APRIL/MAY 2020 NEWSLETTER
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Hi Everyone,
It is hard to believe that it is May! I have missed our students so much and often find myself with a mix of emotions. As an educator, I truly value the social interactions we are able to have with students. It is remarkable when I walk into a classroom and see a student learning to read, watch students engage in challenging math problems, or hear the sounds of laughter that I am used to when I walk out to the playground during recess. It is the little things that I personally miss the most. I truly hope you all are doing well and please know that we are here to support you should your family need anything.
I am deeply grateful to the amazing educators we have at McLane. Things such as Zoom, Remind and Schoology were not used often or at all by our classrooms. Our teachers have quickly learned how to navigate these various platforms and have worked extremely hard to streamline this for your student(s). We are always working to improve, however, the work they have done to provide learning for their classes is remarkable. This week is Educator Appreciation Week; I hope all families will join me in sending a note to our McLane Educators and thanking them for the amazing work they do everyday.
McLane has an official facebook page: Check us out and be sure to Like our Page! We will be posting fun challenges every week. Check out our page for more info about the following:
- STEM CHALLENGE of the WEEK: Make the tallest tower you can! Send in a picture to share on the McLane Facebook!
- SPIRIT THEME: Sports! Send in a picture to share on the McLane Facebook!
- SPACE THEME DANCE PARTY → Friday 05/08 6:30 PM live via Facebook and our school
YouTube Channel
Starting on Wednesday (5/6), we will have learning packets for students in Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade. Packets will be available for pick-up Wed. May 6th - Fri. May 8th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the lunch pick-up site. Teachers will send out directions for these packets starting the week of May 11th, more info to come.
Distance Learning is new to us and we are looking to improve. Please take a moment to give your input on Distance Learning. The results of this will be shared with our building and our district leadership.
Thank you families for partnering with us to educate your student(s). We can’t wait for them to be back at McLane, but until then, we are going to do everything we can to connect with them in a safe and supportive way.
Take Care,
Principal Brock
McLANE COMMUNICATION
McLane Office
If you wish to contact a staff member at McLane please note that our office number, 360 596-6600 is taking messages. These messages are retrieved daily, Monday through Friday. Please feel free to contact us and leave a message. We will get back to you ASAP.
Email
The fastest and easiest way to contact Staff members is through email.
Here is a link to McLane’s Directory
Remind
You may receive a phone call from a McLane Staff member. The phone number will show up as a number from another state or town. Please be aware if we are calling from McLane we will leave a message. OSD has a district subscription for Remind, which is an optional tool for contacting students and families. Here is a quick overview of what the Remind is.
Remind allows for district staff to:
- Provide messaging between educators, students, and families to promote communication and engagement
- Allow parents and families to choose their preferred messaging tool - email, app, or text
- Communicate to whole classes or groups of students and families through an app, email, or text all at the same time
- Place voice calls to families without disclosing personal phone numbers
- Translate messages into many different languages
- Link to assignments in Google Classroom, Google Drive, Flipgrid, and more
We have synced Remind with Skyward, so that classroom teachers are able to send messages and place voice calls to students within their classes.
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
May 4th to 8th
In the past we have celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week by writing notes, treats, flowers, lunch etc… to let our teacher’s know how important they are to us. This year may look a little different, be creative and make sure you find a way to share with your teachers how important they are to you. It is a difficult time for educators and they are trying to think of ways to stay connected and teach their students in ways they have never done before. They are up for the challenge and have been working hard to make it work. Take a moment to show how much you appreciate their efforts.
LIBRARY NEWS
McLane Library is a great resource for families to access from home. Each teacher has included the link to the Library web page as well as my Google Site. On these two resources you will find a “world” of information and activities that students and families can do from the safety of their own home.
I know that families are concerned about books that have been checked out from school. The district is coming up with a safe way to get these materials returned. Please be watching for that information to come from the OSD.
I have chosen to NOT hold a spring Scholastic Book fair, but if families wish to check out their website, please click here.
4th & 5th grade Battle of the Books Final Battle is still taking place on Zoom starting the week of April 27th. I am meeting with the representing team(s) from each class individually to present the questions. Over the course of a week (or two) we should have a championship 4th and a championship 5th grade team. I’m sorry that entire classrooms won’t be able to attend these Zoom finals. All students have awards that will be given when the district finalizes their plan to let people back into the school buildings to get personal items.
If you have any questions, please leave a voice message a 360-596-6602 or email me at [email protected]. I check them daily and will get back to you within 24 hours.
Cispus Refunds
We are truly heartbroken that Cispus was not able to happen this year. The district office has been processing refunds and all checks should be mailed in the next two weeks. Please email Mr. Brock at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns about your refund.
