September 21, 2024
Dear McKinley Families,
I hope you’re all doing well as we move forward into another week of learning and growth at McKinley! This week, I’d like to highlight how the activities we’ve been engaging in at school connect with the three pillars of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP): academic achievement, cultural competence, and sociopolitical consciousness. These guiding principles shape our work and ensure that we’re creating an inclusive, rigorous, and purposeful learning environment for all our students.
Academic Achievement:
At McKinley, we are deeply committed to academic excellence for every student. This year, our staff has been carefully examining both lead and lag data to really drill down into what our students need. In our first data review meeting, we looked at student results from the Star assessment to better understand which skills they have mastered and where they need additional support. Starting next week, students in grades 1-5 will participate in one-on-one reading assessments with their teachers. While we initially matched students with "just-right" books based on last year’s levels, these new assessments will help us refine our understanding of their needs in decoding, fluency, and comprehension.
I cannot emphasize enough how critical it is to continue reading at home with your child—daily reading has a significant impact on their success. Above, you’ll find a chart to help guide your reading time at home. Additionally, I encourage you to attend our upcoming parent workshop with Julia Storm to learn more about your child's "digital diet." This event will provide helpful strategies for balancing screen time and creating more space for reading at home. This week, we’ll also be working with UCLA math consultant Berkeley Everett on number sense routines, with a particular focus on tricky concepts like fractions for our upper-grade students.
Cultural Competence:
Our commitment to celebrating diversity and building cultural competence is reflected in our focus on Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month. This month, students are participating in a door decoration project where each class is studying a Latinx pioneer of change and sharing their learning through an informative door displays. This project not only honors the contributions of the Latinx community but also encourages our students to explore and take pride in the cultural richness around them. It’s an opportunity for them to see how different cultures contribute to the fabric of our world and helps them appreciate the diversity within our own school. In addition, during our Friday Morning Announcements, 4th and 5th grade students will be sharing wise words by notable Hispanic/Latinx "Pioneers of Change" with our entire student community to help us draw lessons for these insightful and impactful leaders.
Sociopolitical Consciousness:
We’re also encouraging our students to become active citizens who think critically about the world around them. Today, students and families are invited to participate in Coastal Cleanup Day. This hands-on experience connects to our goal of fostering a sociopolitical consciousness, where students learn to take action and contribute to their community. See below for details on how you and your family can participate.
Finally, an announcement about our McKinley PTA Membership Contest! The class with the most memberships by September 30th will win a Popsicle Party! Currently 110 people are PTA Members. Our goal is to increase our membership to 200! We are over half way there! A membership is just $10 per year—3 cents a day—which supports all the wonderful events and programs at McKinley. Your membership is more than just a contribution; it’s a sign of your commitment to your child’s education and to our school community.
Thank you all for your continued support and involvement! I appreciate you!
GO LIONS!
In partnership,
Dr. Daniela Wiener (Dr. DW)
Principal, McKinley Elementary
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education approved the appointment of Ashley Zartner as the new assistant principal of Edison Language Academy and McKinley Elementary School at its Sept. 19, 2024, meeting. Zartner will serve both schools, dedicating 50% of her time to each campus.
Zartner brings more than 10 years of experience in education, specializing in instructional leadership, literacy development, and fostering equitable learning environments. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to improving student outcomes through data-driven practices, professional development for educators, and the creation of collaborative school cultures.
“I am honored and excited to join the SMMUSD,” said Zartner. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve students and their families alongside a team of individuals who value belonging and who prioritize equity. I look forward to contributing to the community and helping our students continue to thrive.”
Most recently, Zartner served as the assistant principal at The Accelerated School in Los Angeles, where she was instrumental in implementing systematic literacy and math interventions across K-5 settings. She also led efforts to enhance teacher professional development and build cohesive instructional practices through goal-based coaching and collaboration. Prior to her role as assistant principal, Zartner was a teacher and member of the leadership team at The Accelerated School, where she played a key part in transitioning the school to Common Core Standards and developed curricular maps and pacing guides for English language arts and math. Zartner’s dedication to supporting students with disabilities and English language learners has been a cornerstone of her work.
