McKinley Bobcat Newsletter

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family enjoying the last portion of summer break. For those of you who do not know me, I am Chase Gildenzoph and I have the honor of serving as the principal at McKinley Elementary. If you struggle with saying my last name, Mr. G is just fine and probably what you will hear the kids say.

It has been a wonderful summer for my family and my two oldest daughters were able to attend summer school with me which was a new experience for us. The rest of the summer was filled with swimming, paddle boarding, and bike riding. While I am sad to see summer end, I am also excited to have all our students returning to start the year.

As I begin my third year as the principal at McKinley, I am looking forward to building upon the success of our previous years and fostering a collaborative partnership with all of you. Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to be part of your child's educational journey.

As we approach the new year we are asking families to continue to engage throughout the year by doing the following:

1. Please make sure that all contact information is updated with skyward before the start of the year.

2. Each night we ask that you check your child's planner or take home folder for information from your child's teacher.

3. If your child will be absent from school we ask that you call the office or update the absence in skyward.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our back to school night on Thursday, August 27, 2026 from 4:30-6:00.

Also please mark your calendars for our Welcome Back Family School Luncheon on Friday, September 18, 2026 during your child's lunchtime. More details to follow and hope to see you there.

Thank you,

Mr. Gildenzoph

Skip cooking and head down to the cafeteria between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM for a quick, hassle-free dinner that supports our school! The PTO will be serving up pizza and cold drinks to kick off the new school year.

Menu & Pricing:

• Slice of Pizza: $4

• Drinks (Water, Point Root Beer, or Juice): $2

• Combo Meal (Pizza + Drink): $5

All proceeds directly support our McKinley students and staff throughout the year. Thank you for your support, and we can't wait to see you there!

August 27 - Back to School Night (4:30-6)

August 31 - Orientation Day - 4K & KGN ONLY

September 1 - 1st Day of School

September 7 - No School - Labor Day

September 11 - Wear Red, White & Blue

September 15 - McKinley PTO Meeting - Library (5pm)

September 16 - Field Trip (BSF) - Gr 3 (Buth)

September 17 - Field Trip (BSF) - Gr 3 (Fehring)

September 18 - McKinley School Family Picnic (Lunch Time)

September 21 - Picture Day

September 24 - Field Trip (CWES) - Gr 6

September 25 - No School - Professional Development Day

October 7 - McKinley Fundraiser - Arby's Night (3:30-7pm)

October 15 - Field Trip (BSF) - Gr 5 (Hoeppner)

October 16 - Field Trip (BSF) - Gr 5 (King)

October 23 - No School - Professional Development Day

October 28 - Picture Retake Day

October 30 - No School

Be sure to add our district's Academic Calendar and Days Off, the Elementary 6-Day Rotation Schedule, and McKinley Family Calendar directly to your preferred online calendar.

These calendars are designed to keep you informed and make it easier to plan around your child’s school schedule. Once added, you’ll have all the important dates—like holidays, professional development days, the rotating schedule, and field trips—right at your fingertips.

How to Add the Calendars:

1. Academic Calendar and Days Off: Add this calendar to your online calendar
2. Elementary 6-Day Rotation Schedule: Add this calendar to your online calendar
3. McKinley Family Calendar: Add this calendar to your online calendar

These calendars can be added to most online calendar services, including Google Calendar, Apple Calendar (iCal), Microsoft Outlook, and more. By subscribing to these calendars, you’ll have quick access to all the dates you need to know, and you can view them alongside your personal events. Stay organized and never miss an important date again!

McKinley Elementary School Picture Day is just around the corner!

Get ready to show off your best smile!

When: Monday, September 21

What to Do:

• Dress your best!

• Practice your smile!

• Bring your picture packet and payment by Monday morning.

Picture packets coming soon. Be sure to check your child's backpack!

We can't wait to see all those smiling faces!

School Hours…

Elementary school hours are 8:45am—3:35pm. Students eating breakfast at school are able to arrive at 8:15am and will enter the building through the tunnel doors, all other students should arrive after 8:20am. Students should not arrive prior to 8:20am if they are not eating breakfast, as there is no supervision on the playground until that time.

Morning Drop-Off/Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures…

McKinley Elementary School has drop off and pick up procedures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community members. This plan is centered on car drop offs and pick ups using Cleveland Street – a two-lane, one-way street with plenty of space for cars to line up using the right lane. This is a convenient system that allows drivers to remain in their vehicles while providing a safe option for students, as they do not need to cross the street.