MUSIC NEWS
Mrs. Burns is the music teacher for McKenny, McLane and Pioneer Elementary Schools and has virtual office hours from 12-2PM, Monday. Here is a note from Mrs. Burns:
I will also return all communication within a 24 hour window, so please do reach out, and I will get back to you as soon as possible! Please email anytime with questions, or to show off your musical masterpieces at [email protected]!
I miss my students terribly, and I am so proud of how talented you are, so don't hesitate to reach out and show me what you're doing! I want to hear you sing, play and make music!
Here is Mrs. Burns's web page!
P.E. NEWS
Mrs. Swedberg has created this website to encourage everyone to stay active.
SPED NEWS
Ms. Ottavelli Wants to stay connected with students, please check out her website.
ELL NEWS
Ms.Turbeville has found a great resource to share with all students.
Check out the eBooks available in many languages, including Spanish and bilingual books. The publisher is providing access for all through June.
Login information:
School: Read at Home
User name: readnow
Password: myon
eBooks Website
STAYING CONNECTED
As McLane Owls we can continue to stay connected with our learning.
One way is to check out the McLane Facebook page for more information and updates.
Here are a few highlights that we would like to share!
Staff wanting to make sure you know we care!
Taelynn from Mrs. Walker’s first grade class
sharing her story about her dream pet, a turtle.
Ava, from Mrs. Walker’s Class,
shared on YouTube a book she wrote and illustrated.
Thanks Ava for sharing.
National Look Alike Day- April 20
Celebrated by Mrs. Mellum's Class, Dallis and Chiara (Mrs. Jensen's Class)
Carter from Mrs Walker’s first grade class doing an activity that
Ms. Moore provided on her website.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Kindergarten registration for the 2020-21 school year is open. For more information about kindergarten registration, visit our kindergarten registration webpage.
McLANE RECOGNITION
Congratulations!
The Washington State Recognition Board recognizes schools like ours that make great strides to improve outcomes for students by closing gaps and showing tremendous growth and achievement. This year, McLane Elementary School has been recognized for the following: Growth for students who receive special education services.
A message from the McLane PTSO
Hello McLane Owls,
It's hard to believe it's been 6 weeks since school closed! Shortly after the closing, we met as a board and sadly admitted that all the fun community building events we had planned for the Spring couldn't take place. It brought to light a whole new question... How could we help our community?
After much discussion, we are proud to announce the McLane PTSO Sunshine Fund! The Sunshine Fund has been created to help McLane families in need. We know times are difficult and uncertain so we wanted the ability to offer some financial support to our fellow Owls. If you find yourself in need (groceries, utilities, rent, etc.) please don't hesitate to reach out to Principal Brock ([email protected]) or the PTSO President Laurie Sale ([email protected]) and we will do our very best to help.
Additionally, If you find yourself wanting to contribute in some way and are uncertain of how to do so, we would like to invite you to consider donating to the Sunshine Fund. More information on how to donate coming soon. It is comforting to know the funds raised are going directly to the families of the McLane community.
Although admittedly it is a very scary and sad time for many, we are encouraged by the stories of resilience, hope and togetherness. It is our sincerest hope that you and your family are staying safe and that you also are experiencing the "good" during this time.
We stand together during this difficult time McLane! We are all in this TOGETHER!
Kind Regards,
Your McLane PTSO
IMPORTANT LINKS
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The Olympia School District will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs will be free from sexual harassment. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.
The Olympia School District offers many Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs/courses in the following areas: Skilled and Technical Sciences/STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics); Agriculture/Natural Resources; Business/Marketing; Family and Consumer Sciences; and Health Sciences. For more information about CTE course offerings and admissions criteria, contact Pat Cusack, Director of College and Career Readiness, 111 Bethel St NE, Olympia, WA 985016, (360) 596-6102. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in CTE programs.
The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, reports of alleged sexual harassment, concerns about compliance, and/or grievance procedures:
Scott Niemann, Title IX RCW 28A.640 Officer
Knox Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St NE Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 596-6185; [email protected]
Autumn Lara, Executive Director of Elementary Education
Knox Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St NE, Olympia, WA 98506
360-596-8534; [email protected]
Ken Turcotte, Section 504 and ADA Coordinator
Knox Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St NE, Olympia, WA 98506
360-596-7530; [email protected]
Scott Niemann, Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator
Knox Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St NE, Olympia, WA 98506
360-596-6185; [email protected]
Pat Cusack, Director of College and Career Readiness
Knox Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St NE, Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 596-6102; [email protected]