McKinley Monthly
October 2017
A Word from Mrs. Hoffmann
Dear McKinley Community,
Welcome to October! We are one month in and going strong. September is always focused on relationship building and academically includes much review. If you have not had the chance to see the Meet our Staff videos on Flip Grid, you can still access them here: Meet our Staff (password = McKinley).
I want to send out thank yous to David Farwell for his amazing organization of this year’s McKinley Mile, to Alison Byrne and the wonderful alumni dance team who led the warm up, and to everyone else that pitched in to make this big family event such a success. It takes many hands to run such a major event! Thank you West High Key Club, Lindsay Stadler, Rhianon Bott, Kristin Marlier, Meg Malloy, Katie Fievet, Allie Henak, Sarah Myers, Sarah Dupee, Robin Lane, Maura Riordan, Lindsay Krumsee, Anna Schmidt, Katie Phillips, Erica Willems, Larry Holzen, Karen Suarez Flint, Darren Engbring, Angela Stowe, Susan Osman, Todd & Melissa Dahlgren, Scott & Christy Hewitt, Dale Sloan, Ron Marks, Melissa Koch, Jason Bott, Brian Malloy, Sarah Lerand, Scott Brown, Katie Petitt, Anna Miles, Megan Hambrook, Jessica Gugel, Lori Hagopian, Jenny Jablonsky, Amy Standal, Scott & Christy Hewitt, Chuck Schmidt, the McKinley Messengers, Terri Uden, Juan Matute, and Charlotte Garder. I also want to mention the food pick up service that came for the leftover pizza: Just One More Ministry (https://www.jomministry.org/). If you ever have an event with leftovers and you do not know what to do with them, you can contact this organization and they will be sure to distribute to someone in need. We had perfect weather again!
The weather forecast is calling for morning showers for Walk to School Day, Wednesday, October 4th. We will walk, rain or shine, but lightning and thunder will keep us inside. Thank you to Sarah Lerand for her coordination efforts! Also big thanks go out to Mrs. Merriman for the Pedestrian Safety Dance, all of the walking school bus leaders, Amy Standel for the apples, and for all of the numerous volunteers! Please be sure to reference the PTO newsletter and Facebook page which will have routes and more information on the day, including incentives for students who join one of the NINE walking school buses led by guest walking school bus leaders. Students, with or without parents, can join the walking school bus anywhere along the route. I encourage you to park three or four blocks away and join a walking school bus. Special guests will include Wauwatosa Librarian, Maria Schmitt; 6th district Alderwomen Allison Byrne and Kelly Rifelj; Wauwatosa Health Department; Wauwatosa Police Department; Amy Standal and Dan Ludwig; Firefly Real Estate; Jeff Roznowski, 2016 Wauwatosa Distinguished Citizen of the Year and former 6th District Alderperson! Walking School Bus leaders include Mrs. Osman, Mrs. Petit, Mrs. Millicovsky, Ms. Mottett, Mrs. Duchac, Mrs. Setzke, Mr. Sperl and me!
We are now conducting MAP and PALS assessments to help teachers get a sense of where students are academically. Teachers know that these assessments show only a small part of the total picture of student learning, but they find that these tools help in identifying needs for extensions or interventions for individuals and classes. We glean good information from them that helps us to do our jobs better.
Please be sure to check out the information that will be coming to your inbox this Thursday from the district about the family access to the online math components of Investigations 3. It will include directions for families to access the resources using your child's district-issued email address and password. Teachers and students have given me fabulous feedback on the new program. We are excited to utilize all of the optional tools.
Finally, as we closed out September we took a look at Joy (our September word of the month) September Joy Video and we head into October with the words Trustworthy and Trustworthiness. Continue to provide me with suggestions for the Mechanics of McKinley: https://goo.gl/forms/iJRleaumR0AIQNm13.
Keep an eye on the calendar for our many October events!
Mrs. Hoffmann
Dates to Remember
Please mark these dates and times on your calendar:
* October 3 - Photo Retake Day
* October 4 - Walk to School Day
* October 12 - PTO meeting
* October 20 - No School JK-12
* October 23 - JK Conferences (JK students in class)
* October 24-27 - Scholastic Book Fair
* October 26 & 30 - Elementary Conferences
* October 26 - Costume Parade
*** October 27 is a day off for JK-5 grade. It is not listed on the district calendar that was sent to homes, but it is a day off for JK-5. ***
New Lost and Found: take a look
Updates from your PBIS Tier 2 Team…..
Our Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Tier 2 Team consists of Jennifer Botelho (Co-Coach -4th gr teacher), Rachel Kumferman (Co-Coach-Social Worker) Jeremy Roloff (PE teacher), Jean Hoffmann (Principal), and Karen Lonski (Psychologist). Our focus is to look at student behavior data and implement various strategies to help all students be successful.
This month, we are letting students get settled into their new classrooms and we are monitoring new data. We will utilize this data to help direct us in which intervention(s) might be appropriate for individual students. Our Tier 2 Team will also be attending district training this school year to help us build our capacity to best support students at McKinley, learn about new initiatives, and we will also share ideas with other schools in our district.
