As the school year draws to a close, we reflect on a year filled with laughter, learning, and countless unforgettable moments. From thrilling field trips to engaging classroom projects, our dedicated teachers have ignited curiosity and fostered growth. With the warm weather surrounding us, our school community feels alive and invigorated, while cherishing the bonds forged and the memories made. I am proud to be your principal and hope for a great last few weeks of the 2023-2024 school year.

Mr. Daniel Oldham, Principal

• May 17: PTO Block Party 5 - 8pm
• May 21: 5th grade Community Day at Sr. High
• May 24: 12:20 pm Early dismissal
• May 27: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
• June 11: Grade 5 Closing Ceremony
  
• June 12: Grade 5 Picnic

• June 13: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - dismissal 12:20 - Flag Lowering Ceremony (end of day)

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

to the calendar, as safety regulations permit.

As the school year is winding down, so is the Fundraiser for Homes for Our Troops. Thank you so much to those who have donated. If you have not, you still have time. For a $3.00 donation, you will receive a house magnet made by a McKinley student in fourth or fifth grade. This organization builds custom homes for post 9/11 wounded veterans. These homes transform lives. Below is the link to their website. On the home page there is a short video explaining what they do. Thank you in advance for your support! Please contact Ms. Zarr, our Art teacher, for more information on how you can support this wonderful cause.

Our Vibe and Imagine Club collaborated with the Philadelphia Zoo and participated in the Unless Contest, a project-based learning experience that inspires real-world action to save endangered animals. We have been selected as a finalist in the contest with over 400 participating students from over 40 schools. Our School can still help by sending in their cling plastic for the bins in our lobby. We are hoping to recycle over 1,000 lbs to help save endangered animals. We will use the plastic to turn into a bench for our school. We will be collecting until June 7th.

McKinley celebrated the vibrant spirit and accomplishments of our students at the Spring Autism Olympic event! Filled with joyous camaraderie, students engaged in exciting activities, creating cherished memories with our dedicated staff, proud parents, and fellow students. From holding the illustrious Olympic torch to capturing triumphant moments on the podium, it was a day brimming with pride, inclusion, and boundless enthusiasm.

Our students eagerly embraced the magic of the recent solar eclipse. Prepared with special glasses, students ventured outdoors to witness the eclipse firsthand. As the moon passed on front of the sun, our McKinley Dragons cheered and stood in awe. Guided by their teachers, they not only observed this rare event but also delved into the science behind eclipses. This unforgettable experience ignited a passion for discovery and left a lasting impression on all who participated, serving as a reminder of all the amazing events we celebrate at school.

In recognition of Paraprofessional Day, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the invaluable members of our school community who support our students every day. Whether in the classroom, the lunchroom, or on the playground, our paraprofessionals play a crucial role in creating a nurturing and enriching environment for all. Their unwavering dedication, kindness, and patience do not go unnoticed; they are cherished and respected by students, teachers, and staff alike. McKinley thanks you for your joyful commitment to our students' growth and success. Happy Paraprofessional Day!

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing Administrative Assistants for all the incredible work you do each and every day! Ms. Green, Ms. Heinz, and Ms. Ibbotson - your willingness to go above and beyond truly makes a world of difference, and we couldn't imagine our school running smoothly without your dedication and hard work. From organizing schedules to lending a helping hand, your contributions are invaluable. Thank you for all that you do!

In a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation, our school welcomed the newest additions to our dragon family during Kindergarten Orientation for the 24-25 school year. Bright-eyed and eager, our incoming students journeyed through our halls, exploring classrooms, meeting dedicated teachers, and even getting a glimpse of the iconic yellow school bus. Parents were equipped with essential information and had the opportunity to connect with administrators and other key staff members. We eagerly await the return of our budding scholars, hoping their glimpse into their new school filled them with the same joy and enthusiasm that fills our halls every day.

Exciting news, McKinley Elementary! We're thrilled to introduce to you the newest addition to our school: the HEART Cart for grades K-3! Students have the chance to earn dragon tickets by demonstrating outstanding HEART behavior, which they can then exchange for fun little trinkets at our very own Heart Cart. A big shoutout to the wonderful volunteers who generously donate their time to help students shop at the cart, the PTO for their support in stocking it with goodies, and our dedicated teachers who inspire and motivate students to earn those tickets. Together, we're fostering a culture of kindness and positivity at McKinley, one ticket at a time!

McKinley Elementary, you've outdone yourselves! Thanks to your incredible efforts, we not only met but surpassed our goal for the Race for Education, raising an impressive $21,200 for our school community. A huge round of applause for everyone involved—you've truly shown what teamwork and dedication can achieve! Special congratulations are in order for Ms. Cady's class for raising the most money in the school—what an amazing accomplishment! And now, it's time for the moment we've all been waiting for: Mr. Oldham, our fearless leader, has agreed to pucker up and plant a kiss on a hissing cockroach as a celebration of our success. Get ready to witness history in the making—Pucker Up, Mr. Oldham!

