research-based methods and curriculum
- · Teach to the standards and benchmarks
- · Provide a caring, small group setting with differentiated instruction
2. Hold parent-teacher conferences, during which title teachers will be available to discuss this compact as it relates to the individual child’s achievement. Specifically, these conferences will be held in conjunction with the District calendar of parent-teacher conferences held twice a year:
- · Beginning of Year: Three different dates in October
- · Midyear: Three different dates in February
3. Provide parents with frequent reports on their children’s progress. Specifically, the school will provide reports as follows:
- Progress Report: Conferences and end of year
The school may provide additional reports as follows:
- Informal notes of progress
- Phone calls and or email
- Conferences as needed
- Reading logs
4. Provide parents reasonable access to staff. Specifically, staff will be available for consultation with parents as follows:
- Phone calls: 446-5200. Please leave a message with the office staff and the teacher will return your call in a timely way
- Email addresses can be found on the Fargo Public Schools website
- Individual meetings by appointment
5. Provide regular communication to parents.
- Monthly newsletters will be sent home from school administration
- Teachers will send home weekly monthly newsletters
6. Provide parents opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child’s class, and to observe classroom activities as follows:
- Encourage open-door policy for visiting the classroom. Please call ahead to make arrangements
- Encourage parent volunteers
- Invite parents to observe a Reading Recovery®, Title I or classroom lesson
Parent’s Responsibilities
Parent’s will:
We, as parents, will support our children’s learning in the following ways:
- Getting my child to school on time each day
- Making sure that homework is complete
- Attending parent-teacher conferences
- Limiting the amount of time my child watches TV and plays electronic games
- Volunteering in my child’s classroom/school
- Participating, as appropriate, in decisions relating to my child’s education
- Promoting positive use of my child’s free time
- Reading and responding to communication from school in a timely manner
- Participating, if possible, in whole school activities and/or organizations as available
Popcorn Volunteers Needed!
We are in need of volunteers to prepare popcorn on any Tuesday of the month (and as many times per month as you are able) for students and staff. It's easy, fun and can be done as a team effort. Here's the process:
- Arrive at McKinley around 9 a.m. and pick up the popcorn count from the office.
- Use the popcorn maker (training will be provided) to pop the number of bags sold. Popcorn needs to be bagged and then counted out by section for distribution by our staff at 2:45 p.m.
- If you are able to assist us with this project, we would greatly appreciate hearing from you. It's easy, it's fun and our kids love this weekly treat! Please contact Gina at 701-446-5206 with questions and interest.
Parent's Right to Know
In compliance with the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) McKinley Elementary would like to inform you that you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher(s) or instructional paraprofessional(s).
A. The following information may be requested for teacher(s):
- Whether the teacher has met McKinley teacher certification requirements for the grade level and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
- Whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency or other provisional status through which McKinley qualifications or certification criteria have been waived.
- The college major and any graduate certification or degree held by the teacher.
- Whether the student is provided services by paraprofessionals, and if so, their qualifications.
B. The following information may be requested for instructional paraprofessional(s):
Paraprofessionals must work under the supervision of a certified teacher. In schools that operate a schoolwide program, all paraprofessionals must meet professional qualifications. In a Targeted Assistance program, any paraprofessional who is the direct supervision of a certificated teacher must meet the professional qualifications.
Paraeducators can provide a copy of their high school diploma — transcripts are not necessary. Schools that operate a Title I, Part A program must have a high school diploma or GED and completed the following:
1. Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
2. Obtained an associate’s or higher degree; or
3. Pass the ETS ParaPro Assessment. The assessment measures skills, and content knowledge related to reading, writing and math;
4. Completed previously the apprenticeship requirements and must present a journeycard or certificate. The portfolio and apprenticeships are no longer offered for enrollment; however, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will continue to honor this pathway.
If you wish to request information concerning your child’s teacher’s and instructional paraprofessional’s qualification, please contact Cheryl Janssen at 701-446-5200.
Memories Created
"How to Guide" to Apply for Free/Reduced Meals
Paper applications will still be available at the schools, on the district’s website and have been mailed to all households registered in the district. If you complete an on-line application you do NOT have to complete a paper application.
Parent Involvement Plan
Parent Involvement Plan
McKinley Elementary
2019-2020
Involvement
McKinley Elementary shall:
In the fall, hold an annual meeting with parents of participating Title I children. The purpose of this meeting is to inform parents of the requirements of Title I and their right to be involved:
Hold at McKinley Elementary in the evening.
