March 2023

McKenny Hawks Are Kind, Safe, Respectful and Responsible

March Up-Coming Events:

March Women’s History Month

1 - Walk N Roll
4 - Countdown to Kindergarten 10:00 a.m. at Capital High School
8 - 5th Grade Band Blast 7:00 p.m. at WMS Gym
9 - 4th & 5th Grade Orchestra Festival 7:00 p.m. at OHS Gym
9 - Joint Board Meeting with Griffin SD 6:30 p.m. at Knox Bldg
10 - Boosterthon Fun Run
13 - Conference Scheduler Open in Skyward Family Access
14 - PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. at McKenny Library
22 - WMS Choir famOly 7:30 p.m. at OHS PAC
23 - 4th Grade to Thurston County Food Bank 5-6:30 p.m.
23 - School Board Meeting 6:30 p.m. at Knox Bldg
24 - Conference Scheduler Closes in Skyward Family Access
27-31 Spring Conferences - 11:35 a.m. Dismissal

April Up-Coming Events:

3-7 - Spring Break - No School
11 - PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. at McKenny Library
12 - Walk N Roll
17- Class Pictures
27- 1st Grade to Thurston County Food Bank 5-6:30 p.m.
28 - OJP 1st & 2nd Grade 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Food Bank

4th Grade will be going to the food bank on March 23. More information to follow.

Running Club

Running club is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-4:30. Meet in the play shed and run a mile. Come to any practice you can make. All family members are welcome to come and run, including any siblings not in attendance at McKenny and any adults. THIS IS NOT A DROP OFF EVENT, AN ADULT MUST ACCOMPANY ALL CHILDREN. More information will be forthcoming.

Walk N Roll - March 1st

Our school hosts a Walk N Roll event one day each month. These are optional days that students can bike or walk to and from school, and once they arrive, can receive special prizes! Please wear helmets when riding, and make sure students are crossing roads safely. Walking or biking to school is not only amazing for your health, but it is also helpful to the environment!

News from the PTO

PTO Meeting:

Join us to hear an update from Principal Michael Havens. We will also be sharing a Boosterthon update and start planning for Carnival. Come to ask questions and share your thoughts. We hope to see you there! Can't make it in person? Join us via Zoom, go to https://osd111.zoom.us/j/84558447348?pwd=Q0dBQ0dVb002MzJQU1NIZlhER1Z0dz09
Meeting ID: 845 5844 7348
Passcode: 262785

Boosterthon Fun Run:

We're excited for our Fun Run on Friday, March 10th!
*Please register your student at mybooster.com
Funds raised will support our Specialists (PE, Music, Art, Library). Our first goal is to support Mrs. Swedberg with a mini golf set for PE!

Can you help on event day? We need adults to help mark off laps or volunteer at the water station. Sign up here to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090948ACAA2FA46-funrun1

Fun Run Schedule:

9 am run time; 8:45 am volunteer check in - 2nd and 3rd grade
10 am run time; 9:45 am - Kindergarten and 1st grade
11 am run time; 10:45 am - 4th and 5th grade
If you signed up and haven't filled out the OSD Volunteer Form this year, please do so ASAP.

Carnival Co-Lead:

Did you love Carnival last year? Do you enjoy event planning? Contact us if you'd like to help co-lead Carnival. We are looking for someone to help coordinate the plans and volunteers this year and to take over planning for next year's event. Email [email protected] if you are interested or have any questions about this role.

Hawk Wear Orders coming 3/13:

We will have one more Hawk Wear order open on March 13th. Look for more details coming soon.

Budget Survey:

Make sure to have your voice heard by filling out this year's OSD Budget Survey by Monday, March 13th.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1S1d2nVk8i20F1ipTYzB0CEldqghLgO-OrQiuf0L_UC3rIw/viewform

Attention 5th and 4th Grade Actors:

Does your student have a passion for performing? We have a great opportunity coming to us this spring that we'd love for you to put on your calendar. Pacific Northwest Theater will be working with a limited number of 4th and 5th McKenny Students to perform The Wizard of Oz Jr. Rehearsals will be every day after school until 5:00 pm beginning April 10th until performances on May 12th and 13th. Be on the lookout for more information about sign-ups, fees and other details.

Chipotle Restaurant Fundraiser

Wednesday, March 29th from 5 - 9pm
4002 Pacific Ave SE
Lacey, WA 98503

33% of sales are donated back to McKenny PTO! When ordering in restaurant, show the flyer that will come home closer to the event. Or if ordering online use code 6XLM6QL to give McKenny credit.

Want more information about the PTO?
Be sure to follow us on social media!
Instagram: @mckennyhawkspto
Facebook: facebook.com/mckennyhawkspto
Check out our website: www.mckennypto.org

News from the district

Olympia Schools Supportive Education Council

Do you have a student receiving support through an IEP or 504 plan? Please join the Olympia Schools Supportive Education Council (OSSEC) on the third Wednesday of the month throughout the school year for resources, community building, and a welcoming space to share ideas!

OSSEC is similar to a PTA/PTO for families, students, and staff supporting OSD students with disabilities from birth through post-high school, but without any fundraising or volunteering requirements usually associated with a PTO. We have planned a mix of social events and informative meetings!

Our next event is a sensory-friendly showing of The Land Before Time on March 15th 6-7:30pm at Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA). Snacks and alternative activities will be provided. All ages welcome, including siblings!

Parents/caregivers MUST remain for the duration of the event; separate childcare will not be provided! Please email [email protected] with any questions, follow us on Facebook, and join our email list here to get monthly meeting reminders and zoom links.

Mark your calendars for future events:
April 19th - Zoom presentation on transitions from Birth-3 through post-high school
May 17th - Community resource panel at ORLA (childcare provided)
June 7th (1st Wednesday) - Parent coaching session with Emily McMason

Principal's Corner

Hello McKenny Families,

I’m so excited to announce that this Spring we will be holding a McKenny Cultural Celebration Week. We have an amazing planning team made up of staff members and family members who have been meeting to talk about how we can celebrate our families and highlight the many cultures that make up our wonderful school community.

Our team feels that it is important for me to share that family culture goes beyond just talking about racial and ethnic background. For example, one of our team members shared that her family moved here from Texas and that they plan to share how time spent in that region of our country has influenced, and continues to influence, their lives. And that is just one example.

For many years, the McKenny community held an amazing annual event known as International Night. A similar event, renamed Cultural Kaleidoscope, will serve as the anchor event during the McKenny Cultural Celebration Week. This evening event will provide an opportunity for families and classes to share about culture in a variety of ways such as displays, food, performances and presentations. We’re also looking into the possibility of bringing in local groups and organizations to perform and present. Many details are still being formulated, but in short, we’re really excited. This is where we need your participation.

Sincerely,

Michael Havens