Summer Update- June 2016

Happy (almost) July!  I hope you have had a relaxing, restful June… you deserve it! 

Ben, Greg, and John have been busy getting the building ready for (potentially) 625 students in September!  There is a lot of movement that will happen over the next month- thank you to all of you who have been extremely flexible with these changes.   Please note: This Thursday, the main hallway (outside the office) will be refinished.  The hallway will be closed Thursday (6/30) at around 2:30 until Saturday morning.  Please avoid using this hallway. 

 

Also, just a reminder- Extended School Year (ESY) and the district Kindergarten Kamp will program out of McKinley from July 11- August 4, 2016.  They are primarily using the Kindergarten wing. 

I also wanted to update you on some summer “news”: 

 

Summer Moves

Below are the moves that will be happening in the building:

• K5 (Hasty’s Old Room) will be Paige Larson’s classroom. 
• K4 (old Learning Center) will be Nicole Joachim’s room.
• EL (old EL/Zeman’s Office) will be Laurie Wolhart’s teaching space. 
• EL (Boetel & Stitzmeyer) will program out of the library (a classroom is being created).  
• 1A (old Lang and EL room) will be Jen Schlauderaff’s classroom.
• Extra section (old Schlauderaff’s room) will be Rachel Peterson’s classroom (grade level TBD).
• Liaisons will share the Instrumental Music room with Revier and Guenther.
• Lang (SPED & PBIS) and Zeman will share across from my office (previously housed by the liaisons)
• Dulas will program out of the small Learning Center (Jayne and Tom’s old office).
• Danielle, Brianna, and Lindsey will share the new Learning Center in the old Discovery Lab. 

At this rate, I think I may give up my office and work from home all year…. J

 

Hiring

We will be welcoming some solid teachers to the McKinley family this August.  Below are those updates:

• Kim Gedde will be the shared Music Teacher (Lincoln-Washington-McKinley).  Kim comes with a solid background in music education- from K-5 to the university level.  Kim will teach some Kindergarten and 1^st grade sections at McKinley.
• Brent Yule will be taking Peggy’s spot as our Physical Education Teacher.   Brent has spent the last three years teaching elementary PE in Medford.  He comes with an extensive background integrating reading, math, and physical education. 
• Lindsey Schultz will be joining our team as a Special Education Teacher.   Lindsey has spent the last few years in Faribault as a SPED teacher at Lincoln Elementary.  Lindsey has a passion for learning and working with students! 

STEM Days – Classroom Teachers Only:

Please remember- your team gets 2 STEM planning days for July-August.  When you know of your dates, times, and location, please email Justin, Tom Meagher, and Heidi Gryniewski.

 

STEM New Teacher Training:

We will be hosting an official training for new McKinley staff on August 1-2^nd.    This training will ground staff in our professional development over the last four years. 

PBIS Team
The PBIS team meets tomorrow to start planning for the 16-17 school year.  If you have feedback on anything related to this (referrals, matrix, etc.), please let one of us know. 

 

We have another Summer Learning this Wednesday- come join us! 

 

Take some time to enjoy yourself and your loved ones - see you soon! 

-Justin

Principal's Last Update for 15-16!

Happy Last Two Days of School!   This is my final blog update for the school year.

Staff Checkout
ALL STAFF- don't forget to turn your checkout list into the office before you leave for the summer! 

Staff Parking Lot
The staff parking lot closes this Monday, June 13th.  The lot will be torn up and replaced over the month of June.  If you come in (which you shouldn't!), park in the road.

Communication Over the Summer
Don't forget to check your school email (once in a while) over the summer.  I will be sending out updates over the summer - you will want to stay on top of this.

Classroom Teachers- Hours for Summer
Classroom Teachers- you have 3 hours of reading and math curriculum updates and 3 hours of data analysis in August.  I will send an email out when this gets closer- please let Libby and I know the dates you are planning to meet. 

Summer Learning Incentive
A link was sent this morning to volunteer at the Summer Learning on Wednesdays.  Please consider signing up (with a friend or two) to help students check out books and have a story read to them.

5th Grade Graduation Pictures
Below are some pictures from our first annual 5th Grade Graduation.  It was a great time to honor our new graduates! 

Enjoy your last day tomorrow- and have a great summer! 
-Justin

Principal's Update- Friday, June 3, 2016

Happy Last Friday of the 2016 school year!  Only 3 days left....

