February 27 Update

Happy Friday!  Can you believe next week is March? 

Toot Your Horn Thursday:

This week, we have 3 recepients!

Hunter Evenson was nominated by 3rd Grade for Hunter asked to teach music in 3rd grade this week because his room was being used for testing. It was so fun to hear him teach - he played a Jeopardy Game. The kids were engaged, learning and very resepctful as he reminded them that teachers were working during this time! Being a traveling teacher can be challenging - now he's traveling from room to room! Thanks for all of your effort Hunter!!

Sylvia Zavala and Nura Elmi were nominated by our EL Team for Sylvia and Nura have gone above and beyond this year in supporting our students, families and staff. Their work is absolutely critical for our day to day opperations. Their work doesn't stop at school and extends into the community all day long. They are heros for our students and families.

Congrats to these three amazing educators!

Impact:

Every year, I get to mid-February and think "I can't do this."  It's like clockwork.  I'm not sure if it's the "long haul" of the year, the cold weather, limited sunlight, etc.  Bottom line - February is hard.

As we move into March, I want to remind you of your impact.  And, in education, impact isn't always observable right away.  We may not see the true impact we have until years later - or we may never really see the impact.  And, just because we don't see the immediate results, the impact is there. 

In thinking about impact, take a minute to think about the best teacher you've had.  Now, think about the worst.  Even though your experience was different, they both made impact.  

You WILL make an impact every day.  You don't get a choice in that.  You DO get to choose what kind of impact you will have.  

Keep this in mind as we enter March - you ARE making a difference.  You are appreciated.  And, you ARE making impact.  

Checks for Understanding:

First, it's been so great to see high quality learning experiences happening throughout the building.  Kudos to each of you! 

There's good teaching and then there's good learning.  Both are very different.  We can teach a great lesson - if kids are not learning it, there's an issue.  Linked are 28 ways to check for understanding.  I share this because these are easy, no prep ways to check the "pulse" on learning.  

Subscriptions: 

As part of the budget reduction process, we walked through online subscriptions in the district and identified resources that won't be renewed. These are applications that may have universal use across the district that will no longer be renewed for next year:

ESGI (Elementary only)

Screencastify

GradeCam (OHS only)

PebbbleGo

WeVideo

As a reminder, any purchase of an online subscription needs to run through you as the building administrator. If you approve, it needs to go to Mike Halverson. We want to ensure anything that comes to Mike has been approved by the building administration first. 

Happy Social Workers' Week!

Next week is School Social Workers' Week - a week to honor Mrs. Warner! We are lucky to have such a wealth of knowledge in Annette.  This is a week to honor and celebrate all the gifts she brings to McKinley.  Please take some time to acknowledge her for her work.

Building Weekly Newsletter:

Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

Have a great weekend!

-Justin

Happy Friday!

Another great week of learning and relationships!  

1:1 Staff Interviews:

I sent a link with appointments for staff interviews.  Please make sure every staff (who is in the building over 50% of their day) is signing up for a time.  It's a great opportunity for us to connect - checking in on you and how I can continue to support you as we finish up the year.  Please sign up today:)

1:1 Student Interviews:

A focus area for our building this year is around belonging and student voice.   Earlier this year, we had a team complete 1:1 interviews with students to hear their voice and gather information on the student experience.  We are at our second round of interviews - schedule is below:

Today (Feb 20) - Kindergarten & 2nd Grade (12:30-1:45)

February 23 - 5th Grade (1:15-2:00)

February 24 - 4th Grade (9-10am)

February 26 - 1st & 3rd Grade (9-10:30)

When our team comes around, we will interview students one on one.  When we finish, we will send a student back and ask them to send out another student.  Any help with that is greatly appreciated :)

When we finish, we will share the data and themes that emerge. 

Pout, Pout Fish:

Next week, an RSVP will go out for a "Pout, Pout Fish Family Night" in March.  This is a shared family night for McKinley, Washington, and Wilson (Title dollars).  Families can RSVP to receive the book and a kit to do at home.  Then, if they complete it, they get a ticket to the movie on March 25 at our Owatonna theater.  The RSVP will be open next week only (due Friday).  

