09/29 McMicken Family Connection

September 29, 2022

Principal's Corner

A Word from Your Principal

Dear McMicken Families,

As we round the corner on September, it’s important to reflect on all that we have accomplished together so far. Our Cougar learners have already shown so much growth both on a social emotional level as well as academically since the start of school. We are finishing up iReady testing, baseline IRLA (for reading levels), and other classroom assessments so we can truly know every Cougar by name, strength, and need. We are excited to have data chats with our learners as we celebrate and build on strengths to address next steps in their learning. In IRLA, for example, teachers are talking about “power goals” with Cougars—this might be a foundational skill, like “ed” endings, letter sounds, or a comprehension skill like identifying story elements. Be sure to check in with your Cougar about their power goals over the next few weeks!

☺ Principal Haas

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Understanding Your Student's Data

In the next few weeks, you will be learning more about your student's current academic levels. When you attend your child's first Academic Parent Teacher Team (APTT) meeting, you will learn more about the expectations of each grade level.

The following assessments are used across the school:

iReady diagnostics measure student's current levels in reading and math, across different domains. These are used to help understand your child's overall academic levels. Their diagnostic scores determine their personalized learning path through the lessons they work on in iReady. Students answer multiple-choice questions on the iReady diagnostics. (Kindergarten will take their first iReady diagnostics in January.)
IRLA reading levels determine your child's ability to read independently using decoding (breaking apart words to read), fluency (how they read and connect words together in sentences, and sentences into paragraphs), comprehension (how they understand what they're reading), and vocabulary (using a variety of words with shades of meaning and being able to define the words). Student IRLA levels are determined by their ability to read and understand text on their own, and explain verbally.

More to come around how these assessments help teachers support your students, and how we can continue to strengthen our partnership to ensure your child is best supported at home and school.

Burien Brat Trot (Saturday, October 1)

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Join Dr. Duran and the Highline Schools Foundation for a family-friendly, fast and (mostly) flat 5k around the streets of Burien, plus a 1k for kids, on Saturday, October 1.

The race begins where it always has in Olde Burien, but this year the race ends with a finish line at Town Square Park in downtown Burien and the inaugural Burien Oktoberfest! Find all the details and a link to register on the Highline Schools Foundation website.

There will be prizes for first-place runners and the team with the most finishers. The school with the most affiliated runners will receive a $500 grant from the foundation. Runners have the opportunity to select a school when they register, and all finishers receive a medal.

After the race, stay for Burien Oktoberfest, where there will be family games, live entertainment, a brew festival featuring local beers, vendor booths, and the Highline Schools Foundation’s Root Beer Garden!

Picture Day is Coming Up!

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Students will be photographed by O'Connor Photography Studio for their school record on Wednesday, October 12th. Students will take individual photographs at this time.

If you would like to purchase your student's portraits, visit the website to pre-order their portraits today! You can also purchase by visiting our website at: www.oconnorphotographystudio.com. Students will not be able to purchase photographs with cash on the day of.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please give their studio a call at 1-800-993-4929.

Join the Superintendent's Family Action Committee (FAC)

The Superintendent's Family Action Committee (FAC) has been active for 10 years and is highly regarded as a committee that brings the parent/family voice to a variety of district strategies and practices.

They are seeking members for the Superintendent's Family Action Committee for the 2022-2024 school years. Their goal is to have a representative from each school that reflects the beautiful diversity of our district. Here are some of the things the FAC has accomplished:

FAC Accomplishments

Co-developed the family engagement catalog
Nationally recognized family engagement video produced by the FAC.
Review and provide feedback on policies including equity, family engagement etc.
Co-developed district’s family engagement survey and vision

Committee description and applications are available on the website. They are accepting applications through Friday, October 14.

Vision

Families and Schools working as partners to ensure every student graduates prepared for the future they choose.

Mission

Families working directly with the Superintendent, bringing the family voice to district level decision-making.

Charge

The Superintendent’s Family Action Committee will:

Providing the superintendent and staff strategies around effective family engagement practices.
Providing input and feedback on school district policies and department strategies and practices.
Holding the district accountable for strategic plan goals. District staff will report out to specific metrics on a regular basis.

Childcare, interpretation and dinner are provided at every FAC meeting. Please contact Lolita O’Donnell for any questions at Lolita.ODonnell@highlineschools.org or call (206) 631-3100.

VOTE on the 2022 Bond: Proposition 1

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Highline Public Schools has an upcoming bond on the November 8th ballot. This bond will fund the replacement of Evergreen HS, Tyee HS, and Pacific MS, and fund critical repairs and improvements across the district - without raising tax rates! Once Evergreen and Tyee high schools are rebuilt, every high school service area across Highline will have a safe, modern high school.

To learn more information about the bond, you can watch this video, visit this website, or attend a bond informational meeting.

Monday, October 17, 6:00 p.m. (Zoom link to be provided)
Thursday, November 3, 6:00 p.m. (Zoom link to be provided)

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Our Weekly Habit

October's Monthly Focus: We are C.O.U.G.A.R.S.

Weekly Focus (Oct. 3-7): We are Growing.

A quote to think about:

you are slowly growing

but you are still growing

and that is enough

- D h i m a n (poet)

When we are growing, it looks like:

Making progress on your goal
Making mistakes and learning from them and trying again

When we are growing, it sounds like:

"I can do this."
"I don't understand this... yet."
"At first I thought... now I think..."

