McKinley PTO Newsletter
Where Every Parent Is A Member
August 20, 2018
President's Update
This Thursday, August 23rd, is Forms, Fees & Class Photo Day from 1-5 p.m. in the McKinley Gym. During this time, you will have the opportunity to do the following:
- Have your child's class photo taken and place an order for portraits
- Turn in your child's required forms and pay school fees
- Stop by the PTO table to learn more about how you can become involved during the upcoming school year
Also a reminder that next week Wednesday (Junior Kindergarten only) and Thursday (Senior Kindergarten-5th Grades) are Meet the Teacher and Parent Information Nights.
I look forward to seeing everyone over the next couple of weeks!
PTO Dates to Remember
Make sure to put the following dates on your calendar!
- August 23rd 1-5 p.m. - Forms & Fees Drop Off & Photos (in the Gym)
- August 29th 5-6:15 p.m. - JK Meet The Teacher (Junior Kindergarten Only)
- August 30th 5:45 p.m.-6:30 p.m. - SK - 5th Grade Meet The Teacher
- August 30th 6:30-7 p.m. & 7-7:30 p.m. - Parent Information Night Sessions
- August 30th 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Popsicle Social (North Playground)
- September 3rd - Labor Day (No Classes)
- September 4th - First Day of School
- September 13th 7-8 p.m. - First PTO Meeting of the 2018-19 School Year
- September 27th - McKinley Mile
Leadership Opportunities
Book Fair Co Chair Needed
The annual Scholastic Book Fair is not only an event that McKinley children look forward to each year, it's also an important fundraiser. In order to ensure that we are able to keep this event on the McKinley calendar again this year, we are in need of a volunteer Co Chair. This year's event will take place October 23-26. Please contact Maura Riordan for more information.
Art Room Volunteer Sign Up
Please consider signing up to volunteer in your student’s art class using the sign up links listed below. K5 classes meet twice a week for 45 minutes. 1st to 5th grade classes meet once a week for an hour. It’s a fun opportunity to help kids express their creativity. If you can help mount or hang art at other times, please contact Heidi Engbring at hengbring@wi.rr.com.
Senior Kindergarten
Ms. Mottet’s Class –Monday from 9:15 to 10:00 and Thursday from 9:20 to 10:05
Mr. Sperl’s Class – Monday from 10:00 to 10:45 and Thursday from 10:05 to 10:50
Mrs. Petitt’s Class – Monday from 8:30 to 9:15 and Thursday from 8:35 to 9:20
First Grade
Mrs. Pawasarat’s Class – Friday from 12:30 to 1:30
Mrs. Setzke’s Class – Friday from 1:30 to 2:30
Second Grade
Mrs. Danmeier’s Class – Monday from 10:55 to 11:55
Mrs. P. Brown’s Class – Tuesday from 9:00 to 10:00
Mrs. Loechler’s Class – Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:00
Third Grade
Mrs. Oschwald’s Class – Tuesday from11:55 to 12:55
Mrs. Wendland’s Class – Tuesday from 12:55 to 1:55
Mrs. Petri’s Class – Tuesday from 1:55 to 2:55
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Botelho’s Class – Wednesday from 9:40 to 10:40
Mr. Elrod’s Class – Wednesday from 12:55 to 1:55
Mrs. Osman’s Class – Wednesday from 11:05 to 12:05
Mrs. S. Brown’s Class – Thursday from 1:20 to 2:20
Mrs. Provan’s Class – Friday from 10:35 to 11:35
Mrs. Thomas-Lovelace’s Class – Thursday from 2:20 to 3:20
McKinley School Directory Advertising
Advertising in the McKinley School Directory is your opportunity to reach over 280 local families for an entire school year while at the same time supporting McKinley Elementary through the PTO. Advertising rates range from $25-$250 and all ads purchased at $50 or more include an additional FREE listing on our “tear sheet” that parents can remove from the directory and keep handy for quick reference.
For more detailed information, click HERE. To place an ad, contact Heidi Engbring @ hengbring@wi.rr.com
The deadline for all directory ads is September 17, 2018!
