Roaring Roundup

As I reflect on this past Tuesday's first annual Roarin’ Run, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our families, staff, and community for the incredible effort, generosity, and enthusiasm that made this event so special. The energy and pride surrounding this experience are a wonderful reflection of what makes McKinley such a special place. Whether through donations, encouragement, participation, or helping bring the event to life, each contribution reminds us of the power of coming together around our students and the opportunities we create for them. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Next week, as begin parent-teacher conferences, we have another wonderful opportunity to strengthen the partnership between school and home. These conversations allow us to celebrate the growth, progress, and unique strengths of each student while working together to identify opportunities for continued learning and success. The relationships we are building are an essential part of our work, and I am grateful for the trust, communication, and collaboration that make those relationships possible. When we work together with a shared commitment to our students, we create a community where every child can feel connected, supported, and challenged to grow. One Pride. One Purpose. One McKinley.

October

• Oct 12 - NO SCHOOL for JK Students
• Oct 15 - NO SCHOOL - Conferences 12-8pm
• Oct 16 - NO SCHOOL - Conferences 8am-12pm
• Oct 19-23 - Book Fair
• Oct 20 - Picture Retakes
• Oct 30 - Character Parade 1pm

We started with a goal of $24,350. As of today, McKinley has raised $28,895, and donations will remain open through October 13 as we work toward our new $30,000 stretch goal!

• 226 students registered — 64% of McKinley
• Students ran an estimated 1,080 laps around the building
• That’s approximately 360 miles collectively!
• Our top runners completed 8 laps — about 2⅔ miles — in roughly 20 minutes
• We raised funds from: 26 states + 4 countries + Washington, D.C.

Funds raised through the Roarin’ Run will help support experiences and opportunities for our students and families, including:

• A new Mountain Lion Mascot Costume
• First Stage field trips
• Family Fun Nights
• Room Parent funds
• High Interest Day
• Teacher Appreciation
• And other opportunities that help make McKinley a place where kids LOVE to be

Let’s make one last push and see how far our McKinley ROAR can travel this weekend!

One Pride. One Purpose. One McKinley. Roar Proud!

The time for Tosa East’s Homecoming is once again upon us — hooray! Homecoming Week is October 5–9, and we’re excited to bring back one of our favorite traditions: the Homecoming Parade!

Hart Park’s football field has been restored, which means we can parade once again! However, because HWY 181 can no longer be shut down, we’ve made a change to this year’s route. For 2026, the parade will begin in the Tosa East parking lot/on 74th Street and zigzag its way down to Hart Park, where the Raiders will take on West Allis Central.

The Red Raider Big Band will lead things off at 6:00 p.m., so come out, line the route, and help us celebrate our Raiders!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Go Raiders!

Sometimes students can benefit from supportive tools as they are learning to play an instrument. “Pinky house” is a commonly used orchestra teacher term for a tool that helps guide the shortest finger on the bow hand. This pinky house was printed in the McKinley Discovery Lab, and will help a student who is working on maintaining a correct bow hold. Mrs. Hefel and Ms. Updike worked through the design process together to find the precise printing size that would fit this exact bow. The design developer offered the file for free online, while a similar tool available for purchase retails around $5. Using 3D printer technology saved time, money, and energy!

Communication is so much more than spoken words. AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) helps people share their ideas, make choices, tell jokes, build relationships, advocate for themselves, and let the world know who they are.

At McKinley, we celebrate the many ways we communicate, contribute, connect, and learn from one another. On Monday, one of our students will be sharing our morning announcements using their communication device—a wonderful reflection of the many voices that make up our McKinley community.

This month, and every month, we celebrate one another, make room for every voice, and remember that belonging means everyone gets to be part of the story.

Please send all medical notes, immunization records, medication forms, and general student health communications to mckinleyhealthroom@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us .

This email address is monitored by the school Health Aide, Frank Kuglitsch and Nurse Pam, the District Nurse that covers our school.

Fran Kuglitsch, Health Aide

kuglitfr@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us

Pam Ziolkowski, School Nurse

ziolkopa@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us

Confidential Fax: 414.244.9036

Immunization Information

• School immunization record
• Fact sheets: For students in kindergarten–sixth grades, 7–11th grades, and 12th grades.
• Flyer: What parents need to know about immunizations.

Please bring them to school to help the McKinley Green Team with composting! Composting begins next week during the 4th & 5th grade lunchtime. We need lots of paper grocery bags to help make it easy to collect food scraps and transfer them to our compost bin.

Bringing paper grocery bags to school is an easy way to help the environment. You can put them in the white bin located next to the office. Thank you for helping our green team make a difference!

Please remember that our Community Food Pantry is available year round for anyone who could use a little extra support. You can find it located on the east side of the school.

Want to help? We are always welcoming donations to keep our shelves stocked with non-perishable items! Donations can be placed directly into the pantry at your convenience.

Some great options include:

• Snacks-such as granola bars, crackers and graham crackers
• Mac and Cheese cups
• Dried Soup mix
• Jelly
• Tuna
• Egg noodles
• Canned Vegetables
• Toilet Paper
• Deodorant
• Bar Soap
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste

• Feminine hygiene products
• Diapers, pull ups
• Manual can openers
• Plastic grocery bags (for packing items)

If you have any questions or would like to support the McK Community Pantry, please reach out to Lynn Meehan @ meehanly@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us

💖🖤McKinley - Stronger Together. When one of us thrives, we all thrive! 🖤💖

We love celebrating the many ways our students (and staff) shine—through their accomplishments, acts of kindness, creativity, perseverance, growth, and so much more. We look forward to highlighting and celebrating even more of our Mountain Lions throughout the year!

We invite you to share your child's accomplishments, special moments, or exciting milestones with us. Simply send a quick description and a photo to AshLey (theresas@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us), and we'll celebrate these wonderful moments together.

One Pride. One Purpose. One McKinley ❤️🖤

Rachel Kumferman, Social Worker

Phone: (414) 773-1533 or Email: kumferra@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us

Hannah Wieczorek, School Psychologist

Phone: (414)-773-2438 Email: wieczoha@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us

We are seeking participants to join the Wauwatosa Curriculum Council.

Curriculum Council serves as an important stakeholder connection to the Division of Teaching and Learning. Members engage in shared learning, provide feedback and perspective on work happening across the Division, and help us consider the experiences and needs of our students, families, educators, and community.

The Council will meet three times during the school year on Mondays from 4:30-6:00 p.m. The following dates will be when we meet:

• October 26

• February 22

• May 10

We are seeking members with a variety of experiences, perspectives, schools, roles, and student age levels across our community.

If you are interested in serving on Curriculum Council, please complete this form by Monday, October 12th.

Following the interest period, we will review responses with the goal of creating a balanced and representative stakeholder team. We will communicate with all individuals who express interest to confirm membership by Friday, October 16th and share next steps before our first meeting on Monday, October 26th.

Thank you for your interest in partnering with us and contributing your perspective to this work.

Junior Kindergarten (JK)

• AM 8:20 a.m. - 10:55 a.m. (M,T,W,TH,F)
• PM 12:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. (M,T,TH,F)
• PM 12:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. (Wednesday)

SK through 5th grade

• 8:20 a.m. - 3:20 p.m. (M,T,TH,F)
• 8:20 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. (Wednesday)

The school office opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m.

Don't Forget .....Every Wednesday is early release day!

Email: mckinleyelementary@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us

Website: mckinley.wauwatosa.k12.wi.us

Location: 2435 N 89th St, Wauwatosa, WI, United States

Phone: (414)773-1500

Class Dojo