The Lion's Roar

Good morning, families,

I hope you’re reading this while enjoying a slow and easy morning. We need you well-rested because McKinley’s Jog-a-Thon is coming up next Friday, March 14th, and we’re counting on you to help us make it an incredible event—just like we always do at McKinley!

The Jog-a-Thon is PTA’s biggest fundraiser, and the money raised supports so many things that make McKinley special—PS Science, Campus Monitors, Student Council, Student Gardens, AAFA, ELAC, Reflections, field trips, and more. So far, we’ve raised over $26,000 toward our $40,000+ goal, and if we meet it, well… let’s just say I’ll be getting slimed in front of all of you—a sight your kids won’t want to miss! If you haven’t already, please set up your child’s fundraising page by visiting McKinley PTA Jog-A-Thon FAQs or email questions to jogathonmck@gmail.com.

We also need your help on the big day! The Jog-a-Thon is a student favorite every year, and it’s only as amazing as the volunteers who make it happen. We need a lot of hands to pull it off, so sign up here to volunteer—many hands make light work!

This year’s Jog-a-Thon will be even more special because it doesn't just land on Pi Day, but also on Holi, the Hindu festival of colors! Before each run, we’ll take a moment to celebrate this vibrant holiday, adding an extra layer of joy and community to the day. Read more below!

A Look Back at a Wonderful Week

Last week, we hosted our very first Family Math Night, which was so awesome! More than 100 people joined us to delight in math, enjoy pizza, and learn easy games to play at home. A huge thank you to Berkeley Everett from the UCLA Math Project for guiding families in shifting from math answers to math ideas—bringing curiosity, creativity, and joy into how we think about numbers. In case you missed the event, here is the handout from the event.

Earlier that day, our teachers participated in a labsite with Berkeley, exploring how young children develop number sense. Earlier in the week, teachers also completed the final module of our Project-Based Learning training, reinforcing our belief that teacher learning = student learning!

Meanwhile, we also kicked off McKinley’s March Minute Madness Reading Challenge—and wow, are we off to an amazing start! As of today, our community has already read 34,382 minutes! Visit mckinleyreads.com to track your progress and help us reach our one million-minute goal!

Finally, thank you for your patience with the entrance construction. We know it’s not easy, but it’s ensuring that construction stays on track for on-time completion. Be sure to check out the details below, and click the "Routing Pathway" button for photos of the new path.

That’s it for now! Thank you, as always, for all you do to make McKinley the best place to be. Have a wonderful weekend—I hope you find a great book to get lost in, have a math moment with your child, and get ready to run, cheer, and celebrate with us next Friday!

In partnership,

Principal DW

More Staff Professional Development on Project Based Learning!

This year our Jog-a-Thon lands on Holi, the Hindu festival of colors that welcomes the arrival of Spring! Our PTA, led by members, Ryan and Tushna Dinshaw have organized a Holi celebration to do at the Jog-a-thon. This is how it will work:

Just before students begin their run, students and staff will take part in a joyful color toss, symbolizing renewal and togetherness. Each student will receive a small cup of non-toxic, gluten-free, and environmentally safe colored powder to throw into the air simultaneously.

If you would NOT like your child to participate in the activity, please let your child's teacher know and they will sit on the bleachers next to the track until the activity is done. Your child will rejoin the group for the run.

Here is a Holi Padlet that is filled with videos and ebooks about the holiday, if you'd like to learn about the meaning behind the celebration ahead of time. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate one of the many cultures represented at McKinley!

We’re thrilled to share that we’ve raised over $26,000 toward our $40,000+ goal for McKinley PTA’s biggest fundraiser—the Jog-a-Thon which will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Let’s Hit 70% Participation for the Jogathon!

Congratulations, to Phansavath's 1st grade class leading the way with 100% participation and to Medina/Johnston's 1st grade class with 55% participation!

Don’t Forget to Customize Your Student's Fundraising Page!
Each student has their own fundraising page, and we encourage you to personalize it before sharing with family and friends! For details or help on setting up your fundraising page, visit McKinley PTA Jog-A-Thon FAQs or email jogathonmck@gmail.com

Silent Auction Preview Available at Jog-a-Thon

This year's silent auction includes an array of items like gift certificates to local favorites like Lokl Haus, A Cut Above, Santa Monica Seafood, and Solidarity. You'll also find unique experiences including passes for the Aquarium of the Pacific, Still Life Studio pottery classes, a class at Gourmandise Cooking School, tickets to Bob Baker's Marionette Theater, a family photo shoot with our very own Julie Sterling Williams, or a signature pedicure from Bellacures Santa Monica. Best of all, your bids directly support our students!

It's only been one week, but the McKinley community has already read 34,382 minutes! Our goal is for every McKinley community member to read 1,000 minutes. If YOU haven't sign up yet, please do!

