
04/13 McMicken Family Connection

Principal's Corner
A Word from Your Principal
Dear Families,
We have had a great return from Spring Break. While no doubt our Cougar community appreciated a little time off, our team is back with gusto! In April, we celebrate National Poetry Month and Autism Awareness Month. These heritage month foci will come to life around the school in different ways. We launched this week with a recent April tradition of a Poem in your Pocket,” in which our amazing librarian, Ms. Alcantara, shared poems with all teachers. We challenged Cougars to ask teachers and administrators to share beloved poems from their “pockets.” I have had so much fun reading poems to students on the playground, cafeteria and more! Our Principal’s Book of the Month, Included, teaches our community about autism and other learning disabilities, in a effort to send the message that we all have our individual strengths and needs as learners, and we all belong here!
In collaboration,
😄 Principal Haas
April's Principal Book of the Month
"Included: A book for all children about inclusion, diversity, disability, equality and empathy" by Jayneen Sanders
This book introduces the reader to six wonderful kids: Sam, Rishi, Jay, Audrey, Ty and Zara.
The aim of this story is to ensure all kids understand that kids with disability are just like kids everywhere. They love playing games, books, making stuff and being silly. They have things they are good at and things they need to work on. And just like kids everywhere they want to feel safe, loved and included. This book provides the reader with ways they can be more inclusive in their play and encourages the celebration of diversity in all its unique and wonderful forms. Children will come away with a growing understanding that people everywhere have differing abilities, and this only makes the world a more colourful, exciting, diverse and amazing place.
Give Input: Curriculum Adoption Showcase
Learn more about the curricula being considered for elementary and middle school science, secondary music, and upper-level math. Curriculum adoption committees for each of these content areas have been working hard to review curriculum materials.
Now you’re invited to review curriculum materials and share your thoughts!
In-Person Showcase
Monday, April 17
4:30 to 5:45 p.m.
Central Office
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW
Burien, WA 98166
Online Showcase
Wednesday, April 19
6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Zoom (Link coming soon)
Curriculum materials include books, resources and/or guides for teachers to use. Materials are vetted to align with learning standards. New classroom materials mean teachers can spend more time teaching and less time searching for learning resources.
PTA Update: Family Movie Night
There will be no Fun Friday in April, but please join us after-school on Friday, April 28th at 5:45pm for a showing of Moana! RSVP to your child's teacher by Friday, April 21st.
- Bring a blanket or something cozy to sit on.
- ALL children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- There will be a FREE slice of pizza and a drink (while supplies last).
Interested in volunteering to help set up, clean up, or participate during the night? The PTA would appreciate your help! Join for the PTA's monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 19th at 6:00pm to learn about how you can help with this fun event and future events at our school! If you're interested in being part of the fun but can't make the meeting, stop by the office to sign up or email mcmh.pta@gmail.com.
Student Council Starts Cougar Time Clubs!
Student Council will begin leading Cougar Time Clubs! For the last 20 minutes of the day, Student Council members will be opening Check In Clubs and Fitness Club for students.
Check In Club is when students will be able to check in with a Student Council Member to do a game or activity and check in about their day and can get support with challenges they may be experiencing. At Fitness Club, students will get to do an active activity with Student Council members and with their PE Teachers, Mr. Jungblom and Ms. Wilson.
Announcement from the Eco Kids!
Eco Kids wants to remind students and our community members to take a pledge to care for our planet. Earth Day is nationally recognized April 22, but should be every day.
Join us for APTT!
Join us for our last APTT (Academic Parent Teacher Team) of the school year! At this meeting, you'll have time to meet with your child's teacher to look at your child's growth in the foundational skill they've focused on since the beginning of the school year, and get more resources to support your child's continued growth throughout the summer. If you have alternative childcare options outside of McMicken, please keep your children at home (if possible) as limited childcare will be available.
Doors will open at 5:15.
- Thursday, May 4th from 5:30-6:45: Grades 1, 2, and 5
- Tuesday, May 9th from 5:30-6:45: Grades K, 3, and 4
We will be raffling off prizes at each APTT to those who attend! Classes with the highest attendance will also have the opportunity to win a class party.
Student Pick Up
Please try to schedule all appointments and vacations when school is not in session. It is important your student does not miss valuable learning time. If you need to take your student out of school early, please check into the office. You will need to sign your student out.
Students will not be released the last 15 minutes of the school day. It is disruptive to classrooms, which are transitioning to dismissal procedures. Also, please plan ahead as last-minute changes to dismissal plans are not guaranteed. If there are any changes to your daily dismissal routine, please call the front office no later than 2:00pm.
