3/2: McCornack Family Week at a Glance
McCornack Family Week at a Glance
March 2-6, 2026
This Week:
Coming Soon:
McCornack Parent/Family Handbook: We strongly recommend families review and reference this handbook (Spanish) which is full of important information about McCornack. Please click on this link once you have read/reviewed the Handbook.
Friendly Bus Loop Safety Reminder: This is a friendly reminder that the bus loop may only be used for student pick-up and drop-off between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and 9:00 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on Wednesdays during the school day. Student safety remains our highest priority.
At times, staff members may be reassigned to support other needs at McCornack. Even if cones are not in place or a staff member is not present, the bus lane remains closed and is reserved for buses only.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe environment for all students.
Personal Items from Home: To help us keep learning as our main focus and prevent equity issues and distractions in the classroom, toys, stuffed animals, fidgets, games, and other non-instructional items from home must stay at home. These items can often shift a student's attention away from lessons and activities, making it harder for them and their classmates to learn. If needed to support the individual need of a student, we will provide the item/tool at school. The only exceptions are when these items are specifically part of a classroom activity, reward, or project (i.e. classroom PJ and stuffy reward day).
If a student brings one of these items to school, it will be put away in their backpack for the remainder of the day. If it happens a second time, the item will be taken away for the rest of the school day and returned at dismissal. If it happens a third time, the item will be held in the office, and a parent or guardian will need to pick it up. Please check your child’s backpack regularly. Thank you!
Please know that McCornack is not responsible for any lost or damaged items that students bring from home. Also, students are not allowed to buy, sell, or trade these items at school or on the bus.
Buy/Sell/Trade: Students may not buy/sell or trade items at school. This includes but is not limited to food, toys, fidgets, Pokemon cards, etc. Students are to leave non-instructional and valuable items at home.
Planned Absences of 3 or more days: Submit pre-arranged absence form to McCornack’s office at least 2 days prior to the absence.
Breakfast/Lunch Menus: Click HERE to access the school breakfast/lunch menus. Breakfast and lunch are provided at no charge to McCornack students. *Menus are subject to change and may be different from what is online.
McCornack’s JOY Event: McCornack is excited to host our upcoming Family JOY Event on April 18th from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m, a special day created to directly support our McCornack families and celebrate our wonderful community.
This event is designed to directly support our McCornack families by providing a complimentary meal, toiletries, clothing, food pantry items, and haircuts at no cost. We will also offer a variety of fun activities for children, and representatives from several community organizations will be present to connect families with valuable local resources.
How You Can Help
We are currently seeking donations and community partnerships to make this event a success!
Toiletry donations will be accepted beginning Friday, April 1st in the McCornack office during regular school hours.
Your generosity makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our families.
Please email McCornack at mccornack@4j.lane.edu if you have connections to individuals who might be able to host a table (community organizations, activities for students in the community, etc.).
Girls On The Run:
It is a positive youth development program where girls 3rd through 5th grade of all fitness levels learn to embrace their inner strength, manage emotions, resolve conflicts, and build healthy relationships. The team meets after school twice a week. Mondays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:45pm. At the end of the season there is a non-competitive 5K run held for all participating schools in Eugene and Springfield to celebrate the girls' accomplishments. The program is designed to be accessible to all, with financial aid and scholarships available based on need. Mrs. Mertz, Mrs. Kate, and Coach James are leading McCornack into its 4th season with the program. Please reach out if there are any questions. There are a limited number of spots available so it is first come first serve on sign ups.First three practice dates will be Monday 3/16, Thursday 3/19, and Thursday 4/2. The full season kicks off the week of Monday 4/6.
REGISTRATION OPENS FEB 25th and closes March 4th: https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/GOTRGOSPRING26
** Advice when registering and paying the cost of the season: The last page of registration will talk about financial assistance based on income. Select the lowest income bracket and it will adjust the cost of the season for you. It should cost only $50 instead of $230. Do not pay the full amount! Let us know if you need help with this.
Title I Family Math Morning: We are EXCITED to open the doors of McCornack for parents/guardians for a VERY special Title 1 Family Math Morning! Coffee and treats will be provided. Visit your child’s classroom, watch your child’s morning meeting, and play a math game with your child. Instructions and materials will be given to you so you can continue playing at home. The math game will help your child practice the math skills your student is learning in class.
Reserve the date! We are excited to see you!
March 9 grades K-1 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
March 10 grades 4-5 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
March 13 grades 2-3 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Kindness Campaign: We just finished a two week campaign celebrating things that we are grateful for! Check in with your child about the things they wrote or drew about gratitude. You might even use this as an opportunity to talk as a family or one on one with your child about the things you all are grateful for as well. Watch this spot the next few weeks for photos of their words, suggestions for how to continue this hopeful, caring work and celebrations of our McCornack Community. In the meantime, listen to this song!!!
Parents of TAG Identified 5th Grade Students: There are big changes ahead as your child transitions to middle school.
As a TAG student during the K-5 years, an individually written TAG plan has been the norm throughout the district.
Once a student crosses over into the secondary level, 6th - 12th grade, things will change:
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Core content teachers (Math and Language Arts, possibly Science) create "Instructional Plans" that outline their differentiation plan to support their TAG and advanced students.
This is an updated ODE guideline still being phased in & implemented across the district.
The Instructional Plan shares how they will pre assess, differentiate, support, and keep track of student growth as part of TAG services and supports.
Parents of TAG students can ask to see this IP, as can the student of course.
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There will no longer be TAG plans written for each individual student when they start secondary level schooling.
Middle school teachers' class loads are too high to be expected to write them all out individually, plus, their specific differentiation techniques will support the needs of TAG and advanced students in their classes because these teachers are content specialists, typically focusing on one content area only.
If your child has an IEP or a 504, that is a different situation and the TAG services & supports should be woven into those plans as is appropriate. This is case by case.
In the Fall, once students start the school year and everyone is settling into the routines of 6th grade, and if your child happens to feel consistently underchallenged, they should talk to their teacher and share their concerns. You can support them as they communicate with their teacher and practice their own self-advocacy.
We wanted to bring this shift to you and your child's attention so you are aware when the new school year begins.
Our Character Focus for the month of March is: Curiosity and Problem Solving: "I wonder about the world around me. I focus on solutions."
The Bee Jamboree choices for March will be: Rock Paper Scissors Tournament vs. End of Day Slumber Party
People who are Curious Problem Solvers:
ask questions
are rarely bored
are motivated and love to learn
are willing to make mistakes
are creative
have a sense of adventure
stay focused on solutions
Send Students With a Change of Clothes: As the weather shifts, our playground can get quite wet and muddy this time of year. To help your child stay comfortable and ready to learn, please send them with a labeled change of clothes each day. Having extra clothes on hand allows them to fully enjoy outdoor play without worry—and ensures they can change quickly if they get damp. Thank you for helping us keep your child happy, dry, and ready for the rest of the day!
Lost and Found: We have an abundance of lost items. They will be on racks outside of the office during school hours. We’d love for all the lost things to find their homes.
Library Corner:
Community Posts:
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