McKean School Community,

October has been extremely busy, productive, and school-spirited. We have put our best foot forward and continue to show why ‘We A.R.E McKean!’ Our students had the opportunity to participate in AVID activities, Hispanic Heritage Month, Special Olympics Bocce, the ASVAB, College Visits, our Homecoming Pep Rally, Game, Dance, and ending with the Fall Choir Concert. Next week, we will do ‘Launch into your future week,’ a.k.a College Application Week. I want to commend our faculty for their organization and implementation of all events on and off campus, as well as the energy and passion to create fun learning opportunities within our academic environment. I am proud that it involves students from all grade levels and invites everyone to engage in “the McKean experience.”

We A.R.E. McKean!

• Friday October 20th - The Backyard Brawl - 6:00pm at The John Dickinson School
• Monday October 23rd - Friday October 27th - Launch Into Your Future Week
• Tuesday October 24th - College and Career Night - 6:00pm-8:00pm - Bob Carpenter Center @ UD
• Monday October 23rd thru Friday October 27th - College Application Week for Class of 2024
• Tuesday October 31st - LAST Senior Portrait Day - Sign Up Here

• Thursday November 2nd - LAST day of Marking Period 2
• Friday November 3rd - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Teacher Grading Day
• Thursday November 2nd - FAFSA ID Night - 3pm-6pm
• Tuesday November 7th - First Day of Winter Sports Practices
• Wednesday November 8th - School Choice Open House - 6pm-8pm
• Friday November 10th - SCHOOL CLOSED - Observance of Veteran's Day
• Monday November 20th & Tuesday November 21st - Teacher Conferences - In Person and Virtual
• Monday November 20th - Friday November 24th - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Thanksgiving Holiday

We have received questions about surveys and screeners that our students take during the school year. Screening and assessment provide valuable information about each child's interests, strengths, and needs. Our school and district also use assessment as an ongoing process to improve our educational process. If you have any specific questions about a survey or screener, feel free to reach to our administration team.

Class of 2024: The Scholarship Compendium is now available online for all seniors in the class of 2024. This lists hundreds of scholarships across the state that are available for graduating seniors planning to attend college next year. Please go to scholarships.delawarestudentsuccess.org to access the compendium.

Class of 2025: Of you are interested in taking the PSAT/NMSQT for scholarship consideration, please go to the class of 2025 Schoology page to register.

If you do not see a "Class of" page on your Schoology. Please let your School Counselor know.

Dear Highlander Families,

We’re going to France in Spring 2024, and you’re invited! Our trip will run for nine days over spring break of 2024, and students are eligible to attend with, of course, the understanding that the student meets behavioral expectations in the classroom and on the trip.

Please use this link for more information.

https://www.eftours.com/enroll

Then select VIEW after entering the tour number: 2642172AV

Thank you,

Mme Brunton

Thomas McKean High School's School Counselors are available to meet with students by appointment only. Please check "Class of" Schoology Pages for more information.

• October 23-October 27: Launch into Your Future Week
• Seniors will be working with counselors and community volunteers all week during their English classes to prepare for Life after McKean. They will work on college applications and essays, research careers, resumes etc. They will also get their FSA ID if they will be completing a FAFSA for college.
• FSA ID Night - November 2nd 3-6pm
• This workshop is designed for any parent of a senior who is going to college/trade school next year. You will need an FSA ID to complete your student’s FAFSA. The FAFSA is the application for financial aid and also needed for scholarships. Registration will begin next week through your student’s Schoology class of 2024 page, but walk-ins are always welcome.
• School Counselors visited all 12th Grade English classes and spoke to students about their plans for after graduation
  
• Counselors are meeting individually with all seniors to discuss their plans for after graduation.
• College application week for our 12th graders will Monday October 23-Friday October 27
• College & Career night October 24th 6-8 pm Bob Carpenter Center University of Delaware
• This year’s FAFSA for students attending college next year will not open until December.

Questions - Contact Academic Dean Dr. Caputo

Please visit HighlandersSports.com for information about Highlander Athletics as we wrap up the Fall season. The Winter Sports season will be begin Tuesday, November 7th with the first competitions after the return from the Thanksgiving Holiday.

