The McKelvey Messenger
JANUARY 22, 2021
Looking Ahead
1/25 - In-Person Distance Learning Day
1/25 - Virtual Students Picture Retakes
1/26 - PTO Meeting - virtual from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
1/27 - Progress Reports go live at 4:00pm
1/27 & 1/28 Virtual Supply Pick-up Days 4:30-6:00pm only
1/29 - In-Person Students Picture Retakes
2/1 - In-Person Distance Learning Day
All students Zoom to school on Monday, January 25th. Virtual students start at 8:30 and In-Person Students start at 9:05!
A Note from Mrs. Lackey
New beginnings, new semester, new hope. What a week! We all breathed a sigh of relief with a peaceful transfer of power on Inauguration Day 2021. As our nation's 46th President and first ever female Vice President were sworn into office, our children were given a solid, tangible image of what is possible for all of them! It was a very special day.
For in-person teachers, this week brought yet another "first day of school" feeling - the routines, the procedures, the exhaustion. :) They will all sleep well this weekend! But it also brought laughter, joy, and the hope of feeling somewhat normal again. We are especially grateful for our families who diligently report outside exposures to COVID-19 and keep their children in quarantine for the sake of others. We appreciate you!
I wanted to give a special shout out and encouragement to 60% of our McKelvey staff, those who are making the most of a bad situation. Day in, day out, they are engaging your children in a 2-dimmensional classroom never intended for young learners. They miss the good ol' days as this pandemic drags on. And we have great hope in the promise of the vaccine and returning to normal in our schools in 2021-22! Virtual families, please send some extra love to your child(ren)'s teachers this week.
Thank you for your continued support,
Kiara
#seeksilverlinings #mckproud
Special Notes for Virtual Families
Dance Party! What a Blast!
#mckproud
Virtual Supply Refresh
This week is our next big virtual supply refresh. Please note the schedule below:
- Monday, January 25 - 12:00-2:30pm - asynchronous learning from grade level teachers refreshing books; Art, Music, PE and special services will take place as scheduled.
- Tuesday, January 26 & Wednesday, January 27 - 4:30-6:00pm - Supply pick up in McKelvey's main hallway. *Please come Tuesday if you can, so we can clear the hallway for students on 1/27.
*If your children reserved books from Mrs. Schone in the library, they will be added to their supply bags.
Virtual Students - Picture Retakes
Picture retakes for virtual students are by appointment only this Monday, January 25th, from 10am-12pm. Pictures will be taken in the gym near the front entrance with only 5 students able to sign-up at a time. SIGN UP HERE if your child did not get a picture taken previously.
Here is the digital copy of the retake flyer. If you would like to have your child get retakes, they need to return the original package and Inter-State will re-print it with the image taken on retake day. Parents do not need to re-order and do not need a flyer. Only Students who were not photographed on picture day or are new to school since picture day need the flyer for retake day. The website for ordering pictures is www.inter-state.com and our school's order code is 56715PA.
PTO Meets this Week
The PTO Meeting is Tuesday, 1/26 at 6:30. Please join us to go over spring fundraiser events and hear from Mrs. Lackey and Parkway's Assessment Coordinator, Carter Snow. We look forward to seeing you!
Mark your calendars for March 5th! This year's Trivia Night, typically our largest fund-raising event of the year, is being transformed into a family event! We are so excited to see families and staff together for this fun, all-virtual event. More details to come.
Nurse's Notes
Here is some information and links to help answer some of your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Many have had questions about the mRNA vaccines which is a new type of vaccine but actually has been researched for over a decade. The CDC has a really interesting read on how they work and do not alter your genetic makeup. Remember, it is best to research legitimate sites like the CDC and Missouri Department of Health for answers as well.
Latest Developments on COVID Vaccines
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine candidates use messenger RNA (mRNA) to encourage your cells to initiate an immune response to COVID-19. You rely on proteins every day to keep your body healthy. Our bodies use mRNA to tell our cells which proteins to make, which are antibodies in this case. Vaccines that use mRNA are typically quicker and easier to produce, which has helped accelerate the COVID-19 vaccine process.
Missouri Roll-out
Phase 1 – Healthcare workers, essential workers and high risk populations
Phase 2 – Phase 1 populations, as well as all Missouri residents
Phase 3 – Widespread availability for all Missouri residents
(Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services,2020)
Video on messenger RNA (mRNA) Vaccines
(Stat Video from Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services)
Facts on the COVID VACCINES
Please don't hesitate to call me with questions.
Jane
Jane L. Sinnott, BSN, RN, NCSN
Special Notes for In-Person Families
Tips from the Trenches
Teachers are working very hard to keep children safe while providing highly engaging instruction. Here are some simple ways parents can help:
MASKS - Please be sure your child's masks are clean and fit well! They should easily cover the nose without sliding and should be flat and snug along the cheeks to the ears.
