10/20 McMicken Family Connection
October 20, 2022
"The Sound of All Things" by Myron Uhlberg
A Brooklyn family takes an outing to Coney Island, where they enjoy the rides, the food, and the sights. The father longs to know how everything sounds. Though his son does his best to interpret their noisy surroundings through sign language, he struggles to convey the subtle differences between the "loud" of the ocean and the "loud" of a roller coaster.
When the family drops in at the library after dinner, the boy makes a discovery. Perhaps the words he needs are within reach, after all.
Myron Uhlberg's story, based on his own childhood experiences, covers the almost unique topic within children's books of children raised by deaf parents. Ted Papoulas beautifully and sensitively portrays the family's day and brings the whole experience to life for readers.
"When Lola Visits" by Michelle Sterling
For one young girl, summer is the season of no school, of days spent at the pool, and of picking golden limes off the trees. But summer doesnāt start until her lolaāher grandmother from the Philippinesācomes for her annual visit.
Summer is special. For her lola fills the house with the aroma of mango jam, funny stories of baking mishaps, and her quiet sweet singing in Tagalog. And in turn, her granddaughter brings Lola to the beach, to view fireworks at the park, and to catch fish at their lake.
When Lola visits, the whole family gathers to cook and eat and share in their happiness of another season spent together. Yet as summer transitions to fall, her lola must return homeābut not without a surprise for her granddaughter to preserve their special summer a bit longer.
Join us for our first round of Academic Parent Teacher Teams, or APTT! It is a time that we have an opportunity to grow our partnership between home and school. At the first APTT of the school year, you will have the opportunity to learn an overview of the school year, learn about an important grade-level skill students will need to be successful, and learn about activities that you can do at home to support your student's success.
Throughout the school year, APTT is a time between report card that will allow you to keep track of your child's growth towards a specific skill.
The first APTT will be hosted on Zoom. Please see your child's teacher's handout for their Zoom Meeting ID. The dates for the APTT are also under the section "Upcoming Events."
Starting Monday 10/17, all toys, including PokĆ©mon cards and stuffed animals, need to stay at home. If students bring a toy that leaves their backpack, the toy will be collected by the teacher and families will be contacted to make plans for pickup. Weāve noticed that the toys brought from home are becoming a distraction from learning and causing conflict both in the classroom and on the playground.
If and when a class earns an incentive or reward involving toys like a show and tell party, the teacher will notify families and set a day for students to bring their toys. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring that all students are engaged in learning.
Do you have an appreciation you'd like to share for a staff member at McMicken?
Consider filling out this quick form for your shout-out to be shared in our family newsletter in our new section, "Staff Shout-Outs!"
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Is your student missing a jacket, lunch box, or anything else? Please stop by the school between 8:20 AM - 4:00 PM and check out our Lost + Found. It is located in the main hallway down from the front doors on the right, next to the corner. Please be aware all items that are not claimed will be taken to Value Village after Thanksgiving Break on Monday, November. 28.
Tyee High School is on the Highline Schools Bond!
In November, Highline Public Schools is asking voters to consider a bond that will provide improvements to schools across the district.
This bond will rebuild three schools: Tyee High School, Evergreen High School, and Pacific Middle School. It will also fund critical improvements, like roofing, painting, carpet and emergency repairs ā at other schools. If passed in November students will move into the new, replaced Tyee High School in the fall of 2025!
This bond is not expected to increase taxes for most homeowners, due to expiring school taxes and a decreasing tax rate.
Proposition 1: Highline Schools Bond will continue Highlineās commitment to replace our aging school buildings with schools built to todayās safety standards, equipped for todayās learning.
Voters will find Proposition 1 on the November ballot. Learn more about the bond.
Cleaning out your child's closet of school clothes that they've outgrown? Please consider donating shirts and pants to our supplies for students who need a change of clothes during the day. Clothes that match our school uniform colors (black, navy blue, or khaki) are preferred. Our supplies in the front office to support clothing changes are running low.
As a reminder, if your child comes home with clothing they did not wear to school, please have them return those clothes to our front office.
If you have a kindergartener or 1st grader, we recommend sending students with a change of clothes in their backpacks, just in case!
To celebrate the kickoff of planting season in the Pacific Northwest, the Green Burien Partnership is hosting several environmental restoration events in Burien Parks this fall. All events are open to the public, kid-friendly, and with no experience necessary. Refreshments, gloves, and tools will be offered for each event.
Planting at Hazel Valley Park
When: November 5, 10 a.m.ā1 p.m.
Where: Hazel Valley Park, 251 SW 126th St
Join the City of Burien and EarthCorps at Hazel Valley Park to plant native plants. We'll be working together to plant baby trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants. We'll be working together to plant baby trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants. This event is open for everyone, no experience necessary. Refreshments, lunch, gloves, and tools for all will be available. Register online.
Planting at Salmon Creek Park
When: November 12, time TBD
Where: Salmon Creek Park, 700 SW 118th St
Join the City of Burien, DirtCorps, and the New Start High School āSharks in Restorationā interns at Salmon Creek Park to plant native plants. We'll be working together to plant the future forest and learn about environmental restoration from youth leaders. This event is open for everyone, no experience necessary. Refreshments, lunch, gloves, and tools for all will be available. Register online.
Location: Federal Way Community Center
Date: October 29, 2022
Time: 3:00-5:30pm
Cost: Ages 2-12 (pre-register $5, day of $10); adults free.
Disability History and Awareness Month takes place during October to increase awareness, respect, and acceptance for people with disabilities, and to bring a greater sense of pride to people with disabilities.
As described by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy, we celebrate "the contributions of Americaās workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices. The annual theme is announced early to facilitate advance planning of events.ā
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to focus and raise awareness on bullying. During this month, many schools and groups' efforts across the country are aimed at bringing awareness to the issue of bullying.
Bullying includes behaviors such as hitting, teasing, taunting, spreading rumors and gossip, stealing, and excluding someone from a group. Bullying actions are carried out on purpose with the intent to hurt someone. For a brief explanation of the definition of bullying, you can watch this video.
At McMicken, we teach and empower our students to prevent bullying using the three R's.
- Recognize, understanding what is and what isn't bullying.
- Report, letting a trusted adult know, so they can help.
- Refuse, standing up for one another by speaking up and taking action.
In 2009, U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States. Various states, counties, and cities in the U.S. have established proclamations and resolutions declaring observance of Filipino American History Month. Itās all about celebrating the history, heritage, culture and achievements of Filipino Americans.
Contact us for support or with questions.
McMicken Heights Elementary School
https://mcmicken.highlineschools.org
Phone: (206) 631-4300
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Click on the image to complete the consent form for COVID testing at school. This only needs to be completed once this school year.
Does your student have symptoms? Click on the image for a flowchart to know when to send your student to school.
