Dear Scholars and Families:

                                                                    

Welcome to the 2014 – 2015 school year! Our commitment at McKinley Middle Academic Magnet School for Visual & Performing Arts is to provide a safe, positive, intellectual learning environment that will empower scholars to become creative problem solvers, critical thinkers, and inspired learners prepared for high school, college, and life in the twenty-first century.

 

As I enter into my first year as principal, I would like to continue the history of academic excellence by setting high expectations for our scholars in regards to academic performance within the classroom, participation in extra-curricular activities as well as responsible citizenship at school and in the community. As you may not, I do not refer to our children at McKinley Magnet as students. McKinley Magnet kids are scholars. I am asking each scholar to commit to having Mustang PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In Daily Efforts) by being active participants in their learning and acting responsibly as an individual within our learning community.  Doing so will enable all to have a successful and enjoyable school year.

 

Middle school is a time of a change. It is an exciting time, but it can also be challenging with the increase in workloads and the social adjustment to being on a larger campus and having multiple teachers through the course of the day. Mustangs, I encourage you to do the following so you can be successful in your transition and time in middle school:

 

• Communicate with others in a respectful and meaningful way.

• Pose questions, examine possibilities, and challenge yourself to find solutions.

• Surround yourself with positive people.

• Make positive choices related to physical and mental wellness; and

• Contribute to our school community in a collaborative respectful manner.

 

Parents, please make time to:

• Ask your scholar(s) specific questions about their time at school.  For example, “What was the most interesting thing you did in class today?” or “Tell me about your science experiment?”

• Use the Parent Portal early and often. The Portal will give you relevant information regarding your child’s performance on their homework, a test or quiz as well as their attendance. Your interest and concern in their school progress will motivate them to do their best.

• Communicate with your child’s teachers and staff members to establish a successful home/school connection.  All of our teachers have classroom websites with their contact information, homework assignments, and useful resources.

 

We are looking forward to a positive, successful school year at McKinley Academic Magnet.  I encourage all scholars to connect with our school; stand up to mistreatment, vandalism, and to anything you know is not right. Remind yourself that you do not have to follow the crowd. Be yourself and even when no one is watching, do the right thing.  Parents, please help us by reinforcing school expectations at home. With your help, McKinley Academic Magnet will continue to be a school community in which every person feels respected, valued, and is encouraged and challenged to achieve at the highest levels.

 

I encourage you all to become active in our PTO. Our partnership is essential for our continued success. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me and know that my door is always open.

 

I am excited for the opportunity to work with you and your scholar to provide a productive and safe learning environment that supports scholarly success. Once again, welcome to McKinley Middle Academic Magnet School for Visual & Performing Arts! I am honored to serve as your principal!

 

Educationally yours,

 

Wiley Brazier, V.

Principal

 

"For these are all our children and we shall pay for or profit by what they become."

--James Baldwin