Student Wait Time:

Time is precious - right?  And, when you follow a pacing guide, it becomes even more precious.  But, what's your most effective return on time - is it worth it to take that extra minute to provide think time?  

In saying that, don't forget about the power of "wait time" during a lesson.  We often get moving and do most of the talking - with little time for students to process, digest, and think throughout the learning.  Think of wait time as eating a meal... if you eat your food too quickly, you will have a stomachache.  As you eat, you take a few bites and let your food digest before moving on.  Don't forget about this as we are teaching - students need those moments of think to truly learn.

Over the next few weeks, I challenge you - no matter what you teach - to build this wait time into your lessons.  It may be awkward at first, but the long-term benefits will outweigh the awkwardness.  Design your lessons to have these natural wait times built in ... give students, particularly those who have developed a "learned helplessness", time to think (and possibly have productive struggle!).

March 9 Staff Power Hour:

Our March 9 Staff Power Hour will be time for your committees to meet.  I will be sharing your agendas in the next week or so.  This was rescheduled as I cancelled our Feb 2 meeting.  

Building Weekly Newsletter:

Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

Have a great weekend!
-Justin

February 13 Update

Happy Friday!

Another great week at McKinley!  I know this week had long nights - plus Valentine's Day!  Thank you for all the time, energy, and love you gave to our kids this week.  

Ramadan:

Next Tuesday evening, many of our McKinley members will start to celebrate Ramadan.  Ramadan begins the evening of Tuesday, February 17 and goes  through Thursday, March 19.   It's critical that we, as educators, know more about this holiday to support our students.  Please watch the video below.   

Additionally, Nura is working with our 4th and 5th grade teachers to see which students are fasting.  We will providing them a space outside the lunchroom for this - more to come!  

ACCESS Testing:

Just a reminder - ACCESS testing starts on Tuesday.  Please be aware (and remind your classes) to stay quiet in the areas around the Learning Studio South.  

All in the Hall:

A long standing tradition we have in this building is "all in the hall" during the bell time.  This last month, I'm seeing less and less of this.  Please remember to be outside, greeting students, from 7:56-8:05.  I understand mornings can be busy; however, this is a critical time to set the tone and positivity for the day.    

Believe in Them - NO Excuses:

They are not SPED kids.

They are not EL kids.

They are not RTI kids.

They are not "low" kids

They are not "bad" kids. 

Kids are kids.

First, love them.

Then, learn from them.

We don't love labels.  

We love learners.  

Love, believe, and challenge EVERY kid.

Lose the label. 

No excuses.

The above was taken from Jason Kennedy on X.  Take a second to think about yourself and the porcupine you have sitting in your work space.  Where are you at with believing in our kids?  

Toot Your Horn Thursday:

We have 6 receipents this week!

Rachael Eickhoff was nominated by the 3rd grade team for Rachael is so helpful, flexible, and knowledgeable! She helps our team in literacy and math and so many things! She is constantly changing her schedule to meet students' needs first. We are so glad to have her on our team!!

Katie Demmer, Michelle Meiners, Gia Davison, Jessica Zupansic, and Rachel Peterson were nominated by the 3rd grade team for  Thank you to Katie and the intervention team for running the data meetings and helping to meet all students' needs. Thank you for getting materials to us for conferences so we can communicate to families what is happening in intervention. Thank you for your hard work and flexibility!

Don't forget - each of us has a role in creating our McKinley culture. It's important we overemphasis those positive moments- sometimes that's the one thing a person needs to remember why they are important. To nominate someone, please click here!

Building Weekly Newsletter:

Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

Have a great weekend!

-Justin

February 6 Update

Good morning, McKinley!

A really short update this week... 

Communication:

Please make sure you are reading all communication (weekly update, morning announcements, email, etc).  I know days get busy - however, we are getting more and more questions on things that were shared in the newsletter multiple times.  

