Good morning McKinley Families,
One of the joys of childhood and parenthood is celebrating together with family and friends, and yesterday’s events lifted our spirits and delighted us all. Seeing our students excited to show off their Halloween costumes, and all of you lined up to catch a glimpse of them in the parade, made me feel quite emotional! The giddiness of our youngest students, whose excitement is contagious, and the proud smiles of our 5th graders as they enjoy their last Halloween parade before moving on to middle school and officially beginning their journey into adolescence is something I look forward to every year as an educator.
These celebrations are meaningful because our kids love them, and that joy is what we’re here for! And I can't thank you enough for showing up yesterday! This year’s Harvest Festival was really spooktacular, in large part due to the efforts of our Harvest Festival Chair, Wixon Greenwood, who began planning for this event as soon as we began school, organizing permits, leveraging resources and organizing our families. A big thank you to our Haunted House Chair, Keve Smith who has designed and created the haunted house for years and as a result never actually gone to the Harvest Festival - so please tell her thank you when you see her! A big thank you to our Room Parents who helped bring incredible carnival games, a pumpkin drawing contest, food sales, and more. An event like this is no small feat—it takes months of planning and hours of preparation. I know the time it takes to balance work, family, and then volunteer to make sure McKinley has an events that feel as fun and warm as this one, and I am deeply grateful for your generosity with your time and talents.
I’d also like to thank everyone who joined us for the African American Family Association Breakfast in the garden and for Coffee with the Principal and Counselor. It’s always wonderful to see you on campus, and I look forward to connecting with even more of you at our upcoming events, including our Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Thank you for making McKinley a place of joy, community, and celebration. We are lucky to have you.
In partnership,
Dr. Daniela Wiener (Dr. DW)
Principal, McKinley Elementary School
PS: Thank you to PTA member and photographer extraordinaire, Julie Williams for the beautiful photos of the parade.
November is Native American Heritage Month! Also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, this month is dedicated to honoring the history, culture, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples in the United States, including here in California.
California’s Indigenous history includes the impact of the Spanish Mission system, which began in the late 18th century with the establishment of 21 missions along the California coast. The mission system disrupted the lives of Indigenous people, leading to the loss of land, culture, and lives for many tribes, including the Ohlone, Chumash, Tongva, and Kumeyaay. Despite this, California's tribes have maintained resilience, preserving their languages, traditions, and deep connections to their ancestral lands.
Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity to learn from both the past and present contributions of Indigenous people. California is home to more Native American tribes than any other state. In addition to honoring the legacy of past leaders, this month also celebrates Indigenous people who shape our communities today. Figures like Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Indigenous Cabinet member, remind us of the importance of Native voices in leadership. California’s Native communities are actively involved in environmental stewardship, arts, education, and advocacy, continuously enriching our state.
I invite you to celebrate Native American Heritage Month by exploring resources on Indigenous history, attending events, and learning about the tribes native to California. By understanding and honoring these stories, we can contribute to a more inclusive future.
Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration returns to Third Street Promenade! Enjoy live entertainment, a Latinx pop-up market, community altars, kids’ crafts, face painting, and games for all ages. Saturday, October 26, 2-8 p.m.
Santa Monica Pier Day of the Dead Extraordinary Ofrendas (Altars),Aztec dancers, Ballet Folklorico performances, mariachis and more! Saturday, November 1, 5-8 p.m., Sunday, November 2 all day.
Halloween and Día de los Muertos SM Pier Ferris Wheel Lighting Oct. 25 -Nov. 2
Dia de Los Muertos: Contribute to a community ofrenda (altar) celebrating life and death. Bring non-perishable items (paper flowers or photos) until Nov. 2
This Week
October 30: Fire Drill
November 1: Picture Day
November 1: Room Parent Meeting, 9-10 AM, Zoom
November 2: Parent Nights Out!
November 2 Día de los Muertos
November 3: Daylight Savings
November 5: Parent Teacher Conferences, Pupil Free Day
November 6: Minimum Day (Parent Teacher Conferences)
November 6: Talent Show Auditions, 1:35-3:00 PM
November 7: Minimum Day (Parent Teacher Conferences)
November 8: Minimum Day (Parent Teacher Conferences)
November 11: No School (Veteran's Day)
