McKinley Mindset
Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow
International Baccalaureate, World School
Offering the Primary Years Program, Preschool - Grade 5
Mindset 1/28/2019
Hello McKinley Skippers!!
We know the weather has been quite cold and would like to remind everyone to please be sure to send students to school dressed for the weather! We suggest hats, coats, gloves and boots. With the extreme cold temperatures we have been staying in for recess. However, we would like students to be bundled up traveling to and from school and to be prepared if we are able to go outside for recess. We know that this week there is a strong chance for school closings midweek as temperatures plummet. Please know that we make every effort to provide parents with advanced notice. There are many ways that we notify parents of closings and I typically post it on our McKinley Elementary IB World School Facebook page, as soon as I am aware of school closing and also send a Infinite Campus Messenger and post it on our FHEVS website. Please see a letter below from our superintendent Dr. Paolo regarding how and when we make the decision to close school.
Make it a great week Skippers!!
-Mrs.Polak, Principal
Website: https://sites.google.com/fhevs.org/mckinleyelementarypyp/home
School Closings
Dear Parents and Guardians:
The winter season is upon us. Our district staff understands that our decision to open or close schools in bad weather has a big effect on families. We also understand that our students are better served - both academically and socially - by being in school. But as always, our top priority is the safety of our students.
HOW DO WE MAKE OUR DECISION?
Please understand that we make the decision to open or close the schools in bad weather based on a careful analysis of all relevant factors, such as:
Information on road conditions from maintenance staff and police. We must give careful consideration to the most dangerous roads in and around Fairport Harbor. Also, we must consider that some high school students drive to school.
Amount of snow and ice accumulated.
Whether precipitation is continuing.
Building conditions (such as whether we have electricity and heat).
Parking lot conditions. Administrators talk to maintenance and custodial staff members who are responsible for clearing and treating school parking lots and sidewalks.
Temperature and wind chill. Please remember that many of our students walk to school.
Weather predictions. We prefer not to make our decision based on weather predictions, which are not always accurate. But sometimes this is unavoidable.
We share in the decision process with neighboring districts.
WHO MAKES THE DECISION?
The superintendent makes the final decision, based on the above factors and recommendations from the administrative team, custodial crew and local first responders.
HOW IS THE PUBLIC NOTIFIED?
Tune to local TV stations (3, 5, 8) for information on school closings. You can also check our district website (www.fhevs.org) for information or Facebook (Fairport Harbor Schools). You will also receive a Campus Messenger via phone, text, and email. If you wish to opt out of any of the notification methods you can do so by logging in to your Campus Account.
WHEN IS THE DECISION MADE?
The decision is made as soon as possible. We try to make the determination by 5:30 am or earlier so we can notify TV stations and post the decision on our website, Campus Messenger and social media.
WILL WE CLOSE SCHOOL IF CONDITIONS WORSEN?
Keep in mind that, even if weather conditions worsen, we cannot reverse our decision in the morning without endangering students. Once we make the decision to open the schools, many parents rely on it and leave for work. If conditions get worse during the school day, we may need to have an early dismissal, but we will try to give advance notice to all parents first.
Although we do our absolute best in this process, we know that often no perfect decision exists. If based on current weather conditions, you do not feel as though it is safe for your child to attend school, you can keep them at home and call the school to excuse the absence.
We hope that this explanation helps everyone understand the process that our district staff uses to make the best possible decision for all in our district.
Sincerely,
Domenic Paolo, PhD
Superintendent, dpaolo@fhevs.org
Fairport Harbor Exempted Village SchoolsSincerely,
Heath Reminders from Mrs. Bodi
It is also the time of year that lice are looking for warm heads to live on. Please routinely check your child for lice at home. The bugs themselves are usually difficult to see, but the eggs (nits) are easier to spot. Treat your child if you find an active case of head lice. Remember, it takes about 30 days for lice to be visible on the head. Therefore, it's nearly impossible to identify where your child initially "got it" from.
Many students are coming to the clinic during lunch recess because they are cold. Please remember to send them to school with gloves, mittens and appropriate cold weather clothing.
PTO News
Hard to believe Friday is February 1st! The PTO has some more fun planned for McKinley families.
*Create a box night courtesy of Brick House Pizza order forms are due by 2-1-19. Pizza orders will be placed in March. This will allow Mrs. Healan (STEAM) adequate time to let the kids participating decorate their boxes between lessons. Thank you to James and his team at Brick House and Mrs. Healan for helping us raise some "DOUGH" with this "FUN" raiser!
*Scholastic Bookfair is February 7th - 15th with late night hours during literacy night on 2-7-19.
*McKinley Skating Party at City Skate is Wednesday 2-13-19 6-8pm.*Valentine classroom parties will be 2-14-19 at 1:45pm. Please watch for a letter from your homeroom parent to see how you can help.
*Father, Special Person and Daughter Dance is Sunday 2-17-19 please RSVP by 2-12-17 so we can ensure there are enough snacks for everyone ♡
We will be seeking volunteers to help with set up, take down, photos and serving snacks at the Father Daughter Dance 2-17-19. If you can help please contact Christina at (440) 479-5042 or message McKinley PTO on Facebook. Thank you all for your support.
Please join us at our next meeting on Valentines Day to find out how you can get involved 2-14-19 @ 6pm in the McKinley gym.
Just Run 2019
Traffic
McKinley Spelling Bee
Drop Off time
PPP Parenting! (LAST session) *LOCATION CHANGE*
School Hours
Valentine's Day Parties!
It's hard to believe that the last classroom party of the year has arrived! Valentine's Day parties will begin at 1:45 on Thursday, February 14th. Thank you to ALL of the amazing parents and volunteers and especially our McKinley PTO for making our holiday parties such a fun experience for our students! We truly appreciate all you do to make our school such a fun, inclusive and wonderful place to learn!! Please remember that all volunteers (3per class) need to register with the Homeroom Parent and be on the list provided to the office. (Just like the Christmas parties) Thank you for your cooperation.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK MCKINLEY SKIPPERS!
About Us
Email: jpolak@fhevs.org
Website: www.fhevs.org
Location: 602 Plum Street, Fairport Harbor, OH, USA
Phone: 440.354.5400
Facebook: facebook.com/fairportharborschools/
Twitter: @PrincipalPolak