McKinley Monthly
October 2018
OCTOBER!
Hello McKinley Families,
Can it be October already? We are off to a great start! Please visit our staff FlipGrid at https://flipgrid.com/8abf85 to see who is in the building this year! A few are missing, but we will try to get them in soon. Thanks to Dave Farwell and all of the volunteers who helped with the McKinley Mile last week. It is such a wonderful tradition. The excitement of the kids, the connections families make, and the healthy competition warm my heart. I also love seeing the alumni who come back for it to help out. It is hard to believe that those who were fifth graders my first year are already sophomores in high school! Time flies!
I want to highlight a few things this month:
Photo Make up/Retake Day: Tomorrow--Tuesday, October 2nd--students who did not attend Forms, Fees, and Photos day in August will be called down to the gym to have their photos taken. Parents who have received photos and are dissatisfied may return the photos to school and request a retake. Please let your child's teacher know if you want the photo retaken.
Walk to School Day: Keep an eye out for information about Walking School Busses on October 10th--Walk to School Day! The Pedestrian Safety Dance will take place on the north playground at 8:10. Everyone lines up on the north blacktop that day.
Fall Costume Parade: Ignore the date on the district calendar! The costume parade is on October 31st. Remember when helping children choose costumes that no weapons are allowed, nothing that inhibits walking for the five block route (this means sensible shoes and the ability to see) and nothing TOO scary (we have 4 year olds through 11 year olds participating). Choosing favorite book characters are usually appropriate choices.
Volunteers: We appreciate all of the time our families put in at McKinley. Many hands makes light work! A reminder that all who would like to volunteer must fill out the district Volunteer Form every three years in order to be cleared to volunteer in the classroom, on field trips, or during events. This includes parents, guardians, grandparents, It is an easy, online form which can be found HERE.
Safety: I am still receiving concerns about unsafe driving practices during drop off and pick up in the hug and go areas. The biggest concern is double parking; the second is letting kids in on the driver’s side. Both of these practices are very dangerous for children. In my experience, it is usually someone who doesn’t normally pick up students who I end up talking to about not following procedures. Please be sure that you mention the one-way rule (clockwise around the school before and after) and have shared the McKinley Hug and Go information with anyone who will be dropping of or picking up McKinley students.
What’s New? The art room now has iPads--technology to use for creating! And the music room is alive with shiny new Glockenspiels! Thank you to all who contributed to last spring’s adult social and the PTO’s vision of enhancing opportunities in art and music. I offered some building-based money and was able to request additional funds to the PTO’s base to expand the scope of the music teachers’ request. We were able replace all of the damaged pieces and added some much needed Glockenspiel stands. Looking forward to the winter concert!
This week we should be receiving a concrete picnic table with chess board to be placed under the tree on the north playground. With the success of Chess Club, I believe it will be a neat addition and an option for students who would like a quieter outdoor time during recess. They will be able to check out chess pieces from the office during their recess time. Also new is a library reading nook that was purchased with the Claire Denson Memorial Fund donations. Besides promoting reading, a passion of Claire’s, it is purple: Claire’s favorite color. See the photo below.
Coming Up: October 19th and October 26th we do not have school. October 19th is a professional learning day for staff. October 26th is a conference day. Evening conferences are October 25th and 30th. Look for a “Sign Up Genius” arriving in your email inbox soon to schedule your conferences. Teachers will send out a link with instructions. We hope to have all parents participate in fall conferences. As is tradition, the Scholastic Book Fair will begin the first week of conferences and will run through Friday, October 26th. Check the PTO newsletter if you are willing and able to help out.
Straw Drive: Last, but not least! The Green Team is collecting UNUSED plastic straws for a special project that will be available at the Secret Holiday Workshop! Please dig through your cabinets and drawers and send the Green Team any of your unused straws. The Green Team will also be selling washable steel straws at a later date so you can replace those plastic ones. Thanks for helping us help the planet!
Have a wonderful October!
Mrs. Hoffmann
*** McK Attendance Line 773-1502 ***
Dates to Remember
Please mark these dates on your calendar:
Oct 2 - Picture Retake day
Oct 10 - Walk to School day
Oct 11 - PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Oct 16 - Facilities Referendum Open House at McKinley 6:30-8 p.m.
Oct 19 - No School
Oct 23 - Facilities Referendum Open House at Lincoln 6:30-8 p.m.
Oct 23-26 - Scholastic Book Fair
Oct 25 & 30 - Conferences
Oct 25 - Change to a Friday Schedule
Oct 26 - No Classes
Oct 31 - Costume Parade 1:15 p.m.
Ms. Zeimet and Mounty prepare the runners
Friends gather in the new library nook
McKinley Mile Starting Line
MS. KUMFERMAN'S KORNER
Welcome back to a new school year! I am excited to share that I am supervising another graduate social work intern this year….Amanda Josephson. She is a student at UW-Milwaukee and will graduate in May 2019. She will be here at McKinley 3 days a week until May. Please welcome her if you see her!
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.
SECOND STEP PROGRAM
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
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, Amanda Josephson. While each grade level has different videos and lessons, the message remains consistent year to year.
Safe Routes to School video
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.
2018 dates:
Nov 17
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: http://www.edlinesites.net/pages/McKinley_Elementary_School
Location: 2435 N 89th St, Wauwatosa, WI, United States
Phone: (414)773-1500