5th Grade Graduation- Today
Today (1:45-2:15) is our 5th Grade Graduation.  It's going to be a special ceremony with diplomas, commencement speakers, and a slideshow.  Our goal is to "stream" the video for grades K-3 to watch in the classroom.  This will be our first attempt at something like this - I hope it works.  A huge thank you to Clayton and Mark for making this happen.  Watch for a link later today to access the ceremony. 

Last Day of School Activities
Please sign up to lead an activity on the last day.  Also, if you need materials, please let Lorri or I know.  Below is our schedule for the day:
               8:15-9:15 Assembly in Big Gym
               9:00-11:00 Morning Activities (sign up for this!)
               11:00-1:00 Picnic lunches (same lunch schedule)
               1:00-2:10 Bongerball
               2:10-2:30 Wrap up in classrooms/5th grade says goodbye to McKinley
               2:30 Meet at 14th & St Paul Road to wave goodbye

Update on EL Programming for 16-17
Next year, we will be looking at students of EL status and grouping them based on their language proficiency level.  We took other things into consideration- behavior, effort, etc.  The model of “all students getting the same” isn't the most effective– we need to try something different.    

 Also, due to having 3.0 FTE in EL, each teacher will have two grade levels to serve. This should hopefully provide the appropriate time for service in each grade level.   EL will no longer be in included in the Power ½ Hour.

 I want to clarify the structure we will be using:  co-teaching and pull-out.  Rather than giving every student the same, we will be using their ACCESS score and student need(s) to determine individual EL programming needs.  Students who are on their way to being language-proficient need more time in a classroom with support on grade level vocabulary/comprehension (push-in), where a student who is just learning English needs intense support in a smaller setting (pull out).  With having more EL support, it is our hope we will have a mixture of language support available during the day- students will not just do pull-out or push-in.    This is supported in research and not “new” to schools. 

 As you know, our EL staff may need to change their schedules from September-November due to our students of Migrant status.

 There will be more discussion about this as the school year begins.  I just wanted to clarify our goal(s) with EL programming next year. 

Master Schedule
With the help of Amy LaDue, I have created the tentative master schedule for next year. This is very tentative.  I will be sending this out in the next couple of days - it's more of an FYI at this point. With the addition of another section at McKinley and the limited space we have, it made the master schedule tricky. 

Checkout for Last Day
Don't forget to complete your "checkout" before you leave next week.  Lorri outlined all the tasks that need to be completed before you are free for the summer! 

Summer Learning Calendars
Summer Learning Calendars go out on Monday, June 6th (along with the other things that Lorri emailed you about).  Don't forget to "sell this" to your students - we want them all to participate.  Remember, this is for any learning experience  (reading a recipe, helping create a grocery list, reading an instruction manual, etc.).  When summer ends, students will turn their calendar in and participate in a PTO breakfast.  We have some great prizes, also!

The library/garden will be open on Wednesdays (highlighted on the student calendar) for student checkout.  Students can bring their calendars to school on Wednesdays for additional prizes. 

Building Weekly Newsletter
Click here to access the building weekly newsletter.


Have a great weekend, everyone! 

Principal's Update- Friday, May 27, 2016

Happy Friday, everyone!  And, happy Memorial Day weekend!

Our EL Family Potluck was a huge success!  We had over 100 people join us for this event.  A  HUGE thank you to Laurie, Sylvia, Caryn, Nura, & Nicole for their hard work planning this.  It's a great night filled with friends and good food (from around the world!). 

 

1st Grade took their learning to Dartt's Park today to do 5 stations, all focused on soil and rocks.  The kids had a great day of learning in the real world!

Popcorn with the Principal Winners for 5/26/16

 

Laptops in Classrooms
Please turn your classroom laptops into Clayton by June 8, 2016.  Clayton WILL NOT be coming to your room to find the computers- they need to be in his office.  Also, please mark them as your room number.

7 Days of Summer Eve
We are gearing up with 7 days left until summer break.  Click here to access each of our theme days - join in with us and have some fun! 

End of Year Video
As I sent out, Amanda is making a fun end of year video to show students what we really do when school is out.  Please connect with your "team" and determine what you will do for your video segment.  Then, connect with Amanda and set up a time to video this before June 1st!

