
11/17 McMicken Family Connection
November 17, 2022

Principal's Corner
A Word from Your Principal
Dear Families,
It is an exciting time of year wherein we get to take a little pause and connect with our community during family conferences. Our Cougars have made so much growth over the year so far and will no doubt be proud to show off their new learning. While conferences are a critical time for teachers to share important updates on student strengths and needs, they are also an opportunity for families to share information and/or ask questions that reflect their priorities. Some examples of questions families can ask include:
- May I tell you about my child? ...
- May I tell you about what's going on at home? ...
- How is my child doing socially? ...
- How is my child doing emotionally? ...
- What are my child's academic strengths and weaknesses? ...
- Is my child performing on grade level?
I am excited to see many of you over conference week and appreciate our partnership!
😄 Principal Haas
Principal's Choice: Book of the Month
"Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush's Incredible Journey," written by Amy Shrodes and Doug Kuntz, illustrated by Sue Cornelison
Click the picture of the book for a read aloud by Doug Kuntz, one of the authors!
When an Iraqi family is forced to flee their home, they can’t bear to leave their beloved cat, Kunkush, behind. So they carry him with them from Iraq to Greece, keeping their secret passenger hidden away.
But during the crowded boat crossing to Greece, his carrier breaks and the frightened cat runs from the chaos, disappearing. After an unsuccessful search, his family has to continue their journey, leaving brokenhearted.
A few days later, aid workers in Greece find the lost cat. Knowing how much his family has sacrificed already, they are desperate to reunite them. A worldwide community comes together to spread the word on the Internet and in the news media, and after several months the impossible happens—Kunkush’s family is found, and they finally get their happy ending in their new home.
This remarkable true story is told by the real people involved, with the full cooperation of Kunkush’s family.
Book Spotlights
Read a book with a heritage month focus!
"Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship," by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, illustrated by Scott Magoon
Rescue thought he’d grow up to be a Seeing Eye dog, but when he gets the news that he’s better suited to being a service dog, he’s worried that he’s not up to the task. Then he meets Jessica, a girl whose life is turning out differently than the way she’d imagined it, too. Now Jessica needs Rescue by her side to help her accomplish everyday tasks. And it turns out that Rescue can help Jessica see after all: a way forward, together, one step at a time. Based on a real-life partnership, this 2019 Schneider Family Book Award Winner features an endnote from the authors about service dogs, including their real-life best friend and black lab, Rescue.
"Dreamers" by Yuyi Morales
From the author-illustrator of Bright Star, Dreamers is a celebration of making your home with the things you always carry: your resilience, your dreams, your hopes and history. It's the story of finding your way in a new place, of navigating an unfamiliar world and finding the best parts of it. In dark times, it's a promise that you can make better tomorrows.
This lovingly-illustrated picture book memoir looks at the myriad gifts migrantes bring with them when they leave their homes. It's a story about family. And it's a story to remind us that we are all dreamers, bringing our own strengths wherever we roam. Beautiful and powerful at any time but given particular urgency as the status of our own Dreamers becomes uncertain, this is a story that is both topical and timeless.
The lyrical text is complemented by sumptuously detailed illustrations, rich in symbolism. Also included are a brief autobiographical essay about Yuyi's own experience, a list of books that inspired her (and still do), and a description of the beautiful images, textures, and mementos she used to create this book.
"Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation" by Edwidge Danticat, illustrated by Leslie Staub
After Saya's mother is sent to an immigration detention center, Saya finds comfort in listening to her mother's warm greeting on their answering machine. To ease the distance between them while she’s in jail, Mama begins sending Saya bedtime stories inspired by Haitian folklore on cassette tape. Moved by her mother's tales and her father's attempts to reunite their family, Saya writes a story of her own—one that just might bring her mother home for good.
With stirring illustrations, this tender tale shows the human side of immigration and imprisonment—and shows how every child has the power to make a difference.
The Book Fair Returns!📚😄
The Scholastic Book Fair is back! Come shop for books during the week of conferences (November 21-23)! The newest Wimpy Kid, Pigeon, FGTeeV, Who Would Win, Baby Sitters Club, and Pig the Pug books will be there! We will also have science books, picture books, historical fiction, graphic novels, and gaming books. Every purchase helps support our school library.
Hours:
- Monday, Nov. 21: 8:30am-6:00pm
- Tuesday, Nov. 22: 8:30am-4:00pm
- Wednesday, Nov. 23: 8:30am-12:00pm
You can also shop online at this link Friday 11/18 to Wednesday 11/23. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.
Hope to see you there!
APTT Winners!
Congratulations to the following classes with the highest percentage of family attendance for our first APTT! These classes earned a class party to celebrate.
- Kindergarten: Shirasu
- 1st Grade: Castellon
- 2nd Grade: Wammer
- 3rd Grade: Farwell
- 4th Grade: Walsh
- 5th Grade: Young
Congratulations to Nahomi in Mrs. Shirasu’s class and Sadiq in Mrs. Castellon’s class, for winning our schoolwide raffle of a brand-new Lenovo laptop!
