Mac's Notes
November 8, 2024
12 MN 8MF
Dear Scottie Families,
We are proud of our Scotties who demonstrated respectful participation in our first assembly of the year in honor of our Veterans. Scottie Shout Outs to Leo and Roman, Landen and Abby for bringing their grandfathers and to Maggie and Carson for bringing their parents to share experiences in serving the US in our armed forces with us. Scottie Shout Outs to Eleanor, Adrian, Olive, and Ursula for MCing the assembly. We learned so much together!
Looking ahead, we have family teacher conferences. This is an ideal time to nurture a strong school/family partnership. As we are thinking about response to intervention in our inclusive small groups called Scottie Time, our multi-tiered systems of support provide structures for meeting our students where they are and facilitating learning and continuous growth.
Our first data cycle ends December 6th. This baseline and beginning of year data will assist us in learning about how each of our students learn and grow. Sometimes we notice negative growth or an absence of growth from data cycle to data cycle and invite families to look deeper into the data points with us, providing additional details about the learner and their strengths and areas of concern.
These team meetings sometimes lead to additional supports in the form of a 504 plan or referral for a special education evaluation. A barrier to access to general education would be established and our multi-tiered systems of support team may generate accommodations that would support access to practice and calibrate. These meetings and referrals are not for students who are demonstrating access to general education. Families who have concerns begin with reaching out to teachers to discuss if the concerns present in the school environment and provide an academic impact. If necessary, a larger team meeting is scheduled through my office team.
If you have questions about the 504 process or the special education referral process, please reach out anytime.
Lost and Found November Donations Here
Lost and Found December Donations Here
We will begin to create an Arts Team in support of our Creative Advantage pathway in year 1 of implementation.
Please email me if you are interested in serving on this team.
Let's make it a great week!
Sincerely,
Zoe Facilla, she/her
McDonald International Principal
206.252.2900
144 NE 54th ST, Sea WA 98105
You’re Invited: Listening Sessions for All Families!
Dear Families and Caregivers,
We would like to invite you to participate in our upcoming McDonald Community Listening Sessions, where we aim to hear from and better understand the experiences of our community, with a special focus on families whose voices are often overlooked. This is a supplementary opportunity for families who are most often unheard to have their voices centered and celebrated.
These sessions are open to any family who identifies as Spanish-speaking, Japanese-speaking, LGBTQIA+, and/or a family of color. Whether you identify with one of these groups or a member of your family experiences the challenges and opportunities these communities face, your voice is important to us.
Spanish-speaking families will have facilitation in Spanish, Japanese-speaking families in Japanese, and LGBTQIA+ families and families of color in English. If you prefer a language other than Spanish, Japanese, or English, you’re welcome to join the English group, and we can provide interpretation.
These listening sessions are a safe and open space where you can share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences on how we can improve our school community, better support your child, and create a more inclusive environment for everyone. The questions that will be addressed include: What should we keep doing? What should we start doing? What should we stop doing?
Food and childcare will be provided. Arrangements for carpooling/rideshares will be made available as well.
Session Details
December 9 and December 10
6:00-8:00 pm
McDonald International School
(Online options available if needed)
We are committed to removing barriers so that every family feels heard, valued, and supported. Your input will help us create a stronger, more inclusive school for all students. If you can’t attend the meeting or feel uncomfortable sharing your feedback in this setting, we encourage you to share it anonymously through this form.
We look forward to listening to you!
From the Scottie Library
Dear 4th and 5th Grade Families:
It’s that time of year again to get excited for the Global Reading Challenge!
The Global Reading Challenge is a quiz show style competition hosted by the Seattle Public Library. Teams of 4th and 5th graders read a total of 8 books chosen by the Seattle Public Library for their diverse topics, locations, and perspectives. These selections cater to a variety of reading levels and interests, ensuring that every student can engage meaningfully. Teams will answer questions based on factual content from these books.
If your student would like to participate on a team, please complete the following form by end of day Friday, November 15. Some things to consider:
- Although the actual challenge takes place later this winter, the reading is done outside of school beginning in December.
- Students who sign up for the Global Reading Challenge must be committed to their team and read the agreed upon materials.
- If your student isn’t interested, please do not sign them up. This is supposed to be a fun reading event.
- The students’ ELA teachers will be creating the teams.
- Our in-school event will be Wednesday, February 12, before Mid-Winter break, please consider this before signing up.
Complete the Sign-up Form: https://forms.office.com/r/6fBBCYa0Wf
SPL information about the Global Reading Challenge and the books: https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/fun-and-games/global-reading-challenge
Let the reading begin!
