The Lion's Roar

Principal's Weekly Newsletter-December 16-20

A Message from Principal DW

Dear McKinley Family,

As the calendar year comes to a close, so does my first year as principal at McKinley. I began in the middle of the school year last January, making this moment an interesting blend of endings and new beginnings. Watching the steel frame of our new Administration and Education Building rise this week has been a tangible reminder of where our school is headed. It’s amazing to see something built from the ground up, and yet it’s hard to imagine improving upon our campus.

Our historic Italian Renaissance Revival building is just so beautiful. Every day, I feel its magic—whether walking through the courtyard or looking up at the red-tiled roof. I also love knowing our students are learning in the same spaces as students 100 years ago. Sometimes, I feel a small pang of worry when I think about the new construction. Will adding this modern building change the essence of our campus?

Then, I remember one of my favorite buildings: the Dancing Building in Prague, Czech Republic. It is located in my parents' hometown and is coincidentally designed by our own hometown architect, Frank Gehry. When it was built, its deconstructivist design sparked controversy because it was so different from Prague’s iconic Baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau architecture. But over time, the Dancing Building has become an example of how the new and the old can complement each other. It sits beautifully alongside its historic neighbors and reflects how the city has evolved since my parents were children running along those streets. Continuity and change are both important—each adds something meaningful. Traditions provide a sense of identity, stability, and connection to our cultural or institutional roots, fostering belonging and shared values; while innovation is necessary for growth, relevance, and addressing new challenges.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing updates about the new practices we’re developing at McKinley: project-based learning, precise academic language and continuing to focus on ways to improve our math instruction. We’re always learning, growing, and changing as a school community.

At the same time, the familiar rhythm of the school year continues. Classrooms are preparing for winter celebrations, and just like every year, we’re getting ready for our Winter Sing-Along, a sweet tradition that brings our community together one last time before we take a couple of weeks to focus just on our families and friends for the winter holiday.

The balance between the new and the familiar is both grounding and invigorating. As we look ahead to 2025, I’m excited about the possibilities it holds. At McKinley, this means honoring our cherished traditions while making way for new ideas and practices. I look forward to celebrating the close of 2024 with you at the Sing-Along, and I wish you and your families a meaningful holiday season, a restful break, and a very happy and healthy New Year!

In partnership,

Dr. Daniela Wiener (Dr. DW)
Principal, McKinley Elementary School

Photos of the Week

On Wednesday, our teachers participated in a School Implementation Plan Showcase, where they reflected on and shared their findings from the first cycle of inquiry for the year. The focus of this cycle was on identifying and implementing best practices for teaching precise academic language, a critical skill for student success across all content areas.

On Thursday, our 5th grade students had their last Winter Music Informances as elementary school students. Congratulations to these young and promising musicians.

Throughout the week, our 5th-grade classes participated in lessons on inclusive and exclusive language, led by our admin team and mental health staff. These lessons encouraged students to reflect on the impact of their words, understand how language can build or break connections, and practice using inclusive language to create a sense of belonging for everyone.

Construction Update

This week, our construction crew brought in an enormous crane and began building the steel frame frame of our administration and classroom building. It's amazing to watch the building take shape.I encourage you to stop by the library, especially during school events like a parent workshop or Coffee with the Principal—it’s the perfect spot to get a front-row view of the construction as it unfolds!

Safety Reminder: Use the Crosswalk!

Last week, I reminded everyone about avoiding U-turns during construction. This week, I’m asking for your help with another important safety issue: please do not run across Arizona Avenue, especially between parked cars and over bike lanes.

It’s only a matter of time until someone gets hurt—whether by a passing car or a cyclist. While it might take a few extra minutes, it’s absolutely worth it to head to Chelsea and cross with our wonderful crossing guard, Maria. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe!

Safety First at Drop-Off

Thank you to those who avoided taking U-turns turns on Arizona Avenue this week during morning drop-off. There are still a few of us who continue to engage in this illegal and unsafe behavior. Let’s model the behavior we want our children to learn—patience, respect, and care for one another. Together, we can create a drop-off routine that reflects the values of our McKinley community.

Jog A Thon T-Shirt Contest

McKinley's Gift Wish List

Sign Up for McKinley's Multicultural Day - 1/31

Join us for McKinley's Multicultural Celebration Day, a long-standing and cherished event that celebrates the diversity of our community.

What is Multicultural Celebration Day?

At its heart, this event reflects our shared commitment to building a school where every student and family feels valued and seen. It's a day where we:

Foster Curiosity: Students explore the rich traditions and stories that shape our diverse community.
Cultivate Empowerment: Families share their heritage and cultural identity in ways that build pride and connection.
Create Belonging: Together, we celebrate the differences that make our community strong and the commonalities that unite us.

How It Works

Students will receive a "passport" to visit tables, each representing a unique cultural experience. These cultural tables can be informational, interactive, or both, and are designed to spark curiosity and connection. Parents and extended family members are encouraged to lead a cultural table. Share your culture through activities, food, art, music, or traditions that are meaningful to you.

Examples of Past Tables:

AAFA: Creating African masks

ELAC: Playing La Lotería

Japanese Origami: Paper folding demonstrations

Cooking Demos: Sharing recipes and tastes from around the world

Dance Lessons: Irish dance, limbo, baile folklórico

Art and History Displays: Showcasing traditional clothing and artifacts

Interactive Crafts: Making world flags or learning Chinese calligraphy

Games and Stories: Playing dreidel, Bronx playground games, or sharing folk tales

Music and Language: African drumming, learning ASL phrases

How You Can Help

To bring this celebration to life, we need you! Please consider leading a table to share your family's culture and traditions. Whether it’s an activity, a craft, a performance, or simply a story, your participation helps our school community grow stronger and more connected.

Sign up by January 17 below to be part of this memorable day of McKinley PRIDE. Together, we’ll create a space where our students and families can celebrate their cultural pride and appreciate the diverse cultures of others.

Sign Up to Host a Cultural Table

Cultural Table Connector

If you're looking for other families to host a table with whom you share the same culture, add your name to the list below. Our Bilingual Community Liaison, Michael Muñoz will put you in touch via email so you can connect and host a table together!

Cultural Table Connector

Wednesday Snack Sales - 12/18

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/8050A4FADAF28AAFE3-52304166-wednesday#/

Spirit Week - 12/16-12/20

Winter Sing Along -12/18

African American Family Association Meeting - 12/20

Volunteers Needed for the Jog-A-Thon!

The Jog-a-thon is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we need your help to make it a success! Please reach out to our PTA president, Sibyl Fenwick to see how you can help. We need you!