McKinley Dragon Tales

Hello McKinley Community!

It has been wonderful to see our McKinley dragons back in the building, and it has been a pleasure to watch the school become so highly energized with joy and learning!

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us at our Open House. We welcomed the opportunity to meet you and to share with you the exciting things your children will be doing this year. Throughout the year, please remember to contact us at any time with questions or concerns as you are our partners in your children’s education, and we know we are BETTER TOGETHER.

Among the other important information in this newsletter, you will find details about our Halloween parade. Please take the time to review the procedures to ensure that we maintain a joyful and safe day.

Take care,

Mr. Daniel Oldham, Principal

• Oct. 5: PTO: Meeting 7pm
• Oct. 17,18: Individual Picture Days
• Oct. 20: PTO Scarecrow Night 5:30pm-7:00pm
• Oct. 31: Halloween Parade 9:30 am

• Nov. 7: NO SCHOOL
• Nov. 9: PTO Meeting 7pm
• Nov. 10: McKingo Night
• Nov. 13-14: American Ed. Week Visits to Classrooms
• Nov. 22: PTO Skating Party
• Nov. 20,21: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Nov. 20-22: 12:20pm dismissal
• Nov. 23, 24: NO SCHOOL

• Dec. 4: Author Visit
• Dec. 4-6: PTO Holiday Shop
• Dec. 20: Winter Concert 9:45am
• Dec. 22: 12:20pm dismissal
• Dec. 25-29: NO SCHOOL

**All events are subject to change. Additional events may be added

to the calendar, as safety regulations permit.

We are looking forward to our Halloween parade on Tuesday, October 31st at 9:30 AM. If weather permits, students will parade outside the building and all families are invited to watch the parade! Spectators may view the parade by standing in the bus lane or the playgrounds around the school. We ask that spectators stay clear of the path that the parading students will take around the school and a map of the parade route will be emailed to all families.

Please note: If it is raining, the parade will be held indoors. To maintain building security, no visitors will be allowed indoors to view the parade. If rain is expected, the decision to hold the parade indoors or delay (up to 45 minutes) will be made and communicated via Skyward email message at 8:00 AM on Halloween morning. If the parade is held indoors, it will be captured on video and a link to view the video will be shared later in the day.

Please remember that students should wear their costumes to school with a change of clothes underneath. They will be given time to change out of their costumes after the parade. We also request that costumes are suitable for elementary level children. Inappropriate costumes or accessories, such as fake weapons and blood, are not allowed. Children may wear masks as long as they can see well, and they are not very scary.

Please contact your child’s teacher if your child will not participate in the parade or classroom celebration and an alternate activity will be provided.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in making this an exciting and safe day for the students.

Picture Days will be held on October 17th and October 18th. Teachers will communicate to parents/guardians the date of their child's assigned picture day. The Joseph Gurcsik Studios (311 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge) will be offering online ordering for school photos this year. You will be able to see and purchase your package along with background choices and add on bonuses. Envelopes for cash and checks will not be sent home this year. Parents/guardians will be notified when photos are available to view and purchase, as well as the deadline date. You will be given ordering instructions once your school photos are available. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Gurcsik Studios directly at 215-663-0900.

The following McKinley students and McKinley alumni will have artwork on display in the children's department at the Abington Free Library during the month of October. Head on over to the library and check it out!

Haley Harman, Ruby Floyd, Declan Rogan, Declan Switek, Malia Jones, Claire Baier, Zara Philip, Fionn Hinchey, Harper Lamb, Ethan Cotter, Evangeline Venango, Melanie Glazik, Owen McGill, Andrew Gray, Ethan Schilawski, Kristina Tovkatska, Stefan Knezevic, Danah Kim, Timofey Klyuchenko, Leonora Rideau, Jenin Hasan, Grace Keenan, Tess Cooney, Autumn Kim, Maddie Carr, Harrison Ahrens, Niccolo Scarboro, Audry Kwon, Wallace Wilkowski, Elizabeth Carroll, Natalie Snyder, Lucy Snyder, Tessa Dunbar, Grayson Dunbar, Tess Downs, Sophia Gordiyenko, Cathan Lim, Bailey Hill, Eden Knappick, Nefeli Bezanis, Emma Walker, Maeve Cooney, Jialin Gao, Cassidy Werynski, Alex Rackow, Keller Moore, Amelia Rudnytsky, Reagan Yeck, Calleb Katuran, Keven Dann, Stella Morris, Matthew Hentz, Gabriella Cusak, and Bridget Boyle

Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (SPWBIS) / HEART at McKinley is a program to promote and maximize academic achievement and behavioral competence. As part of the SWPBIS program, we have several clear rules for the behavior we expect in all areas of our school (e.g. classroom, hallways, playground, cafeteria, gymnasium, etc.). We explicitly teach our students our expectations of Honesty, Excellence, Awareness, Respect, and Tolerance. We will also reward them frequently with positive notes and prizes for their great behavior. You will be able to ask your child, What are the rules in your school? How do you follow those rules? What happens when a teacher sees you following the rules?

SCHOOL HOURS

Arrival 8:30-8:50 AM

Dismissal 3:20 PM

The school campus (including fields and playgrounds) is closed to the general public during school hours.

ABSENCES

If a child is absent, parents must report it. An absence can be submitted on Skyward (see directions linked at the bottom of this newsletter) in advance of the date for appointments, or can be submitted on the day of the absence. Submitting an absence on Skyward is the recommended way of alerting the school of your child’s absence and removes the need for you to call the Child Check line.

If you do not report your child’s absence on Skyward, you must contact the Child Check phone or email line prior to 8:30 AM on the day of the absence: 215-663-0430 option#2. Please provide the following information: Child’s name, your name, teacher’s name, date(s) of absence, and the reason for the absence. Note: “Vacation” is not considered an excused absence in Abington School District, as per the district’s attendance policy.

BUS AND TRANSPORTATION

Families can retrieve transportation information via Skyward.

1. Log into the Skyward information system using your assigned login name and password. You may need to click “Open Family Access” after logging in.

2. Select the “Busing” tab on the left-hand side as shown below. Your student’s busing information will be shown on the right-hand side.

During the first few weeks, expect bus schedules to fluctuate as everyone adjusts to the new bus routes. If your concern is about the location of a bus stop or driver, you will need to contact the Abington Transportation Department at 215-884-0421. If your child is experiencing a problem with other students, please contact our Asst. Principal, Ms. Corbett.

SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS

Suggested supply lists are posted on ASD’s Family Resources page. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle, and we have water refilling stations in the building. Cell phones are not necessary, but students who bring cell phones to school must keep the phones off and in their backpack throughout the school day.

K-2 Students Only: Please consider (optional) sending in a labeled bag with a spare set of clothing including a shirt, underwear, pants, and socks in the event of an emergency.

MEDICINE

The administration of medicine to students by the nurse may be authorized only in emergency cases and only upon the completion and submission of the Medication Form as well as documentation from the doctor. All medicines must come to school in the original container and be kept in the nurse’s office. It is the parents’ responsibility to bring medication to school. No medication should be sent into school with a student.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

Parents and guardians have the option to purchase private student accident medical insurance. Please inquire with the Business Office at 215-881-2541 to obtain a brochure regarding the available coverage and enrollment/purchase information.

VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS

During the day, all exterior doors are locked, and everyone enters via the main entrance. To maintain building safety, a limited number of essential visitors will be allowed. Visitors must present a photo ID or wear an ASD-issued volunteer badge. Parents and guardians interested in volunteering at the school will need to obtain volunteer certifications in order to be approved to volunteer.