Morning Drop Off

• Please use the drop off/pick up zone located on Cleveland Street (back of school)

• Students eating breakfast at school should arrive after 8:15am (students will enter through the tunnel doors)

• Students not eating breakfast at school should arrive after 8:20am

• As students arrive to school, they will line up on the blacktop by homeroom

• Students will enter the building after the first bell at 8:35am

• After 8:45am, students should use the main entrance on Blaine Street

Afternoon Pick Up

• Please use the drop off/pick up zone located on Cleveland Street (back of the school)

• Remain in your vehicle and DO NOT leave it unattended

• Once your student is in your car and buckled, you can safely move from the pick up lane to the driving lane. This will free up space for drivers behind you.

• Keep the pick up line moving forward. If there is space in front of your vehicle, continue to pull as far ahead as possible.

• Do not use the parking lots of Arby’s, South Point, or Domino’s for parking or waiting in line. This is not our property and the owners have the right to contact law enforcement.

• Students being picked up will be dismissed at 3:35pm and exit out the Cleveland doors

• Students walking will be dismissed at 3:35pm and exit out the tunnel doors

• The playground is closed to the public until 4:00pm. Parents/guardians should wait outside of the fenced area.

View a map of the drop off/pick up procedures.

After-School Plans…

Does your student know how they are getting home from school before they leave the house in the morning? It is very helpful to get in a daily routine of making a plan of action for after-school arrangements. Did after school plans change unexpectedly? Please call the office by 3pm and let us know changes to after-school plans. We will deliver messages prior to the end of the day, minimizing classroom interruptions.

Student Absences…

We miss your kiddos when they aren't here, and their safety is our top priority! Please always let us know when your student won't be at school. You can easily log absences in Skyward or call the main office at 715-345-5421.

Parent/Guardian Contact Information/Emergency Contact Information…

Be sure to notify the office of any changes to phone numbers, addresses or email addresses. It’s also important that we have accurate information on file for emergency contacts. Contact the school office at 715.345.5421 and we will gladly update this information for you.

Medication at School…

Proper documentation is needed annually in order for your child to receive medication (prescription and non-prescription) at school. Medication forms are available in the office or online. Prescription forms must be completed by a physician and can be faxed to the school office at 715.345.7350. Guardians must drop off medication in the office in the original container. Examples of non-prescription medication (over-the-counter) include but are not limited to cough drops, cold medicine, and headache medicine. We are unable to dispense any medication if we do not have the correct paperwork on file.

View medication forms.

McKinley Cadets…

The McKinley Safety Cadets are stationed on the corners of our school block before and after school to assist all students and parents crossing. Please take note of the following reminders that will help all students stay safe:

• Cadets are on duty before school from 8:15-8:35.

• Cadets are on duty after school from 3:35-3:50.

• Cadets will not go on duty when the temperatures are below zero.

• Cadets will be on duty when it is raining, but not when there is thunder and lightning.

If you are crossing with your child, please use the crosswalks and follow the cadets as well. It sets a good example for our students and it allows the cadets to do their job. Thank you for helping the cadets keep all students safe.

Field Trips—Volunteering in the Classroom—Background Check Forms...

If you would like to chaperone a field trip or volunteer in the classroom, you need to complete a background check form each school year. Be sure to hand in this form at least one week prior to the date you wish to volunteer, as it takes up to (5) business days for processing.

As we work together to build healthy habits and maintain a focused, productive learning environment for our students, we are updating our daily campus beverage expectations.

• Outside Beverages Disposed of Before Entry: Soda, energy drinks, and coffee beverages are not permitted at school. Any of these drinks brought from home in the morning must be finished or disposed of prior to entering school premises.
  
• Water-Only Classrooms: Students are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle daily, but it must contain plain water only.
  
• No Added Flavors or Sugars: To prevent sticky spills and promote healthy hydration, water bottles may not contain drink mixes, powders, syrups, sugars, or artificial flavorings.
  
• Water-Only Campus: Once students step onto school grounds, our campus operates as a water-only environment throughout the entire day, including during morning arrival and lunch.
  

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school healthy, safe, and ready for learning!

As part of ACT 20 reading legislation, we are required to conduct a family reading history for students in grades K-3. We know every child learns in their own way and we want to work with you to help your child become a strong reader. Please complete the survey in NextPath to help us understand your child's reading habits, strengths and needs so we can support them at school.

The survey is 7 questions and will only take a few minutes to complete. Your input is important and invaluable! Here is a link for logging into NextPath.

View Survey: https://nextpath.app/help/20/88

The 2026-2027 Free/Reduced Meal Application, along with the District's Meal Charge Policy, are linked below for your convenience.

Completed applications can be emailed to foodservices@pointschools.net, mailed to: Food Service Office, 3400 Water Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481, or dropped off at the school office. Applications can also be completed and submitted online through Skyward Family Access. If you have received a Letter of Direct Certification for the current school year, either by email or through the post, please do not complete an application unless you feel you may qualify for a better benefit.

