McKinley Bobcat Newsletter

Thank you all for a great start to the school year! Thank you all for being so welcoming and inviting as I transitioned to my new role at McKinley. It has been a great joy to get to know so many students, staff, and families at the start of this year. I am proud of the staff and students' efforts with all the new initiatives at the start of this school year.

Just a few reminders as we head into another exciting month:

Morning Supervision

Just a reminder that there is no playground supervision until 8:20 am at McKinley. Students wanting breakfast can enter the building through the doors on the playground at 8:15 am.

End of Day Pick Up and Drop Off for Car Riders

Just a reminder that pick up and drop off will occur in between the yellow lines. I realize that it may be convenient to drop off or pick up your students in different locations but this slows down the pick up and drop off for all other families. Please help us by staying in your car if possible. Thank you for your help!

Transportation Changes

Please take the time to communicate transportation changes with your child’s classroom teacher and the office. I realize that we live in a digital age and email is a fantastic tool, but please make sure that you receive a response from either the secretary or the classroom teacher prior to the end of the day. If you do not receive a response before 2:00 PM, please call the office to relay this information.

Lunch Money

Remember to send lunch money in an envelope with your child’s name on it. The office can be a little crazy in the morning and it helps to keep everything organized.

Weather Changes

As the weather changes, your child needs to be prepared for the elements. Please make sure they have the proper attire for recess. Students are allowed to keep a spare sweatshirt or coat in their lockers.

School Attendance
One of the greatest indicators of school success is excellent school attendance. We need your continued support and efforts regarding school attendance. Under Wisconsin State Law, parents can excuse their children for a maximum of 10 school days per year. Absences accrued beyond the 10 school days can result in referrals for truancy.

Thank you,

Mr. Gildenzoph

🍎Kindergarten

It has been a busy month.

We have been focusing on building a strong classroom community by getting to know our new friends and familiarizing ourselves with the school environment. Activities were designed to help students feel comfortable and connected. Ask your child about the new friends they've made and the special places around the school they’ve discovered!

Our classes have been diving into the world of art by learning about primary and secondary colors. We explored how different colors can be mixed to create new ones and how colors can express emotions and ideas. Encourage your child to share their colorful creations with you at home!

In celebration of Johnny Appleseed Day, we learned about his contributions and why he is remembered. The students engage in activities that include storytelling, apple tasting, and creating their own apple-related crafts. This is a fun and educational experience for all!

As part of our commitment to student safety, we will be focusing on fire safety next month. We will have a variety of activities and drills to ensure that all students know how to stay safe in case of a fire. More details will follow, so stay tuned!

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.

🍏Grade 1

In first grade, students have been learning about routines, classroom expectations, and have been learning about Johnny Appleseed. Students did fun activities including learning about apple parts, apple life cycle, and facts about Johnny Appleseed. They made pot hats like Johnny appleseed, ate yummy applesauce, and did a volcano apple experiment. It has been a fun month getting to know each other and building our classroom community. We cannot wait for what next month brings!

✍🏻Grade 2

2nd graders have had a great start to the school year! We have been focusing on how we can show Kindness and Respect throughout the day. In Math we are working on addition and subtraction fact fluency. The students have also been working on their writing skills. We are proud of the hard work they have put in so far!

🐟Grade 3

Both classes have attended the Boston School Forest annual field trip! We learned about the life cycle of a salmon and got to live as a salmon through the obstacle course we went through! Both classes work with kindergarten in book buddies where we get to read and play together! Third grade is reviewing author's purpose, to persuade, to inform, and to entertain as well!

🌎Grade 4

Fourth graders have gotten off to an awesome start this 2024-25 school year. We've enjoyed getting to know our classmates and focusing on the positive traits of kindness and respect. We have dove head first into our fourth grade curriculum-- learning about Wisconsin geography, animal and plant adaptations, and sound waves. We are doing an impressive job learning to read and write large numbers and focusing on their place value. We are discovering great books and focusing on becoming strong readers. It's great to be a McKinley Fourth Grader!

🌳Grade 5

Our 5th grade school year has started off very well. Students have been busy with fractions in math and studying the realistic fiction genre in Language Arts. October will be a busy month as we have our first field trips to Dr. Blader's Farm and Apple Orchard along with the Boston School Forest. We also have our service learning project for Make-A-Difference Day.

🎥Grade 6

The 6th graders have been learning the ropes to take over for the Bobcat News. They have learned how to upload and edit videos, how to complete a script, and practiced their Broadcasting skills. They have done a great job so far this month!

6th graders are also in charge of helping our school’s Backpack Program by setting up a Food Drive called Feed the Monster, which will take place October 1-October 11th. The 6th graders have been getting crafty in creating their boxes this week as well as some Posters to hang around the school.

McKinley Musicians have been singing, moving, playing games, and playing instruments in music class this month! All grades are learning about the Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela for our Around the World in honor of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, as well. You can ask your student about them and listen to their song "Tamacún" here.