When we are growing, it feels like:

Proud, accomplished, and challenged at times

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Wednesday, October 12: Picture Day (Individual Student Photos)

Friday, October 14: No School for Students (Pre-K to 12)

Tuesday, October 25: 5th Grade APTT #1 (5:30-6:45pm on Zoom)

Wednesday, October 26: 3rd Grade APTT #1 (5:30-6:45pm on Zoom)

Thursday, October 27: 1st Grade APTT #1 (5:30-6:45pm on Zoom)

Tuesday, November 1: 4th Grade APTT #1 (5:30-6:45pm on Zoom)

Wednesday, November 2: 2nd Grade APTT #1 (5:30-6:45pm on Zoom)

Thursday, November 3: Kindergarten APTT #1 (5:30-6:45pm on Zoom)

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Home Depot Hosts Kid Workshops!

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Workshops are back in stores! The first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon. Check out Home Depot's website for current and upcoming workshops for kids.

Each kit pack includes a certificate of completion, an apron pin, and a Kids Workshop apron. Easy enough for a 5-year-old, but fun for all ages, this pre-cut wooden kit encourages creativity and instills a sense of accomplishment. You will learn to hammer and create cool stuff in less than an hour. Parents of younger children will have fun working with them on this project. Parts are made of wood and kit includes all necessary assembly hardware. Can be used as-is or painted or stained and adorned with stickers or stamps.

Available at various locations for free! All ages welcome; adult supervision required.

Fire Rescue Boat – October 1, 2022 @ 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Scarecrow Napkin Holder - November 5, 2022 @ 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Train Ornament - November 26, 2022 @ 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Outer Space Adventure at the WET Science Center

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Join the WET Science Center for free events throughout the year! Check out their website for upcoming events. All ages welcome; adult supervision required for all events.

Put on your space suit and get ready to become a space explorer. Discover mysteries beyond the earth with cosmic crafts of constellations, planets, and more!

Outer Space Adventure is available:

Saturday, October 1, 2022 @ 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 5, 2022 @ 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 26, 2022 @ 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Visit the MaST for FREE on Discovery Days!

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Located on Redondo Beach in Des Moines, Highline College's Marine Science and Technology (MaST) Center is home to thousands of native Pacific Northwest Marine creatures and plants, has four skeletons on display including a 38' gray which died in West Seattle in 2010, and 15 tanks including two touch tanks. Come spend an hour or two with the crabs, fishes, and octopus.

The MaST Center is open for public viewing Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

See our aquarium that holds 3,000 gallons of seawater
View 250+ native Puget Sound species
Experience 2 large touch tanks
See our 38-foot Gray Whale skeleton and other marine mammal skeletons
Learn about current issues in the marine ecosystem of Puget Sound

At this time, masks are recommended to be worn by all staff, volunteers, and visitors. This is free and recommended for all ages. The MaST is located at 28203 Redondo Beach Dr. S., Des Moines, WA 98198.

King County Library: Vietnamese Family Story Time

For children ages 2 to 5, Wednesdays on Zoom from 7:00-7:45pm

Join us for stories, music, movement, and rhymes in Vietnamese! Registration required. You will receive a Zoom link via email at least one hour prior to the event. If you do not see an email, check your Junk or Spam folder. Please click this link for more information and to sign up.

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See the full year's Heritage Month calendar and think about how you can continue to celebrate these groups and holidays at home. In addition, you can access the Heritage Month calendar in Spanish, Somali, or Vietnamese.

Explore resources, events, book lists, and more for October's Heritage Months in English or Spanish.

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month

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Each year, we observe National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 to October 15. It is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The day of September 15 is the anniversary of independence for the Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

To learn more about National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, check out these resources in English and Spanish.

Indigenous People's Day (October 10th)

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On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations. For generations, Federal policies systematically sought to assimilate and displace Native people and eradicate Native cultures. Today, we recognize Indigenous peoples’ resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable positive impact that they have made on every aspect of American society.

Disability History and Awareness Month

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Disability History and Awareness Month takes place during October to increase awareness, respect, and acceptance for people with disabilities, and to bring a greater sense of pride to people with disabilities.

As described by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy, we celebrate "the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices. The annual theme is announced early to facilitate advance planning of events.”

Bullying Prevention Month

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October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to focus and raise awareness on bullying. During this month, many schools and groups' efforts across the country are aimed at bringing awareness to the issue of bullying.

Bullying includes behaviors such as hitting, teasing, taunting, spreading rumors and gossip, stealing, and excluding someone from a group. Bullying actions are carried out on purpose with the intent to hurt someone. For a brief explanation of the definition of bullying, you can watch this video.

At McMicken, we teach and empower our students to prevent bullying using the three R's.

Recognize, understanding what is and what isn't bullying.
Report, letting a trusted adult know, so they can help.
Refuse, standing up for one another by speaking up and taking action.

Filipino American Heritage Month

Image with a blend of the United States flag with the flag of the Philippines, with the words "Filipino American History Month" in the middle.

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In 2009, U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States. Various states, counties, and cities in the U.S. have established proclamations and resolutions declaring observance of Filipino American History Month. It’s all about celebrating the history, heritage, culture and achievements of Filipino Americans.

Italian American Heritage Month

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Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month is celebrated by proclamation of the President and Congress in the United States to honor the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States.

Polish American Heritage Month

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The Polish Heritage Month promotes understanding and appreciation of Polish heritage and culture. The US shows appreciation of the vital contributions people of Polish descent have made to our Nation in the arts, the sciences, religion, scholarship, and every area of endeavor.