Highlander Happenings

McKean School Community,

Happy March! As spring approaches, we begin planning for the excitement of graduation and the end of the school year. Please note that interim grades will be available around early March, as the 3rd marking period ends on April 9th. Let’s finish strong! The countdown to graduation has begun—with only about three months left until our commencement ceremony on June 1, 2024, at 9:00 am at Chase Fieldhouse! In the meantime, please visit our website for additional details about senior events and graduation. All McKean staff members are here to support your child(ren). If you have any questions about the information provided, please contact your child(ren)’s counselor or administrator.

We A.R.E. McKean!

We are excited to invite you to be a part of something extraordinary – our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)! The PTO plays a crucial role in enhancing the educational experience for our children and fostering a strong sense of community within our school.

Join a community of dedicated parents, teachers, and staff who share a common goal – creating a positive and enriching environment for our students.

How Can You Get Involved? 👉 Attend PTO Meetings: Join us for informative and engaging meetings where we discuss upcoming events, fundraising opportunities, and collaborative projects.

Together, we can create a vibrant and supportive community that empowers our students to thrive.

Estimados padres y tutores de McKean:

Espero que este mensaje te encuentre bien. Nos complace invitarlo a nuestra próxima reunión de la Organización de Padres y Maestros (PTO), donde discutiremos asuntos importantes relacionados con la comunidad escolar.

We are asking you to complete a survey to help us learn what parents and guardians think about McKean High School. Your thoughts and opinions are very important. Through this survey, we will use your experiences and opinions to help us build on our strengths and work to make improvements.

The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed by computer or cellphone. If you have more than one child in this school, please complete the survey with one child’s experiences in mind.

Le estamos pidiendo a usted que complete una encuesta sobre McKean High School para que nos ayude a saber que piensan los padres, madres y guardianes sobre nuestra escuela. Sus pensamientos e ideas son muy importantes. A través de esta encuesta, utilizaremos sus experiencias y opiniones para ayudarnos a desarrollar las áreas en buen funcionamiento y trabajar para mejor las débiles.

Solo le tomará 15 minutos para completar la encuesta. Si usted tiene más de un niño/a en esta escuela, por favor complete la encuesta basándose solamente en las experiencias de uno de sus hijos/as.

Para acceder a la versión HOME de la Encuesta Clima Escolar de Delaware

• Friday, March 8th - No School for Students - Teacher Professional Learning Day
• Monday, March 18th & Tuesday, March 19th - Technology Student Association Competition - University of Delaware
• Thursday, March 21st- Rock Your Socks Day
• Thursday, March 21st - Highlander Chorale present Jazz Night on Broadway - 6pm - Highfield Audion
• Tuesday March 26th- Wellness Fair 4-6pm @ McKean

• Saturday April 27th through Saturday May 4th - McKean Spring Plant Sale
• Friday, May 10th - Thomas McKean High School Prom - The Waterfall in Claymont, DE - 7pm-11pm Tickets go on sale 2/20
• Thursday, May 23rd - Spring Instrumental Band Concert - Gus Highfield Audion - 6pm

March 26 4-6pm

The upcoming health fair at McKean in March promises to be exciting and informative. The fair will feature many activities and exhibits that promote health and wellness among stakeholders (students, guardians, staff, and community members). From interactive displays on nutrition and fitness to workshops on mental health and stress management, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Local businesses will be on hand to provide valuable information and resources, and there will be opportunities for attendees to participate in hands-on activities and demonstrations. With its engaging and educational offerings, the health fair will surely be a highlight of the school year for all who attend.

Red Clay Consolidated School District is growing the Early College Academy partnership with our neighbor Goldey-Beacom College! More information will come for this opportunity to attend college classes at GBC and earn college credit while enrolled at Thomas McKean High School. Click the photo to the right for more information! Please contact Mr. Downes with questions.

AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society. This is done by a schoolwide approach to teaching and learning styles, as well as, supported by identified students who are in the AVID elective to raise their rigor and access to higher education opportunities. We will be sharing out more AVID information monthly – see where are some of our AVID Alumni now in the linked slide show. Please contact Ms. Brandi Mycoff with any questions regarding AVID at McKean!

Members of the Thomas McKean AVID site team has now offered two after school professional developments that focus on different AVID teaching strategies. These strategies are being shared to staff members to maintain student engagement and success in the classroom. Professional developments have been in the areas of Socratic seminars, interactive notebooks, reading strategies, World Café’s, and Focused Note taking.

Do you enjoy working with young children? Are you looking for steady employment after high school? Any senior interested in learning more about becoming a classroom paraprofessional after high school is invited to attend an informational session on April 17th. The sign-up link can be found on the Class of 2024 Schoology Page. If more information is needed regarding this matter, please see Dr. Galloway.

Greetings Class of 2026!!!

Are you interested in learning more about the Patient Care Assistant Pathway at Delaware Technical Community College?

I invite you to sign up to learn more about this wonderful and exciting opportunity.

Sign up by using the Delaware Tech Patient Care Assistant Informational Session Link on the Class of 2026 Schoology Page or see Dr. Galloway in Room C3C.

Please visit HighlandersSports.com for information about Highlander Athletics as we wrap up the Winter Season.

Spring Sports have started!

Baseball - Jaxon Brown

Softball - Jourdan Zickgraf

Lacrosse - Nick Dorda & Stephon Johnson

Girls Soccer - Lamora Kaylor & Anthony Smith

Track & Field - Gavin Coates & Shakir Ali

Unified Track & Field - Grace Guillebeau

Boys Volleyball - Brian Starrett

Tennis - Ray Smith

Golf - Mike Freccia

1) McKean Sportsmanship Policy

• Students must attend a presentation on Sportsmanship with Ms. Dukuray
• All students must sign McKean Sportsmanship Contract prior to competing in games/practices. Form can be found on the bottom left of the Highlanderssports.com page under Forms.

