Building Relational Capacity in the Ceramics Art Sanctuary.

Ceramic 1 students are starting the year learning basic ceramic craftsmanship and design techniques through the Symbolic Hands Project. Touching on the career option Art Therapy, students are engaging in a project which explores alternative ways to communicate feelings. Using their own hands as templates, students are designing a bowl with the left hand expressing words, designs, and symbols of things they wish to “Let Go” of in their life. The right hand, symbolically placed on top, expresses words, designs and symbols of things they would like to “Invite In” to their lives in order to feel more satisfied and fulfilled. Inquiry and engagement are in full force and students are discovering one of the many facets of the power of art!

2018-09-21T15:20:23+00:00September 21st, 2018|
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McKay AVID Family Night Brings Everyone Together

We would like to thank the many families who attended our AVID Family Night. Mrs. Larkin Foley, our AVID Site Coordinator, provided our families and students key information on college readiness, events and timelines. This information is critical to our work for students. As a McKay community, we would like to recognize our families for actively supporting our students’ ability to graduate college and career ready!

2018-09-19T14:19:52+00:00September 18th, 2018|
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Safety at McKay: Lockdown Drill This Week

‘Good morning.  This week, McKay will be conducting our first lockdown drill of the year, in accordance with Oregon State law.  We will be practicing in both Levels 1 and 2 conditions, in which classrooms are asked to lock the door, close the blinds, turn off their lights, and be silent.  It is likely your student is already familiar with practicing these conditions, as all SKPS school have conducted these drills annually.  We appreciate your support as we continue to improve the safety and security of McKay HS.’

2018-09-17T08:49:26+00:00September 17th, 2018|
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Principal Update: Attendance Matters!

Hello McKay Parents and Community,

Our vision is ‘All students will graduate college and career ready.’ We are so excited to be partnering with each of you in support of our students as we work to ensure our vision is realized for every student here at McKay. 

With it being the first week of school, our staff and students are working diligently in classes reviewing procedures and expectations, course requirements and, most importantly, allocating adequate time to develop relationships and a strong sense of community in every classroom.   We believe this work is foundational to the start of the year.   Developing a safe and welcoming environment is key to effective learning outcomes for all students. 

Another area that we believe is foundational to student success is the importance of regular attendance.  We expect all students to attend 90% or more of their classes for the year.  To put this in perspective, students must attend at minimum 9 out of every 10 school days.  If students attend less than this 90% mark, it affects learning and creates gaps key information students must know in order to be successful in classes.  Attendance matters and regular attendance will improve academic success.   

As we start the 2018-2019 school year, I ask that we as a community continue to support our students’ ability to attend regularly.  We have numerous supports for our students and families in the area of regular attendance so please feel free to call our office at 503.399.3080 to get more information and resources on attendance.

We appreciate the continued partnership and support to ensure all students graduate college and career ready here at McKay High School.

Rob Schoepper
Principal 

2018-09-05T13:43:23+00:00September 5th, 2018|
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Salem-Keizer Public Schools Launches “Every Day 24J!” to Address Chronic Absenteeism

Buses were rolling this morning carrying almost half of Salem-Keizer Public Schools’ (SKPS) 42,000 students, but with the back-to-school excitement was another message: “Every Day 24J!” Nearly one in three students in SKPS is chronically absent, and this year, schools and community organizations are collaborating to identify barriers to attendance and develop solutions.

The campaign officially launched at Auburn Elementary, where Principal Katie Shumway identified the shift in weather as one of the contributing factors to absenteeism. Auburn is a neighborhood school, and many of its 700 students live within the one-mile radius of the school, meaning they don’t have access school bus transportation. Through the work of the Every Day 24J committee, One Thousand Soles was able to purchase 50 pairs of rain boots at a reduced cost from Wilco. Students who attended the school’s back-to-school picnic received raffle tickets, and winners will be announced at the school on Mondays and Fridays – the days the school has the lowest attendance. Auburn is just one example of the purpose of Every Day 24J! – to identify barriers, create solutions and encourage positive behaviors.

“We believe that all parents want what’s best for their kids and that’s why we continue to look for ways to build relationships with families and strengthen community partnerships,” said Shumway. “We strive meet families where they’re at and provide the tools and resources necessary to get kids here and learning at Auburn every day. When we begin to see dips in student attendance, our community school outreach coordinator works to find out why and then identifies those resources that can create solutions.”

