01/26 McMicken Family Connection

Dear Families,

It’s hard to believe we are already rounding the corner to February! February brings African American History Month, which we recognize with readings and activities to learn about important leaders and events throughout African American History. We are also holding our first in person Academic Parent Teacher Teams in over a year. We are so excited to be able to break bread with our families, as well as provide the space for families to connect with each other. We recently looked at our family survey data from last year’s APTT and it shows that a high percentage of families find these events very valuable! Can’t wait to see you all there!

In collaboration,

😄 Principal Haas

At McMicken Heights Elementary, we have an exceptionally diverse group of students, which is viewed as a valuable attribute. We believe every student has something important to contribute to our school community. We recognize as educators that all students have different needs and learning styles.

McMicken Heights Elementary is one of 16 model Inclusionary Practices Project (IPP) demonstration sites. This initiative supports inclusionary practices for public school students with various disabilities in general education classrooms. Research consistently shows that students with disabilities do better in school when they have the same access to academic and social opportunities as their peers.

Inclusion is more than a collection of special education services; it is a shift in our practice that ensures that all students are active and participating members of their school communities, including supporting students from all backgrounds and identities, regardless of the languages they speak. Inclusionary practices are one way that McMicken Heights works towards the Highline Promise to know every student by name, strength, and need.

This year we plan on bringing back a yearbook for McMicken Heights! A yearbook is a collection of photographs from the year that also include pictures of each class and staff member along with school clubs and celebrations. We would like to know if you're interested in buying one for your student(s)! Please answer the brief questions in this form. Reach out to Nicole Atkinson (nicole.atkinson@highlineschools.org) with any questions.

All students take the iReady diagnostic in the fall to measure their 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.

Students have now taken their second diagnostic for the year! At this time, students, parents, and teachers have the opportunity to see how much growth the child has made in those same reading and math domains. Their yearly growth goal is determined by their first diagnostic, and changes based on their current learning and grade-level.

This is a great time to check in with your child around their growth.

• What were their strongest areas, and which are areas that they're still working on?
• What specific skills are they finding success in or finding a challenge in?

The recommendation for students is to work on their personalized lessons independently for 45 minutes weekly, both for reading and math. Students can track their time on task, passed lessons, and lessons passed streak through their learning portal. It is accessible by logging in to Classlink.

Please join us for our next Academic Parent-Teacher Team Meeting (APTT) in February! For any specific questions, please reach out to your child's teacher.

What:

• Look at class and student growth since our last meeting.
• Learn about a new skill students need to be successful.
• Learn about activities to do at home to support student success.

When: 5:15-6:45pm

• Thursday, 2/2/23: Kinder, 3, 5
• Tuesday, 2/7/23: 1, 2, 4

Where: At McMicken, in your child’s classroom

Childcare: If you can, please leave your child at home with another family member. If you need to bring your child, LIMITED childcare will be provided in the McMicken gym. Please fill out and return the “Childcare Waiver Form” that your teacher will send home on Wednesday 1/18/23.

Rewards: Families who attend will be in a raffle drawing to receive:

• Class raffle prize
• Grade-level class party (for the class with the highest attendance)
• School-wide raffle for a Lenovo laptop

February's Monthly Focus: We are GROWING.

Weekly Focus (Jan. 30-Feb. 3): Have a growth mindset.

A quote to think about: "Change is inevitable, growth is optional." -John Maxwell

When we have a growth mindset, it looks like:

February's Monthly Focus: We are GROWING.

Weekly Focus (Feb. 6-10): Know what it takes to excel.

A quote to think about: "To excel is to do better today than you did yesterday." -Matty Mullins

When we know what it takes to excel, it looks like:

• Setting personal goals

• Using resources to get where you need to go

When we know what it takes to excel, it sounds like:

• Reflecting on your goals

• "I know where I am at, I know where I am going, and I know how to get there."

• "I'm working on..."

When we know what it takes to excel, it feels like:

• Having a purposeful plan and having direction

Thursday, February 2: APTT #2 for Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 5th grade (5:15-6:30 at McMicken)

Tuesday, February 7: APTT #2 for 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 4th grade (5:15-6:30 at McMicken)

Friday, February 17 - Monday, February 20: Mid-Winter Break, No School

Empty Bowls events can be found around the country raising money to combat hunger in our communities. Moshier Art Center Potters have donated bowls to be filled with soup at this fun event...all are invited! Your donation will get you the opportunity to pick out a beautiful handmade bowl, as well as receive a delicious meal of soup, bread, dessert and drink. We have 22 wonderful soups, all donated by local businesses.

Date: Friday, January 27, 2023

Time: 11:00am-2:00pm and 4:00pm-8:00pm

Place: Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Avenue SW, Burien, WA 98166

Minimum Donation: $20 for adults and $10 for kids, which can be made at the event

Website: https://www.discoverburien.org/events-calendar/2023/1/27/empty-bowls

The SeaTac Community Center is turning 30 years old! There is a planned day full of events for all ages, and everything is free!

Breakfast Kickoff: Walk around and see the displays that show the history of the community center. Enjoy the running slideshow and live music. Also, they will provide a pancake breakfast with all the fixings! Pre-registration is not required, and breakfast will be available as long as supplies last.

Family Fun Time: Now it's time to turn the party up! Families are invited to come and enjoy a few hours of fun and celebration. They are planning for bouncy houses, a petting zoo, live music, food trucks, and much more! They are still working on details, so follow the City of SeaTac on social media!

Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023

Time: 8:30-10:30AM for Breakfast Kickoff, 12:00PM-3:00PM for Family Fun Time

Place: SeaTac Community Center, 13735 24th Ave S., SeaTac, WA 98168

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 February's Heritage Months in English or Spanish.

February is African American/Black History month, a time to celebrate the achievements made by African American/Black individuals and recognize the central role they have played in U.S. History.

National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) provides an intentional day for African/African American families to be involved in their child’s education. The goal of this day is also to address the serious achievement gap facing African American students and promote and provide strategies for families to take advantage of educational opportunities.

World Day of Social Justice recognizes that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights, and opportunities. It is a time to bring awareness to the need for us to put forth efforts to deal with issues such as discrimination, poverty, gender equity, and access to justice for all.

International Mother Language Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion. It is a day to promote awareness of language and cultural diversity around the world and the importance of preserving indigenous and local languages. Learn about International Mother Language Day from the United Nations.

Contact us for support or with questions.

McMicken Heights Elementary School

https://mcmicken.highlineschools.org

Phone: (206) 631-4300

Follow us on social media!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McMickenHeightsElementary/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcmicken.heights

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mcm_heights