2) DIAA Physical

• Students must have a DIAA physical on file with the school to be eligible for practices, scrimmages, and games.
• Physicals must be completed on the approved DIAA Physical Forms.
• Physicals must be completed after April 1st of the year that the school year begins.
• Physicals may be uploaded to Family ID or submitted to the school nurse.

3) Academic Eligibility

• Academic eligibility is determined each marking period.
• Students must be passing 5 classes to be eligible to participate in athletic activities.
• 2 of the 5 classes must be in the core subject areas: Math, Science, English, or Social Studies.
• Seniors must also be passing all classes needed for graduation.

Athletic Director Dorda would like to share the following information regarding Fall Sports:

• Tickets to home basketball games must be purchased in advance from Ticket Spicket.
• Students will not be permitted to re-enter the stadium or gymnasium once they have left.
• After school buses are reserved for active roster student athletes only. NO STUDENT FANS PERMITTED
• Highlander Sportsmanship is expected from all athletes, student fans, and family fans at all sporting events. All Highlanders are expected to adhere to the codes of conduct set forth by Thomas McKean High School, Red Clay Consolidated School District, and the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Fall 2024 Boys Soccer Coach Opening! Please contact Nicholas Dorda with any questions or interest

Questions - Contact Mr. Dorda - Athletic Director

A Message from Assistant Principal Mr. Downes

Highlander Families,

Spring is finally upon us, which means the end of the year will be here before we know it. We are excited to kick-off our Spring Sports season and begin planning for end of the year events. That being said, we want to gently remind everyone of our dress code policies with the change in weather:

Dress Code

• Students must wear clothing including both a shirt with pants or skirt, or the equivalent.

• The torso must be covered and undergarments must not be visible.

• Students must wear shoes with a sole.

• Hats and other head coverings are not to be worn in schools except in cases of medical, and religious reasons.

Clothing May Not

• Depict, advertise or advocate the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances.

• Depict pornography, nudity or sexual acts.

• Share or depict hate speech.

• Depict violence or threaten the health or safety of any other student or staff member.

• See page 15 of the Student Handbook for more information.

Drop-Off/Pick-Up

• Any families dropping or picking up Students need to be aware about the designated drop-off and pick-up procedures to ensure the safety and efficiency of our school community.

• All Students being picked up or dismissed early from our building must provide consent from only listed Parent/Guardian in our system. We will not allow any students to leave without consent/permission from appropriate legal appointed guardians.

Upper Lot Usage

All parent drop-off and pickup activities are to take place exclusively in the upper parking lot. This area has been designated for these purposes to streamline traffic flow and enhance the safety of our students.

No Entry to Bus Lane

Please refrain from entering the bus lane for any drop-off or pickup activities. The bus lane is reserved for school buses and needs to remain clear to facilitate the smooth and safe flow of school transportation.

Safety First

By adhering to these guidelines, we collectively contribute to the safety and well-being of all students, parents, and staff. Your cooperation in following these procedures is greatly appreciated.

After School Activities, Clubs, Sports, and Other Event Expectations

For any and all students attending any After-School activities are to abide by the Red Clay Student and Family handbook, whether at McKean campus or any other school campus.

• The Student and Family handbook is enforced at all school-sponsored events and other activities where school administrators have jurisdiction over students.

• Any student who actively hinders an investigation or any student who aids, is involved with the planning, or helps another student in any way in an act which violates the Student Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action.

• Students can be subject to be revocation or loss of privileges at any time being unable to attend any After-School activities violating the Code of Conduct.

For any and all students attending any After-School activities are to abide by the Red Clay Student and Family handbook, whether at McKean campus or any other school campus.

• The Student and Family handbook is enforced at all school-sponsored events and other activities where school administrators have jurisdiction over students.
• Any student who actively hinders an investigation or any student who aids, is involved with the planning, or helps another student in any way in an act which violates the Student Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action.
• Students can be subject to be revocation or loss of privileges at any time being unable to attend any After-School activities violating the Code of Conduct.

We would like to stress the importance of on time arrival to both school and every class this year. As a team, we are ramping up interventions and supports, as well as consequences and celebrations, for students around on time arrival to class. Attendance interventions have been designed to help all students maximize their learning time by incentivizing being on time, and we have a team dedicated to addressing any challenges students face with tardiness to school and class. Students that arrive to class late will not be eligible for hall/bathroom passes during the period.

Thank you for your vote in the Red Clay Referendum! We are happy to announce the vote has passed which will provide a safer space and more opportunities for our students and staff!

Inspired by Shakespeare’s creative vision and the broad societal mix of audiences of his era, Delaware Shakespeare brings our community together for vibrant theater and learning experiences. Del Shakes came to McKean to bring all walks of life together to celebrate and explore their shared humanity through the lens of Shakespearean works.

Dr. Haas' Exploring Music students are creating original songs using Soundtrap. Please ask them to share their unique and wonderful creations. Shout outs to class production leaders: Jamir Boddy, Alex Maleve-Bonilla and Angelo Lee.

McKean Theater brought Shrek Jr. to life Friday March 1st and Saturday March 2nd. Congratulations on a job well done. We are proud of you!

February 23rd

McKean FFA members were awarded their blue jackets at the 94th Delaware State FFA convention!

The Red Clay Consolidated School District promotes INCLUSION by teaching, modeling, and reinforcing the values of dignity, respect, acceptance, and INCLUSION of people of all abilities through unified/inclusive sports and other activities. March 6th faculty and students reaffirmed their pledge and wore their inclusion shirts.

Led by the student government, Advisory classes researched and paid tribute to influential black leaders by decorating their doors.