Update on Office Construction
Just an update - there will be no office construction this summer.  Due to bidding, the office project will hold off until next summer when we add a gym, art, and music room onto the building.  So, one more year of a tight office!  :) 

End of Year Checkout
An email will be coming next week regarding an end of the year checkout.  Please make sure you complete this and prepare your room/space to be cleaned this summer.

A Letter From a Parent
Below is a link to a parent letter to her child's teacher.  This letter is something online; however, it could be addressed to each and every one of you.  You all play a critical role in our students' lives - each and every one of you.  Take some time to enjoy this:   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elizabeth-laing-thompson/a-letter-to-my-childrens-teachers-from-a-grateful-parent_b_7495972.html

Building Weekly Newsletter
Click here to access the weekly newsletter

Have a great, long weekend!
-Justin

Principal's Update- Friday, May 20, 2016

Happy Friday!
I am out tomorrow all day (Friday, 5/20) - Justin Lang is available for anything you need. 

Can you believe we are nearing the end of the 15-16 school year?  Only a few more weeks and summer vacation starts.  Let's finish strong!

McKinley 60th/STEM Gallery/Ice Cream Social Night
We had a great night celebrating 60 years of McKinley.  A huge thank you to all who helped make this night a success - a lot of work went into this!  It was an awesome night of celebrating McKinley! 

Scheduling Changes/Field Trips
Teachers, if you have a scheduling change, special event, or field  trip, please update the shared document I sent out.  This is a requirement.   

DIBELS Spring Benchmarking
A huge thank you to the EA's for their flexibility and hard work in completing the DIBELS spring assessments.  This data has been put into your mailbox; there has been great growth in this area since winter!  Please remember to update the spreadsheet in 365 by Wednesday, May 25th.  Your math facts, DAZE and Words their Way assessment data also needs to be entered into the spreadsheets in the CBM folder under assessments.  First grade, please remember also to complete and record your nonsense word fluency.  See Libby with questions. 

Discovery Lab
Discovery Lab closes next Friday, May 27th (other than for MacLeod's music classes).  As you know, the Discovery Lab will be transitioning to a different instructional space for the 16-17 year.  If you have personal materials in this space, please remove them before May 27.  I will spend some time boxing the science/building resources and supplies to store for next year. 

Class Placements- Tuesday
Classroom teachers will meet on Tuesday, May 24th to create class lists for next year.  Teachers, please have your cards completed by this time.  Staff, if you know of students who should not be placed together, please let the child's classroom teacher know prior to this day.

5th Grade Graduation
The 5th Grade Graduation is Friday, June 3rd from 1:45-2:15pm.  Due to limited seating, we are doing some work now to see if it can be streamed into classrooms.  More information will come on this!

Stages- Goals
I am doing a mini-session for support staff on Tuesday, May 24th from 7:30-7:45am.  This will include entering goals only.  If you want to attend, this is open to any staff who work on goals.   As we get closer to the end of the year, I will individually email you with items that need to be addressed in Stages. 

Building Weekly Newsletter
Click here to access the weekly building newsletter

Valet Parking for the Week
The Valet Parking for the Week goes to Literacy Coach Libby Zeman.   Libby has been a great addition to the instructional support in this building (and Wilson).  Libby has an extensive background in reading and knows how to support/coach people.   The thing that impresses me the most about Libby is her desire to continually grow- individually, but also as a McKinley team.  I am so grateful for Libby and all the work she does to support reading in our building.  Thank you, Libby!

It's going to be a nice weekend- get outside and enjoy it!
-Justin

Principal's Update- Friday, May 13, 2016

Happy Friday the 13th! 

Discipline/Behavior Follow-Up
As I discussed with teaching staff, please watch the reasons you are referring students to the office for discipline.  I am, in no way, saying that students should not come down here.  What I'm asking is to ask yourself, "Would I have sent this same behavior down in October?"  We are going to do some work with PBIS and behaviors for our August Workshop.

Also, please complete the referral completely.  I'm seeing referrals with missing pieces- this is defeating the purpose of data tracking and PBIS.

Field Trips & Special Events
If your class/grade level is doing something "out of the ordinary", please put this into the shared document that I sent out.  This includes on and off site events.  This document helps for a few reasons - master scheduling, if we need you or a student, and if we need to change programming for the day.  Please enter your events into this.

Last Day of EL & Intervention
Last day is Friday, June 3.  Please continue to do your Power 1/2 Hour until then, also. 

