The Lion's Roar
Principal's Weekly Newsletter-September 27, 2026
Monday, September 28
4/5 Clubs and Student Council Info to 4/5
Begin 1st-5th Fall F&Ps (one on one reading assessments)
- 3rd-5th Theater Begins
College Shirt Day
Thursday, October 1
Spanish Book Club, 9-10am, Courtyard
- Filipino Heritage Month, Bullying Prevention Months Begin
- ELAC, 5:30-6:30pm, Auditorium, Agenda
- Room Parent Meeting 12-1pm, Zoom
Picture Day
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!
College Wednesdays - 9/30
Every Wednesday is College Wednesday at McKinley! Students and staff are encouraged to wear a college or university shirt, sweatshirt, or other gear.
Why do we do it? College Wednesdays are one small way we help our students begin to imagine the many possibilities for their futures. Seeing the names of different colleges each week sparks conversations about where people go to college, what they can study, and the many paths available after high school. It’s never too early for our Lions to dream big!
ELAC Meeting - 10/1
If your child is learning English as a second language, please join us for our first evening ELAC (English Learner Advisory Committee) meeting! You can participate in person in the auditorium or on Zoom.
We’ll provide dinner and childcare, including activities for the kids, so you can participate fully and enjoy a night with no cooking!
ELAC is an incredibly important parent group at McKinley. ELAC families help us understand the experiences and needs of our English Learners and advise the school on programs and services that support their success. The committee also provides input into our School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA), helping ensure that the needs of English Learners are reflected in our school goals, strategies, and use of resources.
Your experience, ideas, and voice matter. We hope you’ll join us!
Picture Day-10/2
Picture Day is the this Friday!
Come to school ready to smile and dressed the way you want to be remembered!
After Picture Day, families will receive an email with a link to preview photos before purchasing. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of backgrounds, packages, and instant digital downloads. All print orders will be shipped directly to your home.
Room Representative Meeting 10/2
Our next Room Parent Meeting is this Friday from 12:00–1:00 PM! Come connect with other room parents, hear about upcoming school events, and share ideas for getting your class involved in the McKinley community.
The meeting will be led by our amazing Room Parent Coordinators, Ann VerSteeg and Kathryn Williams.
Questions? Reach out to roomparentmck@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!
TK Parent Connections Group! - 10/6
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Oct 6th at 8:30-9:30 AM for our very first TK Parent Connections Group!
Ms. De Santis (school counselor) and Ms. Andrea (bilingual community liaison) are leading our very first TK Parent Connection Group. We plan to meet once a month to offer a space for learning and connection for our new families.
What you can expect from this group:
- Presentations on topics like social emotional development and well-being, McKinley's instructional approaches, and reflective parenting strategies
- Special guests and experts in early childhood
- Opportunities to build community through activities and conversation
We will meet at McKinley in the Community Room
We look forward to connecting with you!
SAVE THE DATE: 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***
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
Free and Reduced Meal Application - All Families Should Complete!
Although breakfast and lunch will continue to be free for all students this year, we ask that every McKinley family complete the Meal Application. The information collected determines whether our school qualifies for critical federal funding through Title I.
Thanks to the incredible efforts of our families last year, McKinley qualified as a schoolwide Title I school and received approximately $287,000 in additional funding! These funds help pay for our full-time counselor, STEM teacher, K–2 Reading Instructional Assistant, and many other essential programs and services for our students.
Completing the application may also help your family qualify for additional services, reduced fees, or scholarships. Please complete it through your ePacket or click the link below—even if you believe your family may not qualify.
Applications must be submitted before the morning of October 2, 2026. If you need assistance, please contact our Community Liaison, Andrea Padilla, at andreapadilla@smmusd.org. Every application makes a difference—please help us protect this vital funding for McKinley!
VISITOR SIGN-IN REMINDER
🥕 Fresh Produce Delivered to Your Door + Money Back to McKinley!
Make healthy eating a little easier with Good Box Organics! Get fresh, certified organic, locally grown produce delivered right to your home, with boxes starting at just $22 and flexible weekly or biweekly delivery. Even better, 5% from every box goes back to our school!
New customers can save 25% on their first order with code FARMTOFAM.
Sign up at good-box.org and eat well while supporting McKinley!
Harvest Festival + Haunted House Planning is Underway!
Save the date! Harvest Festival + Haunted House is Friday, Oct. 23! And we still need volunteers to help with decorations, set-up, and more.
Our next Zoom planning meeting is Thursday, October 8 at 7 PM.
More info on our website HERE
And sign up here for the HARVEST FEST or 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!
SAMOHI Fall Orchestra Concert- 10/10
Experience the amazing Samohi Orchestras at this year’s fall concert, Magic of Disney, on Saturday, October 10. Under the Direction of Jason Aiello and Emily Taylor, the Sinfonia, Intermezzo, Philharmonic, and Symphony Orchestras will perform pieces from Disney's popular movies.
Bring the whole family to hear these iconic melodies as movie clips are projected above stage! Concessions open at 3:00pm, with tacos and baked goods for sale. Dress as your favorite movie character and join in the costume parade prior to the show at 3:45pm. The concert begins at 4:00pm and will end early enough for even our littlest audience members to stay for the whole show. This event sells out, so buy your tickets now at www.samohi orchestras.org, $10 students/$20 adults.
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.
