The Lion's Roar

Good morning, McKinley!

I hope you're settling into a long and lovely weekend—the last of our March weekends and the final one before our spring break! As we count down the days, please remember to:

1. Complete your child's STEM Fair permission slip

2. Nominate someone for an Honorary Service Award

3. Complete your Parent Input Form for your child's 25-26 class placement

4. Finish our McKinley March Minute Madness Reading Challenge strong by logging your minutes

5. Sign up to volunteer for our Staff Appreciation Week

You’ll find all the links you need for the to-do list below!

This weekend, we also recognize César Chávez Day, honoring the legacy of a courageous leader who advocated for the rights and dignity of farmworkers through nonviolent activism. His life’s work reminds us of the power of community and standing up for justice—values we hold close at McKinley.

As we move into April, one thing we will be uplifting at McKinley is Autism Awareness Month. Our goal is to deepen understanding and honor the diverse ways our students learn, communicate, and experience the world. At McKinley, we recognize neurodiversity—including autism—as a valuable part of our school community. When neurodivergent and neurotypical students learn side by side, they gain empathy, flexibility, and a deeper appreciation for each other’s unique strengths.

As a school, we’ve embraced a neurodiversity-affirming approach to supporting our students with disabilities. Our special education and general education teams have moved away from a deficit-based model toward one that focuses on removing barriers and creating environments where all students can thrive. This means adapting our teaching, classroom structures, and supports so that every child—regardless of their neurotype—has what they need to succeed. Below, you’ll find resources you can read at home with your child to spark meaningful conversations about neurodiversity, inclusion, and the importance of creating a world where everyone belongs. Thank you for partnering with us in this important work.

In partnership,

Principal DW

After just 12 weeks of dance instruction with Santa Monica College dance teachers—made possible by our incredible Education Foundation—our 4th and 5th graders participated in a culminating dance performance this week. Fourth graders honored cultural traditions through African and Mexican dance, while our fifth graders wowed us with a performance featuring scenes from West Side Story, jazz, and hip hop.

Our 5th graders had an unforgettable time at Pali Institute this week during their 3-day overnight camp experience! From zip lines and ropes courses to night hikes and team challenges, students stretched themselves, built confidence, and made lasting memories in the great outdoors

• The structural steel crew has completed installing the south and north side stairs, railings, and various welds throughout the building.
• MEP subcontractors have continued deck penetrations and finished installing sleeves and blue bangers on the roof.

• On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 8 a.m., the construction team will begin the Level 2 concrete placement. To ensure safety and minimize disruptions, traffic control personnel will be onsite to manage both vehicle and pedestrian traffic during morning drop-off. Additionally, the general contractor has secured a temporary ‘No Parking’ permit along the school side of Chelsea Ave. to allow concrete trucks to access the area without obstruction.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we continue making progress on this project!
Read more about construction progress below:

This month, all McKinley students will be reading A Day’s Work by Eve Bunting as part of our Character Book of the Month program. When every class reads the same text, it helps build a shared understanding of what it means to live out our character pillar—in this case, trustworthiness.

About the Book
A Day’s Work is a picture book that opens up conversations about honesty, immigration, language, and family relationships. It tells the story of Francisco and his grandfather, who has just arrived from Mexico and speaks no English. When Francisco lies to get his grandfather a job, saying he's a gardener when he's really a carpenter, things go wrong—and they end up pulling out flowers instead of weeds. Through this mistake, Francisco learns an important lesson about taking responsibility and doing the right thing, even when it's hard.

Talk About It at Home
You can support our character focus by continuing the conversation at home. Here are a few prompts to spark meaningful discussion with your child:

• “Why do you think Francisco lied? Have you ever felt pressure to say something that wasn’t true?”

• “What did Francisco learn from his grandfather about fixing mistakes?”

• “What does it mean to be trustworthy? What are some ways we can show others they can count on us?”

• “Have you ever had to tell the truth even when it was difficult? How did it feel afterward?”

• “Why is it important to take responsibility when we mess up?”

Trustworthiness isn’t just about telling the truth—it’s about being reliable, keeping promises, and doing what’s right even when no one is watching. Thank you for being our partners in helping your child grow into a trustworthy person!

At McKinley, we are proud to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month this April. We are lucky to learn alongside so many incredible autistic students who bring unique perspectives, strengths, and ways of thinking to our community. As we continue to grow in our understanding of neurodiversity, we are committed to creating a school environment that is more inclusive, supportive, and affirming of all brains.

