McKinley Monthly
December 2020
Dear McKinley Families,
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! Big news on the Principal Hoffmann front--on Tuesday, November 24th, I defended my dissertation, Principals’ Perceptions of Equity Informed Practices and Policies, completing my three-year doctoral program at Edgewood College. One gift of the pandemic, for me, was time to do the necessary research and writing. With fewer distractions evenings and weekends, I was able to get the work done. It was an amazing academic exercise, and I am thrilled to be finished with my program and to now hold the title Doctor of Education (Ed.D). I hope the learning I engaged in will continue to serve the students and families of McKinley. I believe in lifelong learning, and know I am never, ever finished, but it does feel good to have completions along the way.
December 1 marks the start of Trimester 2. Some children will be changing instructional models, and I know that the change might cause some anxiety. Remember to acknowledge the fears and reach out to teachers, Ms. Kumferman our School Social Worker and Ms. Groth-Mals our school social worker intern, or to me if and when you need support or suggestions about how to ease transitions. Ms. Kumferman and Ms. Groth-Mals have included a helpful graphic for everyone lower in this newsletter.
A reminder to everyone, that when we move to 5-day learning we will have a number of classroom and teacher shifts, especially at the Junior Kindergarten through 2nd grade levels to meet the School Board-approved instructional models. Junior Kindergarten through 2nd grade students in Tosa Connected will have designated teachers, rather than concurrent teaching; while 3rd through 5th will have Tosa Connected students attending classes concurrently with their classmates via videoconferencing. When we had “meet the teacher” in September grade-level teams purposely presented together, and throughout hybrid learning these teams support each other so that students get to know all of the teachers, but still there will be shifts that will be harder on some students than others. I’ve had a few questions asking if we will attempt to place students with “original” pre-hybrid groupings. I will do all I can to honor the intentions of those placements, while also attempting to honor strong connections that have been made this first trimester. It will be a tricky balancing act, and again, more change.
I do believe, deep in my heart, that the children will be okay, as long as we all continue to support them emotionally throughout all of this. Children are learning and will continue to learn. At home, read with them often. Offer opportunities to let them indulge in their passions. Give space for free play and creativity as much as possible. When emotions are a little disregulated, find ways to recognize your own emotions and try to keep them in check and model self-regulation for your child. Take a breath and come back to the task later. More than anything, if students continue to love learning and associate learning tasks with positive interactions, their ability to grow will continue to grow. Look for the joy and appreciate every minute--the good and the not-so-good. We GET to have this time. We realize more and more the fragility of life right now, in this, our pandemic year. If we cling only to trying to get back to the past, we hamper the possibilities of the future.
Take care everyone,
Dr. Hoffmann
Upcoming Dates to Know
Dec 1 - Trimester Two begins
Dec 21 - Cohort A synchronous learning
Dec 22 - Cohort B synchronous learning
Dec 23-Jan 1 - Winter BreakAttendance During Hybrid Asynchronous Days
Starting on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, attendance will be taken for asynchronous (independent learning) days using Infinite Campus. Elementary (JK-5) students will be marked as present if they (or their approved IC adults) check-in using Infinite Campus ONCE during each week. For information about how to log your child(ren) in for asynchronous learning days, please watch this video.
Important to know: Students will be marked absent if not checked in. Lack of participation in this tracking mechanism may potentially hurt the McKinley school data. Annually, every school and the district as a whole receives state and federal accountability reports. Attendance and absenteeism are a key indicator of student engagement tracked on these report cards. Schools and/or districts that fall below expectations can be placed on an improvement plan and possibly lose federal funding. I am hoping that the State gives us grace in this area, but at this point I can't count on that.
At the elementary (JK-5) level, students will be marked present if they (or their approved IC adults) “check-in” using Infinite Campus ONCE during each week. Students in Cohort A must be checked-in on either Wednesday, Thursday or Friday to be marked “present” for each asynchronous day that week. Students in Cohort B must be checked-in on either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday to be marked “present” for each asynchronous day that week.
We are always here to help so if you need assistance with this process or have questions, please reach out to our Administrative Assistant Mrs. Garder at 414-773-1500 or garderch@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us
McKinley Green Team
We as Green Team leaders have been working toward making McKinley Green Team happen in some way this school year. As of now, we do not have a "Green Team" as it was in years past, but know it's important for the students who are passionate about doing this work.
Historically only 4th and 5th grade students participated in Green Team, this year we would like to open Green Team activities up to any interested student and their families. Please click here to participate in our Green Team recycled art project.
