Dear McKinney Elementary School Families,

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all parents and teachers for your active participation in this week's Parent-Teacher Conferences. Your dedication to education and your willingness to collaborate with our educators is truly commendable. It's moments like these that remind us of the incredible partnership we share in nurturing our students' growth and development.

It was a great pleasure to see families in the building.

Now, let's bring your attention to a few reminders:

In-School Performances: Enriching Our School Community

At McKinney, we believe in fostering a strong sense of community and providing enriching experiences for all our students. Pandemic measures over the past few years mean that students have had fewer opportunities to gather as a whole school. This year, we are thrilled to introduce a new initiative that aims to bring our school community closer together while offering unique cultural experiences to our students in an affordable way.

Building Community Through In-School Performances
In our ongoing efforts to build a strong sense of community, we are excited to announce a series of in-school, whole-school field trips, which include live performances. These events provide us with valuable opportunities to gather as a school, share memorable experiences, and strengthen the bonds that unite us. By coming together to enjoy these performances, we create lasting memories that enrich our school life and help build a sense of togetherness.

Affordability and Accessibility
We understand that traditional off-campus field trips can be expensive, especially when factoring in transportation costs. To make cultural experiences accessible to all our students, we have designed our in-school performances to be affordable, costing between $3 to $6 per event. We expect to have 5-7 performances this year. We firmly believe that every child should have the chance to participate in these enriching activities, regardless of financial constraints.

Sharing the Costs
To ensure that every family can participate, we have established a transparent payment process. The cost of these in-school field trips will be shared through our Cash-Online platform. It's important to note that payment for these performances is not mandatory. We understand that personal circumstances may vary, and financial concerns should never be a barrier to participation.

If, for any reason, you cannot pay for these in-school field trips, we have a Family Affordability Fund. Anyone can access this fund for any reason. Your child's participation is important to us, and we want to ensure that no child misses out on these enriching experiences.

Improved Communication
We acknowledge that there have been concerns and confusion about the fees associated with these events so far this year. In an effort to improve transparency and communication, we will send home a field trip letter before any more fees appear on Cash-Online. This will provide you with a clear understanding of the upcoming events and associated costs, allowing you to plan accordingly. We apologize for the confusion that the previous performance fees have caused.

The Value of Performances for School-Aged Children
Live performances have a significant impact on the growth and development of school-aged children. Attending cultural events can:

• Inspire Creativity: Live performances often feature art, music, and storytelling, which can spark the imagination and creativity of young minds.
• Foster a Love for the Arts: Exposure to the arts at a young age can lead to a lifelong appreciation for culture and creativity.
• Enhance Learning: Watching performances can complement classroom education, providing real-world context and enhancing critical thinking skills.
• Build Social Skills: Attending events as a school community encourages positive social interactions and the development of friendships.
• Create Lasting Memories: Experiencing the wonder and excitement of live performances leaves a lasting impact on children, creating cherished memories they'll carry with them throughout their lives.

We are excited about the many enriching in-school field trips that await us this school year. They offer not only educational value but also the chance to come together as a close-knit school community. We look forward to sharing these memorable experiences with our students, knowing that they will contribute to their growth and development in meaningful ways. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us; we are here to support you.

Thank you for your continued support and participation in making McKinney a vibrant and enriching learning environment for all our students.

Medical Forms and EPI Pens:

If you haven't already, we kindly encourage you to update your verification and medical forms with the school office. This ensures that we have the most up-to-date information to support your child's well-being. If your child carries an EPI pen due to a medical alert, please make sure to provide the necessary information to the school office promptly. Your child's safety is our top priority.

Pumpkin Patch Organized by PAC:

The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) has gone above and beyond in organizing a delightful pumpkin patch visit for our students on Wednesday, October 25th. Our grade 6/7 student leaders, along with the PAC, will set up the field for an exciting experience. All divisions will have the opportunity to visit the pumpkin patch at 15-minute intervals. We look forward to yet another fantastic event that promises fun and learning for our students.

RIE Homestays:

Please see the attached information about becoming and Richmond International Education Homestay Family.

Finally...

Thank you for your continued support. Let's continue working together to make this school year a rewarding and memorable one for our students.

Gordon and Monika