How much does breakfast and lunch cost for my student?

How do I pay for my student's lunch?

Is there anything else I should know about lunch at McKinley?  (Menus, ID's, a la carte locks, reduced...)

What time does McKinley get out on Early Dismissal days?  What about lunch?

What should I do about a new phone number?

How much is the consumable materials fee?  What does it cover?  When is it collected?

Where is the Lost and Found?

Where can my child purchase a city bus ticket?

What if my student wants to ride the bus home with a friend?

How can I find out more about McKinley PTA?

What is a student planner?  Where can my child get another one?

What is the PACT program?

What is McKinley's medication policy? 

What should I do if my child needs to be excused from PE?

What kind of extracurricular activities does McKinley have for students not interested in sports?

Does McKinley have a low-cost insurance plan for my child?

Is there a dress code at McKinley?

How do I get homework for my child when he/she is absent?

May my child bring a cell phone to school?

CAFETERIA FAQS

How much does breakfast and lunch cost for my student?

How do I pay for my student's lunch?
Cafeteria staff will accept money for lunch accounts.  Students may bring money to deposit in their accounts or parents may deposit money between 8:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M. in the cafeteria.   If paying by check, please write the name of your child and grade on all checks.  If you are depositing money for more than one child, please list all names and grades on check.  This helps us to credit the correct account.  Students use their IDs to purchase lunch items, so the amount is automatically deducted from the student's account.  Students are verbally notified when their accounts get below a certain amount. No student may charge more than $5.00.  If the balance falls below $5.00, an alternate lunch of a sandwich and milk will be offered.

You can also now access your child’s meal account balance, account history, and make account deposits through the Internet using www.sendmoneytoschool.com.
 

Where can I find a lunch menu?      Click HERE to see the district's secondary school lunch menu  Lunch Menu
 

What is an "a la carte lock?"  How does it work?
Parents who wish to place an "a la carte lock" on their child's lunch account should call the cafeteria, 558-2580.  This "lock" prevents a child from buying chips, juice, and other non-standard lunch items.  Cafeteria personnel are available to take calls between 8:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M. 

How do I apply for free or reduced lunch?
Applications will be sent to families in a summer mailing from the district's Food and Nutrition Department .  They are also available in the Main Office. **  Please remember that a new application must be completed each year and returned to McKinley as soon as possible.  Call the department of Food and Nutrition, 558-2305, if you have questions.

Why does my student need a student ID?  Where can he/she get another one if his/hers is lost?  
Students either scan their ID's or enter their ID number to eat each day.  Replacement ID's may be purchased in the IMC for $2.00.

OTHER FAQS            

What time does McKinley get out on Early Dismissal days?  What about lunch?
Early dismissal for McKinley Middle School is 12:30 P.M.  Lunch will be served on early dismissal days.
 

What should I do about a new phone number?  What if we move away?
Changes in parental contact information or emergency contact information should be made online in PowerSchool through E-Registration.  If you are unable to do that online, please call the Counseling Office at 558-2351, immediately.   When a student is moving out of the district, a parent/guardian must call or visit the Counseling Office so that the necessary paper work may be completed.
 

How much is the consumable materials fee?  What does it cover?  When is it collected?
A $46.00 consumable materials fee is collected at the beginning of each school year.  This fee covers the cost of materials that cannot be used again, such as classroom workbooks and supplies for academic and exploratory classes.  Some special field trips or big events may continue to have separate fees.  Towel and lock fees for athletic programs, band instrument rental, and other extracurricular costs are not included. 

 This fee can be paid online through School Cash Online or you can send payment to school on the first day with your student .  If paying by check, make payable to McKinley Middle School.  Please write the name of your child and grade on all checks.  If you are depositing money for more than one child, please list all names and grades on check.  This helps us to credit the correct account.

Payment Options: You may pay the consumable materials fee in full at the beginning of the year.  We realize that complete payment may not be possible.  For this reason, you may pay fees in installments. However, no notices of fees due will be sent during the year. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to see that fees are paid before the end of the year because unpaid accounts are turned over for collection at that time.

Fee Waiver Available: If your child qualifies for free or reduced lunch, you may apply to have the consumable materials fee waived or reduced.  Reduced fees are $28.00.

Where is the Lost and Found?
Lost and Found is located in the Main Office or Cafeteria.  Students who lose belongings should check Lost and Found as soon as possible since it is cleaned out regularly.  Students should have their name on all personal items.

Where can my child purchase a city bus ticket?  (Will no longer be available after current supply of tickets is sold.)
Ten-punch tickets to ride the city buses may be purchased in the Main Office before and after school.  This will only be available until the supply of tickets is sold out.  Once the current supply of tickets is gone, we will no longer sell them in the office.  Checks should be made out to "McKinley Middle School" for $10.00.

What if my student wants to ride the bus home with a friend?
Effective, the 2012-13 school year, students will no longer be allowed to ride home with a friend on a district school bus.

