Be On Time Please
We have had 10-15% of students tardy most days. Several students are just minutes away from being on time. Please help your student make it to school and be ready for class by 7:50 AM (8:50 on Wed). If your child does arrive after the bell, please have them push the button at the front door and we will check them in.
EVERY Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
7:30 Breakfast available in cafeteria (free to all students)7:35 Doors Open for all students
7:50 School Starts- tardy bell rings
2:20 School Ends
EVERY Wednesday
8:30 Breakfast available in cafeteria (free to all students)
8:35 Doors Open for all students
8:50 School Starts- tardy bell rings
2:20 School Ends
Counselor's Corner - Mrs. Tanikawa
I wanted to take a moment to talk about school anxiety, why it’s so common this year and what we all can do as a team, to support your children.
Young students (preschool and kindergarten) often struggle to detach from their caregivers at the beginning of the school year. But given all the quality time at home students have been experiencing due to COVID, we expect that separation anxiety will be heightened this year, and it already has.
Setting the stage for school success starts before the school year does. Take the time to walk your child through what getting ready for a school day will look like ahead of time. This is a great way to prepare your child for success. Practice beforehand as if you were actually getting ready to go to school! They will LOVE roleplaying with you. Pretend to go through the entire routine starting with the night before.
To read more on school anxiety, scoll to the end of the newsletter.
Safety First, Fashion Second! PE is ACTIVE
Wearing the correct shoes can positively impact a student’s safety and success during PE activities. Shoes like boots, sandals, slips-ons, even dress shoes can get in the way with activities like running, jumping, and stopping. It is important for students to wear proper footwear (tennis shoes, running shoes, sneakers) in order to participate safely in class activities. Your support for student safety and active participation is appreciated.
BoxTops for Education
Check out their website for the new, non-clipping way to collect BoxTops. Thank you for supporting McKinley!
Picture Retake Day is November 10th
If you missed the September 28th Picture Day or need a retake, our photographer will be back on November 10th. If you are having retakes, please send the original photos and packet to school on this day. Images will also be available online to order direct from the photographer. Go to dorianstudio.com for details.
COLOR RUN IS BACK!! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7TH
Yay, McKinley PTC is hosting the annual Fun Run this year! This is a FUN opportunity to volunteer. Important requirement for ALL volunteers: Make sure you have your background check up to date. They are good for 5 years. Click here to submit your backgroud check right now, today. These can take up to 3 or 4 weeks to process so please fill yours out ASAP.
There will be limited volunteer opportunites available this year. Field trips will be one of those volunteer opportunties. In order to be ready to volunteer for that in October, you need to submit your background check today.
Rainy Day Recess
Please send your child to school with a hooded jacket or coat on days when there may be light rain. Whenever possible we will recess outdoors this year to maintain a safe distance between students of other classrooms. When the weather is severe we will move classrooms into various areas of the building for indoor play.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES SCHEDULE
Conference scheduling information will be sent home with your child soon. Conferences will be available virtually and in person.
October 20-22
· October 20 – NO SCHOOL – Elementary Conferences 7:30 am-7:30 pm
· October 21 – NO SCHOOL – Elementary Conferences 7:30 am-7:30 pm
· October 22 – NO SCHOOL
PARENTSQUARE
We are excited to introduce ParentSquare, a new two-way communication platform that will streamline and improve communication with families and staff. It has the functions of both Remind and SchoolMessenger and will eventually replace both platforms.
To sign up go to parentsquare.com
It is very important that parents keep their contact information current.
Be sure to let your school office know if you have a new address, email or phone number.
The parent or guardian marked as the primary contact in the student information system will receive automated communication.
Stay Home If......... & COVID Hotline
If your child is not feeling well, please keep them home and call the office. With added procedures for COVID, here is the district’s current policy for sick students. If a child has any of these symptoms listed below, please contact the school office and your child will need to stay home and quarantine until they are symptom free for 24 hours AND after a COVID-19 test is negative OR quarantine for 10 days if not tested. If a student comes to school with any of these symptoms, students are brought to the office and parents are called to pick students up.
- temp of 100.4 or higher
- new cough
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- loss of taste or smell
Face Masks Need to Fit Properly
Halloween Costumes
In an effort to minimize disruptions and maximize our education hours, we ask that students not wear Halloween costumes to school. We know that some families celebrate Halloween; others choose not to for many reasons. We make these kinds of decisions based on inclusiveness for our school community, and whether they support our educational mission.
Please save costumes for your home celebrations. Thanks for your understanding and continuing support.
TRAFFIC AROUND OUR SCHOOL
It’s a new school year and a good time to share a few reminders about traffic around the school.
Students, parents, buses, staff and school neighbors all share the same travel routes through the neighborhood to and from the school. Peak travel times can create congestion and increase the need for safe and courteous travel practices.
Here are a few ways parents can help us create a safe, respectful and positive environment when driving near the school:
- Please drive slowly. Remember, the speed limit in a school zone when lights are flashing is 20 miles per hour.
- Please don’t park in neighbors’ driveways at any time, even if the driveway is open.
- Don’t block streets, stop in intersections or crosswalks, and please obey crossing guards’ instructions.
- Remind children to stop and look both ways before crossing streets, and to respect neighbors’ property – for example, don’t make shortcuts through neighbors’ yards.
- When lining up to pick-up or drop-off students, leave at least three feet of space between your car and the nearest driveway opening.
- Avoid lining up early for pick-up or drop-off to help minimize congestion.
- Don’t drive in bus lanes, even if no buses are present.
SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH - You are not alone
PANDEMIC FOOD BENEFITS INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
OREGON HEALTH PLAN FREE FOR YOUTH
Through the Oregon Health Plan, youth 19 years of age and younger have access to free health coverage, regardless of immigration status if they meet the income requirements.
More information, including income requirements and how to apply for coverage, is available online.
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