McKinley's Green Team Pledge:
I pledge allegiance to the Earth and all the life it generously supports. One connected system of limited resources with safety, justice, peace, and equal rights for all living things.
Ms. Kumferman’s Korner- News from your School Social Worker
Mrs. Mals (social work intern) and I have been getting into some of the classrooms and we are teaching more about the Zones of Regulation. These are lessons on how to identify feelings and manage strong emotions. We also wanted to share some at-home tips with you on Tips to Build Emotional Resilience which are really important, especially during these challenging times. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you are looking for additional resources for your child or for yourself. We are here to try to help!
UDHR
Hello Families,
Did you know that on December 10, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? The UDHR is a milestone document that proclaims 30 inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world. Here is a link to a document which includes the original text as well as plain language.
The theme for December 10, 2020 is “Recover Better-Stand Up for Human Rights” which is related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the 4 goals and is a link to learn more about them:
End discrimination of any kind
Address inequalities
Encourage participation and solidarity
Promote sustainable development
Women, led by Eleanor Roosevelt, played an important role in the development of the document. If you would like to learn more about that, click here
Children’s books are another way to learn more and have conversations about human rights. A few that are available in our Tosa school libraries are:
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles - Ruby must confront the hostility of white parents when she becomes the first African American girl to integrate Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960.
For the Right to Learn, Malala Yousafzai’s Story by Rebecca Langston-George - Tells Malala Yousafzai's harrowing story of standing up for girls' education against the Taliban, being shot in the head, and surviving to continue the fight
Not in our school libraries yet, but worth checking out:
We are all Born Free by Amnesty International - About the basics of human dignity as elaborated in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Waiting for BiblioBurro by Monica Brown (author) and John Parra (illustrator)-Inspired by the real-life story of Luis Soriano, who started a mobile library with donkeys carrying hundreds of books over long distances for children in rural areas of Colombia.
These books and more were found at this website.
Please reach out to Tracy Carus or Meegan Archambo with questions.
OT/PT Gift List!
Dear Families,
Each year, as the holidays approach, “the Kellys” like to put together a list of fun, educational gifts to make your shopping a little easier. We added some new ideas and kept some favorites on the list, too. There are items to work on both gross and fine motor skills, indoor and outdoor play, and includes items for younger and older kids. The prices and locations listed below are approximate; please call ahead or check online for current availability. (Watch some games for small parts if you have children who chew, or younger siblings.)
Enjoy the season!
Kelly Norton, OT (Wauwatosa), and Kelly Starsky, PT (Glendale/River Hills)
________________________________________________________________________________
Fine and Visual Motor Fun:
1) Squigz: Squigz were just added to the list in 2019. They are suction cup toys that can connect to each other any solid, non-porous surface. Great for creating, fine motor skills and hand strengthening! Amazon, Target & Walmart, $25-26 for the starter set
2) Magnetic Tablets: Such as the one created by Giromag or Bmag, these tablets allow kids to write with the magnetic pen and erase with the pen or fingers. Portable fine and visual motor fun! Amazon, $15-21
3) Don’t Break the Ice: Like the classic version, after setting up the ice rink (great for fine motor skills!), players use hammers to tap ice pieces. Be careful to keep the penguin on top! Target, Amazon, $13
4) Feed the Woozle (New to the List): Cooperative game where you feed the Woozle 12 silly snacks with a spoon before the time is up! The spinner adds a gross motor movement to the task. Fine and gross motor fun! Amazon, $22
5) Pop the Pig (New to the List): Feed the piggy little burgers and watch his belly grow. Good for fine motor skills. Target & Amazon, $16-20
6) Stack Up!: Players work together to stack 12 blocks before the Stack Smasher topples the tower! Three levels of challenge, great for developing visual motor skills. Target, Walmart and Amazon, $20
