Highlander Happenings

McKean School Community,

We hope the start of the school year has gone as smoothly as possible for you. Our students are quickly falling into a routine and the first few weeks have been a success! Thank you to our families for supporting their child(ren) as they get back into “school mode”. As we stressed last year, regular attendance and consistent on-time arrival to school are vital to our students’ success. Being present and prompt will prepare students for what will be expected of them throughout the school year and life beyond McKean. Also, we encourage all students to get involved in at least one club or team. Interest meetings for various clubs will take place over the next few weeks. Information about clubs and academic teams will be announced through the morning announcements over the year. Finally, just a reminder that our Back to School Night will be held on Thursday, September 26th at 6:00.

We A.R.E McKean!

• Friday, September 20th: Last Day to change your classes
• Thursday, September 26th: Back to School Night @ McKean 6-8pm
• Thursday, September 26th: PTO Meeting @ McKean Library 8pm

October 2024

• Tuesday, October 1st: Williamson College of the Trades @10am
• Tuesday, October 1st: End of Interim Report Period
  
• Wednesday, October 2nd: Picture day for 9th-11th grade students
• Thursday, October 3rd: School Closed
• Thursday, October 10th: 2025 Group Picture on the Football Field
• Friday, October 11th: No School For Students- Staff In-service
• Wednesday, October 16th: Fall Choir Concert
• Friday, October 18 - Senior Picture Opportunity
• October 21-25th: Launch Your Future Week for 12th grade students
• Wednesday, October 23rd: Penn State University @930am
• Thursday October 24th: The Red Clay College Fair will be held @ AI High School from 6-8p

• Friday, October 31- Senior Picture Opportunity

• Friday October 31- End of Marking Period One

The McKean PTO is organized for the purpose of supporting the education of students at Thomas McKean High School by fostering relationships among the school, parents/guardians, and building-level faculty. The organization also strives to promote community engagement. Fundraising efforts go towards supporting the staff, assisting with or donating towards school events for students, and building level projects per administrative request.

Everyone who joins the PTO will get a McKean water bottle!

Next Meeting: 9/26 @ 8pm *special time-directly after open house*

Join Red Clay Saturday, September 7th from 10 am-1 pm at the Red Clay Block Party~

McKean High School is teaming up with the Bellefonte Lions Club, Wilmington United Lions Club and Wilmington United Youth Coalition for a hygiene Drive. It’s running from August 28 through September 29, 2024. Items needed, toothpaste, toothbrush, wipes, dry shampoo, feminine products, and deodorants. Drop off at Bellevue community center 510 Dunkin Road Wilmington, Delaware.

• Students can sign-up for an appointment with their school counselor in their "Class of 202_" page on Schoology. If a student does not have a Class of 202_ page, please see the front desk to be added.

• The last day to change classes is Friday, September 20th. Please complete a Schedule Change Request Form on Schoology prior to September 18th if you need to change one of your classes.

• Launch Your Future Week for 12th grade students will be October 21st-25th.

• The Red Clay College Fair will be held at AI DuPont High School from 6-8pm on October 24th. CLICK HERE for more information.

• This year’s FAFSA for students attending college next year will open on December 1st.

"AVID stands for 'Advancement via Individual Determination.' AVID is a comprehensive program that assists underrepresented students in applying to, and prepares them for, the rigors of four-year colleges and is available to 9th through 12th graders at McKean. Students in AVID live by the WICOR strategies; WICOR stands for Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading. Students are assisted in their high-level classes through tutorials, given help with organization by keeping a binder, and supported in their time management. Additionally, the program provides opportunities for personal growth through guest speakers, college field trips, tutoring, and community service, all of which contribute to building a competitive college application. AVID graduates enroll in college at higher rates than the national average and persist into year 2 of college at higher rates. In 2016, 88% of AVID seniors applied to and were accepted to a four-year college. Why is this important? According to a study completed by the Economic Policy Institute, college graduates annually earned 56% more than someone with only a high school diploma.

Here is a link to a video clip that was created when our AVID program earned a SuperStars in Education Award from the DE Chamber of Commerce in the spring of 2018. The video shows our students and teachers in action and offers their perspectives about the program.

Football - Avery McMullin

Boys Soccer - Mike Freccia

Cheerleading - Anya McKenzie

Cross Country - Gavin Coates

Field Hockey- Layla Marchak

Unified Flag Football - Jaxon Brown

Volleyball- Nettie Choice

Marching Band - Kevin Reeves

Please visit HighlandersSports.com for information about Highlander Athletics!

Please be advised that for all sports events, no tickets will be sold after the conclusion of halftime. We encourage you to purchase your tickets early to ensure entry and to avoid any inconvenience.

1) McKean Sportsmanship Policy

• Students must attend a presentation on Sportsmanship with Ms. Dukuray
• All students must sign McKean Sportsmanship Contract prior to competing in games/practices. Form can be found on the bottom left of the Highlanderssports.com page under Forms.

2) DIAA Physical

• Students must have a DIAA physical on file with the school to be eligible for practices, scrimmages, and games.
• Physicals must be completed on the approved DIAA Physical Forms.
• Physicals must be completed after April 1st of the year that the school year begins.
• Physicals may be uploaded to Family ID or submitted to the school nurse.

3) Academic Eligibility

• Academic eligibility is determined each marking period.
• Students must be passing 5 classes to be eligible to participate in athletic activities.
• 2 of the 5 classes must be in the core subject areas: Math, Science, English, or Social Studies.
• Seniors must also be passing all classes needed for graduation.

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

• 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

Highlander Family,

We have had a fantastic start to the school year! It feels like just yesterday we welcomed everyone on day one, and now we are nearly a month in. As we continue moving forward together, I’d like to remind you of some important rules that ensure a safe and positive school environment:

1. Students must arrive by 11am to be marked present for the day.
2. Students are not permitted to leave campus without proper documentation from a parent or guardian. Please note, no early dismissals will be granted after 1:50pm.
3. Students must arrive on time for all classes.
4. Student drivers are required to have a McKean-issued parking permit and park in the designated student lot.
5. Clothing must be school-appropriate and cover the entire torso. Additionally, hats, hoods, and masks are not allowed unless for medical or religious reasons.
6. Cell phones should be turned off and put away during class time.

Our climate and culture team is dedicated to supporting every student, every day. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Quig at the school or via email at

Cody Quiq

Assistant Principal

Cody.Quig@redclay.k12.de.us

Thank you for your continued support

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.