2018 McKinley Mile Volunteers
-Dave Farwell, McKinley Mile Chair
Classroom Parent Volunteer Sign Up
Junior Kindergarten
Ms. Zeimet (a.m.) - Needs one volunteer
Ms. Zeimet (p.m.) - Needs one volunteer
First Grade
Mrs. Setzke - Needs one volunteer
Second Grade
Mrs. (P.) Brown - Needs one volunteer
Mrs. Danmeier - Needs two volunteers
Mrs. Loechler - Needs one volunteer
Third Grade
Mrs. Petri - Needs one volunteer
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Botelho - Needs two volunteers
Mr. Elrod - Needs two volunteers
2018-19 Destination Imagination
Destination Imagination is back for another school year! We had an amazing second year last school year! McKinley not only had 5 teams, but also had yet another one of our competitive teams make it to the State Tournament!
What is DI? DI is an international program that allows students to be involved with creative problem- solving. McKinley students in 1st and 2nd grade can join as “Rising Stars” and they are assigned a challenge (Rising Star challenge summary can be viewed toward bottom of page of first link below). 3rd-5th graders can join a competitive team. 3rd-5th grade students work as a team to solve an open-ended problem, or “challenge" from the below italicized categories:
-Technical - prompts students to complete tasks by using engineering, research, strategic planning, and related skills.
-Scientific - blends the research and curiosity of science with the thrill and creativity of the theater arts.
-Engineering/Structural - asks teams to design, build and test load-bearing structures out of specific materials.
-Fine Arts - students flex their acting and artistic muscles as they explore some of our most fascinating works of literature and media.
-Improvisational - is all about spontaneity and storytelling. Teams receive topics and produce skits right on the spot.
-Service Learning - is designed to engage students in community service to address real community issues through personal expression.
The make up of the McKinley DI competitive teams will be determined based upon a student's interest. Here is a link briefly describing more specifically the 2018-2019 challenges - https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-program/2018-19-challenge-previews/. There is no right or wrong answer. It’s up to the kids to solve their challenge! Each team will have one to two adult team co-managers supervising the work, but the adults have a “hands off” role in helping the students with their challenge. All the teams will then perform their solution to the challenge at the regional tournament at Muskego High School on March 9.
For incoming 3rd-5th graders interested in DI - please complete the following survey to help determine teams. https://goo.gl/forms/zDh91vC0Xp3DcQi83
Registration fees are not set yet, but they are approximately $50-70 for a Rising Star student and $80-100 for 3rd-5th graders on a competitive team. These fees help pay for T-shirts, registration, and other program expenses. Team managers have the option of collecting an additional fee of $10 to $30 per student, depending on the needs of the team, to pay for snacks, materials, and supplies. Full and partial scholarships may be available based upon need - please contact Monica Deluhery for more information.
We hope to have all the teams set by the end of September. With teams meeting starting to meet mid-October.
If you or your student is interested, please contact Monica Deluhery at monica.deluhery@gmail.com and (if your student is in 3rd-5th grade) complete the above google survey. Please register by SEPTEMBER 16.
New Family Mentor Program
Last year the PTO started a new McKinley initiative with the goal of welcoming new families to the school as well as providing a resource for information and questions throughout the school year. Back, by popular demand, through the New Family Mentor Program, we are excited to be connecting new families with McKinley families again this year!
In order to make this program successful, we are in need of veteran McKinley families to volunteer to be mentor families this year. The time commitment is minimal and the impact is lasting. Please consider becoming a Mentor Family by signing up HERE.
If you are a new McKinley family and are interested in being paired with a veteran McKinley family, but have not yet signed up, click HERE.
How Do I Become a Member of the PTO?
You already are! If you are a parent, guardian or teacher at McKinley Elementary School, you are a member of the PTO.
Interested in becoming more involved? The PTO is always looking for help. Volunteer opportunities in areas of marketing, communication, social media coordination, event coordination, website design, merchandising and more! There are volunteer opportunities that fit everyone's schedule - during school hours, after school hours, work from home hours and one time event hours.
For more information about how you can become involved in PTO efforts, contact Lindsay Stadler lindsaystadler@gmail.com