Below are some resources that help us better understand autism through a neurodiversity-affirming lens—one that honors differences rather than pathologizing them. Together, we can build a school where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered.

Throughout the month of April, McKinley students will be learning about and celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. One highlight is a special read-aloud of The Arabic Quilt offered by Marah, one of our wonderful SMMUSD social work interns. This story provides an entry point into conversations about the immigrant experience, belonging, and the beauty of Arabic culture. Click on the button below to find more recommendations of children's books that feature Arab and Arab American characters to help you bring Arab American Heritage Month into your home.

McKinley will soon begin working on class placements for next year. We will do this based on our projected enrollment for the 2025-26 school year. We would like to give you the opportunity to give us some information about your child that you feel may be helpful in determining their placement. You may provide information about your child as a learner, and the type of environment that works best for your child.

We do not accept requests for a specific teacher.

We do not accept requests for specific friends.

All information to be considered during placement should be contained on this form.

If you have more than one child at McKinley, please use a different form for each child.

This form is due by by April 25. Late forms will not be accepted.

We’re excited to announce that nominations are now open for this year’s Honorary Service Awards! If you know a McKinley parent, teacher, or community member who goes above and beyond to serve our school, this is a heartfelt way to recognize their contributions. These awards are a cherished PTA tradition—an opportunity to honor those who generously give their time, passion, and dedication to support our students and school community. Complete your nomination using this Electronic HSA form or use the document below.

McKinley TK–5 students are invited to participate in our optional McKinley STEM Fair! This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore their curiosity, think critically, and engage in scientific inquiry by choosing a project that solves a problem or answers a question. Projects should be student-led and completed at home, with support from a parent or guardian.

Important Details:

• Deadline to Participate: Thursday, April 4th
  Submit your permission slip and a brief description of your chosen project by this date.
  No late entries will be accepted.

• Display Boards:
  A tri-fold display board will be provided once the permission slip is received.

• How to Submit:

• Complete this Electronic STEM Fair Permission Slip below OR

• Complete a Hard Copy STEM Fair Permission Slip (sent out on 3/24) and turn into the main office or email it to our STEM Fair Coordinator, Aimee Oyenoki, at aoyenoki@smmusd.org.

We can't wait to see the creativity, curiosity, and scientific thinking our students bring to life!

As of today, McKinley has read 198,219 minutes or 3,303 hours! Amazing! You still have 3 more days to read to meet your personal goal of 1,000 minutes.

Remember that if you meet your goal, you are eligible for the following prizes:

• 500 minutes = Students can choose a prize like a bookmark, Hungry Caterpillar tattoo, crystal, or colorful gel pen (grades 3-5 only)
• 1,000 minutes = Students earn a brand-new FREE BOOK from the Book Fair!

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/8050A4FADAF28AAFE3-54688158-join#/

The PTA needs 2-4 committee members to help organize Staff Appreciation Week! Open roles include event planner, volunteer coordinator, party supplies coordinator, sponsor outreach, room parent coordinate, raffle coordinator. Reach out to lizethbejaranohc@gmail.com to join this effort to make an amazing week for McKinley staff.

Read more below!

• Teen Darning Workshop – Monday, April 7 at Main Library

• Puppets & Poems – Wednesday, April 9 at Ocean Park Branch

• Native Plant Landscaping – Saturday, April 12 at Montana Branch

• Comedy Workshop for Kids – Wednesday, April 16 at Pico Branch

• Earth Day Celebration – Tuesday, April 22 at Main Library

• Santa Monica Youth Advisory Council New civic engagement opportunity! Apply now to the official Santa Monica Youth Advisory Council! The council is an amazing way to get involved in your city, facilitate real change, learn about government, and pump up your resume. Members will collaborate and discuss relevant topics in monthly meetings, working directly with the city council. Mentors like the mayor and other council members will be present in the meetings, even further enriching the experience. All students are encouraged to apply! Complete the application!

• The PYFC Film Fellowship Program - The PYFC Film & Visual Media Program trains youth in the basics of camera operations, film directing/editing and graphic design. In this program, students have the option of producing their very own short film, narrative, documentary and/or music video for free. Whether it’s a T.V. show, video blog, webisode or news broadcast, the local community is also welcome to bring their Vision to Television through PYFC’s Youth Behind The Vision Network (YBVN). Application for PYFC Film Fellowship Program.