What Does It Mean to Belong:

As a building, we have really challenged ourselves to think beyond diversity (who) to belonging (feeling valued).   I love seeing each of you focus on this every single day - working hard to be a warm demander and ensuring that all belong.  Thank you for your continued focus on this.  

Below is a graphic that is a great example of how we moved from diversity to belonging.  

Linked is an article - please take 3 minutes to read this.   This article helps breakdown what "indicators" are there when belonging happens - for students and staff.  Please read.  

Introduction to Education:

From Katie Coudron - I'm looking for classrooms who could use some helping hands from either 11:35-12:35 or 12:05-1:05 (roughly) on Tuesdays & Thursdays. I know this overlaps with lunch and recess times for many... so if you are in need of high school helpers during any of that time who could *also* be in a classroom part of that time, I'd love to make something work.  

Please email me (Justin) if you are interested in having someone in your classroom.  

Building Weekly Newsletter:

Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

Have a great weekend!

-Justin

January 30 Update

Happy National Day of Fun at Work 2026!

Toot Your Horn Thursday:

Yuska Ferreira Peixoto was nominated by Lynn Jensen for "I am thrilled to nominate Yuska for her exceptional contributions to the McKinley community. Yuska is an amazing staff member who consistently demonstrates reliability and a positive attitude in every interaction.

Whether she is working with students or collaborating with her colleagues, she is almost always smiling, bringing a sense of joy and warmth to our environment. Her flexibility and willingness to "jump in" and help whenever needed make her an invaluable asset to our team. Most importantly, the students truly love her, which is a testament to the genuine care and positivity she brings to her work every day. Yuska is a joy to be around, and she truly embodies the spirit of McKinley."

National School Counselor Week:

Next week is a week to honor Amanda Andrews and all she does to support our McKinley community. Amanda wears many hats that often go "unnoticed". Please take some time next week to thank her for all she does!

Building Weekly Newsletter:

Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

MESPA - 

Lastly, please note that I am out next Wednesday-Friday at the MN Elementary Principals' conference.  Amanda Andrews will be filling in and Julie Sullivan will be on call.  Please be aware of this with any requests on W-F.  I will be checking my email on those days.  

Have a great weekend!

-Justin

January 23 Update

Happy Friday!   I hope you are each staying warm!  

Steph Out Next Week

Just a reminder - Steph is out next week.  Tiffany will be filling in for Steph.  Please be aware we are down a person with any requests you are making next week.  

4 Characteristics of a Warm Demander:

Linked is an article on the characteristics of a warm demander.  In the last two years, we have spend some time and energy focused on the idea of a "warm demander" - someone who has high expectations, but also a love and care for kids.  This idea may sound simple, but it's really a complex balancing act.  Take some time to read through the article - a great reminder as we enter into the second half of the year.   Side note - the article references a great Austin (MN) Principal Jessica Cabeen!  

Para/EA Appreciation Week:

Another shout out to our amazing paraprofessionals and Educational Assistants in honor of their appreciation week!  These educators go above and beyond to ensure that our kids (and staff) are supported.  Linked is the slideshow with the video, in case you haven't seen it yet.  Please take a minute today to reach out and thank these amazing educators! 

Family-Teacher Conferences:

Just a reminder - Family Teacher Conferences are coming up on February 10, 12, and 13.   Below is a guest blog by our very own Eric Oppegard on how to hear voices and check in with families.   What a great way to involve families in our partnership!   

Every day we have the opportunity to hear from our students about how they feel school is going for them, but is that how they really feel?  What are they telling their families?  How do their families feel?  How can we make sure all voices are being heard?  

A few years ago, I started sending out a brief survey to gather information before conferences to help me prepare.  To be honest, I was hoping it would prevent being blindsided by a comment or question from a family at conferences and this gave me time to think about my response. I realize this was more self-motived to avoid something.  We also know that it is often easier to type/write something than actually say it.   As it turned out, it opened my eyes to really hearing from families.  As time passed, the survey transformed into really hearing each family's perspective and gaining insight into their student’s education.  

