March 2024

McKenny Hawks Are Kind, Safe, Respectful and Responsible

March Up-Coming Events:

1: First Day of Women’s History Month
4: Registration for Spring Conferences Available in Skyward Family Access
4: Running Club at 4:00 p.m.
6: Walk N Roll
6: Orchestra Rehearsal at 6:00 p.m. OHS Band Room
6: The Bulldog Band Bash 7:00 p.m. WMS Gym
7: Running Club at 4:00 p.m.
8: Fun Run
11: Running Club at 4:00 p.m.
11: Orchestra Concert 6:30 p.m. at OHS Gym
11-15: Education Support Professionals Week
12: FamOly Concert at 6:00 p.m. OHS Gym
12: PTO Meeting at 6:30 p.m. McKenny Library
13-15: 5th Graders at CISPUS
14: Running Club at 4:00 p.m.
14: School Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Knox Building or via Zoom
16: Community Café 10:00 a.m. at OHS Commons
18: 1st & 2nd OJP Jack & the Beanstalk at 12:30 p.m.
18: Running Club at 4:00 p.m.
21: Running Club at 4:00 p.m.
25-29: Elementary Conferences Early Dismissal at 11:35 a.m.
28: Running Club at 4:00 p.m.
28: 4th Grade 5:00 p.m. at the Food Bank
April 1-5: Spring Break No School

Running Club

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! Email Mindy Swedberg with any questions.
[email protected]

Spring Conferences

Spring Conference Week is March 25-29 with dismissal at 11:35 a.m. Grab n’ Go lunches will be available for those as needed. Conference Scheduler will be available in Skyward Family Access starting March 4th and will close March 15th. If you have trouble registering please call the office at 360.596.8400.

New Student Enrollment for the 2024-2025 School Year

Do you have an incoming Kindergartner? Or know someone who does? Registration is now open for NEW students for next school year. Registration can be done through Skyward Family Access (click on New Student Enrollment on the left hand side menu) or use the OSD online enrollment link.

Olympia Junior Programs (OJP)

McKenny students grades 1 - 5 will participate in OJP at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. 1st and 2nd grade will be going March 18th to see Jack and the Beanstalk. Permission slips will be sent home Friday, March 1st. Please send permission slips back, along with the $5 donation for your child’s attendance. Payments can be made with cash (exact amount only, Office does not have change), check, or credit (online or in the office). 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be attending OJP April 25th and permissions slips will be sent home after Spring Break.

Walk N Roll - March 6th

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 Tuesday March 12th, 6:30-8:00pm:

Come join us as we plan for our fun filled spring family BINGO event this May and hear updates about what has been happening around the school. We can’t wait to see you all there! Can’t make it in person? Join us via Zoom.

Movie night Friday March 15th:

Mark your calendars for the next movie night featuring Kung Fu Panda! Doors open at 6:15pm, pick up is 8:30pm. The cost is $5 for the first child and $4 for any additional. Visit https://movie-night-march-15.cheddarup.com to get signed up!

Community Engagement:

OSD For All is a community group that is a great resource to stay informed of district meetings and decisions. OSD For All has also brought forth alternative solutions to school closures. If you have not yet signed up please consider joining this amazing group dedicated to keeping all schools open. You can use the link below to sign up. OSD for All is open to all members of the community, not just for families of students. www.osdforall.com.

McKenny Yearbook:

Keep up the good work and 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! You can also upload those photos via Yearbook Snap App or online. 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

Communications chair:

The PTO is looking for a volunteer to help us maintain our social media platforms as well as assist in producing communications that go home with McKenny students about PTO events. If you are interested in learning more about what this role entails please email the PTO at [email protected].

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 LOVE AND APPRECIATION

I’m writing this on the morning after the public hearing at our school and I just want everyone to know how grateful I am for your support of our school community. And there were so many ways that people provided their support.

Dozens of students, parents and staff members showed up at the school on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings to decorate our gym and cafeteria. It looked amazing.

Hundreds of people, mostly from McKenny, but also from across the Olympia community, made their presence known by coming in person to the hearing. Your cheers, smiles and encouragement made a huge difference.

Hundreds of people attended the event virtually. Your presence was important as those numbers are examined.

Scores of people made community comment. Our students who spoke showed courage and commitment to the values that we share. Our parents also showed courage, intelligence and determination in their thoughtful comments. Our staff members who spoke showed courage and dedication. Despite the fact that they work with students every day, speaking out in that environment represents taking a huge risk. I was so impressed and grateful.

Last night was a major checkpoint in this process, but it is not the end. There is more to be done. Let’s keep the McKenny Magic alive.

Sincerely,
Michael Havens