
12/15 McMicken Family Connection

Principal's Corner
A Word from Your Principal
Dear Families,
It’s hard to believe that it’s already time for Winter Break. I know that our Cougars and Cougar Families are looking forward to some time to rest and connect. We also understand that many families are still very busy this time of year. I encourage all of our Cougars to spend their time joyfully and am hoping that it also includes some time reading favorite authors or interesting topics. As a reminder, in addition to the amazing McM library books, all students also have access to ARC Bookshelf, Sora and myOn so they can browse for a wide range of book levels and titles. Personally, I will be reading some mysteries, which is a genre that I love to read for pleasure. Maybe some of our Cougars will be reading some mysteries over break as well? See you all in the new year!
😄 Principal Haas
Environmental Club: Earth Angels
We are excited to begin our after school Environmental Club, Earth Angels for students in Grades 2-4! We will meet on Tuesdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m. beginning January 10, 2023 and will run through June 6, 2023. Students will have a snack provided and must be picked up in front of the school by 4:15 p.m.! Please request an application form from your teacher, the office, or Mrs. J. Walsh.
Attendance Matters
If your child will not be in school, for any reason, you must call the school office every day your child is out. Please call 206.631.4300 to report the absence. Please review the Attendance Basics for our policies. More information can be found on the Attendance page of the school's website.
A missed absence, for any reason and for any amount of time, is a missed opportunity for learning. Help your child succeed by building the habit of good attendance early. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college - and at work.
Did you know students can suffer academically if they miss 10% of the school year, or about 18 days? That's just one day every two weeks. Research shows that missing 2-3 days a month can result in:
- 3rd-grade students falling behind in reading
- 6th-grade students failing courses
- Teens dropping out of high school
Sporadic absences matter too. Just one or two days a month can add up before you know it!
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. If you are facing challenges related to health care, unstable housing, transportation or lack of food, our school can help. Ryan Bunda, our school counselor, can connect you to services for the whole family.
Ryan Bunda
text/call: 425.298.5329
Important: Family Emergency Plans
Each family should have a plan covering what to do when children arrive home early due to an emergency situation. Situations which should be covered include:
- Are the students prepared with warm clothing, including gloves, hats, and boots?
- What is the best route home if your student cannot be delivered to the normal bus stop?
- Where could your child go if he/she needs help?
- Who will care for your child until you arrive home?
- Who can your child call if he/she feels afraid?
In Case of Inclement Weather
In case of inclement weather, please make sure to check out Highline School's website and social media. You should also receive a phone call and/or text message from the school in case of two-hour delays or cancellations.
Please see the chart below for emergency bus stops.
PLEASE NOTE: If your stop is NOT listed, then the regular stop will be used. Parents of special program students will be notified by the bus driver if an alternate stop is to be used.
Our Weekly Habit
January's Monthly Focus: We are UNDERSTANDING.
Weekly Focus (Jan. 3-6): Contribute to our diverse community.
A quote to think about: "At the end of the day, it's not about what you have or what you accomplished. It's about who you lifted up. Who you've made better. It's about what you've given back." -Denzel Washington
When we contribute to our diverse community, it looks like:
- Active listening and participation
- Interacting with different people by choice
When we contribute to our diverse community, it sounds like:
Sharing ideas about your experiences
Asking questions to understand others
Explaining your thinking in different ways
When we contribute to our diverse community, it feels like:
Being part of a team working together
Being included
Leaving a positive impact on others
Monday, December 19-Monday, January 2: Winter Break, No School
Tuesday, January 3: Return to School
Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No School
Thursday, February 2: APTT #2 for Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 5th grade (5:15-6:30 at McMicken)
Tuesday, February 7: APTT #2 for 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 4th grade (5:15-6:30 at McMicken)
Holiday Resources and Assistance
There are many available resources and assistance for families in need this holiday season. Please see below for resources and information that may support your family's needs.
1. Toy 'n Joy offered by Salvation Army
- Taking applications now! Apply online.
- Description: Provides Christmas food voucher for eligible low-income families, as well as toys for children ages 17 and younger, in the West Seattle, White Center, South Park, Burien, SeaTac, Tukwila, and north Des Moines areas. Distribution Day Dec. 21st.
- For questions, email bill.talbot@usw.salvationarmy.org or call 206-767-3150.
2. The Forgotten Children's Fund
- Apply online by December 16th.
- Description: We provide a Christmas experience for families in need. This includes a visit to your home from Santa and his team of elves who will deliver gifts and warm coats for your children, blankets and a food box to your family on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
3. Kent Lutheran Church - Community Supper
- Description: Christmas dinner grab-n-go meals for anyone in need.
- Call 253-852-2027 with questions.
- Date/Time/Location: December 20th from 6pm-7pm at 336 2nd Ave S, Kent, WA 98030.
4. Kent Seventh Day Adventist Church - Neighbor to Neighbor
- Description: Christmas dinner grab-n-go meals for anyone in need.
- Call 253-852-3883 with questions.
- Date/Time/Location: December 22nd from 4:30pm-5pm at 25213 116th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030.
5. December Holiday Food at Highline Area Food Bank, starting December 2 and ending December 23
- Description: Offers self-select holiday food during normal food bank hours for residents of the Highline area during the month of December (Dec. 2-23)
- Call 206-433-9900 with questions.
- Tuesdays (weekly): 12pm-2:30pm
- 2nd Tuesday of each month: 5:30pm-7:00pm
- Thursdays: 10am-12:30pm
- Address: 18300 4th Avenue South in Burien, Washington
6. USPS Operation Santa
- Description: Write a letter to Santa! The US Postal Service will pair letters from kids and families with generous people who fulfill their holiday wishes.
- For more information, visit their website.
See the full year's Heritage Month calendar and think about how you can continue to celebrate these groups and holidays at home. In addition, you can access the Heritage Month calendar in Spanish, Somali, or Vietnamese.
Explore resources, events, book lists, and more for January's Heritage Months in English or Spanish.
Poverty in America Awareness Month
January is Poverty Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and call attention to the growth of poverty in America, as well as learn about how and why poverty impacts so many people (over 40 million Americans) around the world.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 16th)
Each year on the third Monday of January, America honors the birth, life, and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a time to remember the injustices that Dr. King fought. A time to remember his fight for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all races and peoples through nonviolence.
International Holocaust Day of Remembrance (Jan. 27th)
January 27th is designated by the United Nations General Assembly as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The UN and its member states celebrate the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism.
Contact us for support or with questions.
McMicken Heights Elementary School
https://mcmicken.highlineschools.org
Phone: (206) 631-4300
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