STATE SCHOLASTIC - mark your calendars!

Did you know that McKinley is the reigning 2-time State Scholastic Champion?  We won in 2018 and 2019, which was the last time the tournament was held, due to Covid.

The amazing State Scholastic tournament will be held again on March 19-20, 2022.  Let's try to hold onto that awesome trophy!  

This tournament is for advanced players with tournament experience!  Robin's group, and Kings and Queens may wish to consider going.  Let me know if you'd like to consider this awesome event!  Tournament is held at UW-Oshkosh, with some games on Saturday and a couple on Sunday morning (usually 4 on Sat, 2 on Sun to make 6 total).

Please MARK YOUR CALENDARS and LET ME KNOW if you have interest in this tournament.  It's really a lot of fun.  Lots of places for parents to hang out, and at night the kids can play in the swimming pools at the hotel!  Some parents go down Friday night, some go down early Sat morning.  First game is usually like 930AM on Sat.

Chess Game analyses being sent to some kids -

Some of the kids who are doing the homework and progressing in their lessons are getting videos sent to them, going thru a recent game they played on ChessKid.

If you'd like a game looked at, please let me know!

Whitman Chess Registration!

Whitman Chess Registration link is up live NOW - look on the right to see the link to the form.

Please email Evan Seghers with any questions, thank you.  His email is (without the spaces) Evan. Seghers @ Milliman . com

McKinley Fees Outstanding

We have about 3/4 of the parents who have paid the chess fees.  Please get a check to the McKinley PTO (into the office) ASAP, if you haven't already.  We need funds to pay for boards, pieces, advanced instruction, and Chesskids accounts.  THANK YOU!

Welcome Whitman and Wilson!

Wilson will be starting a new chess program this year!  Mark met with Luisa this morning at Miss Molly's to help get them started.  Luisa will be adding content to this blog as their team starts to take shape.

Evan Seghers will also be adding content for Whitman M.S...  they continue the program Kyal Jain had started.  

Welcome back Tosa chess kids and parents!  Nice to be playing again!  - Mark Seghers

Be a volunteer at McKinley!

McKinley chess club is run by me - Mark Seghers, a board member of the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation and a longtime teacher and club leader.  I do this because I love the game of chess and how it can help young minds develop.  I've seen so many examples, including my own twin sons, now 23.

This year I'm looking for more volunteers:

• An assistant coach to help me with the program.  Someone who knows the game well and can help with instruction.  Ideally someone who can be available most Mondays.  Email me at seghers @ gmail.com (without the spaces) if interested.
• 3 volunteers to help with class sign-in, keeping kids on task during the sessions, and sign-out at the end of class.  Here is the sign up form for this:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4BAEAF2BABFB6-mckinley1

Thanks!  Looking for a fun class this year, and I can't do it without your help!

New School, New Chess Year!

 

Future Grandmaster?

Yesterday was the GRAND OPENING of the new McKinley school!  It was great to see so many parents and kids again.  I can't believe how the kids have grown, since I haven't seen so many of them in a couple years!  Wow.

I was excited to see so much interest in the chess program.  In some ways, it will be like starting over again.  I'll be wearing a mask in class and following protocol of course, but we are starting the year IN PERSON again which is great.  Each class, starting Mon Sept 27, will be from 330-445.  I'm not certain of the room yet but will find out soon.

Please register RIGHT HERE on the site, see the button on the right.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Also, I'll be asking for PARENT VOLUNTEERS to help during class.  It doesn't matter if you know chess (that's a plus of course)... I need help to keep kids on task, and focused on the lessons and then on quiet game play.  Two parents per week.  If you can help, please email me at seghers @ gmail.com (without the spaces) and let me know.  I'll have an online signup form soon.

Also let me know any questions you may have. 

McKinley Chess Club will be Mondays this year

 I'm working on the flyer now for McKinley Chess.  We will be MONDAYS AFTER SCHOOL this year, starting on September 27.  Classes will go thru March, with a few weeks off during the holidays.  Watch for details in the registration packet.  Thanks!  - Mark Seghers