McKinley Dragon Tales

I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer and had time to relax and make special memories with your friends and families. Our staff is excited to begin the 2024-2025 school year at McKinley Elementary School!

To ensure a smooth transition back to school, this newsletter will provide you with an overview of basic procedures and important dates. Please read the information carefully, so you can understand how we can work BETTER TOGETHER to ensure a safe environment and positive school experience for all. Also, please note that the forms on Skyward Family Access should be completed before the end of the month.

The staff and I look forward to sharing a wonderful year with you and continuing McKinley’s rich tradition of excellence in education. I am excited to begin this school year journey, alongside you, as your principal. Please reach out if you need assistance so that we can work together to ensure a fun-filled, enjoyable school year for all the children of McKinley Elementary School.

Mr. Daniel Oldham, Principal

Over the summer, all Administrators read the book, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and I found it very informative and thought-provoking. In The Anxious Generation, Haidt explains "the major causes of the international epidemic of mental illness that hit adolescents in the early 2010s, and offers a path forward for parents, teachers, friends, and relatives who want to help improve the mental health of children and adolescents." We would like to extend the invite to join in on the reading of this powerful text and be on the look out for a book discussion at an upcoming PTO meeting. "Change is possible, if we can act together" -Jonathan Haidt

What an amazing way to end the first full week of school! The weather was warm, the sun was shining, and the treats were delicious. Families past, present, and future came out to celebrate the start of school and it was a great time! Thank you to the incredible PTO for throwing such a fun event for everyone and for all the volunteers who helped make this day possible! Bringing the McKinley community together is so special!

• Sept. 16-20: PTO Book Fair

• Oct. 3 & 4: NO SCHOOL
• Oct. 10: PTO: Meeting 6:30pm
• Oct. 15 & 16: Picture Day (Check with teacher for specific day)
• Oct. 25: PTO Scarecrow Night 5:30pm-7:00pm
• Oct. 31: Halloween Parade 9:30 am, afternoon parties

• Nov. 1: NO SCHOOL
• Nov. 5: NO SCHOOL
• Nov. 7: PTO Meeting 9:30am
• Nov. 15: McKingo Night
• Nov. 18-22: American Ed. Week Visits to Classrooms
• Nov. 27: PTO Skating Party
• Nov. 25 & 26: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Nov. 25-27: 12:20pm dismissal
• Nov. 28, 29: NO SCHOOL
  
  
• Dec. 9-12: PTO Holiday Shop
• Dec. 18: Winter Concert 9:45am
• Dec. 20: 12:20pm dismissal
• Dec. 23-31: NO SCHOOL

**All events are subject to change. Additional events may be added

to the calendar, as safety regulations permit.

McKinley's Lost & Found

There are three ways to claim your student's missing item from our Lost & Found!

1) Check out our NEW virtual Lost & Found https://photos.app.goo.gl/rByCD2d4WYavaXjL9.

2) Remind your student to go to the Lost & Found during school to claim their item.

3) Parents/Guardians can go to the Lost & Found in the school's vestibule during school hours.

Please remember to label your student's belongings! Lost & Found items that are labeled are delivered to students.

At the end of each month items that are not labeled or claimed will be donated. Thank you!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we return to school for the 2024-2025 school year, we would like to provide you with several resources related to our food service program, provided by Chartwells School Dining Services.

Nutrislice Menus

Daily breakfast and lunch menus are available to view via the Nutrislice website.

MySchoolBucks Online Payment System

Abington School District partners with MySchoolBucks, an online service where you can easily and securely pay for school meals using a credit/debit card or electronic check.

Using MySchoolBucks you can:

● Add funds to your student’s meal account

● View meal balances & cafeteria purchases

● Receive low balance alerts

Get started in 4 easy steps:

1. Download the mobile app or visit myschoolbucks.com

2. Create your free account

3. Add your student

4. Add funds to your student’s meal account

If you have any questions about getting started with MySchoolBucks, call (855) 832-5226.

Free / Reduced Meals

Your child may be eligible to receive free/reduced school meals, based on your income or state benefits received. In order to be eligible for free or reduced meals, you will need to complete an application, unless you are directly certified through your benefits program.

Complete the application and submit it to the main office, or apply online.

Contact the Student Services Department at 215-881-2505 if you need assistance. (Please note that free breakfast will be available to all Abington School District students for the duration of the 2024-2025 school year.)

SCHOOL HOURS

Arrival 8:30-8:50 AM

Dismissal 3:20 PM

The school campus (including fields and playgrounds) is closed to the general public during school hours.

ABSENCES

If a child is absent, parents must report it. An absence can be submitted on Skyward (see directions linked at the bottom of this newsletter) in advance of the date for appointments, or can be submitted on the day of the absence. Submitting an absence on Skyward is the recommended way of alerting the school of your child’s absence and removes the need for you to call the Child Check line.

If you do not report your child’s absence on Skyward, you must contact the Child Check phone or email line prior to 8:30 AM on the day of the absence: 215-663-0430 option#2. Please provide the following information: Child’s name, your name, teacher’s name, date(s) of absence, and the reason for the absence. Note: “Vacation” is not considered an excused absence in Abington School District, as per the district’s attendance policy.

BUS AND TRANSPORTATION

Families can retrieve transportation information via Skyward.

1. Log into the Skyward information system using your assigned login name and password. You may need to click “Open Family Access” after logging in.

2. Select the “Busing” tab on the left-hand side as shown below. Your student’s busing information will be shown on the right-hand side.

During the first few weeks, expect bus schedules to fluctuate as everyone adjusts to the new bus routes. If your concern is about the location of a bus stop or driver, you will need to contact the Abington Transportation Department at 215-884-0421. If your child is experiencing a problem with other students, please contact our Asst. Principal, Ms. Corbett.

SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS

Suggested supply lists are posted on ASD’s Family Resources page. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle, and we have water refilling stations in the building. Cell phones are not necessary, but students who bring cell phones to school must keep the phones off and in their backpack throughout the school day.

K-2 Students Only: Please consider (optional) sending in a labeled bag with a spare set of clothing including a shirt, underwear, pants, and socks in the event of an emergency.

MEDICINE

The administration of medicine to students by the nurse may be authorized only in emergency cases and only upon the completion and submission of the Medication Form as well as documentation from the doctor. All medicines must come to school in the original container and be kept in the nurse’s office. It is the parents’ responsibility to bring medication to school. No medication should be sent into school with a student.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

Parents and guardians have the option to purchase private student accident medical insurance. Please inquire with the Business Office at 215-881-2541 to obtain a brochure regarding the available coverage and enrollment/purchase information.

VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS

During the day, all exterior doors are locked, and everyone enters via the main entrance. To maintain building safety, a limited number of essential visitors will be allowed. Visitors must present a photo ID or wear an ASD-issued volunteer badge. Parents and guardians interested in volunteering at the school will need to obtain volunteer certifications in order to be approved to volunteer.