McKinley Elementary Update - 08/03/2026

Dear McKinley Families,

I would like to welcome all of you to McKinley Elementary School and to the start of the 2026-2027 school year.  I hope everyone is having a relaxing summer with family and friends.  Although we have a few weeks of summer left, the school year is almost here!

With the start of a new school year comes the feelings of excitement and the nervous energy that is common for everyone.  In our Student Handbook, we have included some tips to help with nerves as students transition back to school.  Please make sure you read the Student Handbook prior to the start of school to review school procedures and expectations.    

As educators, we understand that our purpose is to provide high quality education that meets the needs of each individual child.  We understand the value of meaningful connections between home and school, and the importance of teaching our children how to be kind, responsible, and respectful members of our community.  Throughout my 20 years in education, I have realized one thing that has always remained true: when all adults are working together and emphasizing the importance of school, school becomes very important to the child.  

As educators, parents, and students, we all have a great responsibility ahead of us.  Let us work together to ensure that all of our children have a safe, healthy, and productive start to the school year.  

Please see the important dates below.  I have also attached many items to this email for your review.

• Tuesday, August 18 - Class lists will be posted on the McKinley connector doors at 3:00pm 
   
• Thursday, August 20 - McKinley Meet and Greets: 
  • Grade 1 - 8:30 - 9:00 am 
  • Grade 2 - 9:30 - 10:00 am 
  • Grade 3 - 10:30 - 11:00 am
  • *All parents/students will report directly to classrooms 
     
• Thursday, August 20 - KRA-R Testing for incoming Kindergarten students at Dobbins
  *All Kindergarten parents will receive a personal phone call from their child's teacher on Friday, August 14th to schedule KRA-R and review important dates.  
   
• Friday, August 21 - Kindergarten Orientation in the McKinley Connector - 10:00 - 11:00 am 
  *All parents/students will report to the McKinley cafeteria.  Our Kindergarten Orientation will begin at 10:00 am. 
   
• Friday, August 21 - Kindergarten Playdates on the McKinley playground (graphic included below) 
   
• Tuesday, August 25 - First day of school for all students in grades 1 - 3. Kindergarten Staggered Start begins. 
  Kindergarten students with the last names beginning with A-L will attend school on Tuesday, August 25th and Wednesday, August 26th. 
   
• Thursday, August 27 - Kindergarten Staggered Start continues. 
  Kindergarten students with last names beginning with M-Z will attend school on Thursday, August 27th and Friday, August 28th.  All Kindergarten students with last names that begin with A-L will remain at home. 
   
• Monday, August 31 - Kindergarten Staggered Start ends, ALL Kindergarten students report to school.  

Please be sure to visit our school website for all available information and resources at https://www.polandbulldogs.com/

Also, if you have yet to do so, please make sure you are updating all of your information in FinalForms.  Please call our school office should you need any assistance, (330) 757-7014.

We look forward to seeing all of our families soon!  Enjoy the rest of your summer break.  

Mr. Matthew Beard 
Principal, McKinley Elementary

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Attachments:

• 2026-2027 McKinley Elementary Student Handbook 
• 2026-2027 Orientations and Meet & Greets
• 2026 Kindergarten Playdates

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2026 Kindergarten Playdates

Hosted by McKinley PTO
Drinks and Snacks will be provided

Friday, August 21, 2026
@ McKinley Playground off of Lee Street

Times:

• Alexee: 11:05 - 11:25 a.m. 
• Creed: 11:30 - 11:50 a.m. 
• Fening: 12:00 - 12:20 p.m. 
• Gesacion: 12:25 - 12:45 p.m. 
• Patrick: 12:50-1:10 p.m.
• Schuster: 1:15-1:35 p.m.