McKean School Community,

Happy January! January brings a fresh start for each of us and is always a time we set goals and prioritize for the year. We are no different at school. We are now into the long stretch before state assessments begin and it is during this time, we see the most growth from students. So, we will be helping students look at their mid-year progress, and working hard to meet the challenges that come with change, in addition to preparing our students for whatever path to college and career that they may choose.

Finally, this month, we will engage in several high stakes athletic, and extracurricular competitions. We continue to raise the bar and set an example. Meeting expectations is good enough in most places, but at Thomas McKean High School, our goal is to exceed expectations and strive to be the very best at everything we do. This mentality is fostered by the leadership of our alumni, faculty, staff, and administration.

We A.R.E. McKean!

We are excited to invite you to be a part of something extraordinary – our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)! The PTO plays a crucial role in enhancing the educational experience for our children and fostering a strong sense of community within our school.

Join a community of dedicated parents, teachers, and staff who share a common goal – creating a positive and enriching environment for our students.

How Can You Get Involved? 👉 Attend PTO Meetings: Join us for informative and engaging meetings where we discuss upcoming events, fundraising opportunities, and collaborative projects.

Together, we can create a vibrant and supportive community that empowers our students to thrive.

Next Meeting is Wednesday, January 17th at 6pm

Estimados padres y tutores de McKean:

Espero que este mensaje te encuentre bien. Nos complace invitarlo a nuestra próxima reunión de la Organización de Padres y Maestros (PTO), donde discutiremos asuntos importantes relacionados con la comunidad escolar.

Fecha: miércoles 17/01/24 Hora: 6:00 p.m. Ubicación: Biblioteca de la escuela McKean

• Friday, January 12th - Best Buddies/Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge Fundraiser at Bellefonte Brewing in Marshallton - 3pm - 6pm
• Monday, January 15th - No School in Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
• Wednesday, January 17th - FAFSA Night for Seniors - 3p - 6p - Please contact your student's school counselor for more information or to sign up
• Wednesday, January 7th - PTO Meeting - 6p - McKean Library
• Thursday, January 25th - Last Day of Marking Period 2
• Friday, January 26th - No School for Students - Grading Day for Teachers and Staff
• Monday, January 29th - First Day of Marking Period 3 - Physical Education/Health/Driver Education Courses change locations and teachers. Please take note!

• Sunday, February 4th - McKean Best Buddies and Special Olympics Take the Plunge! - Donate/Join the Team
• Wednesday, February 28th - Red Clay Referendum - Red Clay remains dedicated to identifying the most effective solutions to benefit our students and community. On Wednesday, February 28th, the Red Clay Consolidated School District community will have the opportunity to vote on two important proposals aimed at preserving, revitalizing, and enhancing our District's programs, services, facilities, and staff positions.
• Friday, March 1st and Saturday March 2nd - Shrek the Musical, Jr. - In the Highfield Audion
• Tuesday, March 5th - PSAT and SAT Testing Day for Grades 9th thru 11th - Virtual Day for 12th Graders

The Down Syndrome Association of Delaware is selling Rock Your Socks t-shirts for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st. This is the day that we wear crazy, mismatched socks to celebrate the things that make each of us UNIQUE! This year they are selling them directly online and they have t-shirts, hoodies, youth shirts, and long sleeve shirts in multiple colors! The design of the shirt is the same that we have ordered previously. Depending on the particular item, they have sizes XS-5XL.

https://www.bonfire.com/dsade-world-down-syndrome-day-shirts/

Don’t forget about your class dues - $50

Class dues must be paid by January 31, 2024, in order to purchase prom tickets, attend your senior class trip, and/or participate in graduation.

Seniors, We are halfway there, lets celebrate with a Senior Breakfast Bash on Thursday, January 25th at 8:00 am in the cafeteria . If you are interested in attending, it's free. Please go to the Class of 2024 Schoology page and sign up. You must sign up to attend. It is also a great time to pay your class dues! Hope to see you there! Please see Ms. Wakefield with any questions. McKean Culinary students will be whipping up a delicious breakfast buffet of eggs, bacon, potatoes and fruit.

Please see Ms. Wakefield if you have any questions.

If your student is planning on continuing their education after graduation then they will need to complete the 24-25 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The school counseling team will be offering a hands on FAFSA completion workshop on Wednesday January 17, 2024 here at McKean in room A 24. Registration is encouraged, please use the registration link or on the student’s Schoology class of 2024 page. Student’s and parents must have applied for an FSA ID at least 3 business days prior to our workshop. If have not applied for your FSA ID you can go to studentaid.gov and click create an account in the upper right corner. If you need assistance, feel free to contact your student’s school counselor.

Don’t forget about your class dues - $30

Class dues must be paid by January 31, 2024, in order to purchase prom tickets!

Please see Ms. Dukes if you have any questions.

Red Clay Consolidated School District is growing the Early College Academy partnership with our neighbor Goldey-Beacom College! More information will come for this opportunity to attend college classes at GBC and earn college credit while enrolled at Thomas McKean High School. Click the photo to the right for more information! Please contact Mr. Downes with questions.

AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society. This is done by a schoolwide approach to teaching and learning styles, as well as, supported by identified students who are in the AVID elective to raise their rigor and access to higher education opportunities. We will be sharing out more AVID information monthly – see where are some of our AVID Alumni now in the linked slide show. Please contact Ms. Brandi Mycoff with any questions regarding AVID at McKean!

