McKinley Monthly
March 2019
Dear McKinley Families,
This is a long remarks column, so please stick with me! I have a lot to cover for March!
In only a few short months, our PTO President Lindsay Stadler will be finishing her term. We are greatly indebted to Lindsay for all she has accomplished in the two years as president, including keeping all of us informed with the weekly PTO newsletter, starting new family mentoring, taking on Family Fun Night and this year's adult social, adding Kids Trivia, and--probably unknown in the McKinley community but most incredibly important--her work to be sure that the McKinley PTO is a 501C3 for tax purposes, thus allowing more money to be spent on the children of our school. This is something that took extra effort and a lot of time that all future PTO leaders will benefit from. Thank you, Lindsay, for your dedication and constant advocacy of keeping students and staff at the forefront of all of your efforts! And thank you to all of the members of the PTO Board who will be moving on, to those who will continue, and to those stepping up to fill positions. McKinley’s strength as a community comes from the active volunteerism of our families.
Lindsay has four more months (and two more PTO meetings) left on her term of president, and that time is going by quickly. We are in need of someone (or a pair of people as co-presidents) to step up in this role. It is an amazing way to get the inside scoop on everything McKinley and to make a difference for all of our students and families.
Some details to help you as you consider this role:
The incoming President/s should be in place prior to our last PTO meeting of the year on May 9th. Although the by-laws state that all new Board terms (President/s, Vice President, VP or Membership) will begin on July 1, the vote for these new Board members is always on the agenda for the May meeting. In addition, the May meeting will focus solely on evaluating our 2018-19 events/programs and planning for 2019-20 events/programs and the incoming President/s (and the Board) will be responsible for executing the action items developed during that meeting.
The incoming President/s will give the PTO presentation during the New Parent Meeting on June 4th at 6 p.m.
Also in June, the incoming President/s will meet with Mrs. Hoffmann to plan the 2019-20 calendar.
Late summer events include registration and helping to organize Meet the Teacher popsicle parties.
If you are interested, please send an email or give me or Lindsay a call. We can talk you through any questions that you have.
February “Thank You’s” go out to everyone who worked to put together meals for teachers during conferences and Open House, for set up, clean up and passing out hot chocolate during Winter Walk to School Day, and for all of the help to Mrs. Leigh and Mrs. Garder in the organization of Empty Bowls/Art Night/Open House. Thanks to Mrs. Daily and the orchestra students for providing entertainment for the evening, and to the Messengers for helping with bussing tables. And an extra big thanks to everyone who came to the Open House, Art Night, Empty Bowls event yesterday! What a huge success! Once we have calculated the amount to be donated to Tosa Cares we will let you know. We appreciate the dedication and abundance of time, energy, and resources given--we couldn’t do it without you.
We have much coming up in March that you should be aware of. The District Art Show at Metcalf’s will continue until March 19th. Tomorrow (Saturday, March 2nd) our Chess Club students and families are hosting the 2nd Annual McKinley Chess Tournament! Sending best wishes to all players! Keep your heads on and show them what sportsmanship looks like the McKinley Way!
Next week is a busy one. The McKinley Messengers will begin their coin drive for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The assembly on Monday afternoon will include representatives from LLS to present information about this cause and boxes will go home with students to fill and bring back. Monday evening is the Portillo’s dine out, 5-8 p.m.; Hoops for Heart is Tuesday right after school; and the new revamped Family Fun Night is on Friday from 6-8:30. Please see Monday’s PTO newsletter for more details on that event.
The next PTO meeting is March 14th at 6:30 in the library. There is a childcare request form in the PTO newsletter for anyone interested in having childcare during the meeting. Children must be potty trained to take advantage of this service.
We have wrapped up our second trimester and teachers are busy entering grades and writing their comments. “Tuesday” folders will be sent home on Friday, March 15 with report cards.
Tuesday, March 19th from 5-7:30 is the first opportunity for Community Engagement in regard to building a new McKinley. Put this on your calendar! This first meeting about the new McKinley will be active as we ask participants to go on a scavenger hunt to identify elements of the current design that they appreciate. The group will share out its findings. More details will come closer to the event.
