The Lion's Roar
Principal's Weekly Newsletter-October 11, 2026
Monday, October 12
- Indigenous Peoples' Day
- No Special Events
College Shirt Day
- Family Literacy Night 6-7pm, Courtyard
Spanish Book Club, 9-10am, Community Room
- Great CA Shakeout, 10:15 am
- Pali Camp Parent Meeting, 6-6:45pm, Zoom
- McKinley Spirt Day - Wear Your McKinley T-Shirt
- Reflections Art Deadline -Extended!
- Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 8:45-9:30am, Front of School on Chelsea Avenue
Good morning, McKinley Families!
I hope you are enjoying the slightly cooler weather and a slower start to your Sunday!
This Friday, October 16, from 8:45–9:30 a.m., we will celebrate our outstanding new administration and classroom building with an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! Although we have been using the building since the start of the school year, a building this special deserves a celebration! A ribbon cutting is a tradition that marks the opening of a new space and recognizes the people who made it possible. Our new building was made possible through the support of Santa Monica voters who invested in our schools, and we hope you will join us to celebrate this incredible investment in our students and community.
We will gather in front of McKinley with school and district staff, community partners, and families as our students cut the ribbon alongside district leaders. Families attending should follow their usual morning drop-off routine and then make their way to the front of the school to gather for the ceremony, which begins at 8:45 a.m. The school parking lot will NOT be available for event parking, and Chelsea Avenue will close to traffic after morning drop-off. If you are driving to the event, please park on surrounding streets and walk to the front of campus.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
In partnership,
Principal DW
Family Literacy Night - 10/14
Come celebrate the joy of reading at McKinley’s Literacy Night! Enjoy an evening filled with:
Meet & Greets with Real Authors
Free Book Giveaways
Engaging Literacy Activities for Families
All of this will take place in the beautiful courtyard setting, making it a night to remember. We can’t wait to see you there!
***This event is for all students and their families***
The Great California ShakeOut – 10/15 at 10:15am
This Thursday, October 15, at 10:15 a.m., McKinley will join schools across California in participating in The Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. This annual event is an important opportunity for our students and staff to practice responding safely and effectively during an earthquake and to strengthen our school's emergency preparedness.
How We Prepare at McKinley
Safety is a priority at McKinley, and we practice emergency procedures throughout the year. Our students participate in monthly fire drills, three earthquake drills, and two shelter-in-place/lockdown drills annually. Students have already participated in both a fire drill and a shelter-in-place drill this school year.
Every classroom has a red emergency backpack containing first aid supplies, walkie-talkies, and emergency documents. We also maintain a large emergency supply bin on the yard stocked with food, water, search and rescue equipment, and other essential supplies. All staff receive training in emergency procedures and have assigned responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
What Will Happen During the Great ShakeOut?
At 10:15 a.m., students and staff will practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" for at least 60 seconds before safely evacuating to our designated assembly areas. Once outside, we will account for all students and activate our emergency response teams, including first aid, search and rescue, and student reunification. We will also coordinate with the district's Emergency Operations Center to practice our communication and response procedures.
Please note: Our school office will be closed from 10:15–11:15 a.m. during the drill. We ask families to avoid coming to campus during this time whenever possible.
Emergency Student Reunification
In an actual emergency, we may need to implement our student reunification procedures. Families would report to two designated gates:
Request Gate – Arizona Avenue: Families check in and request their child.
Reunion Gate – Parking Lot Gate: Families are reunited with their child once it is safe and the release process is complete.
Please review our Emergency Pickup Map and Off-Campus Evacuation Map so you are familiar with these locations. Specific instructions will be communicated during an actual emergency based on the circumstances.
How We Will Communicate in an Emergency
In the event of an emergency, McKinley and SMMUSD will communicate important information through ParentSquare via phone calls, emails, text messages, and/or push notifications.