Offer a flexible number of meetings, such as meetings in the morning or evening, and may provide with funds provided under this part, transportation, or child care, as such services relate to parental involvement.
Meet with the parents twice a year at conferences – October and February.
Get input from parents at the Fall Parent meeting.
Hold phone conferences if needed
Involve parents, in an organized, ongoing and timely way, in the planning, review and improvement of programs under this part, including planning, review and improvement of the school parental involvement policy.
Parent Meetings.
Annual Review meeting scheduled in the spring.
Parent Surveys sent home in the spring.
Information is shared throughout the year via letters, conferences, newsletters and phone calls.
Provide parents of participating children:
Timely information about Title I programs.
A description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet.
If requested by parents, opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children and respond to any such suggestions as soon as practically possible.
Include Newsletters, Reading Logs, Math Journals, meetings, progress reports, notes and information given on the Title I curriculum involving Reading and Math.
If the school-wide program plan is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, submit any parent comments on the plan when the school makes the plan available to the local educational agency.
Shared Responsibilities for High Student Academic Achievement
McKinley Elementary shall jointly develop with parents for all children served in Title I a school-parent compact. This compact outlines how parents, the entire school staff and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement.
The School-Parent Compact is part of this policy.
The actual compact will be given to each Title I parent for review and feedback.
Building Capacity for Involvement
To ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the school involved, parents and the community, to improve student academic achievement, each school and local educational agency assisted under this part…
McKinley Elementary shall provide assistance to the parents of children served by the school or local educational agency, as appropriate, in understanding such topics as the State’s academic content standards and the State student academic achievement standards, State and local academic assessments, the requirements of this part, and how to monitor a child’s progress and work with educators to improve the achievement of their children.
Share academic and achievement standards such as school-wide newsletter, progress reports, parent-teacher conferences and other conferences as needed.
Parent meetings.
Information is shared throughout the year via letters, conferences, newsletters and phone calls.
Reading Logs, Multiplication Fact Practice Sheet.
Encourage meetings with the Title I teacher to discuss specific ways in which parents can assist their children to progress.
McKinley Elementary shall provide materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children’s achievement, such as literacy training and using technology, as appropriate, to foster parental involvement.
Model techniques at parent meetings and conferences.
Instructional books and games provided to parents.
Leveled book list for at home reading.
Provide materials for drill and practice (ex. Flashcards).
McKinley Elementary shall be involved with educating school personnel with the assistance of parents, in the value of parent contributions, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and the school.
Title I teachers will pass along information gained through professional development to parents, faculty/staff, principal by handouts, meetings and conferences, newsletters and staff meetings.
McKinley Elementary shall, to the extent feasible and appropriate, support parent involvement programs and activities with Head Start, Even Start, the Home Instruction Programs for Preschool youngsters, the Parents as Teachers Program, public preschool and other programs, and may develop other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents to more fully participate in the education of their children.
School Nurse and counselor.
Distribute parent information at conferences.
Newsletter to communicate to parents about community resources.
McKinley Elementary shall ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings and other activities is sent to the parents of participating children in a format and to the extent practicable in a language parents can understand.
Translators are used to translate oral and written language as needed.
Informational materials are advised for content readability.
Information is provided orally when written materials are unsuitable.
Involve parents in the development of training for teachers, principals and other educators to improve the effectiveness of such training.
Parents may be involved in the professional development committee.
Title I teachers are members of the McKinley PTA.
School board meetings are open to the public.
May provide necessary literacy training from Title I fund if the district has exhausted all other reasonable available sources of funding for such training.
May pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with local Title I parental involvement activities, including transportation and child care costs, to enable parents to participate in school-related meetings and training sessions.
May train parents to enhance the involvement of other parents.
May arrange school meetings at a variety of times, or conduct in-home conferences between teachers or other educators, who work directly with participating children, with parents who are unable to attend such conferences at school in order to maximize parental involvement and participation.
Teachers are available and respond in a timely manner.
May adopt and implement model approaches to improving parental involvement.
May establish a district parent advisory council to provide advice on all matters related to parent involvement activities.
Shall provide other reasonable support for parental involvement activities under this as parents may request.
Provide parents with websites that will enrich their child’s academic skills.
Send home Reading Connection and DynaMath monthly.
Accessibility
The district and schools shall provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with children with limited English proficiency, parents with children with disabilities and parents of migrant children. The district and schools will provide information and school reports, when practicable in a format and language parents can understand.