Additional community organizations have come forward to help provide rain gear for more students.

“We know that September is the most critical month for setting a student’s attendance pattern,” said Superintendent Christy Perry. “What happens during that first month sets the tone for the entire year, and we know there’s a direct correlation between attendance and graduation. We see chronic absenteeism from students across all spectrums – cultural norms and socioeconomic statuses play roles, but we also see students who are performing really well at school who might not see the connection between attendance and employability after graduation. We must all use our sphere of influence to make those connections for our children – their futures depend on it.”

Students who miss just two days of school a month will miss a month of school each year. If a student continues that pattern through elementary and middle school, he or she will have lost an entire year of instruction by ninth grade. According to the Oregon Department of Education, students who attend school regularly are 172 percent more likely to graduate.

South Salem High Senior Kudzai Kapurura shared her perspective as a student: “In high school, you’re an independent, so it’s no longer really your parents telling you to go to school – it’s more of a personal decision. Some students don’t want to go because they don’t feel like they’re included in the community at their school. I think more than it’s credited, that’s a big part of why attendance drops in high school. When students don’t feel included, their grades start to drop. That combination makes people not want to go.”

The Every Day 24J committee comprised of district staff and community members will continue to meet throughout the year to identify benchmarks for success and develop additional solutions to remove barriers for attendance. Through a grant from Kaiser Permanente, the Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality is simultaneously developing attendance supports for families in the North Salem High feeder system. For more information on how to support the campaign, please contact Community Relations and Communications at (503) 399-3038 or by emailing info@salkeiz.k12.or.us.

2018-09-19T15:10:32+00:00September 5th, 2018|
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1st Annual Fall Athletics Parent Meeting a Huge Success

Thank you families and athletes that came out to our Fall Athletics Parent Meeting on Monday, 08.21.18 here at McKay.  Each coach had an opportunity to introduce themselves and their program.  They gave an overview of program goals, core values, beliefs and expectations for student-athletes.  We are excited to start the season.  It is going to be a great year for McKay Athletics!  We hope to see you all at our events this year.  If you are interested in becoming involved, our McKay Athletic Booster Club meets monthly in our library.  With everyone working together we can continue to move our students’ closer to our vision of ‘Every Student Graduates College and Career Ready.’
2018-08-21T16:27:16+00:00August 21st, 2018|
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Online enrollment verification via ParentVue

Salem-Keizer está activando una nueva función para facilitarle el proceso de verificación de inscripción de estudiantes. Lea la información adjunta para aprovechar esta función.

Cada año las escuelas envían al hogar información y documentos de inscripción en preparación para el próximo año lectivo. El objetivo es actualizar cualquier información que ha cambiado para contactar con los padres según sea necesario.  Este año el distrito escolar de Salem-Keizer ha añadido un método para que los padres de familia puedan verificar por internet la información de matrícula de sus estudiantes. 

Este proceso se completa al iniciar una sesión en ParentVUE, verificar la información que previamente nos proporcionó y para completar este proceso, por lo menos un padre de familia debe activar su cuenta de ParentVUE. La hoja adjunta contiene las instrucciones para activar su cuenta.  Si usted no tiene acceso a una computadora, pueden completar el proceso en la escuela de su estudiante.

Una cuenta de ParentVUE también le proporciona información adicional.  A través de ParentVUE usted puede monitorear el registro de asistencia de su estudiante, las calificaciones de su estudiante (de escuela intermedia y preparatoria), enviar/recibir mensajes a los maestros y los horarios de clases.

Por favor dediquen tiempo a activar su cuenta y conseguir acceso a esta información de su estudiante.

 

Salem-Keizer is activating a new feature to make the student enrollment verification process easier for you. Please read the attached information to take advantage of this feature.

Each year schools send home packets of enrollment information for the following year. The goal is to update any information that is changed to be able to contact parents if needed. This year Salem-Keizer is adding the ability for parents to verify their students’ enrollment information online.

This process will be completed through logging on to ParentVUE and verifying the information that you have previously provided. To complete this, at least one parent will need an active ParentVUE account. The attached sheet provides instructions on how to activate your account. If you do not have access to a computer, you can still complete this process at your school.