We look forward to seeing you at our Winter APTTs in January and February!
Join us for the Community Cafe (Dec. 5th)!
Join the African Community House & Development for a McMicken Heights Elementary School Community Cafe!
Have your voice heard! Discuss with the community your hopes and dreams for the future of your children's education. Light refreshments and childcare will be provided.
Date: Monday, December 5th
Time: 5:00-7:00pm
Location: Heights by Vintage Apartments (21212 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98198)
Contact Ifrah to register at ifrah@achdo.org or (206) 350-1116.
Lost and Found: Last Call!
Just a reminder -- All clothing left in the school's Lost + Found will be taken to Value Village on Monday, November 28. If your student is missing anything, please stop by the school between 8:20 AM - 4:00 PM. Our Lost + Found is located in the main hallway down from the front doors on the right, next to the corner. Our Lost + Found will also be available during student conferences, November 21 - 23. (School will be closed Nov. 24 - 25.)
Uniforms, Yay or Nay?: Vote at Student-Led Conferences!
We are not requiring uniforms for the 22-23 school year as we seek community input to make updates to our Dress Code policy.
During the 2021-22 school year, we did not require students to wear uniforms. We have noticed a decrease of time spent on uniform compliance and more time in class as a result. We have seen an increase in students being able to dress in ways that embrace their personalities and cultural identities. Lastly, there has been less financial pressure on families to continue to buy uniforms.
We will seek community input about the future of our dress code policy during student-led conferences this coming week. Please stop by the voting booth downstairs before or after your student’s conference to vote on the future of our dress code policy.
Our Weekly Habit
December's Monthly Focus: We are OPTIMISTIC.
Weekly Focus (Nov. 28-Dec. 2): Have a healthy attitude.
A quote to think about: "I trust the next chapter because I know the author." -Unknown
When we have a healthy attitude, it looks like:
- Giving air high fives or thumbs up
- Surrounding yourself with positive friends and classmates
- Approaching tasks with a "can-do" attitude
When we have a healthy attitude, it sounds like:
Saying encouraging words to yourself and others
Identifying how you're growing towards your goals
When we have a healthy attitude, it feels like:
Confidence, being optimistic, and being mindful
Monday, November 21-Wednesday, November 23: Student-Led Conferences, No School
Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25: Thanksgiving Break, No School
Monday, December 19-Monday, January 2: Winter Break, No School
Tuesday, January 3: Return to School
Seattle Art Museum: Free for Highline Families!
Did you know that Highline Public Schools has partnered with the Seattle Art Museum? That means that our Highline families can get free admission to the Seattle Art Museum! When you go to the ticket desk, you can let them know that you are a Highline family.
Check out their website for their current exhibitions, programs and learning available, and more!
Address: 1300 First Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone Number: 206.654.3100
Hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday, Thursdays-Sunday open 10AM-5PM
Holiday Supports - Wellspring Holiday Gift Program
The holiday season will be upon us shortly, and the Wellspring Holiday Gift Program has opened! The application to apply for holiday gifts opened on November 1st, and the application will tentatively close on November 30th (but is subject to close earlier, depending on demand).
Holiday gifts are available through this program for children between the ages of newborn to 17.
Families are eligible to apply for gifts if they are currently experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless (for example, food insecurity, low income, recent job loss, living in transitional housing, etc.). Below please find important information about this year's Holiday Gift Program:
Completing the application does not guarantee a family will receive gifts. Availability will be dependent on the donations we receive and demand.
- They are unable to honor requests for specific gifts, but they will do their best to provide items the children are interested in. Please note, electronics such as tablets, laptops, and gaming systems will not be available.
- This form can be completed by families requesting for their own children or by a case manager, public health nurse, etc. on behalf of a family.
- Please ensure only one form is submitted per family. Multiple submissions will not increase the likelihood of receiving gifts.
- If you are requesting for a family with multiple children, only one form needs to be completed. You can request for all children in one submission.
- If they can fill a request, you/the family will have 7 business days to pick up the gifts from their office (1900 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, 98144). They unfortunately cannot deliver.
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. November Holiday Food at Highline Area Food Bank, starting November 1 and ending November 22
- Description: Offers self-select holiday food during normal food bank hours for residents of the Highline area during the month of November (Nov. 1-22)
- 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. 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
7. 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 December's Heritage Months in English or Spanish.
International Day of Peoples with Disabilities (Dec. 3)
About one billion people around the globe have some form of a disability. National Disability Day is observed internationally on December 3rd, and is meant to help people become more aware, compassionate, and understanding of the challenges those with disabilities face. Developing a better understanding of disabilities is an important first step in creating a more accepting society.
Human Rights Day (Dec. 10)
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is an important document, which states rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
International Migrants Day (Dec. 18)
International Migrants Day aims to raise awareness about the challenges and difficulties of international migration. It is also a time to recognize and celebrate the efforts, contributions, and rights of migrants worldwide.
Contact us for support or with questions.
McMicken Heights Elementary School
https://mcmicken.highlineschools.org
Phone: (206) 631-4300
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