7) Pop Up Pirate (New to the List): Players take turns sliding colorful swords into the pirate’s barrel. Beward! Choose the wrong slot and the pirate will pop out. Fine motor fun! Amazon, $14
8) Connecting Blocks (such as Cool Crazy Connectors, Imagination Flakes, Emido Building Blocks): There are a variety of fun, plastic block sets that encourage creativity and fine/visual motor skill development. These are a few. Develop motor skills and imagination! Amazon, $16-20
9) Crazy Cereal Electronic Game: It’s a showdown in a bowl! Spoons change colors, and players scramble to collect (scoop) pieces that match the colors. Practice visual motor and self-help skills in a fun way. Amazon & Walmart, $25-30
10) Yeti in my Spaghetti: Take turns placing noodles across the top of the bowl with the Yeti on top. Take turns removing the noodles without letting Yeti fall! Good for developing fine motor control. Amazon, Target & Walmart, $10
11) Mosaic Art: There are many options, from more simple, larger pegs (such as Insoon, Tinoteen), to other sets with stickers (such as Melissa & Doug or Alex). Great for developing fine motor skills. Amazon, $11-20
12) Thumbs Up! Dexterity Game: Race to scoop the loops! Stack colored rings on your thumb in the correct order in this group game. Sounds easy? It can be tricky... first you need to determine what the correct order is. Good for developing fine motor coordination and visual perceptual skills. Amazon, $16
13) Magic Sketch (“Boogie Board”): A fun way to encourage drawing! This set includes an LCD screen that writes just like pen or paper and erases with the touch of a button. See through screen makes it great for tracing. Good for developing visual motor skills. Amazon, $15-25
14) The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game: Spin the spinner, squeeze the matching colored acorn with your Squirrel Squeezer tongs and place it into your log. Be the first to fill your log with delicious acorns and you win. Good for fine motor dexterity and hand strengthening, as the tongs give your hands a workout! Amazon & Target, $11-14
15) Avalanche Fruit Stand Game: Use jumbo tweezers to pick or place fruit on a stand in this spin the wheel game. You can place the board at different angles to adjust the difficulty of the game. Great for developing fine motor skills. Amazon, Target & Walmart, $15-20
16) Kerplunk: A classic game! The object of the game is to skillfully remove the sticks from the tube while dropping the fewest marbles possible. Good for developing fine motor control. Amazon, Target & Walmart, $15
17) AND (an easier version of Kerplunk) Honey Bee Tree: Helps kids to develop fine and visual motor skills by carefully removing leaves on the tree without waking the sleeping bees. Amazon & Walmart, $18 at Walmart, $27 at Amazon
18) Doodle Dice Game: See what your dice can doodle! Create a doodle with a few rolls of the Doodle Dice. Based on your roll, players attempt to copy the doodle on the dice. Good for visual motor and visual perceptual skill development. Amazon & Walmart, $10-11
19) Straws and Connectors: Build structures using connectors and heavy, colorful straws. Make houses, forts, even spacecrafts. This flexible design enables children to design and create simple shapes or complex structures using connectors and heavy, colorful 8" straws. Good for developing hand strength and coordination. Amazon, Target & Walmart, $17-30
20) Spot It Games (Jr., Sports, Disney characters, etc.): The aim of the game is to be the first to spot the one symbol in common between two or more cards. Good for developing visual perceptual skills. There are different versions of this game to match different skills and interests. Amazon & Target, $8-15
21) Suspend Jr. (by Melissa & Doug): a balancing game with rubber-tipped wire pieces that hang from a tabletop stand. With each turn, a new piece is added to the transforming vertical sculpture, causing the balance to shift. Good for developing visual motor skills. Target & Amazon, $15-17
22) Color with Water Mats: Fill the markers with water to draw write on these boards (or color pictures that brighten as you color over them). Some boards are designed for car travel, and others can be mounted on the wall or used on the floor while your child lays on their tummy to develop upper body strength. Amazon, prices vary based on the size/brand
23) Froggy Feeding Fun: Squeeze the frog to open its mouth, pick up flies and strengthen fine motor muscles. Roll a cube to determine which flies to munch. Amazon, Walmart & Target, $17-25
Movement and Gross Motor Fun:
1) Heads Talk Tails Walk card game (New to the list): You may be quacking like a duck while you jump like a frog! This game is sure to lead to some giggles! Amazon, $16
2) Balls: so you say that your child just isn’t interested in ball activities? Maybe you just need a better ball! Check out these motivating ones!