A ParentVUE account provides you with additional information as well. Through ParentVUE you can see attendance, student grades (Middle & High School), send/receive teacher communication and class schedules.

Please take a moment to activate your account to have access to this information for your student.

 

2018-07-23T07:46:43+00:00July 23rd, 2018|
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Taking Care of Business Days – Días para hacer trámites escolares -August 15 &16

Dear McKay Parents and Community,

Our vision here at McKay High School is ‘Every student graduates college and career ready.

Meeting the educational needs of every student is our number one priority.  This is a team effort and, as principal, I look forward to partnering with each of you to ensure your student graduates from McKay ready for college or careers and to be an active and contributing member to our society.  Likewise, we have numerous opportunities for parents to get involved here at McKay High School.  Please do not hesitate to call us at 503.399.3080 to discuss these opportunities in further detail.

This letter is coming to you full of important information and dates so please review it accordingly.

Taking Care of Business Days (Parent/Guardian and student attendance is required.)

August 15 and 16, see attached information.

School Supplies

Please ensure your student comes to school prepared with the following school supplies:

  • One, two inch, three-ring binder
  • One pencil pouch
  • Pencils
  • Pens (black or blue)
  • Loose, college ruled notebook paper
  • Nine dividers
  • Nine, single-subject, college ruled, spiral notebooks.  (Most classes require students to have a spiral notebook, including CCR)
  • A calendar/planner to track homework assignments and activities
  • Two graphing composition notebooks for math classes. (One per semester, per course)

 Family Nights

These nights are focused on career and college readiness—how to prepare for, get into, and succeed in post-secondary education (trade, two year, and four year schools). These meetings are from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on the following Mondays:

  • October 1, 2018
  • November 5, 2018
  • December 3, 2018
  • January 14, 2019
  • February  4, 2019
  • March 4, 2019
  • April 8, 2019
  • April 29, 2019

Scots Scholars (Saturday School)

Scots Scholars is for all McKay students. During Scots Scholars, students are able to access the computers, as well as work with teachers on class assignments. The hours for Scots Scholars are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with free breakfast served at 8:30 a.m. and free lunch served at 12:00 p.m. Ensuring that your student is completing his/her assignments and learning the appropriate skills and content for each class, will help guide him/her to success at McKay and beyond.  The following are dates for Scots Scholars:

  • October 6, 2018
  • November 3, 2018
  • December 8, 2018
  • January 12, 2019
  • March 2, 2019
  • April 20, 2019
  • June 8, 2019

Student Led Conferences (Student with Parent/Guardian attendance is required once during the school year.)

  • November 19, 2018 (evening only)
  • November 20, 2018 (all day and into the evening)
  • March 20, 2019 (evening only)
  • March 21, 2019  (all day and into the evening)

(See enclosed information.)

Bell Schedule

All high schools in Salem-Keizer are following an A/B block schedule for the 2018-19 school year. Next year students will have four, ninety minute class periods most days, and 40-43 minute periods on Mondays in weeks that have five school days.  This means that our students will now have eight classes each semester instead of seven.  And, our school day will end slightly earlier.  School begins at 8:20 a.m. and now ends at 3:10 p.m..  If your student does not ride the bus, please ensure your student is on time for school, dropping him/her off by 8:10 a.m.

(See enclosed bell schedule and calendar.)

 Thank you for partnering with us, as we continue our journey of success for your student and all of our Royal Scots.

We look forward to seeing you in August for our Taking Care of Business Days.

Go Scots!

Rob Schoepper
Principal
McKay High School

********************************************

Estimados padres y miembros de la comunidad de McKay:

El lema de McKay es el siguiente: “Todos los alumnos se graduarán listos para la universidad y para la vida profesional”.

Nuestra prioridad consiste en satisfacer todas las necesidades docentes de todos los alumnos. Esta labor se basa en el trabajo colectivo, por lo que en mi función de director espero colaborar con todos ustedes para garantizar que los alumnos egresen de McKay listos para la universidad o la vida profesional y para convertirse en integrantes dinámicos y contribuyentes de la sociedad. Asimismo, ponemos a disposición de los padres numerosas oportunidades para participar en la Escuela Preparatoria McKay. Por favor, llámennos al 503.399.3080 para informarse de los pormenores de dichas oportunidades.

La presente carta contiene información y fechas importantes, por lo que les pedimos que la lean con atención.