Ice Cream Social ~ STEM Art Gallery ~ 60th Anniversary
Next Wednesday, May 18th is our Ice Cream Social/STEM Art Gallery/60th Anniversary.  If you are around, you should attend.  A lot of work has gone into this special event. 

Summer Learning Calendars
The Summer Learning Calendars will be coming out soon - keep an eye out for this.  Please take some time to discuss this with your students.  Each of our students has shown so much growth this year, we want to continue that learning into the summer.  Students who complete their calendar and return it will be invited to a PTO Breakfast with some great prizes!

School Building Plans
I believe Superintendent Grant has shared this, but I wanted to include it in the blog also.  The proposed building plans are online and available for you to see - http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/page/2858    The plans are for both the new Willow Creek Elementary and the new Owatonna Middle School.

Building Weekly Newsletter
Life has been crazy in the office - we will send the weekly building newsletter out later today! 

Valet Parking for the Week
The Valet Parking for the week goes to Nura Elmi.  Nura is a wonderful member of our McKinley team!  Nura does an amazing job working with students, families, and our staff.  Nura has a positive attitude that can be seen in everything she does.  Thank you for all you do, Nura!


Have a great weekend, everyone!
-Justin

Principal's Update- Friday, May 6, 2016

What a beautiful day we have in store for us!  According to Ch 4 News, it's a "top 10 weather day!".  We have a second group of Rochester teachers in the building today visiting STEM.  Thank you for your willingness to let them into your classrooms yesterday.  During the first group's visit yesterday, they had nothing but positive things to say about your teaching and our building. 

Thank YOU!
This week is Teacher Appreciation & Food/Nutrition Services Week.  A HUGE THANK YOU to our kitchen staff.  I served lunch (for some of the lunches) yesterday.  I am not sure how Lori, Stacy, or Laurel do it.  Not only is it physically exhausting, but the kids move through so quickly.  I'm not sure how they do it- thank you for all you do!

Teachers - I can truly say we have the best teaching staff in this building.  I have never met a group of teachers who are so dedicated, focused, and compassionate about students and learning.  I love your willingness to do anything to help make students successful and safe.  Thank you for that!

All Staff - Even though it's "Teacher Appreciation Week", you are all educators.  Your focus on what is right, your humility, and the level of relationships you build helps make this the best place to be! 

DIBELS Benchmarking is Upon Us!
Some of our EA's will be completing the DIBELS benchmark assessments, May 11-20th.  Please keep in mind when your grade is scheduled, so that they are aware of why they are being pulled out and remind them about being efficient with their transitions.  During other gaps or time or make-ups, EAs will come and pull students that they did not get to during their initially scheduled times.  We appreciate your flexibility with this. 

Also, our hallways need to be as quiet as possible so that EAs can hear what the students are reading (and so students are not distracted by a passing class or group of students). 

Thank you for your help in providing the best environment that we can for gathering this benchmark data!  Data will be copied for you as grade levels are completed.  Please see Libby with questions or concerns.  Click here to access the benchmarking schedule

Track Meet- Tuesday
Our McKinley Track Meet is Tuesday, May 10th.  A huge thank you to Tom, Peggy, and Kyle for their hard work in preparing this - it's a great day for our students.  If you haven't already, please sign up for a work station in the lounge. 

Please be flexible with this day - everyone's schedule is changed.   Also, please discuss behavior with students.  Even though we are at OHS and they are not directly with an adult, we follow the same expectations.  Please be clear with students- any discipline will be handled by me and will more than likely result in a loss of a field trip.  Click here for the track meet schedule

Summer Learning Calendars
We will be participating in a summer learning program for June- August.  The program will run like last year - students will get a calendar to record their learning minutes.  Also, our library will be open Wednesdays to check-out books and work in the garden.  More details will be coming on this! 

Building Weekly Newsletter
Click here to access the weekly building newsletter

Valet Parking for the Week
The Valet Parking for the Week goes to Courtney Hugs!  Courtney brings a level of passion, positivity, and excitement to our building.  The thing I appreciate the most about Courtney is her POSITIVE focus on what is right for students!  Courtney has been a wonderful addition to our Kindergarten team - I look forward to seeing her continue to influence our youngest learners.  Thank you for all you do, Courtney! 


Take some time this weekend to get outside, focus on you, and enjoy those around you!  We've got only a couple weeks left- let's finish strong!

-Justin
#mckinleystrong