McKenna Elementary -

Dear McKenna Community, Please see the link below to help support McKenna's 5th Grade Class Moving Up in 2026: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w6szh7givV_cvRzT3gMLwny9fGxXyHJ6/view?usp=drive_link Deadline for orders has been extended - order ASAP! Sincerely, McKenna Administration & McKenna Class of 2026

Dear McKenna Community, Please see the links below for the PTA Plant Sale: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HKz3U_edLkGA3NdLDFM9rPxOJtdZcR8E/view?usp=drive_link https://my.cheddarup.com/c/mckenna-pta-spring-plant-sale-4944/items Sincerely, McKenna Administration & PTA

Dear Parents and Guardians, This is a reminder that the “Rooms” communication feature in our Massapequa School District app will be ready on April 30th. With this new feature, all of our instructional staff and parents will be able to communicate through this common platform to streamline communications. With Rooms, you’ll have access to even more exciting features like: • Stream: A place where teachers and staff can post announcements and communications • Messages: Direct communication between teachers/staff and parents On April 30th, you will receive a text message and email with detailed instructions on accessing your account through our app and/or the web. If you haven’t downloaded our app yet, please visit the Apple or Google Play store and search for the “Massapequa School District” or visit www.msd.k12.ny.us/app. Sincerely, The Massapequa School District

REMINDER! Dear McKenna Community, We are excited to announce our second annual "Bring a Police Officer to School Day" happening on Thursday, May 15th from 9:30 - 10:00. This building wide initiative invites our brave police officers into the classroom to share some special time with our students. During this time, police officers are invited to answer student questions and share any police memorabilia, photographs, awards etc. that they would like to show the class. We are asking any K-5 McKenna Police Officer who is interested in visiting one of our K-5 classrooms to complete the link below no later than 4/25. Visitation from our officers to classrooms will take place on this day and time only. We look forward to honoring our McKenna Police Officers and giving all our students the opportunity to show their gratitude. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfD4Cwj8vxWZcgBgXL74V9FH_u5FLbUB6GHTtBo0D8nFOO0Xw/viewform?usp=sf_link Regards, McKenna Administration

Dear Parents of Grade 3-5 Students, As a follow-up to the Massapequa School District email sent on April 17, 2025: Session II of the New York State English Language Arts (ELA) Assessment is scheduled to take place on April 23, 2025. Thank you for your patience and attention to this matter. Regards, McKenna Administration

Dear Parents of Grade 3-8 Students, Last week we paused our ELA assessments due to technical issues with the state. We understand this was disappointing and frustrating for everyone involved. We have received assurances that the system is ready to go, and we are committed to completing the assessment as planned. Session II of the New York State English Language Arts (ELA) Assessment is scheduled to take place on April 23, 2025. You can expect additional follow-up from your buildings on Tuesday, April 22. Thank you for your patience and attention to this matter. Sincerely, The Massapequa School District

Dear Parents and Guardians, We would like to thank you for your ongoing support with our new website and app! If you haven’t downloaded our app yet, please visit the Apple or Google Play store and search for the Massapequa School District. As a reminder, our district app currently offers: • District, school, and community communications • Access to our spotlight, events/calendar, lunch menus, and district/school webpages As we shared at the end of last school year and throughout this school year, we are excited to announce the launch of our “Rooms” parent-teacher communication app/website feature! After ongoing district planning and training, the “Rooms” communication feature will be ready on April 30th. With this new feature, all of our instructional staff and parents will be able to communicate through this common platform to streamline communications. With Rooms, you’ll have access to even more exciting features like: • Stream: A place where communication/announcements can be posted by teachers/staff • Messages: Direct communication from teachers/staff to parents and parents to teachers/staff We will be sharing additional information and directions on how to access your account in the near future! Sincerely, The Massapequa School District

Dear McKenna Community, We are excited to announce our second annual "Bring a Police Officer to School Day" happening on Thursday, May 15th from 9:30 - 10:00. This building wide initiative invites our brave police officers into the classroom to share some special time with our students. During this time, police officers are invited to answer student questions and share any police memorabilia, photographs, awards etc. that they would like to show the class. We are asking any K-5 McKenna Police Officer who is interested in visiting one of our K-5 classrooms to complete the link below no later than 4/25. Visitation from our officers to classrooms will take place on this day and time only. We look forward to honoring our McKenna Police Officers and giving all our students the opportunity to show their gratitude. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfD4Cwj8vxWZcgBgXL74V9FH_u5FLbUB6GHTtBo0D8nFOO0Xw/viewform?usp=sf_link Regards, McKenna Administration

Dear Parents of Grade 3-8 Students, We are writing to provide an important update regarding the New York State English Language Arts (ELA) testing that resumed today, April 9, 2025. Unfortunately, NYS encountered another round of technical issues with its online testing platform this morning. Due to these issues, NYS instructed us to pause, and then later to resume testing. While many students at Berner and our elementary schools managed to complete their tests, some couldn't even start. We will contact those parents/guardians directly. Given these ongoing complications, we are pausing testing district-wide until after the break, awaiting further guidance from the state. Tomorrow, April 10, 2025, will be a normal school day without state assessments. We will provide updates on the continuation of the ELA assessment as soon as we receive details and assurances of testing capabilities from the state. This situation is incredibly frustrating due to the loss of instructional time and the time invested in preparing for this test administration. Additionally, there are now questions about the validity of this assessment which we hope will be addressed once we receive further guidance from the state. We will update the community as soon as more information becomes available. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. Sincerely, William Brennan, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools

Dear Parents of Grade 3-8 Students, We are writing to provide an important update regarding the New York State English Language Arts (ELA) testing that resumed today, April 9, 2025. Unfortunately, NYS encountered another round of technical issues with its online testing platform this morning. Due to these issues, NYS instructed us to pause, and then later to resume testing. While many students at Berner and our elementary schools managed to complete their tests, some couldn't even start. We will contact those parents/guardians directly. Given these ongoing complications, we are pausing testing district-wide until after the break, awaiting further guidance from the state. Tomorrow, April 10, 2025, will be a normal school day without state assessments. We will provide updates on the continuation of the ELA assessment as soon as we receive details and assurances of testing capabilities from the state. This situation is incredibly frustrating due to the loss of instructional time and the time invested in preparing for this test administration. Additionally, there are now questions about the validity of this assessment which we hope will be addressed once we receive further guidance from the state. We will update the community as soon as more information becomes available. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. Sincerely, William Brennan, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools

Dear Grade 3-5 Elementary Parents/Guardians, As previously communicated, due to unforeseen technical issues and as directed by NYSED, the administration of the NYS ELA assessment scheduled for today was postponed. The District received notification this morning that the NYS testing platform, Nextera, was having technical issues across the state. At this time, the district has received notification that the technical issues have been resolved. Therefore, Session 1 of the NYS ELA Assessment will be administered tomorrow, April 9, 2025, and Session 2 will be administered on Thursday, April 10, 2025. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, The Massapequa School District

Dear Parents of Grade 3-8 Students, We are writing to inform you about an important update regarding the New York State English Language Arts (ELA) testing that was scheduled for today, April 8, and tomorrow, April 9. Due to a statewide technical issue with the NY ELA testing platform, testing is postponed for today, April 8. We will follow-up with additional communication once we confirm the issue is resolved and we receive further guidance from NY State. At this time, buildings will be resuming their regular schedules. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure a smooth testing process for all students participating in the assessment. Thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, The Massapequa School District

Dear McKenna Families, Our next Blue and Gold Spirit Day will be held Tuesday, April 8th. We invite all students and staff to show their school pride by wearing blue and gold or Massapequa gear to school. Regards, McKenna Administration

Dear McKenna Community, Please join us, along with Massapequa SEPTA in wearing BLUE each Friday during the month of April! Please click the following link for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IQO-vNgzuH7LNRc0SUZwirAdX4BB1dVN/view?usp=drive_link Regards, McKenna Administration

Dear McKenna Community, The McKenna Ambassadors Club will be hosting The McKenna March Madness Donation Collection again. They are collecting peanut butter and jelly and donating it to a local food bank. Collection will take place from March 24th to March 31st. We invite you to wear your favorite team jersey or team colors on Friday, March 28th. Please click the link for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10CqT0zM5ZEifk-9cvUx-bxlNM8XmS_wx/view?usp=sharing Regards, McKenna Administration and The McKenna Ambassadors Club

To All Parents/Guardians of Students Currently in Grades K - 5: Please see the linked flyer containing information about Camp Invention, a summer program that inspires confidence as campers collaborate in creative problem-solving challenges led by qualified educators to bring their biggest ideas to life! Flyer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UTRRMdsI5SuRM501YcbbnbhQ3cIho4BvdSQPGnC3Vn8/edit?tab=t.0 The program will run from August 4 - 8, 2025 at Unqua Elementary School. The registration link goes live at 9:00am on March 20, 2025. PLEASE NOTE: Information regarding other summer programs and opportunities will be shared in the near future. Sincerely, The Massapequa School District

Dear McKenna Community, On Saturday, April 5th SEPTA invites your family to BINGO! Please use the following link for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X8KuhqtX4N_CsGzP5hx4OTrvodsXpz_o/view?usp=drive_link Regards, McKenna Administration

Dear McKenna Community, On Friday, March 21, 2025 we will hold a Lock Down Drill. As a reminder, please see the link for more information regarding emergency drill exercises that take place throughout the 2024-2025 school year. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eX_9udZQ3w2RFzvQz-jMr4-ik8U52G2e/view?usp=drive_link Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's classroom teacher or administration if you have any questions. Regards, McKenna Administration

Dear Third Grade Parents, In the coming months, all third grade students will have the opportunity to select an instrument to begin playing next fall. The Inside Out Performance by the Massapequa Philharmonic is a wonderful way for your child to begin to explore possible instrument choices. Following the performance, students can participate in the Instrument Meet and Greet; a time to speak with teachers and students, see the instruments up close, and ask questions. For further information and a registration link, please view the invitation letter at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N1M-kWfdL8RWaV-YNb_sufqe0sKj_Hyf/view

Dear McKenna Community, Please use the link below for information regarding McKenna Spring Apparel Sale 2025: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19zp8Sv8zoEaNcd_xF8TaYeiW38UpbsRY/view?usp=drive_link Ordering period is open through Friday, March 14, 2025. Regards, McKenna Administration