The Messenger

November 2022

We are excited to be able to observe Veterans Day this year with a student assembly on Friday, November 11. This is an important time for us to honor those who have served and those currently serving our country in the armed forces. Veterans Day provides the opportunity to talk with your child(ren) about the Veterans in your family, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles or family friends.

We will start the day with an assembly on Friday. Students are invited to wear red, white and blue clothing. In the past, some of our scouts have worn their uniforms on Veterans Day.

We are inviting Veterans and those who are currently serving in the armed forces to be our honored guests at the Veterans Day Assembly. This might be parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or special friends. Veterans and military members should plan to arrive at 9:30AM.

Students should complete the attached tag with the name of any veteran or current military member they wish to honor and return it to school by Wednesday, Nov. 9. We'll put these on display in school.

McKinley Bulldogs cannot wait to celebrate Slippin' Into Giving on Tuesday, November 15th. Bring $1 (or more!) and wear your slippers for the day! All money raised will go to help some McKinley families with grocery gift cards. Don't forget to bring your shoes for gym and recess! (If your family is in need of assistance or would like to help support a family, please contact me by Tuesday, November 22nd.)

Did you know that McKinley participates in the Every Meal program? Sign up is free and confidential and there are NO qualification requirements. Each week a bag of nutritious, non-perishable food is sent home with your student to help families with food over the weekend. Families may sign up at any time throughout the school year! Email or call me if you would like to enroll in the program.

Jessica Ness-Manary, LSW

763-506-3479

Jessica.NessManary@ahschools.us

Kindergarten Explorations:

In kindergarten, students are finishing up a unit on Materials in Our World. Questions to ask your student to connect to our learning are:

• What material(s) is this (object) made of?
• Where does this material come from?
• Do you think this is nature-made or human-made?

Our next unit is starting in two weeks. It is a Social Studies Unit on Economics. Get ready to hear the difference between wants and needs from your child!

First Grade Explorations:

In first grade, students are finishing up a unit on Rocks. Questions to ask your student to connect to our learning are:

• What are rocks made of?
• What are the different properties of rocks?
• Can you teach me the rock size song? (It starts with “From the mountain…”)
• What is the BEST thing you learned about rocks?

Our next unit is starting next week. It is a Social Studies unit on Geography. Students will be making maps and talking about locations! Where are some fun places you have gone as a family? Talk about these times and encourage your child to share in class places they love to go!

Second Grade Explorations:

In second grade, students are beginning a unit on Economics, which is defined as “making smart choices with your money, your stuff, and your time.” We are talking about why money matters, what resources we have when we are doing a project, and the benefits and costs of different choices. To connect with their learning, consider giving your child a small choice and ask him or her what the benefits (good things) of each option are. Have them explain why they made the choice they did!

Third Grade Explorations:

In third grade, students are in a unit on Light and Sound. They have done a few experiments already to check out these concepts. Ask them what they are learning about light, and what experiments they have done. As we explore sound, ask your child what high and low sounds they hear in their day, and where they think sounds come from!

Regular attendance in school is essential to the success of our students. Students who are well should be at school every day that school is in session. Students who are ill should not be in school. Generally, students don't miss more than six days of school a year from illness. If there are chronic health concerns, consult McKinley's school nurse, Gail Goss at Gail.Goss@ahschools.us

Minnesota Statute, Section 120A.22 - Compulsory Instruction - This statute defines the specifics of the Compulsory Education Law as outlined by the state of Minnesota.

Additional information is outlined in the McKinley Parent/Calendar Handbook on page 3. If you need more information, please contact the office at 763-506-3400.

If you are interested in volunteering at McKinley, whether it be in your child’s classroom, field trips or general volunteering, please make sure to have your Volunteer Application and Criminal Records Release Form completed. Both of these are required annually to be an approved volunteer at McKinley Elementary.

Here are the links to both forms:

Complete the McKinley Elementary volunteer application.

Complete the McKinley Elementary criminal record history release form.

If you have any questions please reach out to our Volunteer Services Coordinator, Melanie Gordon at melanie.gordon@ahschools.us or 763-506-3430.

What is kindness? Kindness is a positive call to action to counteract the negative impact of bullying. Anoka-Hennepin's core values of respect, responsibility, appreciation of diversity, integrity and compassion are the basis of kindness.

Congratulations to McKinley's poster contest winners. Their posters will advance to the district-level voting and will be judged by district staff at the Educational Service Center in Anoka. The district winners will then be recognized at a future school board meeting and will receive a Kindle tablet from the Horace Mann Company. Winning posters will also be posted on the district website and printed for use in schools across the district.

McKinley's Poster Contest Winners:

• First Grade - Eli V. (Olson)
• Second Grade - William C. (DuHamel)
• Third Grade - Chloe C. (Magee)
• Fourth Grade - Rose G. (Pardo)
• Fifth Grade - Keely K. (Keuning)

• Nov. 7 - PTO Meeting
• Nov. 8 - No School - Remember to Vote
• Nov. 11 - Veterans Day
• Nov. 15 - Slippin' Into Giving
• Nov. 23-25 - No School - Thanksgiving Break
• Nov. 30 - Picture Retake Day
• Dec. 1 - End of Trimester 1
• Dec. 2 - No School - Staff Planning Day
• Dec. 5 - No School - Staff Development Day
• Dec. 7 - Second Grade Field Trip
• Dec. 6 - Great McKinley Coin Collection Begins
• Dec. 8 - Report Cards Sent Home With Students
• Dec. 15 - North Pole Treasures & BIZ Kids
• Dec. 23 - Winter Break Begins