
04/27 McMicken Family Connection

Principal's Corner
A Word from Your Principal
Dear Families,
It's getting sunnier and warmer outside as spring continues to blossom! May is always a busy month for McMicken, with end-of-year testing and final assessments to show your child's growth across the year. We're excited to check in on how our Cougars continue to learn and grow, and see what they set their new goals for. This is a great time to check in with your child to see what they're proud of so far this school year, and what's something they want to work towards with the few months of our school year. There's a lot left for our Cougars to find success and growth in this school year, and I'm excited to how they collaborate with each other to set optimistic goals.
In collaboration,
😄 Principal Haas
Teacher Appreciation Week (Week of May 8-12)
We want to shower our teachers in gifts of gratitude. Please send your student(s) to school with a note or token of gratitude on Friday, May 12th.
We are also looking for family volunteers to bring in a food dish from around the world for a staff luncheon on Wednesday, May 10th in honor of Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. If you’d like to contribute to this staff lunch, please sign up in the office.
SBA Testing, Starting in May
Washington State Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) for students in grades 3-5 for English Language Arts and Math will take place in May. 5th grade students will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS). We encourage families to make sure your child gets rest and eats breakfast at home or school on testing days.
SBA dates:
- May 1st (5th grade only)
- May 2nd
- May 8th
- May 9th
- May 15th
- May 16th
- May 22nd
- May 23rd
Any questions regarding SBA testing, please contact Sarah Morgan (425-835-2707 or sarah.morgan@highlineschools.org)
Join us for APTT!
Join us for our last APTT (Academic Parent Teacher Team) of the school year! At this meeting, you'll have time to meet with your child's teacher to look at your child's growth in the foundational skill they've focused on since the beginning of the school year, and get more resources to support your child's continued growth throughout the summer. If you have alternative childcare options outside of McMicken, please keep your children at home (if possible) as limited childcare will be available.
Doors will open at 5:15.
- Thursday, May 4th from 5:30-6:45: Grades 1, 2, and 5
- Tuesday, May 9th from 5:30-6:45: Grades K, 3, and 4
We will be raffling off prizes at each APTT to those who attend! Classes with the highest attendance will also have the opportunity to win a class party.
A Message from the EcoKids
EcoKids would you like to invite you to watch this video to see if you're recycling correctly!
Join Us for Monthly Tea Times!
Save the dates! Hosted by African Community Housing & Development, join us at McMicken Heights for our monthly tea times during the rest of the year. Learn about our goals for our students, staff, and community through our school plans. Share your ideas and hopes for our community and help grow our partnership! Refreshments will be shared.
- Tuesday, May 16: 3:30-4:30pm
Volunteer at McMicken!
Volunteers contribute greatly to the success of our students and schools. If you would like to go on a field trip or help during a PTA event, for example, a volunteer form needs to be on file with the school office. You can download and print a volunteer form from the volunteer page on the district website, or you can pick up a printed copy from the school office. Volunteer status is good for two school years. If you fill out one today, it will not expire until August 31, 2024. Thank you so much for taking the time to help our McMicken community!
Our Weekly Habit
May 1-5: We are COLLABORATIVE.
May's Monthly Focus: We are C.O.U.G.A.R.S.
Weekly Focus (May 1-5): We are COLLABORATIVE.
A quote to think about: "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." -Helen Keller
When we are collaborative, it looks like:
- Working effectively in groups or partnerships, and
- Seeking opportunities to learn and get to know one another
When we are collaborative, it sounds like:
- Communicating well with others,
- Encouraging and complementing one another, and
- Asking questions to understand each other.
When we are collaborative, it feels like:
- Being included and valuing those around us, and
- Being connected to each other.
Our Weekly Habit
May 8-12: We are OPTIMISTIC.
May's Monthly Focus: We are C.O.U.G.A.R.S.
Weekly Focus (May 8-12): We are OPTIMISTIC.
A quote to think about: “You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them." -Michael Jordan
When we are optimistic, it looks like:
Setting yourself up for success, and
Setting goals and using resources/tools to achieve your goals.
When we are optimistic, it sounds like:
Using positive language and affirmations, and
Complimenting and celebrating each others' successes.
When we are optimistic, it feels like:
Confidence in knowing where you're at and where you want to go next,
Being brave,
Wanting to give up, but not, and
Believing in yourself.
Friday, April 29: PTA Presents Family Movie Night, starts at 5:45pm
Thursday, May 4: APTT #3 for Grades 1, 2, and 5: 5:15-6:45pm
Tuesday, May 9: APTT #3 for Grades K, 3, and 4: 5:15-6:45pm
Tuesday, May 16: McMicken Tea Time, 3:30-4:30pm
Monday, May 29-30: Memorial Day, No School
Spring Recycling Event at Tyee High School
The City of SeaTac will be hosting a recycling event for all King County residents at Tyee High School, 4424 South 188th St, SeaTac, WA 98188, on Saturday, April 29th from 9am to 3pm.
