McKinley Monthly
February 2022
Upcoming Events - February
PTA Meeting - February 1
Planetarium FT - Grade 5 - February 7
Plains Art Museum FT - Grade 3 - February 16
No School - Professional Development for Teachers - February 21Elephant & Piggy Play FT - Grades KGN & Grade 2 - February 28
From the Principal
As a parent of former elementary students, I am reminded how much they look forward to their parents and teacher talking about them. They are filled with curiosity about what we are saying and thinking. Because of this, we try to share as much of the positives as we can because we know how proud children can be when we are sharing positive things about them. This is the excitement that we hope children are able to continue to bring to school each day. We also know that children can lose motivation pretty quickly if conferences turn into a negative situation as we discuss concerns. Children can be disappointed and let down if they think that nothing but negative things are being shared between the main people in their lives. If you have concerns, we will work together to support your child, while remaining positive and proud of who they are.
McKinley Students of the Month for December 2021
Kindergarten
Gia Corl
Grade 1
Harper Honl
Grade 2
Abby Niemi
Grade 3
Izzy Sanoski
Grade 4
Makayla Johnson
Grade 5
Andrew Martin
Hey 5th Graders - Come Join the BFMS Band!
Greetings 5th Grade Families! We are excited to help you start your band experience next year in 6th grade! We first invite you to the All-Northside Band Concert at Fargo North SpartanDome on Thursday, Jan. 20th at 6pm for our Music of Broadway concert. This concert will go from approximately 6–6:40 p.m. and will showcase 6 – 12 grade bands with a few mass numbers at the end. This is a great time to look, listen and think about what band instrument you might like to play!
Second, come to Ben Franklin on Tuesday, Feb. 8 and Thursday, Feb. 10 from 5-7 p.m. to try out the instruments, meet the band directors and visit with local music store representatives. Please come to the Ben Franklin main lobby outside of the auditorium. Use the Main (East) entrance. It is okay to come to the other time if your scheduled school time does not work for your family. If you are unable to attend either of these nights, BF band directors will be returning to the elementary music classrooms so all students may have an opportunity to try.
Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 4:30–7:30 p.m. - for Washington, Roosevelt & Clara Barton/Hawthorne or Thursday, Feb 10 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. - for Longfellow, Madison & McKinley.
Kirstin Carlson
Band Director
Instrumental Sectional Teacher
Ben Franklin Middle School
Woodwind Mentor
Trollwood Mainstage Musical
Fargo Public Schools
701-446-3821 Classroom
701-446-3637 Band Office
McKinley Book Fair Returns!
Thursday, March 3 and Monday, March 7, 2022
During Parent/Teacher Conferences
3-7 p.m.
Library
Stop by and purchase your favorite book!
Kindergarten Registration 2022-2023
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2022 is open online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/registration on February 1, 2022. Your child must be age 5 by July 31, 2022 to attend school in the fall.
Registration is a two-step process:
STEP ONE: REGISTER ONLINE
Complete online registration forms at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/registration. For assistance, please contact your child’s school to schedule an appointment to complete in-person. Masks are required for all visitors.
STEP TWO: SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION
Upload or bring the following documents to your child’s school by August 25 to finalize registration.
- Child’s certified birth certificate
- Child’s immunization record with 5-year shots
- Document (i.e. current city utility bill or bank statement) that includes parent/guardian name and current address for verification
If you need help in PowerSchool (Fargo Public Schools online registration software), please call 701.446.1006. Thank you!
McKinley/Grace Covenant Sewing Club
McKinley students are creating memories on Mondays at Grace Covenant Church by making projects for themselves, gifts for their families, and items to help people in the community and around the globe.
The first project was a pillowcase they fashioned for themselves. Then they each made a dress or shorts to put in shoeboxes to send to boys and girls worldwide. They also made two holiday gifts for someone in their family. Next semester, they will be learning how to use different fabrics and studying some more challenging sewing steps.
If you are interested in signing up your 4th or 5th grader for next years club, please let the office know by calling 701-446-5200.
School Make Up Days
Due to the weather-related school cancellations on January 7 and January 14, Fargo Public Schools will use the storm make up days built in to the school calendar. Fargo Public Schools will hold classes on Monday, April 18, 2022 and Monday, May 16, 2022. These days are now days that students and staff are expected to be at school.
Community Resources
School counselors and staff are available during the school day to assist students. After hours and during weekends and holiday breaks, families need to utilize community supports. If you are in need of assistance for yourself or someone else, please contact the following resources:
- FirstLink: Dial 2-1-1 (24/7 hour help line for community resources and emotional support)
- Suicide Lifeline (answered locally): 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Red River Regional Dispatch: 701-451-7660
- If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1
Support Your School - Clip Box Tops
Box Tops - a Great Way to Earn Cash for the McKinley PTA!
It's quick and easy! Clip your box tops and send them to school with your student. See the flyer for all of the details.
Winter Weather
Reminder! Please dress your students warmly. If the temperature does not exceed -10 below zero wind chill, we will go outside for the entire recess break! Each class is outside for 20 minutes.
Waterford UPSTART
Free At-Home Pre-K Program for Fargo Public School Families!
Waterford Upstart is an at-home Kindergarten, readiness program that gives your child a fun start in reading, math, and science in just 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
Register at 1-888-982-9898 or at www.waterfordupstart.org.
It's not too early too start getting ready for Kindergarten!
Fargo Public Schools Illness Guidelines
Children with the following symptoms should not be sent to school and/or school activities if they have:
- Indication of a temperature of 100 degrees or above
- Undiagnosed rash or sores
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- The student is diagnosed by a physician to have a contagious infection and places the student on a prescription. First dose of medicine must have been taken 24 hours prior to returning to school
- Their temperature has remained below 100 degrees for 24 hours, without the use of acetaminophen, (i.e., Tylenol), etc. to keep the temperature down.
Parent Institute Electronic Library
McKinley Elementary
Jill Linnell, Counselor
Romelle Speral, Administrative Assistant, Editor
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/mckinley
Location: McKinley Elementary School, 8th Street North, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701.446.5200