Ms. Kumferman’s Korner
Did you know that homelessness affects families who attend Wauwatosa Schools?
As the District’s Homeless Liaison, it has been eye-opening to many that there are students in Wauwatosa who meet eligibility under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Act. There are different definitions of ‘homelessness’ and each situation is reviewed individually. Numbers have grown on a yearly basis and are impacted by economic changes, ever-changing family situations, and a variety of other reasons. Last year, student services staff served over 60 students and helped them with
various resources to provide stability in order to keep the students in their school of origin. With all the changes a homeless student/family may encounter, we know that this piece is essential.
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J SECOND STEP PROGRAM J
Second Step is a social skill building program developed by the National Committee for Children. McKinley stated using this curriculum many years ago and it remains a teacher-led program in all classrooms from SK through 5th grade. Lessons will be taught consistently throughout the school year.
The Second Step Program teaches skills that can help all children get along with others and do better in school. Its main purpose is to increase the student’s level of social competence by helping to develop empathy, problem-solving skills, and an
understanding of their own feelings. It also teaches students how to build active
listening skills. These concepts are taught throughout the school year by using: songs, puppets, role play and other activities. *Each year the concepts and skill-building remain consistent but is adjusted per grade level.
The SECOND STEP PROGRAM is divided into 4 main areas:
1. EMPATHY- Children will learn about feelings and ways to show understanding towards others.
2. PROBLEM SOLVING- Children will learn new ways to solve problems and practice skills such as apologizing, interrupting politely, and making new friends.
3. EMOTION MANAGEMENT- Children will learn to manage their emotions and learn how to positively express them in a safe way.
4. SKILLS FOR LEARNING- Children will learn techniques to build positive active listening skills such as focus and attention.
5. To learn more about SECOND STEP, please ask your child’s teacher, or go to www.cfchildren.org
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BULLYING PREVENTION CURRICULUM
All of the elementary schools in the Wauwatosa School District utilize the Bullying Prevention Curriculum created by Committee for Children. This is a national, research-based curriculum that helps students Recognize, Report, and Refuse bullying behavior. It also teaches about Bystander Power. Through use of videos and activities, it also focuses on promoting issues of diversity and equality. This curriculum is delivered throughout fall to grade levels SK-5th by our School Social Worker, Rachel Kumferman, and graduate social work intern, Betty Spittlemeister. While each grade level has different videos and lessons, the message remains consistent year to year.
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BRAIN FOOD SNACK DRIVE
Now through November 2017
The Brain Food Snack Drive is something that McKinley has done the last several years...and the need is greater than ever! Schools are seeing unprecedented numbers of families struggling to meet the basic needs of their children. As we all know, attempting to work, learn or focus on an empty stomach can be difficult. Therefore, we will continue to collect donations for our annual snack drive to break down those barriers so children are ready to learn! The proceeds of this drive will be used throughout the entire school year to ensure that every child who comes to school without breakfast or adequate snack, gets something to tide them over to lunch. Your help is so appreciated!
Due to an increasing number of individuals with peanut/nut tree allergies, please choose nut-free items such as the following. Snack sized items preferred but I will take bulk bags or larger items.
- Goldfish crackers - Pretzels - Cereal bars/nut free and PB free granola bars
- Crackers - Cheeze-Its - Fruit Snacks
- Vanilla wafers - Graham Crackers - Cheerios - Animal crackers
- Squeezable applesauce
Drop off items to your child’s teacher with this flyer attached or Note: For Ms. Kumferman. These items will be kept by our School Social Worker to share with students as needed. Thanks for your help!
From Mary Johnston Technology Integrator, Wauwatosa School District
Last year a number of teachers asked me to recommend applications for elementary students. The question was prompted by parent requests. The district does not recommend specific applications for families. I created a Google site that will help families find recommendations from "Common Sense Media." CSM is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help students safely and productively navigate the digital world. Applications are categorized and evaluated by CSM. This might be useful to parents who often are not sure how to navigate this issue.
You may find this information helpful. You can access the website HERE. All links are working.
McKinley Culture Committee
Amazon Smile
Office Max / Office Depot Gives Back
Right at School
The Wauwatosa School District is partnering with a new program, Right at School, for our before and after school care and for a wrap-around program with our JK students.
You can find more information on McKinley's website: http://www.edlinesites.net/pages/McKinley_Elementary_School/Right_at_School.
You can contact them on their customer service line: 855-287-2466
* * 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.
Remaining 2017 dates:
November 18 (**families need to register before this date due to the Thanksgiving holiday)
2018 dates:
January 13
March 10
April 28
June 16
Aug 11
Sept 29
Nov 17
Tosa Cares is also always looking for donations of food, or cash. There are 3 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: http://www.edlinesites.net/pages/McKinley_Elementary_School
Location: 2435 N 89th St, Wauwatosa, WI, United States
Phone: (414)773-1500