Translators are available upon request.
McKinley Elementary resources on staff include: Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Therapist, Learning disabilities Teacher and a Special Education Teacher who assists students with emotional/behavior needs. These teachers act as resources for parents and students.
Dispute Resolution Policy
Dispute Resolution Policy 2019-2020
Federal regulations require that each district adopt procedures for receiving and resolving disputes pertaining to Title programs. If a parent, school personnel or any interested person wishes to file a complaint, the following process must be followed:
The written complaint must be sent via mail or e-mail to:
(Manager of Specific Title program)
Fargo Public Schools
415 North 4th Street
Fargo, ND 58102
Fargo Public Schools Title Managers
Title I Part A (Disadvantaged Students)
Jan Andersonanderja@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title II Part A (Teacher Training/Recruitment)
Robert Groszgroszr@fargo.k12.nd.us
Missy Eidsnesseidsnem@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title III (English Language Acquisition)
David Burkmanburkmad@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title IX (Discrimination/Sexual Harassment)
Brad Franklinfranklb@fargo.k12.nd.us
Patty Cummingscumminp1@fargo.k12.nd.us
Section 504 (Students with Disabilities)
David Burkmanburkmad@fargo.k12.nd.us
Any complaint must include:
• The date;
• The name of the district, unit, or individual the complaint is against;
• The name, address, and telephone number of the person making the complaint;
• A detailed description of the complaint, including specific facts; and
• The signature of the person making the complaint.
When a complaint is filed, the appropriate Fargo Public Schools Title Manager will investigate and issue a written response within sixty (60) calendar days from the date the complaint is received.
Reconsideration
Once a response is received from Fargo Public Schools staff, the person making the complaint has the right to have their complaint reconsidered. The complainant may submit a reconsideration request in writing to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and the U.S. Department of Education.
State Superintendent
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
600 E Boulevard Avenue, Dept 201
Bismarck, ND 58505-0440
The Secretary of Education
U.S. Department of Education
555 New Jersey Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20208
7/2016
Revised 7/2017, 7/2018
Written Notification of Interactive Dashboard (School District Report Card)
Dear Parent/Guardian,
North Dakota has launched a new website designed to help communities across the state access important information about K-12 districts and schools. NDInsights features easy-to-read reports on multiple measures of school success, including test scores, graduation rates, English Learner progress, and student attendance.
NDInsights, or more commonly referred to as the “Dashboard”, is part of North Dakota’s new accountability system. It is the next step in a series of major shifts in public education that have raised the bar for student learning, transformed testing, and placed the focus on equity for all students. To learn more about the state’s accountability and continuous improvement, visit North Dakota’s ESSA website. To found more information about our school, visit NDInsights, select “Find My School”, and search alphabetically for our school.
Why a new system and new tool?
North Dakota is committed to informing communities about how well our schools are doing. North Dakota’s future success depends on tapping into the potential of all students, so they graduate choice ready with the knowledge, skills and disposition to be successful. For schools to reach this goal, teachers, parents, and the community need clear and useful measures of progress. As an accountability tool, the Dashboard will help the state identify schools receiving additional support and assistance.
What is different?
In the past, the accountability system for districts and schools relied heavily on test scores. But one test taken on one particular day does not provide a complete picture of all ways schools are helping students succeed. The Dashboard continues to provide information on different aspects of student performance, but also includes information on school growth and other factors reflecting a more comprehensive view. The Dashboard replaces the former School District Report Card and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) reports. Please note, the data made available to the public masks or hides data for groups with 10 or fewer students to protect confidential information about individual students.
What’s next for our district?
We have strong plans for working to improve the educational programs at our school. We would like you and child(ren) to continue to be active participants in our education system. Please help support our high expectations for student achievement by participating in the school educational initiatives, offering input and support in our endeavors to raise student achievement, or volunteering at the school. Meeting our school’s goals will take a united effort, and I look forward to working with our families to ensure success for each student.
School Support under ESSA
All schools engage in continuous improvement for general support; therefore, our school will complete an AdvancED Continuous Improvement Plan annually. McKinley Elementary is a participating Title 1 school, with a student membership count of 180. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact the school at 2930 8 St N or at 701-446-5200.
McKinley Elementary
Jill Linnell, Counselor
Romelle Speral, Administrative Assistant
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/mckinley
Location: McKinley Elementary School, 8th Street North, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701.446.5200