If you have questions regarding Free/Reduced Meal Applications and/or if you should complete one, please contact the Food Service Office by emailing foodservices@pointschools.net or by calling 715-345-5435.

View Meal Charge Policy

View 2026-27 Free/Reduced Meal Application Packet

View 2026-27 Paquete de solicitud para comidas gratuitas y a precio reducido - Español

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McKinley provides fresh and non-perishable food for families in need. Please reach out to April Kaisen, the school social worker, at 715-345-5421 if this would be supportive for your family.

I hope that you all had a relaxing summer and you were able to get some vacation time in before the craziness of school starts. I am Acacia Provost and will be the school nurse this year. This will be my 1st year as a school nurse. This school year I will be covering Washington, McDill, McKinley and Kennedy.

As we strive to provide the best possible care and support for all our students, it is crucial for us to be aware of any health conditions or concerns that may impact their well-being while at school. Your child's health and safety are our top priorities, and having accurate and up-to-date information is essential for us to effectively meet their needs.

The following items will need to be completed every school year:

- Over the Counter medication form (also available online registration)

- Must be completed before medication is given

- Over the Counter medications must be provided to the school

- Prescription Medications

- Must be signed by your medical provider

- Must be signed by parent

- Annually and if changes to dosage

- Specific health condition forms

- You should have received these from me already if the school knows about it

- Please stop in to the school office if there is something new that we should know about

- Check Skyward to be sure that your information is correct including phone numbers

- Include AT LEAST 1 emergency contact and a correct phone number

- ALL children in Kindergarten or new students will need to provide an immunization record.

- If you are choosing not to get the required immunizations please complete the waiver and return to school by Oct 10th

All forms and any medications can be turned in to the school office on Back to School Night (Aug. 27th)

Health Condition forms

Immunization Information (Kindergarten-Sixth Grade)

Immunization forms

Medication forms

OTC Medication Reminders:

Last year there was a change in the Over-the-Counter Medication policy, we will no longer administer OTCs more than 3 days in a row or more than 8 times in one month without a Primary Medical Provider’s note with reason why. Here is some more information on overuse of OTC medications and the effects it can have on developing bodies.

Boys & Girls Club serves students in grades 1-6. View Boys & Girls Club of Portage County for more information.

Become a member today! View online application process.

On behalf of all the staff and students at McKinley, thank you for your support! We appreciate YOU! A special shout out to the McKinley PTO Board Members for all their hard work behind the scenes!

• Lisa Ruplinger, President
• Nicole Woitula, Vice President
• Jeremy Ruplinger, Treasurer
• Sara Potter, Secretary

Join us for our next McKinley PTO Meeting - Tuesday, September 15 at 5pm - McKinley Library. Are you unable to attend in person? Meetings will be offered virtually.

View meeting link: meet.google.com/uxd-vpty-zzm

The District's Mobile App 'Point Schools' is a powerful tool that contains so much information at your fingertips! You are able to tailor the information you receive from schools while quickly having access to school calendars, key contacts, menus and more.

It's free and available on Google Play and the App Store. Please help us spread the word in your school communications.

Because medical costs can be expensive, Stevens Point Area School District does provide families the opportunity to purchase student accident insurance for their student through Student Assurance Services, Inc.

This supplemental policy would assist with your out-of-pocket medical expenses (i.e., deductible) should your student sustain an accidental injury while coverage is in effect. Also, if you do not have any insurance on your student, this would be primary for accidental injuries. There is a variety of coverage options, and premiums are a one-time payment for the school year. Parents / Guardians can enroll students at any time during the policy period.

Please review the short video link and the linked forms below regarding student accident insurance.

Student Accident Insurance - YouTube

Families may enroll online at www.sas-mn.com.

If you have any questions about this coverage, please contact Student Assurance Services directly at (800) 328-2739.

View Student Accident Insurance Online Form (English)

View Student Accident Insurance Enrollment Form (Spanish)

Melissa Pazurek, Secretary

Samantha Lefebvre, Office EA/Health Assistant

Stephanie Will, Psychologist

April Kaisen, Social Worker

Email: cgildenz@pointschools.net
Website: https://mckinley.pointschools.net/
Location: 2926 Blaine Street, Stevens Point, WI, USA
Phone: 715.345.5421
Facebook: facebook.com/mckinleycenterelementary

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Si necesita ayuda traduciendo información que se encuentra en el correo electrónico, por favor, contacte a Sue Worzalla al correo sworzall@pointschools.net o llame al 715-498-1976.