Friday, March 22nd, the traveling troupe of Wauwatosa Children’s Theater will present “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” to our students. This year we have 10 students participating in the WCT’s production, with Audrey J., Mary P., Henry R., Emerson D., and the other Henry R. performing in our shows, and Elliott E., Derius L., Jessica B., Nevaeh S., and Annie O. performing at other schools in the area. Break a leg, actors!
And last, but not least, Spring Break March 23rd through March 31st! I hope it is time filled with wonder and joy! I hope we are moving toward milder weather and NO MORE SNOW DAYS!
Have a great March!
Mrs. Hoffmann
*** McK Attendance Line 773-1502 ***
Dates to Remember
Please mark these dates on your calendar:
March 2 - McKinley Chess Tournament
March 4 - Portillo's Dine-Out Fundraiser 5-8 p.m.
March 5 - Hoops for Heart - grades 3-5
March 8 - Family Fun Fest from 6-8:30 p.m.
March 14 - PTO Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
March 15 - All Students Have School (previously was a day off)
March 19 - Community Engagement Neighborhood Meeting # 1- Artifact Scavenger Hunt
March 21 - Down Syndrome Awareness Day - Lots of Socks!
March 25-29 - No Classes JK-12; Spring Break
Register Now for the 2019 Walk/Run
Saturday, May 4, 2019, 8:00 a.m.
The Annual May event is at Hart Park; communitywide 5K added
Sign up Now for discounted price! www.tosaefw.org
Offer ends March 2.
Hoops for Heart - Kid Heart Challenge
Families of 3rd through 5th grade students, we will once again be putting on a hoops event at McKinley. It will be after school on Tuesday, March 5th, from 3:20-4:45. All students in grades 3-5 are welcome to participate. Donations are welcomed, but not a requirement for students to attend and be a part of the event.
Some of you may notice a change in the name of the event. It is now called the KID HEART CHALLENGE. Even though it is a change in name from the American Heart Association, we will once again be running it as a event focusing on basketball skills. All parents are welcome as well to help out at a basketball station and be a part of the event as well. We hope to see you all on March 5th!!!
If you have any questions please contact:
Mr. Roloff
414-773-1551
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
*HOOPS for Heart: MARCH 5th
*Donations due by: MARCH 12th
Please make all checks payable to: American Heart Association
As a 501C status non-profit, all donations are tax deductible.
↑↑↑ Tosa Reads ↑↑↑
↓↓↓ Harley the Dog books! ↓↓↓
Thank you Grampee Roger
Winter Make-Up Days
Due to the cancellation of school as a result of Winter Storm Warnings resulting in significant snow and near-record cold, we need to make some adjustments to our school calendar to ensure the District meets the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) required hours of instruction.
As such, please note the following ways we will be making up the time:
- All students will have school on March 15 (previously scheduled as a No School Professional Learning Day) and May 24 (already scheduled as an inclement weather make-up day).
- Because there are different requirements for instructional minutes at the high school level, all high school students will also have a virtual learning day on April 22.
- Students will access teacher lessons and assignments via their Chromebooks from home. Further details are being developed and will be communicated once final.
- This will remain a no-class day for elementary and middle school students, as scheduled for Professional Learning.
- High school students will have semester exams pushed back one day second semester. Exams will be June 12,13, and 14, 2019. Specific exam information will be developed and shared with high school staff, students and parents.
- East High School -- lunch hours will be shortened by 5 minutes and the end of the school day extended by 5 minutes beginning Monday, Feb. 11 through the end of the semester. This is at East only to make up for an extended lunch period earlier in the year. This will allow for only juniors to be in the building when taking the state ACT on February 20 at both East and West.
- East and West will have all students in attendance during the ASPIRE testing sessions for freshmen and sophomores. Previously, this was a late start for juniors and seniors.
This plan is subject to change if we have additional days lost due to severe weather in the remaining 2-3 months of winter.
Graduation will remain on Sunday, June 9, 2019, for East and West High School.
Thank you for your patience as we worked out the details of what we feel is the least disruptive solution.
