McKinley Dragon Tales
December 2025
Principal's Corner
As we head into winter break, I want to wish all of our students, families, and staff a restful, joyful, and well-deserved break. This time of year is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, spend time with loved ones, and recharge for the months ahead. Thank you for your continued partnership and support, it truly makes our school community such a special place. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year and are excited for all that 2026 has in store for us!
Mr. Daniel Oldham, Principal
IMPORTANT DATES
- Jan. 1 & 2: NO SCHOOL
- Jan. 8: PTO Meeting 6:30pm
- Jan. 9: PTO 4th and 5th Grade Dance 6-8pm
- Jan. 15: PTO Family Fun Night 4:30pm - 7:30pm
- Jan. 16: MLK Peace Awards
- Jan. 19: NO SCHOOL
- Jan. 29, 30, 31: School Musical
FEBRUARY
- Feb 2 Kindergarten Registration opens
- Feb. 12 PTO V.I.P. Dance 6pm-8:00pm
- Feb. 13,16,17 NO SCHOOL
- Feb. 19 PTO Meeting 6:30pm
MARCH
- Mar. 18 Multicultural Night 6pm - 8pm
- Mar. 20 NO SCHOOL
- Mar. 27 Race for Education 9:30
- Mar. 30, 31 Parent - Teacher Conferences
- Mar. 30, 31 12:20pm dismissal
**All events are subject to change. Additional events may be added
to the calendar, as safety regulations permit.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Our Thanksgiving Food Drive, organized by the McKinley Ambassadors, was a wonderful example of our school community coming together to help others. Ms. Martino and her 5th grade class worked hard to pack all of the donations into boxes, and a big thank you goes to our 5th grade committee moms for loading up their cars and delivering everything to the local food pantry. We are so grateful to all the families who generously donated and showed their support during the holiday season—your kindness truly helped make someone else’s day brighter and reflected the spirit of gratitude and giving.
Track Meet
The Abington Elementary School Track Meet may have taken place on a very cold day, but that didn’t stop our students from giving it their all! Students worked hard to run their races, compete in the long jump, and cheer on their classmates with enthusiasm and pride. The bright green shirts stood out in the crowd and were a wonderful display of McKinley HEART - teamwork, encouragement, and school spirit shining through from start to finish.
AS Pumpkin Fest
The AS Pumpkin Fest, held in our beloved garden, was a joyful celebration for our Autistic Support students and staff. Together, everyone enjoyed decorating pumpkins, spending time outdoors, and taking in the beautiful fall weather. It was a warm, welcoming event filled with smiles, connection, and special moments that made the day truly memorable.
Pledge of Character Winners
Our Pledge of Character winners were nominated by their classroom teachers for consistently demonstrating the character trait of the month. Congratulations to these outstanding students—we are so proud of you for leading by example and showing what strong character looks like each day at McKinley!
Pledge of Character Breakfast
We celebrated our Pledge of Character winners with a special breakfast for students and their guests! Students nominated for September, October, and November were invited to join us as we recognized their outstanding character. Thanks to the PTO for supporting this event and helping make it extra special. We love honoring our students and all of their accomplishments, what a wonderful way to start the day!
Skating Party
Right before Thanksgiving, our students enjoyed an exciting skating party filled with fun and laughter! They showed off their skating skills, tested their limbo abilities, played games, and spent time together making core memories with friends. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the season and head into the holiday with smiles all around.
McKingo
McKingo, a beloved McKinley tradition, was a night full of fun, laughter, and lasting memories! Families enjoyed exciting games, great prizes, and raffles, while our 5th graders loved the special opportunity to sit on stage and take part in the action. A huge thank you to Dr. Johnson for being our fabulous MC and keeping the energy high all evening. We are grateful to our PTO for organizing such a wonderful event, to everyone who donated and created raffle baskets, and to all the families who came out to participate—these are the moments our students will remember for years to come.
Best Buddies Program
The Best Buddies program continues to bring students together to build friendships while creating fun memories through shared projects, crafts, games, and activities. This fall, students enjoyed a variety of seasonal activities that encouraged teamwork, creativity, and connection. It has been wonderful to see students supporting one another, laughing together, and forming meaningful bonds, these experiences truly highlight the power of friendship and inclusion in our school community.
Dragon Ticket Raffle Winners
Congratulations to our raffle winners! These students earned their Dragon Tickets by consistently demonstrating HEART behavior, and we’re excited to reward them with some lucky prizes. Keep up the great work, and continue to show that kindness, respect, and responsibility each day. Your positive actions make McKinley a better place, and we can’t wait to see who will be next to earn those Dragon Tickets! Keep shining, and keep showing your HEART!
November
December
HEART Monthly Incentive: Directed Turkey Drawings
Students celebrated the monthly HEART incentive with fun directed turkey drawings! This activity encouraged creativity while reflecting on the character traits of Honesty, Excellence, Awareness, Respect, and Teamwork. Everyone had a great time showing off their artistic skills and embracing the spirit of HEART.
HEART Monthly Incentive: Snowball Games
Students had the opportunity to save their Dragon Tickets for a special monthly incentive, and this month’s reward was “snowball” games in the gym! Everyone had a blast playing, laughing, and enjoying some winter-themed fun, Mr. Oldham even jumped in to join the action. It was a great way to celebrate positive behavior and spread some winter cheer. Happy winter!