We strongly encourage families to download the free ParentSquare app to receive push notifications directly on their phones. You can also follow @McKinleyLions and @SMMUSD on X for updates and sign up for the City of Santa Monica's emergency alerts at SM Alerts.
Please also take a moment to review your emergency contacts in Aeries. This information is essential for contacting families and determining who is authorized to pick up your child in an emergency. You can add emergency contacts through the Aeries Parent Portal or contact our front office for assistance.
How Families Can Prepare at Home
The Great ShakeOut is also a wonderful opportunity to review your family's emergency plan. Talk with your children about what to do during an earthquake, identify who would pick them up in an emergency, and check your household emergency supplies. You can even practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" together! Learn more about earthquake safety here.
While we hope never to need these procedures in a real emergency, practicing together helps ensure that our entire McKinley community is prepared, informed, and ready to respond.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our Lions safe!
Report Absences Online!
We’ve made it easier than ever to report your child’s attendance!
Families can now use our Attendance Reporting Form to notify the school when:
Your child will be absent from school for the day.
Your child needs to leave early for an appointment or other reason.
Please complete the form as soon as you know your child will be absent or leaving early so our office staff can plan accordingly and maintain accurate attendance records.
The form is also available on the McKinley website.
We encourage all families to bookmark the link for quick and easy access whenever you need it!
Portraits are Ready to View and Order!
School portraits taken by Cornerstone Photography are now available for viewing and ordering! All orders must be placed online, will incur a $5.50 shipping charge, and will be mailed directly home. To view your portrait, click the link below and enter your online code, which is SMMUSD and your Student ID. If you do not know your child’s student ID, please contact our school office and we will provide it for you.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR PORTRAIT
Online Code: SMMUSD+ Student ID (For Example: SMMUSD123456)
What if I missed picture day?
A makeup opportunity is scheduled for 11/10/2026 for those who missed picture day or for those who are not satisfied with their portrait and want to try again.
For additional questions, you may contact customercare@cornerstone.photo or (805) 529-1635.
Folklórico Dance Open Enrollment!
Does your child love to dance or want to try something new? Folklórico Dance is now enrolling students in grades 3–8, with or without previous dance experience! Students will celebrate Mexican culture, learn vibrant traditional dances, and have fun with students from across SMMUSD. McKinley students are invited to participate!
Scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up today. ¡Inscríbete hoy!
2 Volunteers for LCAP Parent Advisory Committee Needed
There are ONLY 3 virtual meetings from 4:00–6:00 PM on the following dates:
- October 21, 2026 | 4:00–6:00 PM
- January 20, 2027 | 4:00–6:00 PM
- May 19, 2027 | 4:00–6:00 PM
Parent/Guardian Access to Score Reports
Score reports for CAASPP, ELPAC and Star Renaissance are available to parents in the Aeries Parent Portal. Hard copy score reports are NOT mailed home. These videos help explain to parents/guardians on how to access their portals. View this video to access your Parent Portal and this video on Parent Portal: Test Scores [Aeries]-attachment. how to locate Test Scores and State Test Scores Reports
VISITOR SIGN-IN REMINDER
Harvest Festival + Haunted House TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Save the date! Harvest Festival + Haunted House is Friday, Oct. 23 from 4pm - 6:30pm!
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE. More info on our website HERE
And don't forget to sign up here to help set up: HARVEST FEST and HAUNTED HOUSE.
5th Graders: We Need You!
This year, 5th graders get the chance to be part of the Haunted House as student haunters! Think you’ve got what it takes to give your fellow McKinley students a good scare?
5TH GRADERS: SIGN UP TO HAUNT HERE!
Reflections Art Contest: Deadline Extended to October 16!
Good news! We've extended the deadline for the PTA Reflections Art Contest to Friday, October 16! Students can enter in Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, and Accessible Arts.
We had amazing participation in our Reflections tile workshops, led by our talented McKinley mom, Jordana Haspel! If your child created a tile, we’d love for them to formally enter their artwork in the contest!
