February 2024

McKenny Hawks Are Kind, Safe, Respectful and Responsible

February Up-Coming Events:

1: First Day of Black History Month
2: Elementary Grading Half Day - Dismissal at
11:35 a.m.
7: Walk N Roll
8: School Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Knox Building or via Zoom
13: 5th Grade to Hicks Lake
13: PTO Meeting at 6:30 p.m. McKenny Library
14: Valentine’s Day
19-20: Mid-Winter Break - No School
21: Report Cards Posted in Skyward Family Access
22: 5th Grade to the Food Bank at 5:00 p.m.
22 School Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Knox Building or via Zoom
26: First Day of Running Club
29: Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m. McKenny Elementary or via Zoom

Walk N Roll - February 7th

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!

Food Bank Spring Break Bags Info:

Our school will once again be collecting donations for the Thurston County Food Bank Spring Break Bags. You can support the FORKids Program by helping provide activities for kids and teens to enjoy over Spring Break. Donations can be delivered to the giant box in the office from now through March 8th! The wish list:

2 in. paper pots for seed starts
seed packets for kid friendly plants
travel sized sunscreen
bath and body items for teens (chapstick, body spray, etc.)
sidewalk chalk and bubble wands
advanced coloring books and pads of paper for art
small toys

Email Mindy Swedberg with any questions. [email protected]

Running Club will start back up again on February 26th!

If you are new to McKenny, this is a free after school program open to all families and all family members. This year we will hold practices after school on Mondays and Thursdays, from 4:00-4:30. These practices are NOT drop off practices- students must attend with adults. We will walk/run one mile each practice and participate in our final race in mid-May, the Capital CIty Marathon Kid’s Run. Some kids may have a goal to try and run a marathon (26.2 miles) one mile at a time, with the final mile being the race. Some kids may have a goal of just showing up to occasional practices to be active with friends. Some adults may show up wanting health and fitness accountability or to run a personal best. And everything in between! Come join us on February 26th and be part of the action! Email Mindy Swedberg with any questions.
[email protected]

Kids Heart Challenge

Kids Heart Challenge has officially kicked off, and we are so excited to learn how to keep our hearts healthy & happy! If you haven’t yet, register today to join the Legacy of Lifesavers and help kids with special hearts! Just for registering, your student will receive the KHC Heart Wristband! Check out our VIRTUAL ENVELOPE to learn more. The American Heart Association is celebrating 100 years of saving & improving lives, and this would not be possible without YOU! Please join the AHA’s 100th BIRTHDAY PARTY by following these two steps:

Register TODAY at http://www2.heart.org/goto/McKennyElementary or by downloading the free AHA Schools App for Apple or Android

Complete Finn’s Mission to learn Hands-Only CPR & raise lifesaving donations to help special hearts.

The American Heart Association is excited to extend their work with the NFL to support improving health outcomes at home and beyond through the Hands-Only CPR education. Students that complete the Finn’s Mission learning module will earn an entry for two tickets to Super Bowl LIX in 2025 and our school will be entered to receive a $10,000 fitness equipment makeover for every 18 completed Finn’s Missions.

Food Bank

5th Grade will be going to the food bank on February 22nd. More information to follow.

News from the PTO

PTO Meeting Tuesday February 13th, 6:30-8:00pm:

There has been a lot happening lately around the district and we would love for everyone to join us for updates from Principal Havens and hear ways to get involved. This is also a great chance to learn what the PTO has been working on. We hope to see you all there! Can’t make it in person? Join us via Zoom.

Community Public Hearings:

The Olympia School Board announced the dates for public hearings in regards to the possible closures of Madison and McKenny. The first hearing is February 26, 2024 at Madison Elementary School at 6pm. The second hearing is February 29, 2024 at McKenny Elementary School in the cafeteria/gym at 6pm.

OSD For All

OSD For All is working with the McKenny PTO and Olympia community members to keep the community informed and offer solutions without closing schools. Please use the link below to sign up to be a part of this amazing community dedicated to keeping our schools open. OSD for All is open to all members of the community, not just for families of students. www.osdforall.com.

Yearbook

Please keep submitting photos of this year's McKenny memories to the Yearbook Snap App. Be sure to label your photos with names and events so they can be accurately represented in the yearbook! As a reminder, if your student was absent for individual student pictures or retakes and you would like their photo to be included in the yearbook in their class section please submit a photo so we can ensure all students are represented. You can also upload those photos via Yearbook Snap App or online.
Yearbook Snap icon

Available on the Google Play Store: Google Play Yearbook Snap or the Apple App Store: Apple App Yearbook Snap. The password for our school is McKenny2024.

Please be sure to visit our newly designed website for all the latest information at mckennypto.org and follow us on social media.

Instagram: @mckennyhawkspto
Facebook: facebook.com/mckennyhawkspto

Principals Corner

So Much Gratitude!

Right now, I am feeling overwhelmed with a sense of appreciation for the members of the McKenny School community. And there are several reasons within these two main topics.

Cultural Kaleidoscope: This was an absolutely incredible event. Thank you to our planning team. Your dedication to our preparation was amazing. Your attention to detail and persistence in finding ways to highlight our families is inspiring. Thank you to our families who presented their cultures through their displays, their clothing and their delicious food. We acknowledge that it can take courage to step forward in these ways, and we are so thrilled that you put yourselves out there. Thank you to our students who performed. The songs, music and movement help parents, family members and staff to create memories that will last a lifetime. Finally, thank you to our families who participated by attending the event and authentically engaging in the experience. Our school community is so special, and this event is a highlight for the year.

Community Activism: Honestly, there have been many moments recently in which I have felt sad and frustrated about our current uncertainty. However, those feelings are quickly replaced by hope, optimism and appreciation for our community members who are active and vocal in support of our school. If you’ve made a sign, attended a rally, talked to a neighbor, supported OSD4All, attended a board meeting, delivered treats for the staff, shared an appreciation with a teacher or other staff member, attended a PTO meeting, emailed the School Board or your legislators…THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Your words and actions of support are extremely important and very much appreciated.

Daily, I experience reminders of how fortunate I am to be a part of this Magical McKenny Community. Thank you.

I hope you have a wonderful day, filled with Kindness…given and received.

Sincerely,
Michael Havens