What's Up Wednesday
Students participate in “What’s Up Wednesday,” a 15-minute circle time designed to build community through proactive circles. During this time, students are invited to share, if they choose, listen respectfully, and learn more about their classmates. Teachers select engaging topics ranging from favorite superheroes to what makes their day great, creating a safe, welcoming space where students can connect, build relationships, and strengthen their sense of belonging.
PTO Executive Board and Meeting Dates
President: Torie Menniti & Jess Wilt
Vice Presidents: Patti Ortiz, Lisa Torres & Diana Cooney
Treasurer: Brent Cantrell
Corresponding Secretary: Michele Ganas
Recording Secretary: Meg Cotter
Lost and Found
McKinley's Lost & Found
There are three ways to claim your student's missing item from our Lost & Found!
1) Check out our NEW virtual Lost & Found https://photos.app.goo.gl/rByCD2d4WYavaXjL9.
2) Remind your student to go to the Lost & Found during school to claim their item.
3) Parents/Guardians can go to the Lost & Found in the school's vestibule during school hours.
Please remember to label your student's belongings! Lost & Found items that are labeled are delivered to students.
At the end of each month items that are not labeled or claimed will be donated. Thank you!
MySchoolBucks Cafeteria Payment Options
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As we return to school for the 2025-2026 school year, we would like to provide you with several resources related to our food service program, provided by Chartwells School Dining Services.
Nutrislice Menus
Daily breakfast and lunch menus are available to view via the Nutrislice website.
MySchoolBucks Online Payment System
Abington School District partners with MySchoolBucks, an online service where you can easily and securely pay for school meals using a credit/debit card or electronic check.
Using MySchoolBucks you can:
● Add funds to your student’s meal account
● View meal balances & cafeteria purchases
● Receive low balance alerts
Get started in 4 easy steps:
1. Download the mobile app or visit myschoolbucks.com
2. Create your free account
3. Add your student
4. Add funds to your student’s meal account
If you have any questions about getting started with MySchoolBucks, call (855) 832-5226.
Free / Reduced Meals
Your child may be eligible to receive free/reduced school meals, based on your income or state benefits received. In order to be eligible for free or reduced meals, you will need to complete an application, unless you are directly certified through your benefits program.
Complete the application and submit it to the main office, or apply online.
Contact the Student Services Department at 215-881-2505 if you need assistance. (Please note that free breakfast will be available to all Abington School District students for the duration of the 2024-2025 school year.)
McKinley HEART
Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (SPWBIS) / HEART at McKinley is a program to promote and maximize academic achievement and behavioral competence. As part of the SWPBIS program, we have several clear rules for the behavior we expect in all areas of our school (e.g. classroom, hallways, playground, cafeteria, gymnasium, etc.). We explicitly teach our students our expectations of Honesty, Excellence, Awareness, Respect, and Teamwork. We will also reward them frequently with positive notes and prizes for their great behavior. You will be able to ask your child, What are the rules in your school? How do you follow those rules? What happens when a teacher sees you following the rules?
School Information
SCHOOL HOURS
Arrival 8:30-8:50 AM
Dismissal 3:20 PM
The school campus (including fields and playgrounds) is closed to the general public during school hours.
If a child is absent, parents must report it. An absence can be submitted on Skyward (see directions linked at the bottom of this newsletter) in advance of the date for appointments, or can be submitted on the day of the absence. Submitting an absence on Skyward is the recommended way of alerting the school of your child’s absence and removes the need for you to call the Child Check line.
If you do not report your child’s absence on Skyward, you must contact the Child Check phone or email line prior to 8:30 AM on the day of the absence: 215-663-0430 option#2. Please provide the following information: Child’s name, your name, teacher’s name, date(s) of absence, and the reason for the absence. Note: “Vacation” is not considered an excused absence in Abington School District, as per the district’s attendance policy.
Families can retrieve transportation information via Skyward.
Log into the Skyward information system using your assigned login name and password. You may need to click “Open Family Access” after logging in.
Select the “Busing” tab on the left-hand side as shown below. Your student’s busing information will be shown on the right-hand side.
During the first few weeks, expect bus schedules to fluctuate as everyone adjusts to the new bus routes. If your concern is about the location of a bus stop or driver, you will need to contact the Abington Transportation Department at 215-884-0421. If your child is experiencing a problem with other students, please contact our Asst. Principal, Ms. Corbett.
SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS
Suggested supply lists are posted on ASD’s Family Resources page. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle, and we have water refilling stations in the building. Cell phones are not necessary, but students who bring cell phones to school must keep the phones off and in their backpack throughout the school day.
K-2 Students Only: Please consider (optional) sending in a labeled bag with a spare set of clothing including a shirt, underwear, pants, and socks in the event of an emergency.
MEDICINE
The administration of medicine to students by the nurse may be authorized only in emergency cases and only upon the completion and submission of the Medication Form as well as documentation from the doctor. All medicines must come to school in the original container and be kept in the nurse’s office. It is the parents’ responsibility to bring medication to school. No medication should be sent into school with a student.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Parents and guardians have the option to purchase private student accident medical insurance. Please inquire with the Business Office at 215-881-2541 to obtain a brochure regarding the available coverage and enrollment/purchase information.
During the day, all exterior doors are locked, and everyone enters via the main entrance. To maintain building safety, a limited number of essential visitors will be allowed. Visitors must present a photo ID or wear an ASD-issued volunteer badge. Parents and guardians interested in volunteering at the school will need to obtain volunteer certifications in order to be approved to volunteer.