• Playa Vista Optimist Club-looking for student entries for the Optimist International 2024-2025 Essay Contest.The local award for the winning essay is $400 and the winner will then advance to the District Contest. The first place winner of the District Contest is then awarded a $2500 scholarship and a plaque which is presented at a special District Awards luncheon.

• Foundation for Fraternal Excellence Men's College Scholarship - due 4/1/2025

• Summer Opportunities for 9-11th graders - Wilfandel Club Scholarship Information The Wilfandel Club is committed to promoting education for young people in the community. On behalf of the club, the Fannie Williams Scholarship Committee promotes higher education by providing scholarship awards for high school seniors. The scholarships are designed to financially assist deserving high school seniors who want to attend college. The number of scholarships granted each year, the amount of the scholarships and the recipients shall be determined by the scholarship committee. Scholarships are funded by donors and fundraisers. Deadline is April 1st! Click here for the application.

• Ellison Institute Research Foundation Junior Scholars represents a key part of the Foundation’s mission to inspire and empower the next generation of innovators, problem solvers, and leaders and equip them with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in this rapidly evolving global landscape. This program fosters scientific education by incorporating hands-on experimentation in a collaborative environment. Formerly known as Junior Fellows, Junior Scholars is a unique, three-week summer fellowship for rising high school seniors interested in clinical or research oncology, designed to foster a lifelong passion for scientific education. https://eirf.org/education/

• Teen Gallery Guides at the Getty Center - a paid summer internship opportunity for teens interested in art, working in community with teen peers, building public speaking skills, and engaging with art professionals and museum spaces in unique ways. Over the summer, interns will learn strategies for understanding and discussing artwork, audience engagement techniques, and teaching strategies to lead gallery experiences and activities for school-aged visiting groups. Transportation to and from the Getty Center is provided to each intern, as well as a stipend. Questions? Please email gettyteens@getty.edu https://www.getty.edu/education/teens/index.html

• California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) - coming soon! COSMOS is an intensive four-week summer residential Pre-College Program for high school students who have demonstrated an aptitude for academic and professional careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

• Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement - coming soon! The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement is a four-week summer intensive academy for 26 talented high school students from the communities surrounding the USC University Park and Health Science Campuses. Students are exposed to the equivalent of first-year college-level courses and develop a rich conceptual understanding and practice of the necessary role that media communications and journalism play in fashioning civic-minded thought leaders and innovators.

• Summer Young Mathematicians Summer Institute designed by the UCLA Math Project This is a great opportunity for your child to strengthen their math skills over the summer! The sessions are designed to support your child in building a strong foundation in math, while also preparing them for more advanced topics in later grades. Additionally, attending this workshop will look great on their academic record, as they will have participated in a Young Mathematicians course hosted by UCLA! Registration will open in January. Please feel free to reach out to Christine Riad at riad@gseis.ucla.edu https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeu_eZ_o4gmQY0U0FfikGTGMCsaK1zjjBuZt7eBkVGbeRRiwA/viewform

• Committee for Racial Justice Monthly Meetings Aimed at addressing and ending systemic racism in education, housing, health & wellness, and criminal justice. Contact Information: committe4racialjustice@gmail.com. Regular monthly workshops on the first Sunday of the month from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

• Family Constellation Parenting Workshops Presented by SMMUSD. During these workshops, parents will explore hidden family dynamics and understand how they shape their parenting. Through guided exercises, participants gain insights into generational patterns and challenges, ultimately empowering them to create a more positive and nurturing family environment. Uncover root causes of family issues and embark on a journey towards greater understanding and healing Contact Information: Aileen Salmaggi | asalmaggi@smmusd.org

• WIN offers an award-winning model for prevention and early intervention that includes in-home caregiver-child psychotherapy paired with case management, and trauma-informed supports including family and community events, psychoeducation groups, and other community activities designed to promote safe and stable social-emotional development. WIN provides bilingual (English/Spanish) mental health therapy, intensive case management, community events, education and resources to families with young children (0-5 years old) facing adversity, in partnership with the Department of Mental Health. Contact: 213-290-6113 | info@winla.org | winla.org

• Sundays with Sounds Like LA: Presented by Sounds Like LA (formerly Santa Monica Youth Orchestra) Experience professional, tuition-free music education covering many different traditions and cultures. We aim to "sound like LA"! Information: soundslikela.org | info@soundslikela.org | 310-985-3439

• SMC Emeritus is a FREE lifelong learning program of Santa Monica College designed for adults 55+ (although anyone 18+ can enroll). Emeritus serves over 3,000 students annually and offers over 140 free classes in the fields of: studio arts, literature, writing, theater arts, music, political science, health and wellness and much more. Contact Information: emeritus@smc.edu | 310-434-4306 | https://www.smc.edu/emeritus

• Youth Aztec Dance, Ballet Folklorico, Hawaiian Dance, and Belly Dance Presented by Santa Monica Ballet Folklorico at Virginia Park, Santa Monica. Open to boys and girls of all ages and cultures. Classes serve as both physical and historic forms of education, focusing on Native American and Mexican local histories of Santa Monica. Students have several opportunities to perform locally as well as throughout Los Angeles.