• Boys Basketball - Stephon Johnson
• Girls Basketball - Ricky Brown
• Winter Cheerleading - Rikia DeRamus
• Swimming - Aleecia King & Jaxon Brown
• Indoor Track - Gavin Coates
• Unified Basketball - Mike Freccia
• Wrestling - Nick Dorda & Dan Baker

Athletic Director Dorda would like to share the following information regarding Fall Sports:

• Tickets to home football and basketball games must be purchased in advance from Ticket Spicket.
• Students will not be permitted to re-enter the stadium or gymnasium once they have left.
• After school buses are reserved for active roster student athletes only. NO STUDENT FANS PERMITTED
• Highlander Sportsmanship is expected from all athletes, student fans, and family fans at all sporting events. All Highlanders are expected to adhere to the codes of conduct set forth by Thomas McKean High School, Red Clay Consolidated School District, and the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Questions - Contact Mr. Dorda - Athletic Director

As we begin the 2023-2024 school year, the Thomas McKean High School administrative team would like to take some time to discuss climate and culture expectations for the building. Safety and security is one of the main foci within our building and community. Students and staff feel safe and excited to come to school being amongst their Highlander community family. A few reminders about Thomas McKean High School's expectations and commitment to a positive learning environment for all.

• The school day starts at 7:10am and runs until 2:10pm. Students arriving late to school must check in at the front office before heading to class. Any students arriving after 10:30am must have a note explaining their tardiness. If a student is absent for more than 50% of his or her instructional day/classes, the student is considered absent from school. Any student arriving after this time will not be permitted within the building without proper documentation.
• All students must have a note or other form of prior authorization in order to receive an early dismissal. Students are not permitted to leave campus early without documentation.
• No student is permitted to return to campus after leaving the building without proper documentation and approval from school administration.
• No student or staff member is permitted to prop open any exterior door at any time. Only the main office doors should be used by students, families, or guests to enter the building.

Lockdown and evacuation drills are essential components of school safety protocols, playing a crucial role in protecting students and staff in the event of emergencies. These drills are designed to prepare students and school personnel for a range of potential crises, from natural disasters to security threats, and serve as a proactive measure to minimize risks and enhance safety within the school building. The importance of practicing these drills cannot be overstated:

• Emergency Preparedness: Lockdown and evacuation drills help students and staff understand how to respond effectively during a crisis. Being familiar with these procedures can make a significant difference in the event of an actual emergency, as individuals are more likely to remain calm and follow the established safety protocols.
• Minimizing Panic: In times of crisis, chaos can reign if people do not know what to do. Conducting regular drills ensures that everyone in the school knows their roles and responsibilities, reducing confusion and panic during real emergencies.
• Improving Response Times: Practicing drills helps in fine-tuning response times. In an actual emergency, every second counts, and well-practiced drills can significantly reduce the time it takes to secure a building or evacuate safely.
• Security and Threat Mitigation: Lockdown drills are particularly important for dealing with security threats, such as active shooters. By practicing these procedures, schools can enhance their ability to protect students and staff in the face of danger.
• Natural Disasters: Evacuation drills are crucial for preparing students for natural disasters like earthquakes, fires, or severe weather events. Knowing how and where to evacuate can save lives and prevent injuries.
• Community Engagement: In many cases, schools involve local emergency services, law enforcement, and first responders in these drills. This collaboration strengthens the relationship between the school and the community, ensuring that all parties are on the same page when it comes to safety measures.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: State regulations require schools to conduct regular drills as part of their legal and regulatory obligations.
• Continuous Improvement: Regular drills allow schools to identify weaknesses in their safety plans and make necessary improvements. They can review the effectiveness of communication systems, evacuation routes, and response times to refine their strategies.
• Empowering Students: Lockdown and evacuation drills empower students by teaching them valuable life skills. Knowing how to respond to emergencies not only enhances their safety in school but also prepares them for similar situations outside of the educational environment.
• Psychological Preparedness: These drills help students and staff mentally prepare for the possibility of emergencies, reducing the psychological impact when actual crises could occur.
• Proactive Safety Culture: Practicing lockdown and evacuation drills fosters a culture of safety within the school community. It sends a message that the well-being of students and staff is a top priority, promoting a sense of security and peace of mind.

