School
When we think about what makes a school successful, our attention naturally turns to what happens in classrooms. Teachers delivering lessons, students working together, and the learning that takes place throughout the day are at the heart of our work. But behind every successful school day are countless people, preparations, and systems that often go unnoticed.
This week, McKenzie is recognizing both National School Lunch Week and School Safety Week, providing a good opportunity to highlight some of that important behind-the-scenes work.
Every morning, long before many of our students arrive, members of our Nutrition Services team are already preparing for the day. Breakfast and lunch are more than just meals. They are an important part of making sure students have the energy and focus they need to learn, participate, and be successful.
At McKenzie, we are fortunate to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision. This helps ensure that every student has access to nutritious meals without families having to worry about the cost. It also removes some of the barriers and stigma that can accompany school meal programs.
National School Lunch Week is an opportunity to recognize our Nutrition Services staff for the work they do each day. Planning menus, preparing meals, meeting nutritional requirements, maintaining food safety standards, and serving students are all essential parts of operating our school. Their work is sometimes easy to overlook, but its impact on students is significant.
This week also marks our annual School Safety Week, during which students and staff will practice a variety of emergency response procedures.
Throughout the week, we will conduct drills involving secure and hold procedures, fire evacuation, lockdown, and earthquake response, including evacuation to higher ground. Students will also review age-appropriate emergency response information.
These exercises are an important part of our responsibility to prepare for situations we hope never occur. Just as we practice academic skills so they become familiar, practicing emergency procedures helps students and staff understand expectations and respond more effectively when needed.
Safety preparation is also an ongoing process. Each drill provides an opportunity to evaluate our procedures, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen our ability to respond to different situations. We appreciate the cooperation of our students and staff as we work through these exercises.
Of course, Nutrition Services and emergency preparedness are only two examples of the work that supports our students each day.
Our bus drivers begin and end the school day with students. Educational assistants provide essential classroom support. Office staff help families navigate everything from attendance to student needs. Our custodial and maintenance teams keep buildings functioning, while health services, technology, and other support staff help create an environment where teaching and learning can take place.
In a small district like McKenzie, these contributions are especially important. Every member of our team plays a role in ensuring students are Known, Valued, Challenged, and Prepared.
Around McKenzie This Week
In addition to National School Lunch Week and our scheduled safety drills, we have a full week of activities and athletics.
Monday is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and our safety activities begin with a secure and directed evacuation drill. Tuesday includes hold and fire drills, followed by high school volleyball Senior Night as the Eagles host Alsea at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, students and staff will practice lockdown procedures and review ALICE instructional videos. Our middle school volleyball and football teams travel to Central Linn for 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. contests, while high school volleyball travels to Riddle for a 6:00 p.m. match.
Thursday begins with an earthquake and higher-elevation evacuation drill. Our middle and high school cross-country teams will compete at Harrisburg, and high school football will host Days Creek at 7:00 p.m. for Senior Night.
Friday is a Teacher Day, with staff reporting to campus while students are out of class. Our middle school volleyball B-team will compete at Central Linn in the Mountain West League B Tournament, followed Saturday by the A-team competing at Mohawk in the Mountain West League A Tournament.
As we recognize our senior athletes this week, I also want to congratulate them on their contributions to McKenzie athletics and thank their families for the many years of support that have helped make those experiences possible.
Schools are complex places, and much of the work that makes them successful happens quietly, without recognition or applause. Whether it’s preparing a nutritious meal, maintaining a safe facility, transporting students, supporting a classroom, or practicing emergency procedures, each contribution matters.
To all of the people who help make every school day possible, thank you. Your work makes a difference for our students, our families, and our community.