SNACKS - Most are doing great bringing ONE healthy snack. Please avoid snacks that are overly messy, require peeling, or utensils that may be forgotten at home.
WATER BOTTLES - Drinking fountains are still closed. All students should bring a refillable water bottle to school.
CHROME BOOKS - Please send them fully charged and ready to go! Plugging in the Chromebook is a great nightly routine. It pairs beautifully with brushing your teeth and reading a real, paper book. ;)
DAILY HEALTH SCREENINGS - Don't forget! Here is a link to the form and it is also on the button below.
Thank you for your help and partnership!
Timely Tips for the Car Line!
Thank you for your patience with long lines as we doubled our capacity this week. Each day got better and better. Here are the biggest ways you can help:
- Please use the entire length of the curb and pull your car as far forward as possible when entering the unloading zone in the morning. Staff members are there to assist you.
- Do not try to avoid the line by parking and walking in to the office. Dismissal is a busy time and our front office staff is occupied with other duties.
- Please stay alert and honor the NO PHONE ZONE! Our children and staff depend on it.
Picture Retakes for In-Person Students
Picture retakes for In-Person students will be on Friday, January 29th. Here is the digital copy of the retake flyer. If you would like to have your child get retakes, they need to return the original package and Inter-State will re-print it with the image taken on retake day. Parents do not need to re-order and do not need a flyer. Only Students who were not photographed on picture day or are new to school since picture day need the flyer for retake day. The website for ordering pictures is www.inter-state.com and our school's order code is 56715PA.
Quarantine Plan
- If individual students have to quarantine (typically due to illness within their family), they will join their class on Zoom for the morning/class meeting time to check-in with their class. All other instruction will be uploaded to Schoology. Videos and asynchronous plans will be available.
- If a whole class has to quarantine, their teacher will "go with them" and daily instruction will be provided using the Distance Learning model - school via Zoom from 9:05-3:45ish with breaks along the way.
- As always, your child's teacher will help you through.
Complete Car Line Procedures
Please review these important procedures and tips! With the increased number of cars, we appreciate your help in ensuring a SAFE & EFFICIENT arrival and dismissal. Most importantly, the car line is a NO PHONE ZONE! Children are unpredictable, so please be alert. Thank you!
Morning Drop Off
Please have students ready to get out of their cars.
If you need extra time, please continue through the car line first and pull around by the basketball hoops to assist your child, so as not to hold up the line.
Students should not exit cars until they are clearly within the loading and unloading zone. It will be marked by cones along the curb.
Arrival ends at 9:05am. If you are running late, please walk your child(ren) into the front office to be signed in.
Afternoon Parent Pick Up
In the afternoon, please remember to stay in your cars unless you are in the car loading zone. The loading zone extends all the way back to the white pedestrian walkway that will be marked with cones.
In order to maintain social distancing, if you are in the first group of cars and are parked on the lower lot, please stay near your car and look for your child(ren).
Please do not park in the upper-back lot and walk over to get your child(ren). To ensure the safety of all students and maintain proper social distancing, all families must proceed through the car line. TIP: If you are unable to wait in the car line, coming towards the latter part of dismissal allows you to drive through smoothly.
Dismissal ends at 4:05pm. Any remaining students will be taken to the office to phone parents.
Current In-Person Calendars
Counselors' Corner
Happy Friday!nPlease continue to contact us with questions and concerns by using the Counselor Connection Form. Some helpful resources are listed below.
Resources:
Emergency Resources:
911
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Behavioral Health Response Crisis Line: 1-800-811-4760
Saint Louis Crisis Nursery: 314-768-3201
Salvation Army: 211 (mortgage, utility bills, clothing, medication bills, etc.)
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mrs. Roth and Mrs. Lescher,
McKelvey School Counselors
Kindergarten Registration 2021-2022
Online registration for Kindergarten 21-22 is open now!
Step 1: Documents needed (Documentos necesarios) to upload in your application. If you do not have the requested documentation, or you do not rent or own property, please contact Cindy Wester at cwester@parkwayschools.net.
Step 2: Complete the online application and upload your documents. Click here to get started.
Step 3: A Registrar will reach out to you via email to finalize the process.
Please note, current Parkway preschool students will need to complete a new student registration for Kindergarten. Missouri law states that students must be 5 years old on or before July 31 to enroll in Kindergarten.
Family Resource Section
Parkway 2020-2021 Academic Calendar (rev. 8/19)
What to do if... Quarantine Guidance for Families
Parkway's Video Resource Library
Getting Started with Chromebooks (Youtube)
More Tips and Tricks for your Chromebook (Youtube)
Welcome to Your Chromebook (Doc)
Chromebook Registration & Insurance (recommended for grades 3-11)
About Us
Email: klackey@parkwayschools.net
Website: https://www.parkwayschools.net/mckelvey
Location: Maryland Heights, MO, USA
Phone: (314) 415-6500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mckelveyelementaryschool
Twitter: @McKelveydragons