Extreme Egg Toss (Amazon)
Squeezamals Freeze N Squeeze Game (Amazon)
Chuckle and Roar Hot Potato (Target) or Pass the Potato game (Amazon)
Old favorites, but with some new twists! Be creative--underhand throws, overhand throws, one-handed catches, between your leg passes will have you giggling while you play Target, Amazon, $10-17
Oball (classic) This is a great ball for learning how to catch because the open-cage design is SO easy to catch! These are often sold as baby toys but the open hole design makes it great to work on catching no matter what the child’s age Target, Meijer, Amazon, $5-10
Ollyball (New to the list): Yes, you can play ball in the house! Lightweight, made from kite material. Target, Walmart, Amazon, $15
3) Break the Board game (New to the list): It’s time to channel your inner Karate Kid! Follow the lights on the board and swipe, chop, or BREAK! Great for visual tracking! Target, $17
4) Ring Fit Adventure for Nintendo Switch (New to the list): Turn your Nintendo Switch video game time into an action adventure! Nintendo’s new game will have you jogging, steering, bending, and lifting while you play. The wheel is your controller and you will be having fun and MOVING! Target, Best Buy, Walmart, $80 (*you must have a Nintendo Switch to play this game)
5) Leaps and Ledges: It’s a board game that has gone vertical. Instead of moving your pieces around the board, you are moving up, up, up! Great for getting reaches and crossing midline. Walmart, Amazon, Mindware, $30
6) Sleds, snowboards, snowshoes, and shovels: These early snowfalls are telling us that winter is upon us! Don’t hibernate! Explore the fabulous modes of snow transportation and go exploring and get your child burning some energy as they push their shovel up/down the driveway/sidewalks. Fleet Farm, Target, Costco, $3-$100
7) The original Stomp Rockets, LED Stomp Rockets, Dueling Stomp Rocket, and MotoWorx Toy Rocket Launcher: Fun for everyone--how much power do you have to send your rocket flying? Now they have light up ones so you can chase and find your rocket in the dark! Target.com/Target, www.fatbraintoys.com, Target, Amazon, Walmart, $18-28
8) Franklin Sports MLB 2 in 1 grow with me batting tee: Start with the ball hanging (via velcro) and transition to hitting it off the tee, Target, Walmart, $30
9) Mini Trampoline: I’ve kept this one on the list every year...it has the Starsky family seal of approval! Work on jumping, marching, jogging, and building endurance to get that heart pumping, also good for throwing and catching (bounces back) if you tip it up against the wall. When my kids would watch TV, I would make them jump during the commercials! Target.com, Fleet Farm, Walmart, sporting goods stores, $40-70
10) Dirty Dunk Laundry Hamper: This one will make parents happy too! Hanging on the back of the door, it makes laundry time a game! Amazon, Target, Walmart, $25-30 OR Spalding Over-the-door Mini Slam Jam Hoop and Ball, Target, $30
11) Adorox Bean Bag Toss Game Set Sporty Bean Bag Corn Hole Game Set (New to the list): This corn hole game is great for indoors or outdoors, easy to set up, and a little easier for kids than the traditional game. Amazon, $24
12) HABA Socken Zocken Active Kids (New to the list) - A monstrously Quick Movement Game. This fun sock sorting action game may even motivate the kids to put their laundry away!? Amazon, $20
13) Up In & Over Energetic Elephant Bouncer with Built in Pump (New to the list): Perfect for kids ages 3-6 to bounce away that energy! Walmart.com, $50
14) Sturdy Birdy Board Game: A game of balance--are you up for the challenge? Walmart, Amazon, $20
15) The Floor is Lava: by Endless Games: Players must imagine the floor is molten hot lava, while spinning for their color and jumping along foam game pieces in order to reach safety. Sounds like fun to me! Amazon, www.fatbraintoys.com, Meijer, Walmart, Target, $20
16) Kids Pod Hanging Swing Seat hammock by Outree(New to the list): It’s a swing, it’s a tent, it’s a hideout, it’s flexible seating...it’s fun! Amazon, $38
17) Scavenger Hunts for Kids (Fleet Farm, $13) or Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt Outdoor Indoor Card Game for Kids (Amazon, $13) or GOFINDIT (outdoor nature scavenger hunt card game for families) (Amazon, $13) All NEW to the list: These games will get you MOVING as you be the first to find the items!