Ms. Kumferman's Korner
News from your School Social Worker
Hello! Since January, we have focused on all of the 3rd grade students as my intern and I teach the students about Zones of Regulation. Zones is a curriculum that helps children in identifying feelings, deciding which Zone they are in, and teaches skills so that they can get back to the Green Zone that will help them be most ready to learn. There is a Blue Zone (tired, sick, bored), Green Zone (happy, focused, ready to learn), Yellow Zone (anxious, frustrated, silly) and a Red Zone (angry, out of control, overly excited). There is no “bad” Zone but rather it’s what you choose to do with the feeling that’s important. We learn about Tools to get us back in the Green Zone, and discuss different perspectives, as well making sure the size of our reaction matches the size of the problem. Amanda and I will finish up soon with 3rd grade and start lessons in 2nd grade next! Ask your child about Zones!
______________________________________________________________________________
Another free, local resource you might be interested in:
Here is a free program being offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
What is the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program?
- Free, 12-session education program for family, partners, friends and significant others of adults living with mental illness
- Taught by trained facilitators who are also family members who know what it is like to have a loved one living with mental illness
- Designed to help family members understand and support their loved one living with mental illness
- Includes information on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions
- Life changing for thousands of families
Mar 9 – June 1, 2019
(Saturdays)
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Wauwatosa Ave United Methodist Church
1529 Wauwatosa Ave
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
414-344-0447
susan@namigrm.org
↓↓↓ Occupational Therapist Intern ↓↓↓
Plastic Cap Collection
↓↓↓ Art Student Teacher ↓↓↓
PTO Help Needed
Family Fun Fest needing help with volunteer coordination and carnival game coordination!
Please contact Lindsay Stadler if you can help at lindsaystadler@gmail.com or (414) 345-7028.
↓↓↓ Speech Student Teacher ↓↓↓
Eisenhower's Resale
Come Shop the Resale!
Eisenhower Elementary School
Children’s Clothing and Toy Resale
11600 W. Center Street, Wauwatosa
Friday, March 1st 6:00 - 9:00pm
(*No Children Allowed)
Saturday, March 2nd 9:00am - 12:00pm
(WHITE tags will be half price)
Children’s clothing, accessories,
baby clothing, baby furniture,
sports gear, toys, books & much more.
We accept Cash, Check, or Credit/Debit. There is a 2.9% fee for Credit/Debit Purchases.
*For Safety reasons, children and/or infants are not allowed
at the Resale on Friday evening.
Children are welcome to attend the Resale on Saturday.
New Visitor/Sign-in System
Prepare for the Weather!
We go outside every day, unless the weather is extreme. Please remember to send hats, coats, and gloves to school every day. When it snows, children need snow pants, boots, scarves, and gloves or mittens for playground play. Students without proper snow gear stay on the blacktop only during recess, which can be disappointing when there is a fresh pile of snow outside.
Our district rarely closes, since few students in the district stand outside to wait for buses. District policy is that a “feels like” temperature of 5 below is the standard for indoor recess; however, we will be reasonable with the call. Negative five degrees and sun with no wind after a week of 20 below can feel like a welcome heat wave; whereas, negative five with biting wind feels terrible for kids having to be out for 20 minutes. Before school we will continue to use the blue dots on the doors to help inform you if we need to be inside.
Office Max / Office Depot Gives Back
* * Tosa Cares * *
Tosa Cares is a local, non-profit organization located in Mount Zion Lutheran Church that helps families with food donations and so much more. Here are the dates for the monthly food distributions. You are encouraged to contact Linda Ertel before you come either by email Tosacares@gmail.com or phone 414-861-4725, or you can just show up on one of these dates.
2019 dates:
March 9th
April 27th
June 15th
August 10th
October 5th
November 23rd
Tosa Cares is also always looking for donations of food, or cash. There are three permanent donation sites/times which you can find on their website: tosacares.org
Here is a list of the most needed items:
- Cereal
- Nonperishable fruits, vegetables and juices
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Spaghetti sauces and noodles
- Pastas and rice
- Canned protein, such as chicken, tuna and beef stew
- Snacks such as granola bars, crackers, popcorn and cookies
- Packaged dinners, especially those with meat
- Hearty soups
- Toilet paper, diapers, baby wipes, paper towels and tissues
- Personal care items such as shampoo, hand soap, lotion and toothbrushes and tooth paste
- Dish soap and laundry soap
McKinley contact info
Website: https://www.wauwatosa.k12.wi.us/McKinley
Location: 2435 N 89th St, Wauwatosa, WI, United States
Phone: (414)773-1500