The Lion's Roar

August 31, 2024

Dear McKinley Families,

What a wonderful first full week back at school! Students made connections in community circles, story-telling activities and as they played on the yard. Teachers jumped back into teaching academic content, setting the stage for the high expectations we have for our students. The McKinley staff is an incredible team and I want to recognize the dedication and effort behind these successes. On this Labor Day, we celebrate the contributions of working people everywhere, and I'm especially appreciative of our dedicated McKinley teachers and staff.

Labor Day honors the freedom to join unions and the transformative power of labor organizations in improving lives. For teachers and school staff, labor is more than a job—it’s a calling to shape minds, foster critical thinking, and nurture compassionate citizens. Their work is fundamental to shaping the society we want for ourselves and future generations, so please join me in thanking them for their tireless commitment to empowering our students to make a difference in the world.

I also want to thank you, our families for attending the TK-2 Back to School Night. I appreciate that you took the time to meet with me and your child's teacher to learn about what to expect in the 2024-2025 school year. It makes a big difference for your child's success to have families and teachers on the same page at the outset of the year. For those of you who were unable to attend, please be sure to reach out to your child's teacher to ask for any information that was shared to ensure that you're well-positioned to support your child this year. I look forward to seeing our upper grade families at our 3rd-5th Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 3rd from 5:00-7:00 PM. We will hold a second Volunteer Training from 5:00-5:30 PM, the Principal's Presentation from 5:30-6:00 PM and Classroom Presentations from 6:00-7:00 PM.

I also want to thank everyone who attended our first general PTA meeting on Friday. Your involvement is what makes McKinley such a special place. As I shared during the meeting, so many of the memories that your children will have of McKinley are the result of PTA efforts such as the Harvest Festival, Jog-a-Thon, Multicultural Day, assemblies and field trips. So, if you haven’t yet joined the PTA, I encourage you to do so. For less than 3 cents a day—or just $10 per membership—you can become a PTA member. That's about the same as it costs to buy two drinks at Starbucks! By joining, you automatically become a member of the largest child advocacy organization in the nation. And joining doesn't mean that you have to volunteer (of course, we'd love it if you did!). I've included the list of PTA Meetings Below so you can plan ahead. We look forward to seeing you there.

Finally, thank you to those of you who were able to attend our first Friday Assembly of the year which focused on Kindness. The Boys and Girls Club of Malibu joined us to talk with our students about the true meaning of kindness and how small acts can spread like the seeds of a dandelion—reaching far and wide to make our school and community a brighter place. Our students are now on a mission to spread kindness daily, and we’ll be showcasing their efforts on our bulletin boards with paper dandelions, reminding us all of the impact we can have. Students took a Kindness Pledge, received Kindness Backpacks, and McKinley was presented with a Kindness Plaque!

As we continue to grow and learn together this year, please talk with your child about the power of kindness. Just as one dandelion seed can create another dandelion, your kindness and involvement can inspire others and make our community stronger. Let’s keep scattering kindness and see how far it can go!

Happy Labor Day and GO LIONS!

In partnership,

Dr. Daniela Wiener (Dr. DW)

Principal, McKinley Elementary

dwiener@smmusd.org

310-828-5011

September is Attendance Awareness Month, and we’re excited to partner with you to ensure our students are present and thriving every day. At McKinley Elementary we currently have an 15.6% chronic absenteeism rate, meaning some students are missing 10% or more of school days in a year. That’s just two days a month, but those absences can add up quickly. Together, we can work to reduce this number and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

What You Can Do:

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Keep your child healthy and make sure your child has the required shots.
• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
• Try to schedule non-urgent related medical appointments and extended trips when school isn’t in session.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• If you are concerned that your child may have a contagious illness, call your school or health care provider for advice.
• If your child must stay home due to illness, ask the teacher for resources and ideas to continue learning at home.

It will take all of us—families, teachers, staff, and students—working together to tackle this challenge. But by partnering with one another, I believe we can reduce absenteeism and help our students reach their fullest potential.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our bilingual community liaison, Mr. Muñoz or administrators if your child needs support. Let’s make this school year a success, one day at a time.

Read about our 2024-2025 School Site Council Nominees below! Elections will be held during the school day in the office, and at the Back to School Picnic on Sept 6th.

Updates:

1. Kindergarten will dismiss from the Chelsea Gate beginning Tuesday, September 3rd. After observing seven days of dismissals, we believe that using the Chelsea Gate will improve the dismissal process for our kindergarteners. This gate, being closer to the kindergarten classrooms, will save valuable instructional time and allow aftercare providers to pick up students at a single location. Thank you for your flexibility during this transition! We appreciate your cooperation. Please see the updated map below.

