Hello McKinley Families,

My name is Denye Griessel, and I am honored to step into the role of principal at McKinley. I bring with me 27 years of experience in education, including 11 years as a middle school teacher, 4 years as a middle school assistant principal, 4 years as a high school assistant principal, and 8 years as an elementary principal. I hold both a Master’s degree and an Ed.S. in School Administration.

I look forward to joining the strong school community at McKinley Elementary and collaborating with families. My varied experiences across grade levels have provided me with a broad perspective on student development and school leadership. These opportunities have reinforced my belief in the importance of collaboration and maintaining a positive learning environment.

I appreciated meeting many families at the Open House, I understand the strong sense of community that supports McKinley. My goal is to build upon this solid foundation by fostering a collaborative atmosphere where students and staff can thrive.

I believe that open communication is vital to our success. My door is always open, and I encourage you to contact me with any questions, suggestions, or concerns.

I am excited about the upcoming school year and look forward to getting to know each of you better. Let’s work together to create a positive and productive learning experience for all our students.

Van Dyke Public Schools Mission

Every Student, Everyday, No Matter What

MES's Purpose Statement

Our purpose is to motivate students from diverse backgrounds to develop intellectual curiosity, leadership, and confidence to contribute to a complex and changing world by challenging students to achieve their highest potential. We teach and practice the values of respect and responsibility in an emotionally and physically safe environment. We embody our purpose through such programs as Responsive Classroom, research-based curriculum, student leadership groups (safety patrol, lunch aides, student council), and state of the art technology. We hold our students to high expectations in order to have them show and demonstrate continuous progress on state and local assessments.


MES's Beliefs Statement

MES's Beliefs Statement
At McKinley Elementary School, our staff believes that a student's success depends on the partnership between home, school and community. We believe that through this partnership we can provide the greatest opportunities for achievement for all students.