Materials to be collected for free are: secure document shredding, scrap metal, porcelain, motor oil, tires, anti-freeze, household goods, Styrofoam, plastic bags, batteries, CFL light Bulbs, electronics, plastic film and paint, including latex, oil based and stains/varnish.
WHAT: Spring 2023 Recycling Event
WHERE: Tyee High School, 4424 South 188th St, SeaTac, WA 98188
WHEN: Saturday, April 29th, from 9 am to 3pm
Organizers are also requesting the following precautions be met:
- We strongly discourage you from attending if you are at increased risk of complications due to COVID-19 – This includes people 60 years or older, and those with underlying medical conditions.
- Don’t attend if you are sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or if someone in your household is.
- Stay in your vehicle and follow directions by staff.
- If you must get out of your vehicle, keep at least six feet of space between yourself and others.
- Do not touch your face.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds frequently when possible or use alcohol-based sanitizer as an alternative if handwashing is not available.
- We encourage you to wear a facemask
- Please be patient as delays can be expected due to event staff maintaining social distancing and customers holding on to items during the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order.
See this website for more information.
5 Fun Ways to Instill a Love of History in Kids
History tells the story of how we got to where we are today as a society - and it's chock full of lessons that inspire us to make a difference in the world around us. Use these fun ideas to help your child learn about history!
- Visit a museum or historical site. Was an inspiring historical figure born in your town? Is your town known for something famous? Whatever makes your town unique, there's bound to be a museum or historical site to celebrate it.
- Listen to a kid-friendly podcast. You name it, there's a podcast for it - including podcasts for budding history buffs. Ask questions about a favorite fact they learned, how it makes them feel, and why the topic interests them.
- Read about historical figures. Many people in history have made a lasting impact on society. Learning about them enables kids to see themsleves in others, learn about different cultures, be inspired, and grow their minds.
- Celebrate your family history. Everyone has a story - your family included. Encourage your child to learn about your family's history and culture and share their stories, too.
- Cook up a history lesson. Find a recipe that is meaningful to a different country or culture. Learn about things like how the meal is prepared and presented, and when the dish is traditionally served. Then, eat up!
Kindergarten Enrollment Open for 23-24!
Do you know a child who will be 5 years old on or before August 31? Maybe it's a current student's sibling, your neighbor, family friend or even your own child. Help us spread the word: families can enroll their incoming kindergarten student for the 2023-24 school year now.
We encourage new students to enroll as early as possible. This helps us to connect with students early and ensures we hire the right number of staff at each school. Kindergarten Jump Start is offered August 23-25 to all registered incoming kindergarten students.
What Do Families Need?
Families should have the following ready:
- Birth certificate
- Proof of address (rental agreement, purchase agreement, or utility bill)
- Immunization records
Families can upload all these documents to our registration system. (Tip: Scan or take a photo with a mobile phone to upload.)
If the documents aren't readily available, families can start registration and email the documents to their school to complete their enrollment application.
For more information, please see this website.
See the full year's Heritage Month calendar and think about how you can continue to celebrate these groups and holidays at home. In addition, you can access the Heritage Month calendar in Spanish, Somali, or Vietnamese.
Explore resources, events, book lists, and more for May's Heritage Months in English or Spanish.
Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is observed throughout May to pay tribute to the achievements of generations who have contributed to American life. The federal courts join in celebrating their accomplishments at every level of the Third Branch of government.
In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.
AAPI communities consist of approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages, with connections to all the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
Haitian Heritage Month
Haitian Heritage Month is a nationally recognized month celebrated in May every year. It is a great time to celebrate the vibrant culture, distinct art, delectable cuisine, and to get to know people of Haitian origin. Haitian Heritage Month is an expansion of the annual Haitian Flag Day, which falls on May 18. The flag day is observed with much pomp and splendor even by the diaspora. That’s how it found its way to the U.S., a country that’s home to a large Haitian population.
Jewish American Heritage Month
On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month. The announcement was the crowning achievement in an effort by the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish community leaders that resulted in resolutions introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania urging the president to proclaim a month that would recognize the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. The resolutions passed unanimously, first in the House of Representatives in December 2005 and later in the Senate in February 2006.
The month of May was chosen due to the highly successful celebration of the 350th Anniversary of American Jewish History in May 2004, which was organized by the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History. This coalition was composed of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, the American Jewish Historical Society, the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration.
Speech and Hearing Awareness Month
Each May, we recognize Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM), founded in 1927 by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This annual event provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders, and to encourage people to think about their own hearing and get their hearing checked.
International Workers Day (May 1)
May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day or Workers’ Day, commemorates the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement, observed in many countries on May 1.
Contact us for support or with questions.
McMicken Heights Elementary School
https://mcmicken.highlineschools.org
Phone: (206) 631-4300
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Highline School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular activities. Highline Public Schools also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
You can report the discrimination to any school staff member or the district's Civil Rights Coordinator, Isuzu Niizuma Arambula, at 206-631-3104, civilrightscoordinator@highlineschools.org, or mail your complaint to Highline Public Schools - 15675 Ambaum Boulevard SW. Burien, WA 98166.