18) Animal Action Cards: This is an Amazon favorite. Flip a card and get your duck walk on. You can use it with one of your own puzzles and set up the pieces on one side of the room---move a different way each time you go to get a new piece. Animal walks are fun and great for body awareness and balance too. Amazon, $8
19) Yoga Games for children-fun and fitness with postures, movements, and breath (book) by Danielle Bersma (New to the list): Great for working on balance, calming, and coordination with the whole family. Amazon, Target.com, $15
20) Yoga Spinner by Thinkfun: Simple stretching fun for the whole family! Be the first one to collect a card of each color. Yoga pose your way through the game! Amazon, Walmart.com, $12-20
21) 10 Pin Bowling Set (New to the list): When you can’t go to the bowling alley, bring the bowling alley to you! Target, Walmart, Amazon, $20
22) 4FUN Wicket Kick Giant Croquet (New to the list) or Kick Croquet by Hearthsong (found on Target.com): A fun new spin on the traditional game of croquet as you have to kick the large croquet balls through the wickets. Can you turn it into a game of speed? I’m sure it will be a game of fun! $26-33
23) Connect 4 Shots: The classic game of Connect 4 has gotten a little more dimensional as you need to bounce the balls into the stand! Target, Walmart, Amazon, $20
24) Pling Pong by Buffalo Games (New to the list): It’s ping pong ball bouncing fun with some strategy thrown in too! Amazon, $23
25) Ninja Timer (New to the list): Who doesn’t love watching Ninja Warrior? So, set up your own obstacle course in your house or outside and then use this giant Ninja Timer (just like the one on TV) to see if you can beat your own time or see if you are the fastest in your family! Walmart, Hearthsong.com, $20-25
26) Build or Boom (New to the list): Be the first to build your tower shown on the card or your competition can send it crumbling! Give this game even more action by scattering the building blocks around the room! Walmart, Amazon, $15
SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT
The Wisconsin Department of Justice is thrilled to introduce the SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT (SUSO) Resource Center! SUSO was created to help keep students safe by offering a comprehensive, one-stop place to turn with safety concerns, including a threat reporting system.
Visit https://speakup.widoj.gov/ to learn more. #SpeakUpWI
Check out the Lost & Found!
It's Not Too Late!
Family Info At Your Fingertips
CAN I SEND MY CHILD TO SCHOOL?
REQUESTING MEALS
**if quarantining, complete Virtual Learner form
GETTING ON A CHROMEBOOK
Step-by-Step Visual Directions
HELP DESK
Video How To (no voiceover)
Video (talks you through navigating the website)
TRANSLATING A GOOGLE DOC
TRANSLATING A WEBSITE
GETTING STARTED ON CANVAS (for parents)
OT Update: Handwriting
As we begin a new school year after some extended time away, students may be having some difficulty with handwriting. If you have a student who is having some struggles, here are a few strategies and resources to consider. Feel free to pass these along to parents as well!
At Home Handwriting Practice Resources:
At Home Handwriting Interactive Teaching Tool: 90-day free access to at-home handwriting workbooks and activities for Grades K-4 (could use for students who are continuing to develop handwriting skills after Grade 4)
Lined Paper: Link for three-lined paper with varying line widths (tri-line)
HWT Worksheet Maker: Make your own practice writing worksheets (bi-line)
Visuals:
5 Star Writing: 5 simple tips for editing and writing out sentences
Holding Your Pencil Correctly: Visuals to help support a strong pencil grip
Simple Tips to Support Handwriting:
If a child needs more room to form letters or add edits, encourage them to place an “X” at the margin of every other line. This visual reminder can encourage them to skip lines.
If a child is struggling to stay on a line, consider highlighting the line as a visual reminder to stay close to the line.
Please let us know if you have any questions!
District OT Department
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.
* * Tosa Cares * *
Due to the spread of COVID-19, and social distancing, group distributions have been cancelled for the near future. If you need to schedule or change an appointment call, text or email Linda to leave a message for a drive-thru appointment.
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.
Office Max / Office Depot Gives Back
Reopening Resource Library
Several additional assets have been added to the Reopening Resource Library, which are listed and linked below.
BRAVE Research Center
The BRAVE Research Center, at the University of Wisconsin Department of Psychiatry, is conducting a Family COVID Survey for families with school-aged children. We need your help sharing this information with families in your school district.
As you know, the pandemic has changed the lives of youth and families across our state, the country, and the world. There is very little known about how these changes may further impact the mental health and general well-being of our communities. The BRAVE Research Center is looking at how families have been (and continue to be) impacted by the pandemic. The study targets parents/caregivers of school-aged children between the ages of 6-17. Study participation involves completing a set of online surveys. There is also an option for youth to complete surveys in addition to their caregivers. Upon completion of each survey, participants will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card. Please see below for the direct link to the survey as well as a link to the research center's website. Families can call 608-265-3610 with any questions.
- Here is the direct link to the study survey: https://redcap.ictr.wisc.edu/surveys/?s=33JL3NTH3H
- More information about the study can be found on this website: https://brave.psychiatry.wisc.edu/current-studies/
McKinley contact info
Website: https://www.wauwatosa.k12.wi.us/McKinley
Location: 2435 N 89th St, Wauwatosa, WI, United States
Phone: (414)773-1500