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McKinley Newsletter

2150 East 14th Street, San Leandro, CA  94577

510-618-4320

https://www.sanleandro.k12.ca.us/mckinley

April 2019

Principal’s Message

Beginning the week of April 29th our 3rd-5th grade students will take the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). The SBAC is administered as part of California’s testing program. It assesses student mastery of the Common Core Standards.  Both the SBAC ELA and Math consists of the following two components:

• Computer Adaptive Questions

A set of test questions in a variety of question types that adjust to each student based on the student’s answers to previous questions. This section includes a range of items types, such as selecting several correct responses for one item, typing out a response, fill in short answers/tables, graphing, drag and drop etc.

• Performance Tasks

           Collections of wider range of tasks tailored to more accurately measure a student’s ability to

           apply knowledge and skills across multiple standards, under a single theme or scenario.

           These activities are meant to measure a student’s depth of understanding, writing and

Research skills, and analysis and critical thinking skills.

In addition, the 5th graders will take the California Science Test (CAST).

Here are some tips and tools we will focus on at school prior to SBAC

S = Strategize!  (We will teach the students 5 test taking strategies necessary for the SBAC)

B = Breath & Believe! (We will practice some breathing and growth mindset activities)

A = Have Atti-tendance!  (We will stress the importance of having a positive attitude and perfect, on-time attendance each day of the SBAC)

C = Crack the Code!  (We will familiarize the students with many of the computer-enhanced features and items types on the SBAC)

Here are some tips and tools for you to focus on at home

• Prioritize attendance and homework
• Offer positive reinforcement
• Support healthy habits (eating, sleeping)
• Talk to your child about test taking
• Please communicate with your child’s teacher about his/her testing schedule.

PTO will provide snacks for our testers during the testing window. Thank you PTO for your continued support of teaching and learning.

Book Fair

Thank you so much for supporting our Book Fair. It was a huge success because of you. We had $6100 in sales. As a result, PTO was able to purchase books for all our amazing teachers.

Healthy Snacks

Sending healthy snacks to school for children is important to providing good nutrition, supporting lifelong healthy eating habits, and helping to prevent costly and potentially disabling diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. The best snacks are nutritious — low in sugar, fat, and salt. Fresh fruit and vegetables and foods that contain whole grains and protein are also good choices. Serving fresh fruits and vegetable can seem challenging. However, good planning and the growing number of shelf-stable fruits and vegetable options on the market make it easier. Thank you in advance for partnering with us to encourage healthy habits.

One ingredient snack challenge coming in May...stay tuned for more information.

McKinley’s 4th Annual Talent Showcase

Important Dates to Remember:

Registration Forms: Due by Friday April 12th

Auditions: April 22nd - April 26th

Rehearsals: April 29th - May 3rd

Talent Showcase: May 10th (Time TBD)

Get messages on Remind: 

Enter this number on your phone: 81010
Text this message: @gb4dd8
OR email gb4dd8@mail.remind.com

Dates to Remember

• April 1                        PTO Meeting (6:00 - 7:30 PM) MPR
• April 1-13 5th Grade Residency Verification
• April 3                        Wednesday Morning Message/Coffee Chat
• April 4                        PTO Meeting (8:30 - 9:30 AM) MPR
• April 8                        Chipotle Fundraiser   (4:00 -8:00 PM)
• April 8                        Reclassification Certificate Ceremony (6:30 - 7:30 PM)
• April 12                     15th Annual African American Achievement Awards (5:00 -8:00 PM) Chabot  

                                            College

• April 15-19                Spring Break (No School)
• April 17                     PTO Papa Murphy’s Fundraiser (11:00 -7:00 PM)
• April 23                     Parent Notifications
• April 24                     DELAC Meeting (6:00 -7:30 PM) Barbara Lee Center
• April 25                     SSC Meeting (3:30 -4:30 PM) Library
• April 25                     SLUSD African American Achievement NIght (SLHS Gym) 6:30 -8:00 PM
• April 26                     ELAC Meeting (8:10 - 9:30 AM) Portable B
• April 29                     SBAC Window Opens at McKInley
• May 1                        Wednesday Morning Message/Coffee Chat
• May 1                        Enrollment Fair (3:00 - 6:00 PM)                                    

Make every day count. Good attendance now will help your children do well in high school, college and work. Congratulations to Ms. Joffroy’s class for having the best attendance during the month of March.

Seeking Volunteers for TK & Kindergarten Classrooms

If you are interested in working in either transitional kindergarten or kindergarten classrooms, our elementary schools are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers! Our schools especially need support for 30-60 minutes at a time in the classroom, during recess, and during lunch.

Please contact McKinley's Parent Facilitator Jennifer Amate at jamate@slusd.us to learn how you can become a volunteer.