School Hours
Doors open at 8:20 A.M.
Doors close at 4:00 P.M.
Please make sure your student arrives on time. All students are in their classrooms at 8:45am, ready to learn. For student safety, please make sure you pick up your student promptly after school. We have limited staff to supervise children not picked up on time. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
Join Us for Monthly Tea Times!
Save the dates! Hosted by African Community Housing & Development, join us at McMicken Heights for our monthly tea times during the rest of the year. Learn about our goals for our students, staff, and community through our school plans. Share your ideas and hopes for our community and help grow our partnership! Refreshments will be shared.
- *CANCELLED* Tuesday, April 18: 3:30-4:30pm
- Date will be rescheduled at a later time.
- Tuesday, May 16: 3:30-4:30pm
Staff Spotlight: Share Your Compliments!
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.
Volunteer at McMicken!
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!
Our Weekly Habit
April 17-21:
Use tools and strategies to recover after an academic or emotional challenge.
April's Monthly Focus: We are RESILIENT.
Weekly Focus (April 17-21): Use tools and strategies to recover after an academic or emotional challenge.
A quote to think about: "In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." -Albert Einstein
When we use tools and strategies to recover after an academic or emotional challenge, it looks like:
Using the PAWs center resources,
Referring to the learning pit, and
Using all the tools you know to help.
When we use tools and strategies to recover after an academic or emotional challenge, it sounds like:
- Asking for help from a friend or teacher,
- Asking yourself, "How can I grow from this challenge?", and
- Reminding yourself of your strategies.
When we use tools and strategies to recover after an academic or emotional challenge, it feels like:
- Can feel exhausting or challenging,
- Can feel rewarding, and
- Can feel refreshing or a sense of relief.
Our Weekly Habit
April 24-28: Encourage others.
April's Monthly Focus: We are RESILIENT.
Weekly Focus (April 24-28): Encourage others.
A quote to think about: “Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." -Mattie Stepanek
When we encourage others, it looks like:
Sharing materials,
Writing a positive notes,
Giving high-fives, thumbs up, etc.,
Helping others be on task, and
Showing an example or strategy to others.
When we encourage others, it sounds like:
Using positive statements like "You've got this!"
When we encourage others, it feels like:
Being helpful, and
Motivating others.
*CANCELLED* Tuesday, April 18: McMicken Tea Time, 3:30-4:30pm
Thursday, April 20: 2023-2024 Kindergarten Enrollment Help, 5:00-6:30pm
Friday, April 29: PTA Presents Family Movie Night, starts at 5:45pm
Thursday, May 4: APTT #3 for Grades 1, 2, and 5: 5:15-6:45pm
Tuesday, May 9: APTT #3 for Grades K, 3, and 4: 5:15-6:45pm
Tuesday, May 16: McMicken Tea Time, 3:30-4:30pm
Engageable Designs, Saturdays on Zoom
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
Learn American Sign Language for Free!
From March 13-April 15, we are celebrating and recognizing National Deaf History Month. 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.
The Oklahoma School for the Deaf has FREE ASL courses available on their website. You can access ASL I and ASL II (and sign up) here.
5 Fun Ways to Instill a Love of History in Kids
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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
Kindergarten Enrollment Open for 23-24!
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 April's Heritage Months in English or Spanish.
Arab American Heritage Month
National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) is a time for celebrating the history, contributions, and culture of the diverse population of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage.
The world’s 22 Arab nations are Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Yemen.
Autism Acceptance Month
Previously known as Autism Awareness Month, Autism Acceptance Month focuses on being inclusive of the community it seeks to celebrate. It promotes not just education about the differences of people with autism, but understanding and respecting those differences. It calls for more tangible progress toward equal rights and resources.
National Deaf History Month (March 13-April 13)
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.
National Day of Silence (April 14)
The GLSEN Day of Silence is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ students and allies all around the country—and the world—take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools.
Started in the mid 90’s by two college students, the Day of Silence has expanded to reach hundreds of thousands of students each year. Every April, students go through the school day without speaking, ending the day with Breaking the Silence rallies and events to share their experiences during the protest and bring attention to ways their schools and communities can become more inclusive.
Contact us for support or with questions.
McMicken Heights Elementary School
https://mcmicken.highlineschools.org
Phone: (206) 631-4300
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Highline School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular activities. Highline Public Schools also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
You can report the discrimination to any school staff member or the district's Civil Rights Coordinator, Isuzu Niizuma Arambula, at 206-631-3104, civilrightscoordinator@highlineschools.org, or mail your complaint to Highline Public Schools - 15675 Ambaum Boulevard SW. Burien, WA 98166.