How Students Can Track Their Reading:

Students can choose one of the following ways to log their minutes:

• Weekly Reading Tracker Bookmark – to be turned in to Ms. Ryan on their library day
• 1,000 Number Grid – color in a box for every minute read
• Online Tracker – students and family members can log minutes at mckinleyreads.com

The Prizes!

• 500 minutes = Students can choose a prize like a bookmark, Hungry Caterpillar tattoo, crystal, or colorful gel pen (grades 3-5 only)
• 1,000 minutes = Students earn a brand-new FREE BOOK from the Book Fair!

Ways Students Can Get Their Minutes:

• For pre-readers: Reading with a grownup, listening to YouTube read-alouds, or calling a family member to read together
• For independent readers: Reading to a buddy, a pet, or a family member, listening to audiobooks, or challenging themselves with longer books
• Reading in class and during library time also counts!
• Make it a family affair and challenge family members to join in!

Come help out with Snack Sales! It's fun! Your child can help sell too! Arrive by 1:00 PM and meet up outside the parent room, located to the left of the 1st-grade classrooms. We’ll set up a table with delicious snacks, including popcorn and drinks. The sale ends promptly at 2:00 PM, and we’ll clean up quickly after. Click here to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A4FADAF28AAFE3-54688158-join#/

Next Thursday, March 13th is 5th Grade Panoramic Photo Day! Please have your child dress their best and arrive on time—the photo will be taken promptly at 8:40 AM. Don't miss this special moment!

This month, as we cheer on our students in the McKinley March Minute Madness Reading Challenge, we also want to celebrate and support literacy for our adults! Join us for Coffee with the Principal featuring Tara Crow, Adult Literacy Specialist from the Santa Monica Public Library. Tara will share valuable insights about adult literacy services and resources available in our community.

In the spirit of fostering a love for reading, we’ll also take some time to enjoy a good book ourselves while sipping coffee together. Whether you're interested in learning more about literacy opportunities or simply want to carve out a quiet moment to read, we’d love to see you there!

In March, our 5th graders will be heading to Pali Camp for an unforgettable outdoor education experience. While the mountains are beautiful, they can also be quite cold! We want to make sure every student is warm and comfortable, and we need your help.

We are looking for donations of warm clothing and gear for students who may not have everything they need. Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Base Layer: Long-sleeve shirts and leggings/thermal pants to help keep body heat in.
• Middle Layer: Hoodies, fleece jackets, and sweatpants for insulation.
• Shell Layer: Waterproof jackets, raincoats, and athletic or waterproof pants to stay dry.
• Footwear: Waterproof boots (rain boots or snow boots)
• Accessories: Mittens or gloves can make a big difference in keeping students warm and comfortable.

If your child has outgrown any of these items, we would greatly appreciate your donation. All sizes are welcome, and we will ensure they get to students who need them.

The PTA needs 2-4 committee members to help organize Staff Appreciation Week! Open roles include event planner, volunteer coordinator, party supplies coordinator, sponsor outreach, room parent coordinate, raffle coordinator. Reach out to lizethbejaranohc@gmail.com to join this effort to make an amazing week for McKinley staff.

Beginning March 3rd, the pathway to the front office will be rerouted due to the next phase of construction. The corridor from the parking lot to the front office will be closed off, and all visitors will need to enter through the Chelsea Gate instead.

🔹 New Procedure:

• Visitors will enter through the Chelsea Gate.
• A security escort will guide individuals to the front office for check-in using the Raptor system.
• This change will remain in place through the end of the school year.
• Access via the parking lot gate will be reinstated at the beginning of the next school year.

Please use the link below to view images of the new pathway. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work to improve our campus!

Read more below!

This Week

• March 12: PTA Exec Board Meeting, 6:00-7:30 PM, Zoom

• March 13: 5th Grade Panoramic Photo

• March 14: Jog-a-thon

• 8:40-9:05 AM- 5th
• 9:15-9:40 AM-TK/K
• 9:50-10:15 AM - PK
• 10:25-10:50 AM-1st
• 11:00-11:25 AM -2nd
• 11:35 AM-12:00 PM- 3rd
• 12:10-12:35 PM - 4th

• March 18: School Site Council Meeting, 3:15 PM-4:30 PM, Zoom

• March 19: Coffee with the Principal, 8:30-9:30 AM, Library

• March 19: PTA Executive Board Elections, 6:00-7:30 PM, Zoom

• March 21: Women's History Month Assembly, Auditorium

• March 21: HSA Award Forms Go Out

• March 24: STEM Fair Permission Slips Go Out

• March 24: 5th Grade Dance Performance

• March 25: 5th Grade Visit to LMS, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

• March 26: 5th Graders at Pali Camp

• March 27: 5th Graders at Pali Camp

• March 28: 5th Graders at Pali Camp

• March 28: School-wide Assembly, 3rd Grade, Responsibility, 8:30-9:00 AM, K Yard

• March 28: 4th Grade Dance Performance

• March 28: Parent Input Forms Go Out

• March 31: No School: Cesar Chavez Day