02/23 McMicken Family Connection

Dear Families,

I hope that you were able to have a relaxing long weekend and have found yourselves recharged. As we come towards the end of February, I hope that you've been able to take some time to recognize February's Heritage Month, Black and African-American History Month. Students have had the opportunity to learn about different historical figures, such as Katherine Johnson and Gordon Parks, and historical events, such as the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement. Though we shine a special light of recognition in February, it's a year-round activity to continue learning about history and heritages. All of our heritage month resources continue to be available throughout the year! I encourage you to continue learning about history with your child. Look for some ideas in the "Resources" section below!

In collaboration,

😄 Principal Haas

Spring Picture Day is Almost Here!

O'Connor Photography will be at our school on Wednesday, March 8th to take Class Group Photos. In addition, each student has the opportunity to be photographed for a Spring Individual Green Screen Portrait.

Only students who pre-order an Individual will be photographed. All students will be photographed in the Class Group photo. If you would like your child to get a Portrait taken or to order their class group photo, click this link to pre-order their 2023 Spring portraits today!

You can also purchase by visiting their website at www.oconnorphotographystudio.com.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please give their studio a call at 1-800-993-4929.

Fun Friday is coming up on Friday, February 24th. Items on sale include popcorn for 50¢, fruit snacks for 50¢, and this month's speciality item, a space-themed slap bracelet for $1.00.

To volunteer, contact the PTA at (206) 231-8191 or mcmh.pta@gmail.com.

Do you love math, and want to keep learning after school? Join us on Zoom, from 10:00-11:30am, every Saturday until May 27, 2023!

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 813 8236 2169
Passcode: 654011

PTA (Parent Teacher Association) comes with advocacy and connection with district, state and national resources. We invite all of our families to consider joining our PTA to share goals and vision for supporting all of our students at McMicken.

We still need volunteers for all sorts of things! If you are interested in volunteering, please be sure to fill out your volunteer form at the office. Or you can click the link to download the form to turn in to our front office. (Download and print the form in English or Spanish.)

Questions? Contact the PTA at (206) 231-8191 or mcmh.pta@gmail.com

Have you been following McMicken Heights on social media? If so, you might have noticed our weekly Thursday feature, #McMThankYouThursday! Once a week, we spotlight a staff member to show our appreciation for all the work they do.

You are invited to share your appreciation for our staff members by completing this form. Your comments may be shared on social media, but they will also be shared directly with the staff member you compliment.

Volunteers contribute greatly to the success of our students and schools. If you would like to go on a field trip or help during a PTA event, for example, a volunteer form needs to be on file with the school office. You can download and print a volunteer form from the volunteer page on the district website, or you can pick up a printed copy from the school office. Volunteer status is good for two school years. If you fill out one today, it will not expire until August 31, 2024. Thank you so much for taking the time to help our McMicken community!

March's Monthly Focus: We are AWARE.

Weekly Focus (Feb. 27-Mar. 3): Know your strengths and needs.

A quote to think about: "Sometimes you don't realize your own strength until you come face to face with your greatest weakness." -Susan Gale

When we know our strengths and needs, it looks like:

• Using tools to assist with our needs

When we know our strengths and needs, it sounds like:

• Asking for help when we get stuck
• Advocating for our needs
• Offering help to others
• Identifying what we do well
• "I'm good at _____ because _____."

When we know our strengths and needs, it feels like:

• Wanting to grow a skill
• Confidence in knowing how we need to grow

March's Monthly Focus: We are AWARE.

Weekly Focus (March 6-10): Set ambitious goals.

A quote to think about: "Don't be afraid to be ambitious about your goals. Hard work never stops. Neither should your dreams." -Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

When we set ambitious goals, it looks like:

• Name the steps needed to succeed

When we set ambitious goals, it sounds like:

• Being able to explain our goals

• Saying, "This is challenging, but I'm going to try."

When we set ambitious goals, it feels like:

• Pushing ourselves

Wednesday, March 8: Class Photos (Optional: Individual Photos)

Friday, March 10: No School

Monday, April 3-Friday, April 7: Spring Break, No School

History tells the story of how we got to where we are today as a society - and it's chock full of lessons that inspire us to make a difference in the world around us. Use these fun ideas to help your child learn about history!

1. Visit a museum or historical site. Was an inspiring historical figure born in your town? Is your town known for something famous? Whatever makes your town unique, there's bound to be a museum or historical site to celebrate it.
2. Listen to a kid-friendly podcast. You name it, there's a podcast for it - including podcasts for budding history buffs. Ask questions about a favorite fact they learned, how it makes them feel, and why the topic interests them.
3. Read about historical figures. Many people in history have made a lasting impact on society. Learning about them enables kids to see themsleves in others, learn about different cultures, be inspired, and grow their minds.
4. Celebrate your family history. Everyone has a story - your family included. Encourage your child to learn about your family's history and culture and share their stories, too.
5. Cook up a history lesson. Find a recipe that is meaningful to a different country or culture. Learn about things like how the meal is prepared and presented, and when the dish is traditionally served. Then, eat up!

Do you know a child who will be 5 years old on or before August 31? Maybe it's a current student's sibling, your neighbor, family friend or even your own child. Help us spread the word: families can enroll their incoming kindergarten student for the 2023-24 school year now.

We encourage new students to enroll as early as possible. This helps us to connect with students early and ensures we hire the right number of staff at each school. Kindergarten Jump Start is offered August 23-25 to all registered incoming kindergarten students.

What Do Families Need?

Families should have the following ready:

• Birth certificate
• Proof of address (rental agreement, purchase agreement, or utility bill)
• Immunization records

Families can upload all these documents to our registration system. (Tip: Scan or take a photo with a mobile phone to upload.)

If the documents aren't readily available, families can start registration and email the documents to their school to complete their enrollment application.

For more information, please see this 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 March's Heritage Months in English or Spanish.

Women’s History Month is celebrated each March to highlight and honor the many contributions women have made in our past and our present. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.

During Gender Equality Month, individuals and groups of people work to bring awareness to others around the topic of gender equality. Gender equality focuses on allowing every individual, regardless of gender, equal opportunities and access to resources, opportunities, and rewards. The month is dedicated to celebrating the social, political, cultural, and academic achievements of women in the world.

March was designated as Irish-American Heritage Month in 1992 by Congress, but first proclaimed by the President in 1991. It is a time to honor the achievements and contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants living in the United States.

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The 2023 campaign theme is #EmbraceEquity.

National Deaf History Month is celebrated to commemorate the achievements of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. It spans across March and April in recognition of three turning points in deaf education history, dating back to the early 1800s.

International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination is an opportunity for women and men to renew their commitment to building a world of justice, equality, and dignity. It is observed on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in 1960.

For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women, and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade. The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Trade gives us an opportunity to honor and remember those who suffered and died due to slavery as well as raise awareness to the dangers of racism and prejudice today.

International Transgender Day of Visibility is dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.

Contact us for support or with questions.

McMicken Heights Elementary School

https://mcmicken.highlineschools.org

Phone: (206) 631-4300

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