
McKinley Dragon Tales
March/April 2024
Principal's Corner
As we welcome spring, I extend my warmest greetings to each of you. It's a season filled with renewal, growth, and vibrant energy. The same enthusiasm and dedication our students bring to their learning journey. This spring, anticipate lots of fun outdoor events that will enrich our school community and create lasting memories for our students. Together, let's embrace the opportunities this season offers and continue nurturing a thriving educational community. Wishing you all a season filled with joy, prosperity, and endless possibilities.
Mr. Daniel Oldham, Principal
Important Dates
- March 25-27 - Report Card Conferences
- March 28- April 1: NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
- April 4: PTO Meeting
- April 10: NO SCHOOL - Eid al-Fitr
- April 17: Kindergarten Orientation
- April 23: NO SCHOOL - Election Day
- Week of April 22 - ELA PSSA Grade 3-5
- Week of April 29 - Math PSSA Grade 3-5 & Science PSSA Grade 4
**All events are subject to change. Additional events may be added
to the calendar, as safety regulations permit.
Book Swap
McKinley Book Swap! McKinley is seeking new or gently used books in good condition for our first book swap! Donate picture books, novels, and nonfiction for ages 5-12. Drop off your donations at the main entrance during teacher conferences, from March 25-27th. Thanks in advance for your support!
Pennsylvania Statistics Poster Competition
Congratulations to the talented young minds of McKinley! 🎉 We're thrilled to showcase the creativity and scientific minds of our Pennsylvania Statistics Poster competition participants. A huge round of applause to Rhubab Lashari from Ms. Choi's 1st-grade class for her creative poster, 'Trick or Treat,' and to Lucy Snyder from Ms. Guglielmelli's 3rd-grade class for her thoughtful piece, 'Earth, Dinosaurs, and Humans.' Your posters shine bright, and we're so proud of your achievements!
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patrick's Day, McKinley! Our kindergarten students had a blast chasing the elusive 'leprechaun' today, all thanks to the mischievous help of a 5th grade volunteer. With golden coins sprinkled around and a little mischief in the classroom, the students were caught creating memories that will surely last a lifetime!
Harlem Wizards
The Harlem Wizard, Dragon (ironic, huh?), brought his mesmerizing basketball talents to McKinley to build excitement for the Wizard event at the Sr. High school. Dragon got the students ready for their highly anticipated display of skill, teamwork, and entertainment. I hope you were able to see this unforgettable event and if not, make sure to check them out next year!
Target Day in 5th Grade
5th graders became Target employees as part of their unit on decimals. They solved word problems based on the weekly flyer and made up their own based on sale items around the room. They even created a store for their kindergarten buddies to come visit and shop.
McKinley Raffle
Congratulations to the McKinley raffle winners! Your luck has shined brightly, and we hope you enjoy your well-deserved prizes. Keep up the fantastic work earning Dragon tickets and showcasing your McKinley HEART spirit. Every effort counts towards not only winning exciting rewards but also contributing to our vibrant school community. Keep shining bright, McKinley Dragons!
Pledge of Character
In the spirit of fostering positive character traits, our Pledge of Character words of the month were Helpfulness, Kindness, and Encouragement. Let's rally together to uplift and support one another in all our endeavors. A special shoutout to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students for their invaluable assistance in helping Ms. Corbett with announcements. Your dedication to our school community is truly appreciated!
Spelling Bee
Congratulations to the 4th and 5th grade Spelling Bee participants. A special congrats to Toby Huang from Mr. Schaffer's 4th grade class for clinching the title of our Spelling Bee champion! Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off. Our second place winner was Venera Muja from Ms. Tefft's 5th grade class and the 3rd place winner was Cain Toner from Ms. Moffett's 4th grade class. A heartfelt thank you to all the participants for your enthusiasm and commitment. Your efforts made this event a memorable success. Keep spelling and shining bright, McKinley!
McKinley VIP Dance
What a night to remember! Our VIP Dance brought all McKinley students together for a spectacular evening filled with glitz, glamour, and endless fun. Students dazzled in their finest attire, dancing the night away and creating magical memories that will last a lifetime. A huge thank you to our VIP members for their unwavering support, as well as our incredible PTO members and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event unforgettable. And let's not forget to give a shoutout to our amazing DJ for keeping the beats rocking all night long. Here's to more magical moments ahead at McKinley!
Mix-It-Up Day
McKinley students had a blast at our Mix It Up Day event, hosted by the Equity and Diversity Committee! For an afternoon filled with excitement and camaraderie, students had the opportunity to visit other classrooms and participate in special activities. It was a fantastic way to celebrate our diverse community and foster meaningful connections among peers. Huge thanks to the Equity and Diversity Committee for organizing this wonderful event!
Laser Light Show Assembly
McKinley students were treated to an unforgettable experience during our Laser Light Show Assembly focused on promoting anti-bullying behavior. The mesmerizing display captivated everyone, spreading an important message of kindness and respect. It was heartwarming to see our students fully engaged and enthusiastic about spreading positivity. Let's continue to shine brightly, McKinley, as we stand together against bullying!
McKinley Hockey Club
Our Hockey Club is heating up the (gym) ice as playoffs are underway. Our dedicated 4th and 5th grade students are putting in their best efforts, showcasing their skills, and working hard to bring home victories. Let's rally behind our team, show our support, and cheer them on as they compete in the playoffs. Go, team, go!
McKinley HEART
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?
Basic Information
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.
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.
Families can retrieve transportation information via Skyward.
Log into the Skyward information system using your assigned login name and password. You may need to click “Open Family Access” after logging in.
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.
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.