McKinley Monthly
January 2020
Dear McKinley Families,
Happy New Year to all, and welcome 2020! Thanks to all of the families for the wonderful cards, gifts, and treats—the staff has asked me to express their deep gratitude to this amazing supportive community. I personally want to express my thanks as well—our families provide support in so many ways throughout the year. It is heartwarming and humbling to see.
As part of the District Equity Plan, all schools will have at least two Family Listening Sessions this year. The purpose of these sessions is to give families the opportunity to speak about the positive experiences and challenging experiences they have had in our district. It is our chance to hear the perspective of important stakeholders as to how they view our schools and their children’s experiences. On February 4th we will have our next Parent Equity Listening Session in room 13 from 6 to 7:30. I hope that you will be able to attend! We will again offer childcare for school-aged children during the session. Please sign up for childcare at this link: https://forms.gle/nhEJhA77ZbqP7q1o9
At our November 13th Family Listening session I mentioned that I would continue to communicate about the staff professional development opportunities that will help make McKinley a place for all students to thrive. One such opportunity in December was a half day session on Microaggressions and Stereotype Threat presented by Dr. Markeda Newall of Loyola University in Chicago. This was a continuation of our learning about ourselves, our own identities and implicit biases, and how our use of language can influence the feelings of safety (or not) of our students, colleagues, parents, and all others who we encounter. We are glad to have the commitment of the district to continue this work as part of our goal of continuous improvement. Staff also participated in a review of our Trauma Sensitive Schools initiative. We will continue to have professional learning on this topic and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy as the year continues.
A concern that came up from parents at the last listening session was that we normally send out the sign-up for conferences during the school day. We will attempt to send out invitations for this spring’s optional conferences at 6:30 p.m. on our release dates at the end of the month to offer traditional working families a chance to view the sign up after the work day. We will send letters of teacher requests for a conference in Tuesday folders on January 28th. The Sign Up Genius sign up will go out to parents on January 29th. All parents are invited to sign up for a conference, even if the teacher has not requested one. My hope is that parents and teachers are already in close communication if there are concerns. Please remember that specialist teachers are also available during conference hours and even if you do not have a conference you are invited to meet with our teachers of Phy Ed, Music, Spanish, Art, Band, Orchestra, and Speech. Our Reading Specialist, School Social Worker and Intern, and Special Education teacher are also available. Mrs. Garder will send out specific dates and times that our part-time staff will be here. Please feel free to reach out to any of our teachers, staff, or me at any time if and when you have a question about anything happening at school. We are here to help!
Another question that came up at the listening session was the opportunity for students at McKinley to receive tutoring. It is true that we do not offer after school tutoring programs, but I would like parents to be aware of the Wauwatosa Public Library’s Homework Help resource that can be found at this link: https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/helpNow.asp?a_id=FDAD2B64&ss=&r=
Coming up this month we have the following events to remember:
CAREER DAY on January 7th--students are invited to wear something that depicts their choice of career!
The next PTO meeting is on January 9th.
Chess Club is hosting a tournament on Saturday, January 11th (GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF OUR PARTICIPANTS!).
January 20th is a no school day for students
January 21st is the SK-3rd Grade Winter Sing at 2:00! We will begin seating family members at 1:30. Please be prepared to sign in at the glass entrance doors to the gym.
January 28th, conference invites come home in Tuesday folders
January 29th conference Signup Genius release
As we hunker down for deep learning these next few weeks before our mid-year testing begins, we hope everyone stays healthy and warm! Thank you for all of the time, effort, and love you give!
Mrs. Hoffmann
***Dates to Remember***
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Jan 9 - PTO Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Jan 11 - McKinley Chess Tournament
Jan 15 - Kindergarten Registration from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Jan 16 - Kindergarten Registration from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Jan 20 - No Classes JK-12
Jan 22 - Monday Schedule
Jan 29 - Sign-Up Genius for conferences will be sent at 6:30 p.m.
! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * McK Attendance Line 773-1502 * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * !
Winter Concert
Grades SK - 3rd will perform on January 21st. The concert begins at 2 p.m. Please note that because students are at recess and our lunch area is still being cleaned until 12:50 on concert day, we ask that parents, grandparents, and other family members and friends arrive at or after 1:30 p.m. for seating. Please enter the glass gym doors on 90th Street near the Peace Garden. Bake Sale items will be available for purchase from the PTO.
Whitman Middle School
If you have any questions, please contact the Whitman office at 773-2600.
Longfellow Middle School
Greetings Future Oriole Families,
Longfellow will hold their incoming 6th grade Orientation & Course Selection night on Wednesday, January 29, 2020. There will be two session times available to choose from: 5:00 - 5:45 pm or 6:15 - 7 pm. While we hope you can make it on this date, please know we will work to accommodate our families who cannot.
We look forward to meeting all of you! Please contact our main office for additional assistance.
Longfellow Middle School
Homework Help!
https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/helpNow.asp?a_id=FDAD2B64&ss=&r=
Ms. Kumferman’s Korner –News from your School Social Worker
As part of our comprehensive guidance program, all 5th grade students throughout our district create an Academic and Career Portfolio to assist them with the transition to middle school. My intern, Nick Kasten, and I deliver weekly lessons in each of our 5th grade classrooms throughout the months of January, February and March. Each student creates a personal site where we explore things such as interests, strengths, challenges, organization, time management, possible careers, goal setting, and building friendships. This process culminates with each student presenting his/her Academic and Career Portfolio during a conference later this spring where parents/guardians are invited. This is the 10th year of this initiative and the feedback from both parents and students has been very positive.
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Check out this link for Family-Friendly ideas to get you through another Wisconsin winter:
https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/plan-a-visit/guides/family-friendly/
Find winter sports in Wauwatosa:
https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/wauwatosa/things-to-do-in-wauwatosa/wauwatosa-winter-sports/
Fun things to do with kids in Milwaukee
https://milwaukee.kidsoutandabout.com/event-list
Warming Rooms-daytime and overnight
https://www.cbs58.com/news/milwaukee-continuum-of-care-to-provide-warming-rooms-for-homeless
A Big Thank You!
Wisconsin Weather!
We go outside every day, unless the weather is extreme. Please remember to send hats, coats, and gloves to school every day. When it snows, children need snow pants, boots, scarves, and gloves or mittens for playground play. Students without proper snow gear stay on the blacktop only during recess, which can be disappointing when there is a fresh pile of snow outside.
Our district rarely closes, since few students in the district stand outside to wait for buses. District policy is that a “feels like” temperature of 5 below is the standard for indoor recess; however, we will be reasonable with the call. Negative five degrees and sun with no wind after a week of 20 below can feel like a welcome heat wave; whereas, negative five with biting wind feels terrible for kids having to be out for 20 minutes.
New this year: during inclement weather days we will allow students into the building at 8:05 to go directly to their classrooms. We ask that parents leave their kids at the door. We will help students get to their classes if needed.
Let’s kick READING into...
OverDrive is a free library collection for all elementary students to check out ebooks and digital audio books on personal devices.
It’s as easy as 1,2,3
1. Visit https://wsdlcwi.libraryreserve.com/ or open the app
Sora on any smartphone, tablet, mp3 player, e-reader, or computer. Choose Wauwatosa School District from the dropdown.
2. Login: Library card number is your school username
(same as logging onto your chromebook)
Pin is your password (same as logging onto your chromebook)
3. Read in your browser or download the epub/kindle book!
Happy Reading!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
Meegan Archambo, Elementary Library Media Services Coordinator
Save the date!
Sunday, March 8, 12-4 p.m., McKinley 90th Birthday Party
Wednesday, April 15, 4:30-6 p.m. Open House/Family STEM Night. STEM activities will be in the library and in the gym.
Friday, June 5, Field Day 9-3 and Groundbreaking Ceremony at 3 p.m.
Crossing Guard Hours
M, T, Th & F
7:50 to 8:50 & 2:50 to 3:50
Wednesday
1:50 to 2:50
Visitor/Sign-in System
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.
2020 dates:
January 11
March 7
April 25
June 13
August 8
October 3
November 21
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: https://www.wauwatosa.k12.wi.us/McKinley
Location: 2435 N 89th St, Wauwatosa, WI, United States
Phone: (414)773-1500