McKinley Elementary School recently hosted an electrifying PSSA pep rally to uplift and encourage our students as they prepare for the upcoming tests! Led by the dynamic duo of Ms. Corbett and Mr. Oldham, our grade 3-5 students were pumped up and ready to tackle any challenge. The highlight of the event was a fun-filled movie created by Ms. Martino and our McKinley ambassadors, featuring some of our beloved teachers in action-packed scenes. As if that wasn't exciting enough, a surprise visit from Spike, the McKinley Dragon, had everyone cheering with excitement. It was a fantastic celebration of our students' hard work and dedication, and we have full confidence that they will rock the test! And if they were a little nervous, we all sang "Shake it Off" PSSA version! :)

Congratulations to the McKinley raffle winners! Your luck has shined brightly, and we hope you enjoy your well-deserved prizes. Keep up the fantastic work earning Dragon tickets and showcasing your McKinley HEART spirit. Every effort counts towards not only winning exciting rewards but also contributing to our vibrant school community. Keep shining bright, McKinley Dragons!

Our Pledge of Character theme the month of April is "Pride." We proudly celebrate the outstanding character demonstrated by students from Ms. Pryzbylinski, Ms. Glessner, Ms. Mignogno, and Ms. Martino's classrooms. Your exemplary behavior and positive contributions to our school community fill us all with pride. A special thank you to these students who also assisted Ms. Corbett with the announcements, helping to keep our school informed and connected each day. Let's continue to uphold these values of pride and excellence in all that we do.

The stars of McKinley Elementary School lit up the stage with their dazzling performance of Aladdin Jr.! From the moment the curtains rose, our talented students transported us to the magical world of Agrabah with their incredible acting, singing, and dancing. With each heartfelt line and every enchanting melody, they showcased their hard work, dedication, and boundless talent. Congratulations to the cast and crew for a spectacular show that will be cherished in our memories forever! A huge thanks to Rooted Tree for making this happen and giving the gift of theatre to our students, and to all the family members for practicing lines, dances, and songs at home! :)

Our school community is very fortunate to represent many amazing cultures and people. From families who have been part of this community for generations, to families who arrived here last week, McKinley is made stronger by the diversity that comes together here in our classrooms. For the month of May, McKinley showcased the various, rich cultures represented at our school through our multicultural community project, “Many Cultures, One McKinley''. This school-wide project asked families to send in pictures, drawings (flags or other cultural artifacts), or anything else that represented your family’s culture. This was a great opportunity for our students and staff to learn about each others’ history and cultural traditions. Thank you to those who participated and I hope the students enjoy seeing the mural.

The McKinley Hockey League's season concluded with a thrilling match that saw the Crazy Kangaroos, led by captain Keller Moore, clinch a victory over the Rizzly Bears and captain Luke Deromedi; ending with a score of 5-3. Amongst the standout performers throughout the season were Tristan Paton of the Orange Hurricanes, whose exceptional skills contributed significantly with an impressive tally of 15 goals and 5 assists. Alongside him, Mark Miller of Red Chaos showcased his skills, netting 12 goals and providing 3 assists throughout the season. Amidst the intense competition, Damian Burkey emerged as a true hero, showcasing his unparalleled skill and determination by scoring an astounding five goals in the championship game. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, staff, and fans who contributed to another thrilling season of hockey. Special shout out to Mr. Burns and Mr. Schaffer for organizing such an incredible season!

Celebrate National Library Week by acknowledging the incredible work of our librarian, Ms. Strohecker! Her dedication and passion for the library have transformed it into a vibrant hub of knowledge and community. Let's take this opportunity to express our gratitude for all that she does to enrich our lives through the power of literature and learning. Join us in honoring Ms. Strohecker and the vital role libraries play in our lives during this special week of recognition.

At the end of the school year, the faculty at McKinley have the professional responsibility of placing students in their new classes for the upcoming year. Teachers work as a team to ensure the appropriate placement of each student. They take time to carefully analyze each child's academic, social and emotional strengths and needs. There are numerous factors they need to consider during student placement, such as teaching and learning styles, balance of support services, performance levels, gender, and cultural diversity. It is an involved process that leads to optimal learning opportunities for every student. Parents who wish to share information about their child's needs are encouraged to email their child's teacher by May 31, 2024. All class placements are reviewed by administration. Please note that requests for particular teachers are not accepted.

Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (SPWBIS) / HEART at McKinley is a program to promote and maximize academic achievement and behavioral competence. As part of the SWPBIS program, we have several clear rules for the behavior we expect in all areas of our school (e.g. classroom, hallways, playground, cafeteria, gymnasium, etc.). We explicitly teach our students our expectations of Honesty, Excellence, Awareness, Respect, and Tolerance. We will also reward them frequently with positive notes and prizes for their great behavior. You will be able to ask your child, What are the rules in your school? How do you follow those rules? What happens when a teacher sees you following the rules?

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.