Mac's Notes

Dear Scottie Families,

We are excited to launch our Creative Advantage Arts Team and hope there is interest from students to serve as representatives. We will ensure the meeting times will work with schedules and appreciate the opportunity to elevate student voice.

Upcoming Events

Roosevelt Jazz presents its 25th anniversary performance of The Jazz Nutcracker Suite on Dec. 6-8. The Tchaikovsky’s classic, reimagined by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, has challenged and inspired generations of young musicians at Roosevelt High School for a quarter of a century. This year our nationally acclaimed high-school jazz band shares the stage with the program's three other award-winning ensembles, Jazz Bands 2 and 3 and Roosevelt Vocal Jazz. Dec. 6 and 7 concerts at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 students/seniors; $25 general admission. RHS Theatre 1410 NE 66th St., Seattle, WA. Purchase tickets here.

Lincoln Choirs Present Hot Cocoa Express

December 12th at 7 pm

Lincoln Choirs and Vocal Jazz Performances

December 14th at 1 pm

Performances by Lincoln Choirs and Coe Elementary Choir and Musical Theatre Club

Admission is Free, concessions available for purchase

SPS Devices coming home

• By December 20, all iPads (K-2) and laptops (3-5) will be sent home with students. In the event of inclement weather, we will continue learning on Teams. Teachers will communicate their Teams meeting link with families.
• If your child has a planned absence that requires a last day of school prior to December 20, please work with teachers to receive the device prior to the absence.

Looking forward to a great week with everyone!

Sincerely,

Zoe Facilla, she/her

McDonald International Principal

206.252.2900

zvfacilla@seattleschools.org

144 NE 54th ST, Sea WA 98105

https://mcdonaldes.seattleschools.org/

Dear Families and Caregivers,

We would like to invite you to participate in our upcoming McDonald Community Listening Sessions, where we aim to hear from and better understand the experiences of our community, with a special focus on families whose voices are often overlooked. This is a supplementary opportunity for families who are most often unheard to have their voices centered and celebrated.

These sessions are open to any family who identifies as Spanish-speaking, Japanese-speaking, LGBTQIA+, and/or a family of color. Whether you identify with one of these groups or a member of your family experiences the challenges and opportunities these communities face, your voice is important to us.

Spanish-speaking families will have facilitation in Spanish, Japanese-speaking families in Japanese, and LGBTQIA+ families and families of color in English. If you prefer a language other than Spanish, Japanese, or English, you’re welcome to join the English group, and we can provide interpretation.

These listening sessions are a safe and open space where you can share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences on how we can improve our school community, better support your child, and create a more inclusive environment for everyone. The questions that will be addressed include: What should we keep doing? What should we start doing? What should we stop doing?

Food and childcare will be provided. Arrangements for carpooling/rideshares will be made available as well.

Session Details

December 9: Spanish speaking and Japanese speaking families, 6:00-8:00 pm

December 10: Families who identify as LGBTQIA+, Families of Color, 6:00-8:00 pm

Location: McDonald International School

(Online options available if needed)

We are committed to removing barriers so that every family feels heard, valued, and supported. Your input will help us create a stronger, more inclusive school for all students. If you can’t attend the meeting or feel uncomfortable sharing your feedback in this setting, we encourage you to share it anonymously through this form.

We look forward to listening to you!

Week of December 9th

Monday Breakfast: Assorted Muffins

Lunch: Hot Dog or Turkey and Cheese Wrap

Tuesday Breakfast: Bagel and Cream Cheese

Lunch: Fiestada beef stuffed sandwich or Sun butter and Jelly Sandwich

Wednesday Breakfast: Assorted Muffins and Cereal

Lunch: Cheese Pizza, Turkey Supreme Sub

Thursday Breakfast: Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich

Lunch: Rotini and meat sauce, TBD

Friday Breakfast: Cereal

Lunch: TBD or yogurt lunch pack

Winter After-School Enrichment - Registration Sunday

After-School Enrichment registration will open this Sunday, 12/8 at 7pm. Here is the class schedule. Prices are listed in 6crickets, an online registration tool. Classes tend to fill up quickly. You should pre-register your student to be ready when registration opens. Navigate to 6crickets and either Log In or Sign Up (top right of the screen).

• Winter enrichment registration will be open for one week (until Sunday, 12/15 at 7 pm).

• Winter classes begin on Monday, 1/13 and run until spring break (with no classes: 1/20 and 2/17-2/21 mid-winter break).

We still need volunteers for every day! Volunteers ensure students get to the correct classrooms and are all picked up after classes end. Use this form to sign-up to volunteer and get a free class. We'd love to have volunteers sorted out before Sunday registration to help guarantee your free spot in your child's desired class, so please act now!

Questions? Contact the ASE Coordinator.

Hosting an Intern in your home is an enriching and fun experience! The Cunningham Family shares their experience hosting intern Yuka:

We have really enjoyed having Yuka stay at our house during her internship. Our kids very much enjoy her company and introducing her to the Pacific Northwest. Some of the fun times include Yuka experiencing her first camping trip with the 4th grade Japanese class, hiking around Discovery Park and Mt. Rainier, as well as Halloween Trick or Treating. Yuka's presence has increased Libby and Maya’s exposure to the Japanese language and culture outside of school. We have enjoyed introduction to homemade okonomiyaki (by Yuka!) and kendamas sent to the girls by her family. Her father even made a "how to" video in Japanese explaining how to use the kendama. We are looking forward to continuing to get to know Yuka over the next few months and helping her have a meaningful experience living abroad.

• Brian, Elise, Libby (4th), Maya (1st)

We need a few more volunteer families to host interns later this school year. Host families need a private room for the intern and a willingness to host for a minimum of 2 months. Email interns@mcdonaldpta.org with questions or your interest, and a member of the intern committee will be in touch.

• December 9: PTA Board Meeting on Zoom, 6:00-7:30 pm
• December 9 and 10: Listening Sessions in person at McDonald International, 6:00-8:00 pm
• December 11: PTA Advocacy on Zoom, 6:00-7:00 pm
• December 12: Lockdown Drill, 8:15 am--for this drill we shut and lock doors, cover windows, turn off lights and remain silent until the drill is released (when a staff member self identifies, unlocks door, and turns on the light).

Scottie Ambassadors Spirit Week

December 16: Pajama Day

December 17: Rainbow Day

December 18: Dot Day

December 19: Geometric Pattern Day

December 20: 80s Day

• December 20: One hour early release at 1:25 pm
• No School: December 21-January 5