Zartner holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in French and History from the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota. She earned a Master of Education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and she completed UCLA’s Leadership Support Program, where she received her Clear Administrative Services Credential. Zartner also speaks and understands Spanish.
While we already have one LCAP representative, the district has asked that McKinley recruit a second representative to ensure that McKinley's voice is represented in shaping our district's goals and how money should be spent to meet those goals! Please email Principal DW dwiener@smmusd.org if you are interested. Thank you!
Apply Today!
Did You Know?
Even though all McKinley students now receive free breakfast and lunch, families still need to fill out the Educational Benefits Form, previously called the “Free / Reduced Meal Application.” This Form determines if McKinley qualifies for Title I funds. Read more about all of the benefits and importance of Title I funding below!
The 2024-2025 dorm is due on October 4, 2024.
We encourage all families to apply Today! https://bit.ly/SchoolBenefits22-23
What is Title I?
Increased state and federal funding for staff, supplies and equipment to support student achievement and social emotional wellbeing, when a certain percentage of families qualify, designating the school as a Title I school.
If we are not designated as Title I, McKinley will face cuts to programs and supports.
Title I Funds benefit McKinley students, families and staff!
- Full time Credentialed School Counselor to provide direct student services through instruction, appraisal/advisement, and counseling, while also offering indirect support through consultation, collaboration, capacity building for other school staff and referrals to enhance student achievement and well-being of students who need targeted support.
- Academic Support Program: provides one-on-one after-school personalized instruction in English Language Arts or Math via Zoom for 1st-5th low-income students who would benefit from additional support
- Free semi-private music lessons from the Bergmann Arts Endowment Fund, Santa Monica Education Foundation, based on qualifying for benefits
- Boys & Girls Club, City of Santa Monica CREST and School Age Program qualification for financial aid for after school programs
- Significantly discounted prices for supplemental enrichment programs such as Performing Arts Theater, STEM, and TK-2 Music that engage students in school, increase academic achievement, and develop the Whole Child
- “Dreams Program” provided individual and small group support in Music for 4th and 5th grade students
- Funding for parent involvement and engagement such as parent trainings and workshops
- Purchasing of professional development for teachers and staff on transformative approaches to teaching and learning such as culturally responsive pedagogy and trauma-responsive pedagogy and student-centered math instruction.
- Purchasing of research-based supplemental curriculum and assessment materials designed to support targeted intervention based on students’ needs and to close the achievement gap
- Substitute coverage and funding for Professional Development that ties directly to student needs, data, and school goals, to build capacity of teachers and staff
- Substitute coverage for teacher Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to have data meetings to collaboratively analyze data to guide effective instructional practices
Help us keep this important funding for beloved McKinley programs and support!
If you need help filling out the form, please contact our Community Liaison, Michael Muñoz, mmunoz@smmusd.org, to make an appointment for help. Form must be submitted by Friday, October 4, 2024
Not sure if you qualify? Please fill out the form regardless to help your school!
Together we can reach our goal to maintain this important funding.
Thank you for your attention to this critical form.
Apply today! https://bit.ly/SchoolBenefits22-23.
This Week
September 21: Coastal Clean Up Day
September 25: Online Safety and Digital Wellness Parent Workshop 6-7 PM (Auditorium)
September 27: Schoolwide Outdoor Assembly, 2nd- Respect, 8:30-9:00 AM (Kinder Yard)
September 27: PTA Meeting 9-10:30 AM (Auditorium)
Upcoming Dates
- September 30: Student Council/Newspaper/Green Team/Mindfulness Club/Rainbow Club Information distributed to 4th/5th graders
- October 1: Filipino Heritage Month Begins
- October 3: NO SCHOOL - Local Holiday
- October 4: Room Parent Meeting (Zoom)