Días para hacer trámites escolares (la asistencia de los padres, tutores legales y alumnos es obligatoria)

15 y 16 de agosto (lea la información adjunta)

Útiles escolares

Cerciórese de que el alumno asista a la escuela preparado con los útiles siguientes:

  • Un cuaderno de tres anillas de dos pulgadas
  • Un estuche para los lápices
  • Lápices
  • Bolígrafos (de tinta negra o azul)
  • Hojas de renglón ancho
  • Nueve separadores
  • Nueve cuadernos de espiral con hojas de renglón ancho para cada una de las asignaturas. (El alumno debe tener cuadernos de espiral para casi todas las clases, incluida CCR)
  • Una agenda con calendario para llevar la cuenta de todas las tareas de clase y actividades escolares
  • Dos cuadernos de papel cuadriculado para las clases de matemáticas (uno por cada semestre y por cada curso)

 Veladas familiares

Estas veladas tienen como asunto la preparación para la Universidad y la vida profesional: cómo prepararse, cómo ingresar en la Universidad y consejos para tener éxito en la educación superior (escuelas de comercio y en las universidades de dos y cuatro años). Las veladas se celebrarán de 6 a 7.30 p.m. los lunes siguientes:

  • 1 de octubre de 2018
  • 5 de noviembre de 2018
  • 3 de diciembre de 2018
  • 14 de enero de 2019
  • 4 de febrero de 2019
  • 4 de marzo de 2019
  • 8 de abril de 2019
  • 29 de abril de 2019

Escuela sabatina “Scots Scholars”

Esta escuela está abierta para todos los alumnos de McKay. Allí, los alumnos tendrán acceso a las computadoras y tendrán la oportunidad de hacer los trabajos de clase con la ayuda de los maestros. El horario será de 9 am a 12 del mediodía. Se servirá desayuno a las 8:30 am y almuerzo a las 12.00 del mediodía, ambos gratis para los alumnos. La realización de las tareas de clase y el aprendizaje de los conocimientos correspondientes al contenido de todas las clases ayudará al alumno a tener éxito en McKay y luego de egresar de la escuela. La escuela sabatina tendrá lugar en las fechas siguientes:

  • 6 de octubre de 2018
  • 3 de noviembre de 2018
  • 8 de diciembre de 2018
  • 12 de enero de 2019
  • 2 de marzo de 2019
  • 20 de abril de 2019
  • 8 de junio de 2019

Conferencias dirigidas por el alumno (Es obligatorio que los alumnos, padres y tutores legales asistan a una de estas conferencias).

  • 19 de noviembre de 2018 (sólo por la noche)
  • 20 de noviembre de 2018 (todo el día y parte de la noche)
  • 20 de marzo de 2019 (sólo por la noche)
  • 21 de marzo de 2019 (todo el día y parte de la noche)

(Lea la información adjunta).

Horario escolar

Todas las escuelas preparatorias de Salem-Keizer seguirán el horario propio del bloque A/B. El año siguiente, los alumnos tendrán cuatro períodos de clase de noventa minutos casi todos los días, y períodos de 40 a 43 minutos los lunes en las semanas en que haya cinco días de clase. Lo anterior implica que los alumnos tendrán ahora ocho clases por semestre en vez de siete y que el día de clase concluirá un poco más temprano. La escuela empieza a las 8:20 am y termina a las 3:10 p.m.. Los padres de los alumnos que no viajen en el autobús escolar deben traer al alumno con tiempo suficiente para que lleguen a la escuela antes de las 8:1 0 am.

(Adjunto encontrará el horario y el calendario escolares).

 Les damos las gracias por colaborar con nosotros a fin de que todos los alumnos Royal Scots tengan éxito.

Esperamos verles en agosto los días en que se hacen los trámites escolares.

¡Adelante, Scots!

Rob Schoepper
Director de la Escuela Preparatoria McKay

2018-07-13T06:06:47+00:00July 13th, 2018|
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McKay High School

2440 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, OR 97305  |  Attendance: 503-399-3043  |  Office: 503-399-3080 | FAX: 503-375-7807

McKay High School and Salem-Keizer Public Schools promote equal opportunity for all individuals without regard to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion or creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation, or veteran status. For more information, view Salem-Keizer's Nondiscrimination / Title IX policy here.