For the survey, I use the following questions:

1.  Names of people attending the conference.  I realize this might change, but this gives me an idea of how many people will be here.  

2. Overall, how is your student feeling about the school year so far? This is on a linear scale with a 1 representing -This year has been very tough/challenging for my student to a 5 representing-This has been the best year/my student is really enjoying school this year.

3. Please explain your rating for the previous question.

4. Overall, how are you as parents/guardians feeling about the school year so far?
   This is on a linear scale with a 1 representing-Very frustrated or displeased to a 5 representing-Very pleased and happy about the year so far

5. Please explain your rating for the previous question.

6. What do you feel are the strengths of your student? (these can be academic, social, things you are proud of, etc)  

7. What are some areas you feel your student needs to work on?  (these can be academic, social, etc.)  

8. We will be writing an academic goal for your student during conferences.  What would you like to see your student focus on and work towards?  We will try to be specific with skills.  

9. Please identify any questions or concerns you would like addressed at conferences.

I change the form in the winter to gather information since the last conference.  These are the questions I use for the winter conference:

1.  Names of people attending the conference.  I realize this might change, but this gives me an idea of how many people will be here.  

2. Overall, how is your student feeling about school since our last conference?  This is on a linear scale with a 1 representing -This year has been very tough/challenging for my student to a 5 representing-Feels good and is learning and enjoying school.

3. Please explain your rating for the previous question.

4. Overall, how are you as parents/guardians feeling about school since fall conferences?  This is on a linear scale with a 1 representing-Very frustrated or displeased to a 5 representing-Very pleased and happy 

5. Please explain your rating for the previous question.

6. Please offer any suggestions to help continue making school a great place for your student.  

7. Please identify any questions or concerns you would like addressed at conferences.

How is this helpful?  When looking through comments before conferences, I found a theme that students were not feeling good about math.  I wouldn’t have found this out just from talking with the students, but obviously, they are going home sharing frustration, questions, or how they lack confidence.  I was able to gently bring that up at conferences, and the student looked relieved that we were going to talk about it.  We cleared up some misconceptions, and we all felt very positive about the conversations.  One family even reached out after thanking me for being the one to bring it up, as the student didn’t want the family to bring it up.  I wouldn’t have even known to bring this up, had it not been on the survey.  

Another example was how one student was having problems with her two friends.  I didn’t see any issues in the classroom, but because the family put that on the survey, I was able to open a conversation about friendships.  We had a great discussion, and since I was already aware, had brainstormed some possible solutions.  We worked together with student input on what steps we could take.  Their students didn’t want them to bring it up at conferences.  Since this was shared on the survey, I was able to casually bring it up without the family having to, and the family was very thankful.  

The information that I gain through these surveys provides many talking points and helps guide my planning for the conference and insures that families and students feel their voice is heard. 

Building Weekly Newsletter:

Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

Have a great weekend!

-Justin

January 16 Update

Happy Friday!  Short blog today...

Just a reminder - Monday and Tuesday there is no school (Monday is teacher workday; Tuesday is staff development).  Please check your email for your schedule on Tuesday.  

Toot Your Horn:

Congrats to this week's receipents!

Katy Furniss was nomianted by Amanda Andrews - I am so grateful to get to partner with Katie. She is so in tune with her students and knows exactly when to reach out for support. They trust her and know that they can go to her for what they need -- even if it means that Katie gets the extra person involved. Every student in her room knows that they are cared for and safe to ask questions. You are doing such a fantastic job helping your students grow. Thank you for always being collaborative and doing what is best for your students!

Matt Williams was nominated by Eric Oppegard - It has been great having Matt as part of our team. Matt makes great connections with his students and works hard to meet their needs. His collaborative nature, positive attitude, and great laugh make McKinley a better place for all!

Para/EA Appreciation Week:

Next week is Para/EA Appreciation Week! Don't forget to show your appreciation for our amazing team of educators!

Building Weekly Newsletter:

Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

Have a great weekend!

-Justin