Reminders:

1. Do not drop your child off before 8:15 AM unless they are having breakfast in the cafeteria. Yard supervision does not begin until 8:15 AM and it is unsafe for your child to be on the yard unsupervised.
2. If you walk/bike/scoot to school, use the Arizona Garden Gate to enter. The Arizona Gate is for Car Drop Offs
3. Use the crosswalk to cross the street. It is dangerous to run with your child across the street and your safety is our biggest priority.
4. Do not make U-turns on Arizona after dropping off your child. Instead, turn left on Chelsea and use the alley to head west.

Thank you for your flexibility, patience and cooperation as we refine our new arrival and dismissal procedures.

Although breakfast and lunch will be free again this year, families must complete the application to determine if McKinley qualifies for Federal Funding under Title I. Last year, we missed out on $200,000 in funding due to a lack of applications. Completing this application also helps families qualify for additional services or scholarships. You can fill it out in your epacket or click below. If you need assistance, please contact our Community Liaison, Michael Muñoz, mmunoz@smmusd.org,

Parents may sign up their child for the City of Santa Monica CREST Club (4th/5th afterschool childcare), or TK-5 afterschool enrichment classes at https://www.santamonica.gov/programs/crest

Parents may sign up their child for Boys and Girls Club sports at https://www.smbgc.org/sports/

Parents may sign up their 1st-5th grader for afterschool Boys and Girls Club Playground Club at https://www.smbgc.org/playground-club/

TK-3 before and afterschool childcare is provided by SMMUSD School Age Programs. https://www.smmusd.org/Page/4110

The childcare and afterschool programs are separate from McKinley. Please contact the programs directly for more information and to determine program start dates.

This fall, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica is excited to offer co-ed flag football for 2nd and 3rd grades as well as 4th and 5th grades, along with co-ed volleyball for the same grade levels. All practices will be held at McKinley immediately after the dismissal bell. Flag football games will take place at Edison Elementary School on Saturdays, and volleyball games will be hosted at the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica.

Practices are set to begin the week of September 23rd.

"Calling all Artists! This year's Reflections Art Contest will be open for submissions Aug 30 - October 11.

Forms for submissions will be in the office beginning Sept. 3, please pick one up to complete your artist's entry.

See https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections for more information about this National PTA event.

If you have any questions, please email mckinleyptalitanded@gmail.com or reach out to Elizabeth Badger, McKinley PTA VP of Literacy and Education.

Join Us in Making a Difference!

By joining the PTA, you’re not just supporting our school—you’re contributing to a vibrant community where parents, teachers, and students come together to make a lasting impact. Your involvement helps us create memorable events, support our teachers, and enrich our children’s educational experiences.

McKinley PTA is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our team and make a positive impact on our school community! Whether you can spare a few hours or are ready to take on a more active role, there’s a place for you.

McKinley families are warmly invited to unwind, enjoy a picnic, listen to music, and socialize with both old and new friends. Bring your loved ones, pack a picnic basket, and take pleasure in a day of outdoor fun and relaxation. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please sign up to contribute to the Back to School Picnic Bake Sale below! All proceeds are used by the PTA to fund school-related activities that benefit our students!

This Week

• September 2: No School (Labor Day)
• September 3: 4th/5th Grade Music Begins (1x per week until 9/17)
• September 3: Minimum Day Early Dismissal (12:30 TK/K, 1:35 1st/2nd, 1:45pm 3rd-5th)
• September 3: 3rd-5th Back to School Night
• 5:00-5:30pm New Volunteer Training in the Cafeteria
• 5:30-6:00pm Principal Presentation in the Auditorium
• 6:00-7:00pm Teacher Presentations in Classrooms

• September 5: Fire Drill, 11 AM

• September 5: Behavior Expectations Assemblies

• September 6: Room Parent Meeting, 9 AM (Zoom)

• September 6: TK-2 Music Begins

• September 6: Back-to-School Picnic, 4-6 PM/SSC Parent Elections

Upcoming Dates

• September 10: 3rd Grade Music Begins

• September 11: PTA Executive Board Meeting, 6-7:30 PM(Zoom)

• September 13: ELAC Meeting, 9 AM (Library)

• September 15: Campus Beautification Day, 11 AM-1 PM (Garden)

• September 17: School Site Council 3:15-4:30 PM (Zoom)

• September 19: School Smarts Workshop Series #1, 9 AM (Location TBD)

• September 20: Sped Resource Group: 9-10 AM (Library)

• September 25: Online Safety and Digital Wellness Parent Workshop 6-7 PM (Auditorium)

• September 26: School Smarts Workshop Series #2, 9 AM (Location TBD)

• September 27: Schoolwide Outdoor Assembly, 2nd- Respect, 8:30-9:00 AM (Kinder Yard)

• September 27: PTA Meeting 9-10:30 AM (Auditorium)