McMeen Elementary

Heat Days

We have received lots of questions this week regarding Heat Days and heat mitigation efforts. We wanted to provide some information and answers to commonly asked questions. Please know that our first priority is student and staff safety. We want nothing more than to have everyone together in the building engaging in learning; however, our classrooms are often only about 2 degrees cooler than the temperature outside, which makes engaging in learning extremely difficult for everyone.

Why hasn't McMeen received air conditioning yet?

This is a process controlled by the district. They have identified an order of schools to receive air conditioning based on a Heat Index (using measurements of heat in classrooms to determine the hottest schools) and an Equity Index (includes how many students receive special education, a percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunch, and a degree of volatility in conjunction with the Heat Index). You can view the full list of schools here. You can learn more about the timeline for the project to add air conditioning to schools here.

How is the decision to call a heat day made?

The final decision is made through comprehensive collaboration between the following entities: District Leadership, a Community Planning and Advisory Committee (CPAC), and our Board of Education. The CPAC is comprised of community members, parents, educators, and other DPS stakeholders.

What is McMeen doing to mitigate the heat?

We are working hard to mitigate the heat in our building each and every day. Each morning, our facilities staff open windows around the building to bring cooler air into the building. Teachers then ensure all windows are closed by 10am to prevent the warmer air from coming in. Many of our teachers on the East side of the building are also covering their windows to minimize the amount of sunlight warming their rooms. Additionally, we have several large swamp coolers in the hallways running at all times. Classrooms also have fans in their rooms to help circulate air.

Ways to Get Involved

Join McMeen's Collaborative School Committee (CSC)

Our next meeting will be September 5th from 4 pm-5 pm via ZOOM.

CSC meetings are a great opportunity for you to hear about what's going on at McMeen and to get involved is some of the decision making. During this first meeting, we will go over the functions of CSC and talk about nominations for Chairperson and Secretary, as well as a community member to join our committee. If you would like to nominated yourself or someone else as chairperson, secretary or community member, please use this Nomination form.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can review the presentation and/or watch a recording of it.

Parenting Partners Reunion

Join us at the Parenting Partners Reunion event on Wednesday, September 27th from 4-7pm to learn about 3 different programs we can launch at McMeen: Parenting Partners, Calm and Kind, and Family Mealtimes. This event is designed for parents to join in and build excitement for the opportunity to join in on these programs alongside school staff! There will be FOOD, PRIZES, and opportunities to connect with other schools who have used these programs. If you have YET to RSVP, please do so below. See this flier for more information and sign-up here.

Classroom Updates

5th Grade - Our fifth grade garden grew each day this week by building relationships, social contract, giving affirmations, and recognizing that we all make mistakes to learn.

Student Affirmations

2nd Grade, Abdiaziz Igal - He came in truly ready to learn this week. He is ALWAYS on task and participates in every single discussion. He is kind towards everyone and is very good at giving his classmates affirmations. - Ms. Johns
            
2nd Grade, Cameron Morrison - Wow. Can I just say this young man has been an incredible addition to our classroom family! He has blown me away with his accountability, drive, honesty and kindness. He has been an absolute leader in our room! - Ms. Johns
            
Kindergarten, Temperance Schmitzer - Temperance comes to school excited and ready to learn and she has been such a wonderful friend to everyone in our class! We're so lucky to have you in our classroom, Temperance! - Ms. Blair
            
Kindergarten, Samiyah Overton - Samiyah always has such a beautiful smile and she has learned so many rituals and routines this week! Nice work, Samiyah! - Ms. Blair
            
5th Grade, Yousif Abdelgadir - Yousif has been such a leader! He takes charge without being reminded day to day about expectations and routines. He also sets a positive example for other fifth grade students. - Ms. Powell

ECE, A todos mis alumnos/To all my students - Me siento muy orgullosa de todos mis alumnos de preescolar porque durante nuestra primer semana de clases demostraron valentia, responsabilidad, perseverancia, respeto y curiosidad por aprender. ¡No puedo esperar a ver su crecimiento durante este ciclo escolar en nuestra clase de preescolar de lenguaje dual!
I feel very proud of all my ECE students because during our first week of school they demonstrated bravery, responsibility, perseverance, respect and curiosity to learn. I can't wait to see their growing during our school year in our ECE dual language class! - Mrs. Rivera