If you like to plan ahead, you can mark your calendars for our two concert dates for the school year! Our 3rd-6th grade Winter Concert will be held on Thursday, December 12th at 2:30pm. Our K-2nd grade Spring Concert will be held on Thursday, May 8th at 2:30pm. More information will come home as we get closer to those performances.

Bring nonperishable food items to contribute to our backpack program.

The McKinley PTO is hard at work. Below is a recap of what's been happening since the start of the school year:

• Back to School Night - Papa Murphy's Pizza Fundraiser
• 1st Day of School - Snacks for Staff
• Papa Murphy's Fundraiser - September 18 ($300)
• Magic Paper Box
• Couch for Staff Lounge
• Monthly Greatness Prizes for Students & Staff

On behalf of all the staff and students at McKinley, thank you for your support! We appreciate YOU! A special shout out to the McKinley PTO Board Members for all their hard work behind the scenes!

• Lisa Ruplinger, President
• Jess Hoerter, Vice President
• Jeremy Ruplinger, Treasurer
• Tina Falstad, Secretary

Join us for our next McKinley PTO Meeting - Tuesday, October 8 at 5:30pm - McKinley Library. The meeting will also be offered virtually. Meeting Link - Click Here.

October 3 - 5th Grade Field Trip - Blader Farm

October 3 - McKinley Garden Harvest Family Night (5:30-6:30)

October 7 - Fire Prevention Visit Day

October 8 - McKinley PTO Meeting (5:30-6:30) virtual & in person (McKinley Library)

October 10 - 6th Grade Field Trip - CWES

October 14 - Vision & Hearing Screening (K, 2, 4, 6)

October 14 - Volleyball Starts (Grades 5 & 6)

October 22 - 5th Grade Field Trip - Boston School Forest (DeGroot)

October 23 - 5th Grade Field Trip - Boston School Forest (King)

October 23 - Butter Braid PTO Fundraiser - Kick Off

October 24 - No School (K-6 ONLY)

October 25 - No School

October 28 - No School - Professional Development Day

McKinley provides fresh and non-perishable food for families in need. Please reach out to April Kaisen, the school social worker, at 715-345-5421 if this would be supportive for your family.

Cubs Club: A New Beginning for Our Youngest Learners
The Stevens Point Area Public School District (SPAPSD) is excited to introduce the Cubs Club Early Registration Program, designed to connect with our youngest future students and their families. Aimed at children from birth to four years old, the Cubs Club focuses on laying the foundation for a successful transition into school by offering tailored resources, support, and engagement opportunities.

Why Cubs Club?
We understand that the early years are crucial in a child’s development, and we want to ensure that every child in our community gets off to a strong start. The Cubs Club is our way of reaching out to families early, providing them with personalized resources that align with the developmental needs of young children. By joining the Cubs Club, families will stay informed about important school district events, early childhood screenings, and other opportunities that support a smooth transition into their educational journey.

A Word from Our Superintendent
“We are delighted to introduce the Cubs Club to our community,” said Cory Hirsbrunner, Superintendent of SPAPSD. “This program represents our commitment to every student, starting from the very beginning of their educational experience. By engaging families early, we can build strong, positive relationships that will support our students throughout their time with us.”

How Cubs Club Benefits Families
As a member of the Cubs Club, families will receive access to valuable child development resources, ensuring that they have the tools and information needed to support their child’s early growth. Additionally, the program is designed to foster a sense of belonging and trust, making sure that every child feels welcomed and prepared as they step into our schools.

Join the Cubs Club Today!
Enrollment in the Cubs Club is easy and open to all families with children from birth to four years old. To join, simply complete the registration form available on the district’s website at www.PointSchools.net/CubsClub. By signing up, you’ll be taking the first step in partnering with us to give your child the best possible start in their educational journey.

For more information about the Cubs Club Early Registration Program or to enroll, please visit our website or contact the Stevens Point Area Public School District at 715-345-5456. We look forward to welcoming your family to the Cubs Club and working together to build a bright future for our youngest learners.

The District's Mobile App 'Point Schools' is a powerful tool that contains so much information at your fingertips! You are able to tailor the information you receive from schools while quickly having access to school calendars, key contacts, menus and more.

It's free and available on Google Play and the App Store. Please help us spread the word in your school communications.

Chase Gildenzoph, Principal

Melissa Pazurek, Secretary

Qij Vang, Office EA/Health Assistant

Stephanie Will, Psychologist

April Kaisen, Social Worker

Email: cgildenz@pointschools.net
Website: pointschools.net/McKinley
Location: 2926 Blaine Street, Stevens Point, WI, USA
Phone: 715.345.5421
Facebook: facebook.com/mckinleycenterelementary

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Si necesita ayuda traduciendo información que se encuentra en el correo electrónico, por favor, contacte a Jami McGriff al correo jmcgriff@pointschools.net o llame al 715-498-1976