Mrs. Finnegan
Scottie Cafe Menu
Tuesday Breakfast: bagel with cream cheese or cereal
Lunch: rotini and meat sauce or sun butter and jelly sandwich
Wednesday Breakfast: pastry or cereal
Lunch: bean and cheese burrito or turkey and cheese on hoagie
Thursday Breakfast: egg and cheese breakfast sandwich or cereal
Lunch: burger or bagel and cream cheese
Friday Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: hot cheese sandwich or yogurt lunch box
Class Photo Day AND re-take or make up individual picture day November 13
Yuen Lui Studio will photograph makeup, retake, and class group photos at McDonald International Elementary on Wednesday, November 13
Please let your student's teacher know if you would like them to get an individual makeup or a retake portrait taken on November 13.
Missed picture day? Students who missed picture day should plan on getting a photo taken on November 13. Families can preorder photos here: 2024-25 McDonald International Elementary Retake Day Pre-payments 11/13 (preorders are shipped in bulk to the school about three weeks after 11/13; digital orders are sent via email).
Need a retake? If you preordered picture day portraits and would like a retake, your student can return their portrait package in exchange for a complimentary retake replacement. Anyone is welcome to get a retake --please note that the retake photo will replace the picture day photo for PowerSchool and the yearbook.
View and order photos from picture day here using your student's SPS ID number and an email address: 2024-25 McDonald International Elementary - Online Code = SPS Student ID # (orders that require an online code can be placed at any time throughout the year and are shipped directly to your home in 10-14 business days; digital orders are sent via email).
Class Group Photos - there is no need to order -- every student will receive one 8x10 print of their class group photo; class group photos are processed and printed separately from student portraits and will be delivered in January/February (we will share a link to order additional prints at that time).
Winter After-School Enrichment
We need volunteers for After-School Enrichment! Volunteers ensure students get to the correct classrooms and are all picked up after classes end. Use this form to sign-up to volunteer and get a free class.
Here is the class schedule with class descriptions updated for winter. Prices are/will be listed in 6crickets, an online registration tool.
Winter enrichment registration will open Sunday, 12/10 at 7pm and close Sunday, 12/17 at 7pm.
Fall classes begin on Monday, 1/8 and run until spring break (with no classes on 1/15 and 2/19-2/23 mid-winter break).
Questions? Contact the ASE Coordinator.
Dia de los Muertos/Obon Thank Yous
It was wonderful to see the McDonald community at Dia de los Muertos/Obon Friday night! Thank you to our student performers, and to all of the families who joined us. A grateful shout-out to the teachers and volunteers who prepared and led the students who performed. Finally, a big thank you to our event leads Sophia, Ilana, Connie, and Elidé, and the many volunteers who came together to make this night of community happen.
If you have ideas for or would like to be involved in organizing events, reach out to Cady, the PTA Events chair. Thank you Scotties!
Interns
We're delighted that our interns are settled into our classrooms and community. We encourage you to invite an intern or two to join your family for dinner or an outing. You can reach them directly via email:
Kaon - kafujita@seattleschools.org
Yuka - yuhosokai@seattleschools.org
Takumi - takurihara@seattleschools.org
Sara - sainuzuka@seattleschools.org
Javiera - jbrubilar@seattleschools.org
Belen - beibanez@seattleschools.org
Idelisa - idquezada@seattleschools.org
Host an Intern in 2025!
Part of the intern experience is living with at least two different families while in Seattle. We need a few more volunteer families to host interns later this school year. Host families need a private room for the intern and a willingness to host for a minimum of 2 months. Email interns@mcdonaldpta.org with questions or your interest, and a member of the intern committee will be in touch.
2024 - 25 Fundraising Campaign
Why Donate Now?
Your contributions to McDonald PTA fund Instructional Assistants and interns in each classroom, ensuring a lower student-to-teacher ratio and strong dual-language learning support.
By mid-January, we need to confirm that we have the necessary funds to secure these roles for next year. Without your contributions, we risk losing these critical resources.
We do NOT receive any money from SPS for Instructional Assistant nor interns.
Let’s invest in a stronger learning environment for our kids—every donation makes a difference!
Donate here today!
Host an Intern in 2025!
Part of the intern experience is living with at least two different families while in Seattle.
Here is how the experience is going for one of our host families this year: "It's been a pleasure to host Javiera in our house and getting to know her and more about her home country of Chile. She has spent time doing homework and arts and crafts with our kids (K and 3rd grade) and has joined us for some adventures around Seattle. The kids are especially excited to take her trick or treating for her first time!
Greg Cecilia, Evan, and Elisa"
We need a few more volunteer families to host interns later this school year. Host families need a private room for the intern and a willingness to host for a minimum of 2 months. Email interns@mcdonaldpta.org with questions or your interest, and a member of the intern committee will be in touch.
- November 11: No School for Veterans Day
- November 13: Class Picture Day and Individual Picture Re-Take Day. Order pictures from individual picture day here. The School Code is your student's ID.
- November 13: PTA Advocacy on zoom at 6:00 pm.