May 2024

McKenny Hawks Are Kind, Safe, Respectful and Responsible

May Up-Coming Events:

1: First Day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
1: Walk N Roll
2: Running Club 4:00 p.m.
6 - 10: Teacher Appreciation Week
6 - 10: MAP Testing Grades K-5
6: Running Club 4:00 p.m.
9: Running Club 4:00 p.m.
10: 2nd Grade Assembly (Families Welcome to Attend) 1:30 p.m.
13: Running Club 4:00 p.m.
14: SBA Math Testing Grades 3-5
14: PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m.
16: SBA Math Testing Grades 3 - 5
16: Running Club 4:00 p.m.
16: Kindergarten at the Food Bank 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
18: Capital City Kids Race at Heritage Park 4:00 p.m.
21: SBA - Reading Grades 3 - 5
23: SBA - Reading Grades 3 - 5
24: Regular School Day
24: 3rd Grade at Port Blakely
24: 1st Grade Assembly (Families Welcome to Attend) 1:30 p.m.
27: Memorial Day - No School
29: Mrs. Lloyd's Class at Watershed Park
30: WCAS 5th Grade
31: 5th Grade Tour at WMS

New Student Enrollment for the 2024-2025 School Year

Registration is now open for NEW students (Grades K-5) 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. Enrollment packets can also be picked up in the main office.

Walk N Roll -May 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!

Save the Date!

Kindergarten Sneak Peek!
Who: Incoming Kindergarteners and their parents
What: Sneak Peak into Kindergarten, including a meet and greet with the teachers and information on how to get your child ready!

Where: McKenny Elementary School
When: June 12th 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Why: So, you can get to know your child’s school and get important info and dates!

News from the PTO

PTO Meeting Tuesday May 14th 6:30-8:00pm:

Come join us for our second to last meeting of the 2023-2024 school year. At this meeting we will be electing the PTO board and signing up committee chairs for the 2024-2025 year, as well as hearing updates on our final PTO events for the 2023-2024 school year. We hope to see you all there! Can’t make it in person? Join us via ZOOM.
Meeting ID: 881 5468 3334
Passcode: 772214

Teacher Appreciation Week May 6th - 10th:

Thank you to all who have already signed up to donate and help show appreciation to the amazing McKenny teachers. We are still in need of some items and would love your support! Follow this link to see the many ways to help.

Movie Night Friday May 10th:

Please join us for the last movie night of the school year as the PTO proudly presents Disney’s WISH! Doors open at 6:15pm and pick up is 8:30pm. Online registration is open until Friday May 10th at noon and you can use this link to register. The cost is $5 for the first student and $4 for each additional student.

Bingo Night Saturday May 18th 5:30-8:00pm:

Get ready for a night of excitement and family fun at our PTO Bingo Night! This event is free for all McKenny students, families, and faculty, with complimentary cotton candy for students. Get your game face on for a chance to win fabulous prizes, and fuel up with pizza, snacks, and drinks available for purchase. There will also be raffle prizes and silent auction items donated from several local businesses. Use this link to purchase tickets for food and raffles, or volunteer to help.

Hawk Wear:

Looking for some fun and fresh new hawk wear? Check out Scarlet & Gold for new designs and some exciting new items like tumblers, hats and water bottles. Shop until the end of May by using this link.

Humble Cow volunteers:

The PTO is looking for two volunteers to help scoop ice cream for our fundraiser at Humble Cow on Monday June 10th, between 5-8PM. Volunteers are required to have a valid food handler's permit. If you are interested in this opportunity please email volunteer coordinator Janelle at [email protected].

Madison Mad Dash:

Roarin’ & Soarin’ Fun Run Sunday June 9th:

The Madison PTO hosts this exciting fundraising event annually and this year they graciously invited the McKenny PTO to co-host. Use this link to register online by Friday May 10th to be guaranteed a race shirt. The event is a 2.5k (8:30am) and 5k (9:00am) walk/run around Capitol Lake (Heritage Park) and is open to the entire Olympia community. All ages and ALL abilities are welcome. An adult does not have to run/walk with students. If you have any questions about the event please send an email to [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

Next Year!!!!!!!!!!!!! It feels so wonderful to be able to think about the 2024-25 school year at McKenny. For me, it has been an unprecedented experience these past five months. Facing the unknown, regarding our school’s future, feeling the ups and downs as information was constantly changing, and witnessing the community come together to advocate for students, staff, families and what makes us special. It has truly been remarkable and a time in my career that I will never forget.

As a former social studies teacher, I can’t help but reflect on the powerful learning experiences that our students (and all of us) can take away from this hardship. Advocacy makes a difference. Individual voices matter. Collective voice is powerful. Accountability is crucial. Community is amazing. And of course, McKenny is Magical.

Thank you to our staff members and parents whose perseverance and collaboration helped to create this outcome. I witnessed people grow from quiet, kind volunteers into fierce, vocal supporters and advocates, who still operated with kindness and compassion. I have been amazed by people jumping in to share their special skills and areas of expertise because they saw a need they could fill. I saw people from across Olympia join together in solidarity to protect all schools. And I watched as students stepped forward with courage to speak about their love for our school and community.

Now, I happily move forward with planning for next year and beyond, which feels incredible to think about and write down. At the next two PTO meetings, I will speak about what this entails. Thank you again for whatever role you played during this process. I’m so grateful and proud to be principal at McKenny.

Sincerely,

Michael Havens