• Family Time Play Group Presented by Connections for Children. Fun times for children up to 5 years of age and their caregivers to participate together in playing, singing, arts and crafts, and story time. Play group leaders also facilitate sharing of resources and discussion of topics such as child development, preschool readiness, and building a community support network. Family Time is a free program of Connections for Children, Playgroups currently meet in-person on the first and third Friday of the month. Contact Information: Angelina Nguyen |angelinan@cfc-ca.org | 310-452-3325 ext. 205 | https://www.connectionsforchildren.org/families/family_time_play_groups.htm

• Nature Outings for Youth: Presented by The Hummingbird Project, who use outdoor outings to improve mental and physical health and offer children chances to experience nature’s beauty and healing effects. After each outing, students get a sit-down meal at a local restaurant as they relax and enjoy each other's company after a day outdoors. Past outings have included hiking, beach walking, kayaking, and visiting beautiful Avalon in Catalina Island once a year! Contact Information: Despina Kayichian 424-209-7129, despina@thehummingbirdprojectla.org or www.thehummingbirdprojectla.org

• Memories & Movement Senior Club: Exercise classes, workshops/seminars, crafts and hobbies, social time, talking with friends, guest presenters, health and wellness activities The Patio Room, Virginia Park, Santa Monica. Every Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Tech & Tasks: Volunteer tutors offer free help reading documents, writing letters and resumes, completing forms, navigating government websites, using mobile devices, email and more. Santa Monica Main Library, Thursdays, 2-4 p.m. Tech & Tasks: Volunteer tutors offer free help reading documents, writing letters and resumes, completing forms, navigating government websites, using mobile devices, email and more. Santa Monica Main Library, Thursdays, 2-4 p.m.

• Walk-In Legal Clinic : Meet 1-on-1 with Legal Aid Foundation lawyers for help with housing and other issues. Ongoing Wednesdays, 4:30-7 p.m.

• Literary Lounge- Books, snacks and music. SM Main Library, Wednesdays, 6:15-7:30

• Chess Sundays: Players of all ages/levels invited.Third St. Promenade, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Free US Citizenship Classes: Study the 100 Civics questions, review citizenship applications, practice dictations and prepare for the interview. SM Library/Pico Branch.

• Free ESL Conversation Classes: Group classes and 1-on-1 tutoring. SM Main Library.

• Social Service Assistance: Family Nutrition & Health Care Access: Meet with community health workers to sign up for benefits. Virginia Park, SM, Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m

This Week

• March 31: No School in Observance of Cesar Chavez Day

• April 2: PTA Exec 9:00-10:30 AM , Zoom

• April 4: STEM Fair Perm Slip Due

• April 4: Environmental Defenders Assembly

• April 4: 5th Grade Health Talk

• April 7-April 18: Spring Break

Upcoming Dates

• April 21: STAR Assessments Open

• April 22: ELAC Meeting (SPSA/Budget), 9:00-10:00 AM

• April 23: PTA Meeting, 6:00-7:30 PM, Zoom (SPSA/Budget)

• April 24: School Tour, 9:00-10:00 AM

• April 24: Ready, Tech, Go Event, 5:30-7:00 PM, Auditorium

• April 25: Parent Input Forms Due

• April 25: Jog-a-thon (Rescheduled)

• April 27: Campus Beautification Day/Earth Day Celebration

• April 28: Fire Drill

• April 28: STEM Fair Project Filming

• April 29: School Site Council Meeting (SPSA/Budget), 3:15-4:30 PM, Zoom

• April 30: Coffee with the Principal and the LMS Principal, 8:30-9:30 AM

• April 30: Earthquake Drill

• May 2: STAR Assessments Close

• May 2: Therapy Dog Visit

• May 2: Room Parent Meeting 9-10 AM, Zoom

• May 2: STEM Fair 6-7 PM