Good Morning McKinley Families,
A big thank you to everyone who participated in Multicultural Day! Even though it was a chilly afternoon, the warmth of our community, the joy of sharing traditions, and the excitement of learning about our friends’ cultures made it such a special and memorable event.
This year, we proudly showcased over 25 different cultures represented at McKinley, from Dominicana to Iran, Vietnam to Poland, and beyond! Families enjoyed delicious homemade foods like Ethiopian injera, Salvadoran pupusas, and Vietnamese Bahn Mi, and were inspired by incredible performances—from Bollywood Fusion, Flamenco, Kendo and Capoeira to Baile Folklórico, Mariachi, and our very own McKinley Dance Team. It was a beautiful reminder of the diversity, connection, and shared joy that make our school so special.
The joy and learning we experienced at Multicultural Day reflect our broader commitment to ensuring that every student feels seen, valued, and empowered in their education. As national conversations about curriculum and inclusion continue, I want to take a moment to reaffirm our dedication to fostering a learning environment that upholds these values.
Our Commitment to an Inclusive Education
I want to take a moment to address recent national discussions about education, particularly the Executive Order titled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling.” While federal policies may raise questions, please know that our commitment at McKinley remains steadfast: we will continue to provide an education that aligns with our district’s values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), curiosity, belonging, and empowerment.
The California Department of Education has affirmed that this executive order does not change how we educate students in our state. As a public school in California, we follow state-adopted content standards and frameworks, which prioritize critical thinking, civic engagement, and an inclusive, research-based curriculum. Our goal is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives they need to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world—not to limit learning or silence important conversations.
Celebrating Black History Month
This commitment extends beyond a single event—it is woven into our daily teaching and learning. As we move into February, we continue this work by celebrating Black History Month, a time to honor the rich contributions of Black Americans who have shaped our nation. While Black history is American history, and McKinley teachers incorporate it throughout the year, this month provides a special opportunity to highlight these achievements. We have planned meaningful activities to uplift these contributions, and I encourage you to check out the section below for details on how we will be celebrating as a school.
Thank you for your partnership, your support, and for making McKinley such a wonderful place to learn and grow.
In partnership,
Principal DW
We are excited to celebrate Black History Month at McKinley with a variety of activities that highlight the achievements, stories, and contributions of Black Americans.
This year’s theme, African Americans and Labor, “focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people” contributing significantly to the American economy and society.
Morning Announcements – Students in grades 3-5 will share Wise Words from notable Black Americans, reminding us of the wisdom, strength, and leadership that have shaped history during Friday Morning Announcements in February.
Black History Month Assembly: Shadow Ball – On February 14, we will welcome Rochel Garner Coleman for a powerful one-man show, Shadow Ball: The Story of Black Baseball. This performance tells the story of James “Cool Papa” Bell, one of the fastest players in history, and brings to life the legacy of the Negro Leagues, Jackie Robinson, and the fight to break baseball’s color barrier.
Family Arts Night with PS Arts – On February 26th from 6-7 PM, we will host a Family Arts Night, where we will explore the work of Zina Hall, an Oakland-based artist known for her intricate embroidery inspired by African American music icons. Zina’s work celebrates belonging and cultural identity, and we look forward to sharing her art with our community. We can’t wait to celebrate, learn, and reflect together! Stay tuned for more details and ways to get involved.
Black History Month Gallery – McKinley teachers engage students in many meaningful ways to celebrate Black history and culture. To showcase our collective learning, we are creating a gallery of student work! The gallery will be showcased in the auditorium on February 28.
This month's Character Development Book of the Month is Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman. This inspiring story follows Grace, a young girl who loves stories and imagination. When she wants to play the role of Peter Pan in her school play, her classmates tell her she can’t because she’s a girl and because she’s Black. With the encouragement of her family, Grace proves that she can be anything she sets her mind to.
At McKinley, we believe in fairness, the pillar of character we are focusing on this month. Amazing Grace teaches students about overcoming stereotypes, believing in themselves, and ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Family Discussion Prompt: Fair Doesn’t Mean Equal
Children often say, “That’s not fair!” when things aren’t exactly the same for everyone. But fairness is about meeting individual needs, not always treating everyone the same. Discuss fairness in different situations:
School: First graders have 10 minutes of homework, while second graders have 20. Is that fair?
Home: Your older sibling has a later bedtime or more chores. Why might that be fair?
Use these examples to help your child think critically about fairness and how decisions are made with different needs in mind!
This Week
- February 3: Teacher Experience Raffle Opens
February 5: LMS Counselor Visits 5th Grade Classrooms
February 5: 5th Grade Field Trip to Jazz Reach Performance , 12:15-1:15 PM, LMS
February 6: Climate Survey Open
February 6: Lincoln Lion Lowdown, 6:00 PM, LMS
February 7: Room Parent Meeting, 9:00-10:00 AM, Zoom
- Upcoming Dates
February 10: Jog-a-thon Kickoff 8:40 (PreK-1st), 9:25 (2nd/3rd),10:55 (4th/5th)
February 11: School Site Council Meeting, 3:15-4:30 PM, Zoom
February 12: PTA Exec Board Meeting, 9:00-10:30 AM, Zoom
February 13: Fire Drill, 2 PM
February 14: Special Education Resource Group Meeting, 9:00-10:00 AM, Zoom
February 14: Teacher Experience Raffle Winners Announced
February 14: Report Cards Go Home
February 14: Black History Assembly - Shadow Ball Assembly
February 17: No School, President's Day
February 19: Coffee with the Principal, 8:30-9:30 AM, Library
February 19: PTA Meeting, 6:00-7:30 PM, Zoom (Board Slate)
February 20: McKinley Board Presentation
February 21: AAFA Meeting, 9:00-10:00 AM, Zoom
February 23: Beautification Day, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, Garden
February 24: Lockdown Drill, 2 PM
February 26: PS Arts Family Art Night, 6:00-7:00 PM, Auditorium
February 28: Climate Survey Closes
February 28: Schoolwide Assembley (1st/Fairness)
February 28: School Tour, 9:00-10:00 AM, Library
February 28: Black History Gallery, 9:00-10:00 AM, Auditorium
