Dragon News
McKelvey Primary
February 12, 2026
Dear McKelvey Primary Families,
Just a reminder that we have a 1/2 day today and will dismiss at 1pm. The students are off school tomorrow (Friday) for teacher professional development and records day. There is no school Monday due to Presidents Day. Enjoy the nice weekend!
BIG THANK YOU to PTO and all of you who donated to our "February Stock the Lounge." Our staff appreciates your generosity and it was a great pick-me-up!
Check out the upcoming events below and I hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Dr. Christina Pliske
Mark your Calendar!
February 9-13: Abilities Awareness Week-- spirit days flyer below
February 12: Half Day-Dismissal at 1pm (Teacher PD); Spirit Day WEAR PINK
February 13: No School, Teacher PD Day
February 16: No School, Presidents Day
March 10: McKP Art, Music, Books Event (flyer below)
March 13: Half Day-Dismissal at 1pm (Teacher Records Day)
March 15-20: No School, Spring Break
March 23: Spirit Day-WEAR BRIGHT COLORS!
March 26: Cardinals Spirit Day
Dear Families,
Our staff has been doing a lot of learning around Executive Function. Executive Function (EF) skills are the brain skills that help people:
get started on tasks
stay focused
remember instructions
manage time
control impulses
shift when plans change
Think of EF as the brain’s air-traffic control system. It helps everything run smoothly, especially when things get busy, exciting, or frustrating. These skills develop slowly over childhood and don’t come “online” all at once. Kids aren’t being lazy, defiant, or careless when EF is hard. They're still building the system.
Here are some things you can do at home to help build Executive Function Skills:
🎲 Games & Play
Board and card games-Turn-taking, remembering rules, managing winning/losing.
Simon Says / Follow the Leader-Listening, impulse control, body awareness.
Puzzles & building toys (LEGO, blocks)-Planning, persistence, flexible problem-solving.
🎵 Music, Movement & Rhythm
Freeze Dance / Musical Statues-Start–stop control and self-regulation.
Clapping or rhythm copy games-Attention, memory, and coordination.
Singing songs with motions-Language, sequencing, and focus.
🧠 Everyday EF Practices
Short routines–Same order each day = less mental load.
One- or two-step directions. “Get your shoes, then wait by the door.”)
Timed challenges-“Let’s clean up during this song.”
Choice within structure-“Do you want to brush teeth before or after pajamas?”
EF skills grow over time. Kids don’t need to be fast, perfect, or independent right away. Play, routines, and support are how these skills develop. I hope that some of these ideas are helpful for your family!
Julie Mouser-DeArmond
Instructional Coach
Below is a link to our district calendar (click the blue button) as well as a snapshot of the half and no school days throughout the year. We know unplanned absences will occur, but your child's attendance is extremely important. We miss them when they are gone and they miss important learning and social interaction when they are not at school. If possible, when planning for appointments and/or vacations, please attempt to use the afternoons of half days or days off school throughout the year.
This must be done yearly!
If you are in need of assistance with breakfast or lunch money, please complete the Free and Reduced lunch process. This must be done EVERY Year.
Check out the Menu
School breakfast and lunch menus can be found here. You can deposit money into your student's account at My School Bucks.
Adventure Club
https://prcommunityed.org/programs/school-age-care/registration-instructions