How to Submit:
Physical artwork: Drop off at the school office with your child's full name, class, and parent contact information.
Digital entries, forms, and photos: Email to recordingsecretary@mckinleypta.com.
Entry forms: Can be submitted with the artwork, emailed separately, or both.
If you're submitting physical artwork, please also email photos of the piece, as these will be needed if your child's work advances to the next level of the contest.
New Deadline: Friday, October 16! DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM HERE
PTA Membership Drive: Help Us Reach 250!
We’re at 138 PTA members and counting! Help us unlock schoolwide rewards for ALL students at 150, 200, and 250 members, with the rewards getting better at every milestone!
Join by October 29 to help us reach 250. And families who purchase two memberships receive a McKinley yard sign, while supplies last.
🍎 Stay Healthy This School Year🍊
With school back in full swing, and germs making the rounds, it's a good time to make healthy habits a little easier.
When you sign up for a good box, you’re not only supporting our school and local farms, you’re also making it easier to keep fresh, organic produce on the table each week. Each box is packed with delicious seasonal fruits and veggies, plus easy recipes the whole family can enjoy.
Boxes start at $22, and 5% from every order comes right back to our school!
Use coupon code Farm2Fam for 25% off your first order.
SMMUSD English Language Learner Parent/Guardian Survey
SMMUSD is inviting families of current English Learner (EL) students to complete our English Learner Family Survey. If your child is currently identified as an English Learner, we encourage you to share your feedback about your family’s experience and the support your child receives at school.
Your voice is important to us! Your feedback will help our schools and district better understand the needs of our English Learner students and families and identify ways we can continue to improve our programs and services.
The survey opens October 12. Thank you for taking the time to share your voice with us!
Youth Volleyball – Registration Now Open!
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica is offering a volleyball program for students in grades 2–5! Students will learn volleyball fundamentals through fun, engaging practices twice a week and put their skills to the test in two friendly tournaments. Both boys' and girls' teams are available!
The season runs November 2–December 5, and registration is $75. Scholarships are available and can be requested during registration. Visit smbgc.org/sports to sign up!
Serie GRATUITA de 3 talleres para padres y cuidadores
Ser padre o madre no siempre es fácil. Cada familia tiene sus
propias experiencias, retos y formas de relacionarse. Estos talleres
ofrecen un espacio acogedor para reflexionar, aprender y descubrir
nuevas maneras de fortalecer la relación con sus hijos y crear un
ambient familiar más positivo.
A traves de conversaciones y ejercicios guidos, aprenderemos
herramientas que pueden ayudarnos a fortalecer la comunicación,
comprender mejor a nuestros hijos y crear relaciones familiares
más positivas y saludables.
Childcare Programs
TK/Kindergarten
- SMMUSD School Age Programs (SAP): Before- and after-school childcare is located in the Preschool Building. Visit the SMMUSD School Age Programs website for more information.
- CREST Enrichment Classes: Families may register TK/K students for after-school enrichment classes through City of Santa Monica CREST.
1st–2nd Grade
- Right At School (RAS): Before- and after-school childcare is located in Room 209. Visit the Right At School website for registration and program information.
- Boys & Girls Club Playground Club: After-school care is available on the McKinley playground. Visit the Playground Club website to register.
- CREST Enrichment Classes: Families may register students for after-school enrichment classes through City of Santa Monica CREST.
3rd–5th Grade
- CREST: The CREST program is located in Room 210. CREST Club after-school childcare is available for third, fourth, and fifth-grade students, and enrichment classes are available for students in grades TK–5. Visit the City of Santa Monica CREST website for details and registration.
- Boys & Girls Club Playground Club: After-school care for students in grades 3–5 is available on the McKinley playground. Visit the Playground Club website to register.
Additional Programs for Grades 1–5
- Boys & Girls Club Sports: Families may register students for after-school sports through the Boys & Girls Club.