Thomas McKean High School will be highlighting and celebrating our AVID Alumni as we celebrate a decade of Advancement Via Individual Determination at McKean!

Please visit HighlandersSports.com for information about Highlander Athletics as we wrap up the Fall season. The Winter Sports season began Tuesday, November 7th with the first competitions after the return from the Thanksgiving Holiday.

• Boys Basketball - Stephon Johnson
• Girls Basketball - Ricky Brown
• Winter Cheerleading - Rikia DeRamus
• Swimming - Aleecia King & Jaxon Brown
• Indoor Track - Gavin Coates
• Unified Basketball - Ryan Mayville
• Wrestling - Nick Dorda & Dan Baker

400 Free Relay: McKean, G. Foster-Crowley, Z. Tontarski, R. Williams, J. Rutter, 6:44.90

Athletic Director Dorda would like to share the following information regarding Fall Sports:

• Tickets to home football and basketball games must be purchased in advance from Ticket Spicket.
• Students will not be permitted to re-enter the stadium or gymnasium once they have left.
• After school buses are reserved for active roster student athletes only. NO STUDENT FANS PERMITTED
• Highlander Sportsmanship is expected from all athletes, student fans, and family fans at all sporting events. All Highlanders are expected to adhere to the codes of conduct set forth by Thomas McKean High School, Red Clay Consolidated School District, and the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Fall 2024 Boys Soccer Coach Opening! Please contact Nicholas Dorda with any questions or interest

Questions - Contact Mr. Dorda - Athletic Director

Highlander Families,

We would like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays and New year. We hope you have a joyful and restful break enjoying time with your families! We do ask that upon our return from Winter break, we want to gently remind everyone of our dress code policies.

Dress Code

• Students must wear clothing including both a shirt with pants or skirt, or the equivalent.
• The torso must be covered and undergarments must not be visible.
• Students must wear shoes with a sole.
• Hats and other head coverings are not to be worn in schools except in cases of medical, and religious reasons.

Clothing May Not

• Depict, advertise or advocate the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances.
• Depict pornography, nudity or sexual acts.
• Share or depict hate speech.
• Depict violence or threaten the health or safety of any other student or staff member.
• See page 15 of the Student Handbook for more information.

Drop-Off/Pick-Up

Any families dropping or picking up Students need to be aware about the designated drop-off and pick-up procedures to ensure the safety and efficiency of our school community.

Upper Lot Usage

All parent drop-off and pickup activities are to take place exclusively in the upper parking lot. This area has been designated for these purposes to streamline traffic flow and enhance the safety of our students.

No Entry to Bus Lane

Please refrain from entering the bus lane for any drop-off or pickup activities. The bus lane is reserved for school buses and needs to remain clear to facilitate the smooth and safe flow of school transportation.

Safety First

By adhering to these guidelines, we collectively contribute to the safety and well-being of all students, parents, and staff. Your cooperation in following these procedures is greatly appreciated.

As we kickoff our Winter sports season, a gentle reminder that all ticket sales for all Boys Basketball games will be available to purchase ONLINE ONLY through Ticket Spicket. Tickets are $5 for Adults and $2 for Students. Tickets will be available to purchase up until 3 pm on game days. Tickets need to be purchased for both JV and Varsity Boys Basketball games. Tickets are not required to attend Girls Basketball Games or Wrestling Matches. Spectators are expected to follow all procedures and expectations listed below at all times, while attending any Athletic Events at McKean High School.

Spectator Expectations and Procedures

The following procedures and protocols will be in place for all spectators at McKean Athletic Events:

1. Ticket is required for entry.
2. Spectators must enter the game via the pool lobby.
3. Only spectators with ties to the two teams or schools will be permitted to enter into the game. This includes family members, students, faculty, and staff of the participating teams.
4. No entrance to the game after the end of the second quarter.
5. No re-entry to the game at any time.
6. No outside food or drink.
7. No bags are to be brought into the gym.
8. No fan seating will be allowed behind the team benches..
9. No ski masks or full face gators are permitted.
10. Spectators are not permitted to enter the playing court at any time for any reason.
11. At the conclusion of the game all spectators should exit through the gym lobby in a timely manner. Visiting teams will not be re-entering the gym following the game.
12. All Spectators must follow the DIAA Spectator Code of Conduct (Can be found on the Highlanderssports.com)

For any and all students attending any After-School activities are to abide by the Red Clay Student and Family handbook, whether at McKean campus or any other school campus.

• The Student and Family handbook is enforced at all school-sponsored events and other activities where school administrators have jurisdiction over students.
• Any student who actively hinders an investigation or any student who aids, is involved with the planning, or helps another student in any way in an act which violates the Student Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action.
• Students can be subject to be revocation or loss of privileges at any time being unable to attend any After-School activities violating the Code of Conduct.

We would like to stress the importance of on time arrival to both school and every class this year. As a team, we are ramping up interventions and supports, as well as consequences and celebrations, for students around on time arrival to class. Attendance interventions have been designed to help all students maximize their learning time by incentivizing being on time, and we have a team dedicated to addressing any challenges students face with tardiness to school and class. Students that arrive to class late will not be eligible for hall/bathroom passes during the period.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to our canned tuna, canned chicken, and mayonnaise drive so far! Your generosity will make a difference.

Items were then bagged by students and delivered to students in need at Wilmington elementary school.

Ms. Caraballo-Castro and her classes prepared for 2024 and beyond by sharing their goals for the new year as we returned from our holiday break!