In conclusion, lockdown and evacuation drills are fundamental to the safety of students in the school building. By practicing these procedures regularly, schools can ensure that students and staff are well-prepared to respond to emergencies, which ultimately enhances the safety and well-being of everyone within the school community.

We would like to stress the importance of on time arrival to both school and every class this year. As a team, we are ramping up interventions and supports, as well as consequences and celebrations, for students around on time arrival to class. Attendance interventions have been designed to help all students maximize their learning time by incentivizing being on time, and we have a team dedicated to addressing any challenges students face with tardiness to school and class. Students that arrive to class late will not be eligible for hall/bathroom passes during the period.

Thomas McKean High School has three dedicated individuals committed to the success of each and everyone one of our Highlanders. Mr. Gavin Coates and Ms. Shavonne Carter, and Mr. Taureen Taylor work closely with our students, teachers, staff, and other resources to support all students' paths to success.

All Highlanders are expected to display a current rearview mirror hang tang on their vehicles when parking at Thomas McKean High School. Student parking is restricted to the upper parking lot by the track and tennis courts during the school day, and all students are required to purchase a parking pass before driving to school. In order to purchase a pass, please contact Mr. Coates via email, during lunches, or in B22 to purchase a parking pass.

All vehicles must be registered and display the parking pass at all times while on campus. Unregistered vehicles and improperly parked vehicles are subject to towing from campus at the owner's expense.

Student Parking in Upper Lot: Any students utilizing the upper student lot.

• Any vehicles parked illegally or not displaying a parking permit are subject to being towed at your own expense.
• Students who are reported driving aggressively or recklessly in the Student Lot or any other areas on campus are subject to having all parking privileges revoked.
• If for any reason students lose this privilege that will not be permitted to drive/park on campus.

For any and all students attending any After-School activities are to abide by the Red Clay Student and Family handbook, whether at McKean campus or any other school campus.

• The Student and Family handbook is enforced at all school-sponsored events and other activities where school administrators have jurisdiction over students.
• Any student who actively hinders an investigation or any student who aids, is involved with the planning, or helps another student in any way in an act which violates the Student Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action.
• Students can be subject to be revocation or loss of privileges at any time being unable to attend any After-School activities violating the Code of Conduct.

All Highlander Students are expected to come to school dressed in accordance to the Red Clay Consolidated School District's Student Handbook Dress Code expectations that were distributed through Advisory classes during the first week of school. There is no uniform at Thomas McKean High School but students should be mindful of the following:

Dress Code

• Students must wear clothing including both a shirt with pants or skirt, or the equivalent.
• The torso must be covered and undergarments must not be visible.
• Students must wear shoes with a sole.
• Hats and other head coverings are not to be worn in schools except in cases of medical, and religious reasons.

Clothing may not:

• Depict, advertise or advocate the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances.
• Depict pornography, nudity or sexual acts.
• Share or depict hate speech.
• Depict violence or threaten the health or safety of any other student or staff member.

See page 15 of the Student Handbook for more information.

The Audion was recently renamed and dedicated to Mr. Harlan "Gus" Highfield and his five decades of teaching and service contributions to the Highlander Community. Full article here.

Several seniors participated in the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) recently as they prepare for their futures! Kyla Brady, Itzel Escobar-Martinez, Aisling McKenney, Anesha Brown, Tymeer Robinson, Alexus Barlow, Jasiah Hollman, Evelin Agramonte, and Daniel Crooks.

In addition to hosting the bocce tournament for all of Red Clay Consolidated School District this past week with Delaware Special Olympics, Thomas McKean High School's Principal Mr. Reginald Worlds and Best Buddies/Special Olympics Advisor Ms. Holly Schnittger were presented with the Special Olympics Banner School Award. McKean is recognized as a banner school for it's commitment to inclusion on both the state and nation levels of Special Olympics.

Thank you all for your hard work to put together an amazing Homecoming Spirit Week and Homecoming Dance. Everyone enjoyed the events during the week, the football game, and the Midnight Masquerade themed dance to cap off the week. Thank you all for your hard work!