Hawk Talk September 2026

Posted Date: 08/26/26 (11:00 AM)

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McKenny Hawk Talk

September 2026

McKenny Elementary School

Important Dates:

8/28: Classroom assignments will be available in Skyward Family Access after 3:00 p.m.

9/2: Supply Drop Off

Last names A - L 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Last Names M – Z 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

9/2: PTO Welcome Back Social During Supply Drop Off

9/3: First day of school for grades 1 – 5 (8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.)

9/3, 9/4, 9/8: WA Kids Conferences (Kindergarten Only)

9/9: First day of school for Kindergartners (Early Release Wednesday)

9/10: First day of school for Preschoolers

9/11 PTO Hawk Hangout 5:45 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

9/15: PTO Meeting @ 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

9/29: Individual School Pictures (flyers/ordering information forthcoming)

School Information

McKenny Elementary School website

School Hours:

School is 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. (every Wednesday we release at 1:55 p.m.)
Students walking/riding, arrival time to school should be no earlier than 8:15 a.m. there is no supervision in the building prior to that time.
Students will line up with their class in the gym every morning.

Attendance:

If your student will be absent for any reason please contact the attendance line at 360.596.8403 or via email/ParentSquare at mckes-attendance@osd.wednet.edu.
If your student will miss 3 or more days please complete the Request for Planned Absences Form.

School Lunch:

Milk is .65¢
Menus are posted online (click the menu icon), if you would like a paper copy, please let the front office know.
This year we are very fortunate to have school lunch free to all students. Please remember to complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility Forms so we can continue to qualify in future years as well.

Backpack filled will various school supplies

Supply Drop Off - September 2nd

Last Names A - L 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Last Names M - Z 4:15 - 5:00 p.m.

Link to School Supply Lists
Please bring school supplies with you if you have them.
If you can stick to the above times based on last name, please do so. It really helps with parking and overall congestion.
If you are unable to make our Supply Drop Off, school supplies can be brought the first day of school.
Opportunity to meet our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and kids will receive a free Otter Pop!
Opportunity to talk with the YMCA about before and/or after school care.
Opportunity to talk with Forest from ArtForKids about the after school art program.

Health Room Information

Dear Families of McKenny Students,

I wanted to reach out to each of you to give my contact information. My email is cwalker@osd.wednet.edu and my schedule at McKenny is on Wednesdays but available by email anytime.

Our district has transitioned to another computer system and I wanted to be sure to catch all health alerts for our students. If your child attended McKenny and there is no change to their health, your students' health concerns were transferred to the new system. If you have a new student and have already reached out to me, no action is required. If you are new to McKenny, and your student has a health alert, please reach out either by email or call me as soon as possible so we will have the information/medications etc. to start the year.

Thank you so much,

Cindi Walker, RN

McKenny School Nurse

cwalker@osd.wednet.edu

360 597-8408

Parent Square

Is our primary location where communication is shared with parents, this includes but not limited to our monthly Hawk Talk newsletter, upcoming events, inclement weather updates, and additional district information.
For additional information about Parent Square please click here. If you need help setting up your account please contact the Communications Department at 360.596.6103 or via email at communications@osd.wednet.edu.

Transportation

If you haven't done so already, and you would like your child to ride the bus, please complete transportation's Google Form so they get your child routed for the new school year. This must be done annually even if your student rode the bus last year.

Volunteering

Do you want to volunteer in the school? If you haven't already, be sure to fill out the volunteer application. It must be done ANNUALLY.
Teachers will communicate when they are ready for volunteers in the classroom. Please be respectful as they get to know their new classes.

News from the PTO

Join the PTO: We’re excited for another great year for the McKenny Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Membership is free and a great way to connect with other McKenny families and stay in the loop about upcoming events. By joining you receive access to our digital directory and voting rights on PTO matters. Membership doesn’t commit you to volunteering or attending meetings, it’s simply a way to stay connected and support our school community in whatever way works best for you and your family. Whether you’re a returning family or new to McKenny, registration is required each year. Sign up today by visiting our website and join us in making this another fantastic year for our Hawks!

PTO CheddarUp Group Page: The PTO will once again be using the online platform CheddarUp to collect registration information, sell tickets, sign up to volunteer, and more. Be sure to bookmark our group page that is a one stop shop for all things PTO! Visit bit.ly/PTOCU.

Welcome Back Wednesday September 2nd 3:30-5:00pm at McKenny: Drop off your student(s) school supplies, meet the teachers and then stop by the PTO table to say hello, hear about our exciting 2026-2027 school year, and enjoy a refreshing Otter Pop. If you have a Kindergarten student or a new student 1st-5th this is also a great time to get their free McKenny shirt.

Hawk Hangout Friday September 11th 5:45-7:00pm McKenny playground: Mark your calendars and join us for a fun, casual gathering to kick off the 2026–2027 school year! Come hang out with fellow Hawks, reconnect with familiar faces, meet new McKenny families, and learn more about the many ways to get involved with our school community. Whether you are ready to join a committee, lend a hand at an event, or simply connect with other families, we’d love to see you there. Stay tuned for more details, including information about food, activities, and Hawk Wear sales.

PTO Meeting Tuesday September 15th 6:30-8:00pm: Our first PTO meeting of the year is a great opportunity to get connected, get informed, and help shape the year ahead. Hear updates from Principal Havens, vote on the PTO’s annual budget, and finalize our calendar of events for the year. Whether you’re a longtime PTO volunteer or joining us for the first time we’d love to have you there. Your ideas, energy, and involvement help make our school community stronger! Can’t make it in person? Join us via ZOOM. Meeting ID: 813 2348 3890 Passcode: 625598

The PTO is committed to supporting and strengthening our school community, and we are ready to begin another magical year at McKenny! We look forward to connecting with you, getting to know your families, and creating a year filled with meaningful experiences, fun, and Hawk pride. If you have questions, ideas, or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you! Please don’t hesitate to reach out at mckennypto@gmail.com.

Text reads around a blue hawks head with wings EST 1993 then below hawks head McKenny Elementary PTO

Like us on Facebook: McKenny Hawks PTO

Visit our website: mckennypto.org

Check us out on CheddarUp: bit.ly/PTOCU

Principals' Corner

Principal Havens and his wife dropping their daughter Lola off at college

McKenny Hawks!

Welcome to another school year at McKenny Elementary: A Magical Place to Learn and Teach.

For those of you returning to McKenny, Welcome Back! We look forward to seeing you again as you continue your journey through elementary school.

To those of you who are joining our school community for the first time this school year, we can’t wait to meet you and support you as you begin your time at McKenny.

This promises to be a wonderful school year and I am so excited to see the students and have their voices filling our halls and classrooms once again.

We have a few new staff members and I am also thrilled that they have joined our community.

Ms. Karen Hougan will be teaching 2nd grade having moved to McKenny from one of the Art Specialist teaching positions.

Ms. Rachel McCormick will be teaching kindergarten. She comes to us from Hansen Elementary where she has experience at the same grade level. Mrs. Pendleton moved to 4th grade.

Our new school counselor is Ms. Kari Boyd who brings more than a decade of experience as a school counselor.

Mr. Sjoboen has taken a middle school teaching position and, as of the writing of this message, we are in the middle of finding his replacement.

Arielle Mussman and Gavin Church are also joining our staff in roles serving specific students and classroom teachers.

Please join me in welcoming these amazing staff members to our team.

Can’t wait to see you next week!

Michael Havens, Principal