The McKelvey Messenger

January 11, 2024

Important Dates

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January 12 No School (Records Day)

January 15 No School (Dr. Martin Luther King Day)

January 17 Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m.

January 23 PTO Meeting @McKelvey Intermediate - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

January 26 Popcorn Day

January 31 Early Release Day - Dismissal at 1:50 p.m.

January 31 State of the District, 5:30 p.m., Central High

February 1 North Area Community Science Night 6-8 p.m.

February 4 Online registration for summer enrichment classes opens at 11 a.m.

February 4 Summer Expo, West High

A Note from Mr. Wilkerson

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Dear McKelvey Community,

Before Winter Break, your child brought home a report with their winter math and reading NWEA Growth results. This is one piece of data we use to guide our instruction to meet student needs. You should have noticed that the report indicated an achievement percentile and a growth percentile. The achievement percentile shows your child’s academic performance right now compared to peers across the nation (the 50th percentile is average). The growth percentile shows the growth from fall to winter compared to others who performed similarly to your student. On or around January 22nd, the District will also be sending the same results. These should not look different than what you already received. If you have specific questions, please reach out to our Instructional Coach, Maggie Beckman at mbeckman@parkwayschools.net.

You can also expect to see more comprehensive information regarding your child’s strengths and goals on the upcoming progress report, which will be live in Infinite Campus on January 22nd.

Thank you for all you do to support your students. We have a lot to celebrate at McKelvey Intermediate! Please enjoy the extended weekend! We will see you back on Tuesday.

Respectfully,

Scott Wilkerson

Playground Update:

The playground is coming along day by day. As expected, though, with the weather, there have been delays. It is projected to be complete in the spring. Until then, we have opened the playground on the other side of the building for students to enjoy. I will continue to keep you posted. Please check the McKelvey Intermediate Facebook Page for updated progress pictures.

Student Braggin' Dragons

Teachers give out Braggin' Dragons to students who exhibit one or more of our Dragon's Code values. We recognize our Dragons daily with our morning announcements.

McKelvey's Dragon's Code:

We the students of McKelvey Elementary School are learners leading the way. We promise to care for all and be respectful to each other. We take responsibility for our actions and are self-motivated at all times. We are the Dragons!

This weeks Dragon's are:

Aarna Dwivedi - Self-Motivated
Caleb Chambers - Responsible
Elham Ebrahimi - Responsible
Hruthika Piralta - Responsible & Self-Motivated
Louis Yung - Responsible
Myles Wilder - Respectful
Raj Suvva - Self-Motivated
Reya Madhan - Self-Motivated
Rose Wilmot - Responsible
Sailor Jaggard - Respectful
Sasha Stout - Respectful & Responsible
Sarvadhi Mishra - Self-Motivated
Vaidehi Suryavanshi - Responsible & Self-Motivated
Vedashree Chamarthi - Responsible

Braggin' Dragon Teachers of the Month - December

Ms. Gottlob (Speech) & Mrs. Grooms (PE) earned their Braggin' Dragon for being Caring, Respectful, Responsible & Self Motivated Leaders!! They earned this by receiving Braggin' Dragons from fellow staff members. Thank you for ALL that you do for your students and your co-workers!!

Prepare for Winter Weather

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As we move into severe weather season, here is what you can expect and how to prepare for winter weather and potential school closures.

What to expect:

Since we have time built into our calendar for snow days, we will take the first three snow days off school (if needed). Then, if we need more than three snow days this year, we will have virtual learning days.
We have the option to use a 2-hour late start and/or early dismissal if needed due to weather.
For more information on school closures, click here.

How we will contact you:

In the event of a school closing or change in schedule, we will notify all families and staff as soon as possible by phone call, email and text message.
School closing information will also be available on local TV broadcasts, Parkway’s website and Parkway Schools social media.

How you can prepare:

Have a family plan: We recommend you have a family plan in the event of winter weather to prepare for potential closing or a schedule change.
Update your contact info: If you need to update your contact information, log in to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal or update your settings in the Infinite Campus Parent app.

We closely monitor weather conditions and our decisions are always based on the safety of your children.

Summer School Registration opens February 4

Online registration for enrichment classes for elementary and middle school students will open online at 11 a.m. on Sunday, February 4. Click HERE for more information.

Please note:

If you have questions regarding math or reading classes, please contact your school since they are by invitation only.
The Community Ed summer discount code does not apply to enrichment programs offered through Parkway Summer School.

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Nurse's Notes

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Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Winter

Winter emergency car kit should include:

Cell phone and portable charger
Items to stay warm- extra hats, coats, mittens, blankets, or sleeping bags
Food and water
Booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction)
Flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries
First-aid kit
Plastic bags

Vehicle Care:
- Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level
- Check your tires’ tread
- Keep the gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines
- Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer

Jane Sinnott, RN

314-415-6510

jsinnott@parkwayschools.net

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McKelvey's Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) Needs YOU!

Be a part of something special! The McKelvey Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is made up of the parents of all the students at both McKelvey schools (K-5) and all teachers. We work together for the benefit of students to plan events, fundraisers, volunteer, take care of our teachers, and provide amazing resources to enhance our student learning. In short - the PTO helps make McKelvey awesome!

As a parent/guardian of a McKelvey Dragon, you are automatically a member. Please get involved as much as you are able. There are many ways, big and small, to connect and contribute to our school community. PTO's general meetings are led by our PTO Board, a small group of elected parents and teacher representatives. All are invited, and meetings are a great place to share your voice and hear the voices of others. We'll see you there! This year's meetings will be held on the following dates at alternating locations:

January 23 - 6:30 PM in the Intermediate Library
March 26 - 6:30 PM in the Primary Library

If have any questions, please contact McKelvey PTO at mckelveypto@gmail.com.

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Volunteering at School

The success of our students would not be possible without the involvement and support of parents and the community. We love to connect with families in as many ways possible throughout the school year. Get a head start on approval for field trips, working in the library, or assisting with classroom projects by completing Parkway's required steps for volunteering at school. We look forward to seeing you in our school this coming year!

For New Volunteers - CLICK HERE to start the approval process.

For Returning Volunteers - Every July, Parkway resets all of our volunteer accounts to renewal required. Your background information is good for up to six years from the time you completed it with MACHS as long as you stay active as a volunteer from year to year. Therefore, there are only a few steps you need to complete as a returning volunteer. Please CLICK HERE to begin.