How can I find out more about McKinley PTA?
McKinley PTA invites all parents to join us.  Meetings are held at 12:00 p.m. in Room 304.  All meetings are the second Monday of the month, or as noted in the calendar.  Every attempt is made to keep meetings brief but informative.  PTA meetings are a great place to visit with other parents, teachers, and administrators.  To be successful, PTA needs your participation.  For more information, contact Jane Hutchins @ 319-364-4454 or email jane@jhutchinsdesign.com .  You can also click HERE to access the PTA web page. 

What is a student planner?  Where can my child get another one?
All McKinley students will receive a student planner during the first week of school.  The planner has space for daily assignments as well as a monthly calendar for long-range assignments.  Students are encouraged to use this planner every day in all classes.  Please check at home regularly to see how your child is using this important tool.  In addition, don't forget to look over the student handbook section of the planner.  It contains information about McKinley and its policies and procedures.  Replacement planners are available in the Main Office for $5.00.

What is PACT?
PACT (PROGRAM FOR ACADEMIC AND CREATIVE TALENT) is a program which extends the educational experience for many McKinley students.  McKinley PACT strives to include as many students as possible, with participation determined not only by standardized test results but by teacher recommendation as well.  PACT activities in the past have included Mock Trial, Math Olympiads, Science Olympiads, Science Bowl, National History Day, International Day and Archives Tours.  For more information about PACT, contact Ms. Karam PACT Teacher, at 558-4692.

What is McKinley's medication policy?
Only medication prescribed by a physician or dentist will be administered during the time the student is at school.  A physician signature is required before non-prescription or over-the-counter medications will be given.  The school has the right to contact the prescribing doctor's office to confirm or clarify medication instructions.  All medication shall be supplied to the school in the original container, properly labeled, and will be administered only by the health secretary, school nurse or other authorized personnel.  The parent/guardian must complete the Medication Permission form before the student will be allowed to be given the medication at school (Cedar Rapids Community School District Regulation 605.2).  All medication must be kept in the health office unless the school nurse has authorized otherwise.  

What should I do if my child needs to be excused from PE?
Send a note for student to be excused from participation for 1 - 3 day illness or injury.  A doctor's written excuse is required for conditions that require more than 3 days of missed participation.  All missed classes are to be made up, unless circumstances warrant other solutions.

What kind of extracurricular activities does McKinley have for students not interested in sports?
Non-sports activities may include, but are not limited to, the following,  
Jazz Band
Classic Edition (An auditioned concert/show choir of select 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders).
Drama Productions
Art Club
Chess Club
Computer Exploration
Spanish Club
STEM Activities (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
Student Council
Symphony
Video Gaming
Yearbook  

 

Does McKinley have a low-cost insurance plan for my child?
Parents may apply for low-or no-cost health insurance for their children through the state's Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (HAWK-I) program.  Children birth to 19, who meet certain criteria, are eligible.  The coverage includes doctor's visits, hearing services, dental care, prescription, immunizations, physical therapy, vision care, speech therapy and hospital services, to name a few.  Parents are urged to call 1-800-257-8563 (toll-free) or go to the website at www.hawk-i.org for more information.

Is there a dress code at McKinley?

Students should come to school, dressed comfortably yet appropriately, in order to be active participants in the learning process.

·          Clothing should be clean and in good repair.

·          Shoes must be worn and should fit appropriately, allowing students to travel through the building and negotiate stairways safely.

·          Inappropriate clothing that should not be worn includes but is not limited to: short shorts, halters, strapless or backless garments, spaghetti strap shirts or ribbed undershirts without an over-shirt, exposed sports bras, see-through clothing, and clothes that expose the midriff, chest, or undergarments.

·          Jewelry or other accessories that may cause injury or distraction to the educational process should not be worn, especially during P.E.

·         Pants and shorts must be appropriately sized and worn at the natural waistline. Students must wear a belt if pants are too big to stay up at the natural waistline.

·         Shirts must be shorter than the hemline of shorts or skirts.

·         Clothes, jewelry, and other accessories that contain suggestive, vulgar, or violent slogans or pictures or advertise illegal products, such as alcohol or tobacco, are not allowed.

·         Hats, caps, scarves, and sweatbands cannot be worn in the building.

·         Clothing, hairstyles, and body markings, which in the judgment of the administration may disrupt the educational process, are not allowed.

How do I get homework for my child when he/she is absent?
Students must be absent three days in a row before teachers will collect makeup work.  To get makeup work, on the third day of absence e-mail your child's teacher or call the Attendance Office, 558-2150.  Work may be picked up in the Main Office after 3:00 p.m.

May my child bring a cell phone to school?
Electronic devices such as cell phones, IPods, CD players, MP3 players and hand-held video games are disruptive to classroom learning. Therefore, students are asked to leave such items at home. If brought to school, student cell phones (or any of these other devices) must remain turned off and locked in his/her locker during the school day (8:00 AM - 2:50 PM).  If a staff member sees a student with his/her cell phone (or any of these other devices) out, it will be taken until the end of the day.  After the third time, a parent will need to pick it up. Under no circumstances will the school be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged cell phones or other electronic devices.