McKinley Family Newsletter

Dear McKinley Families,

As we welcome the month of November, I am reminded of how much there is to be thankful for at McKinley Elementary! Our hallways are filled with learning, laughter, growing friendships, and wonderful moments that remind us why being part of a school community is so special.

Family/Teacher Conferences

Our Family/Teacher Conferences are coming up soon! This is an important opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, learn about their progress, and discuss ways we can work together to support their learning. We look forward to seeing all of our families during conference week!

Pick-Up/Drop-Off Reminders: To help ensure the safety of all students and keep traffic moving smoothly during arrival and dismissal, we ask that all families follow our pick-up and drop-off procedures. Please be sure to follow the directions provided by our staff members as they are there to help keep everyone safe. Additionally, all vehicles should make right turns only at 22nd & Hemlock during pick-up and drop-off times. This helps maintain a steady flow of traffic and reduces congestion around our school. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and support in keeping our students and school community safe!

As we continue our school year with the theme “The Power of Us: Learning Without Limits,” we are reminded that every member of our school community has something valuable to contribute. By working together, celebrating our differences, and encouraging one another, we help our students discover their strengths and reach their full potential.

As the weather gets colder, please remember to send your child to school dressed appropriately for outdoor recess. We want all students to stay warm, comfortable, and ready to enjoy their time outside whenever weather permits.

Justin Kiel

Principal

Below are some important phone numbers:

Main Line: 507.444.8200

Attendance Line (voicemail): 507.444.8205

Nurse (Christa Kain): 507.444.8206

Spanish Success Coach (Sylvia Zavala): 507.444.8257

Somali Success Coach (Nura Elmi): 507.444.8217

Kitchen: 507.444.8216

School Social Worker (Megan Douglas): 507.444.8215

School Counselor & 504 Coordinator (Amanda Andrews): 507.444.8264

Family-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner and we're looking forward to seeing you! Family -Teacher conferences are a wonderful opportunity for families and teachers to work together to support each child’s success. These conversations allow us to celebrate students’ accomplishments, discuss their academic and social-emotional growth, and identify areas where additional support may be helpful. Please arrive on time for your scheduled conference so that all families have the opportunity to meet with teachers as planned. We also ask that parents supervise their children at all times while in the building, as teachers may be meeting with other families and cannot be responsible for supervising children during conferences. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and partnership in making conference time a positive experience for everyone!

Family-Teacher Conferences will be:

• November 10 (3:00-7:00pm)
• November 12 (3:00-7:00pm)
• November 12 (7:30am-12:00pm -No School)

As the temperatures get cooler, please make sure your students are bringing appropriate clothes for being outside. Classes go out for recess daily. If you are in need of winter gear, please reach out to our school Social Worker, Mrs. Douglas (mdouglas@isd761.org or 507-444-8215)

From our McKinley Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Happy Fall! We hope everyone is having a great school year.

Annual Fundraising Goal: New Storage Shed

Our goal this year is to raise $5,000 to replace the outdoor storage shed behind the school. This shed holds essential tools and materials used by students and teachers for outdoor learning. We appreciate your support in helping us reach this goal!

Glow Dance- November 6:

You don’t want to miss our Annual Glow Dance! November 6th from 6-7:30pm in the McKinley Gym. Tickets will be sold at the door for $25. Concessions will be available for purchase. Be sure you wear clothes that glow and be ready to dance and have some fun! This event is for McKinley Students only, no younger or older siblings. All students must be accompanied by an adult that is 18 years of age or older. We are still looking for some volunteers to help out with the Glow Dance. If you are interested in helping please use this link to sign up.

Monthly PTO Meetings - November 9:

Come see what the PTO is all about. PTO meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 7pm in the McKinley Elementary School Learning Studio. We would love to hear ideas and thoughts from our McKinley Families.

Book Fair - November 10, 12 &13:

Come see what the Book Fair has for new books! We will be set up during your November Parent/Teacher Conferences.

PTO Volunteers for Events:

To make the events happen during the school year we need your help. Even if it's only one event, one hour, a little help makes every event so much better! If you are able to help please sign up with the link below. Event Sign Up

PTO Classroom Dues:

Your PTO classroom dues go to support classroom events and expenses for our students that are not funded by the district general budget.

The Owatonna High School Theater Department is holding open auditions for the roles of Young Anna and Young Elsa.

Interested students must:

• Be in 3rd-6th grade
• Be 5 feet tall or shorter
• Live within the Owatonna Public Schools boundaries and/or attend school within ISD 761
• Be available for all scheduled rehearsals and performances

Find audition information.

You can order a '26-27 McKinley Elementary yearbook with the link below. Use code: 15051027

(PTO will be gifting one yearbook to each 5th grade student)

McKinley Elementary will be collecting brand new toys for Toys for Tots. We have two collection boxes that will be out in our commons area during conferences until December 10th.

November 2- No School/Professional Development

November 5 -Picture Re-Take Day

November 6- PTO Glow Dance

Novmeber 9- PTO Meeting (7-8pm) in Learning Studio South

November 10 -Family/Teacher Conferences (3-7pm)

November 12 -Family/Teacher Conferences (3-7pm)

November 12- No School & Family/Teacher Conferences (7:30-12:00pm)

November 25-27- No School

Owatonna Public Schools is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all students and staff and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, in its programs and activities, as required by Title IX and MN Human Rights Act (MHRA). This includes prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and unequal access to extracurricular activities.

Any concerns related to Title IX should be reported to Chris Picha, Director of Human Resources & Title IX Coordinator, at 507-444-8602 or cpicha@isd761.org