McKinley PTO Newsletter
Where Every Parent Is A Member
November 27, 2017
President's Update
Welcome Back!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. It's hard to believe that the first day of December is this Friday! Friday night is the Wauwatosa Holiday Tree Lighting event from 5-8 p.m. in the Village. Come out to watch the McKinley Chorus as they take the stage to kick off the tree lighting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. The event even features a visit by Santa himself arriving on a fire truck courtesy of the Wauwatosa Fire Department.
This year's Play! Milwaukee Deck fundraiser also kicks off this Friday. Look for your order form coming home in tomorrow's Tuesday folder.
Enjoy your week!
PTO Dates to Remember
Make sure to put the following dates on your calendar!
- December 1st - January 15th - Play Milwaukee Deck Fundraiser
- December 1st - McKinley Chorus at Wauwatosa Tree Lighting, 5:45 p.m.
- December 7th - Secret Holiday Workshop, 3:20-6:30 p.m.
- December 12th - Jimmy John's Dine Out Fundraiser, 4-8 p.m.
- December 14th - Winter Sing Grades SK-3, 2 p.m.
- December 14th - Winter Concert Bake Sale, 1-4 p.m.
- December 15th - Winter Concert Grades 4 & 5, 2 p.m.
- December 15th - Winter Concert Bake Sale, 1-4 p.m.
- December 25th - January 1st - Winter Break; No Classes
School Perceptions Addressed
On November 9th, McKinley’s first School Culture Advisory Committee met. As a place to begin, we discussed the school perception survey results from the 2016-2017 school year.
As I mentioned in the July newsletter, overall the survey results were very good, showing a high level of family engagement, a faith in our staff, a feeling that academic and behavioral expectations are set high, and a strong feeling of safety at school. Many of the comments in the survey were specific and helpful, giving suggestions for changes that were implemented this year. For instance, some people thought it was hard being new to the McKinley community, since they didn’t know what the events were (Field day? Cake Walk?) or how to navigate established school traditions (there are two holiday concerts?). This year the PTO began a mentoring program for new families that has helped to address those needs. Concerns about after school care last year were specific, so I was able to provide that input to the district as they considered a new provider. Custodial concerns and questions have helped me to be more specific when working with our custodian, Juan, and our Dan Plautz night crew.
The committee recommended that I conduct a series of informational pieces on those items that generated the most concern. This is the first of the series. On the 5 point scale, our lowest score of 3.0 registered on the item, “I am satisfied with the food options provided at lunch.” In discussing food options with the committee, they agreed that parents might not know what is available and the changes implemented by the district’s Food Services this year.
To read the full article, click HERE.
Mrs. Hoffmann, Principal
2018 PLAY MILWAUKEE DECK HAS ARRIVED!
The 2018 Play Milwaukee Deck sale begins December 1st and runs through January 15th.
Play Milwaukee is not your average deck of cards. It is a deck of 34 cards, each card offering a great deal for a local family fun activity. Each card offers a minimum of $10 discount totaling over $800 in savings for only $25! For each deck sold through McKinley raises $10 for the school. Cards valid from now until Dec. 2018. Click HERE for more details and a full lost of participating area businesses.
Return your order to the school office, and your deck will be hand-delivered to you.
Or order online (for an additional fee of $2), and the deck will be shipped to you.
Play Deck Milwaukee makes a great holiday gift that the whole family can enjoy together!
All money raised will benefit McKinley PTO programs.
Contact Jenny Jablonsky at jmjablonsky@gmail.com with any questions.
Secret Holiday Workshop Coming Soon!
McKinley's Secret Holiday Workshop!
3:20-6:30pm in the big gym!
All items sold by our 30 plus creative vendors will be $10 or less and all hand made. We are very excited to have a few new and very talented vendors join us this year as well. There will be something for everyone to enjoy!
Students can shop with a parent or shop secretly with a 5th grade Girl Scout. Kids can even wrap their gifts and bring everything home for the big surprise. Bring your neighbors, family and friends...everyone is welcome to shop.
Feel free to also stop at the McKinley Brownie and Girl Scout Troops bake sale and have a yummy treat or warm cup of hot chocolate! All monies raised will go towards helping a family in need over the holidays. So bring your appetite and your sweet tooth while you shop.
Also, back by popular demand will be McKinley's own Mrs. Liz Daily with her very talented orchestra students that will play some holiday tunes while you enjoy shopping for those perfect gifts! It's really a wonderful event all around.
We look forward to another great event! Any questions or if you are interested in assisting with next years workshop as it will be Jamie's last year running the event please email Jamie Schwake at jamieschwake@yahoo.com
Happy Holidays!
Jamie Schwake, Chair
Save the Date - Jimmy John's Dine Out (or In) Fundraiser!
Dana Wurzburger, Chair
Winter Concert Bake Sale
Calling all McKinley bakers and treat makers! The PTO Winter Concert bake sale is right around the corner - December 14th & 15th from 1:00 to 4:00pm. This is a fundraiser for the PTO and a very popular bake sale so we need lots of cookies, brownies, Rice Krispie treats, etc. to keep the tables stocked with goodies. If you plan to donate food items or are able to work a short shift at the bake sale, please contact Lori Brandenburg at Crashburg@yahoo.com.
Thank you!
Lori Brandenburg, Chair
S.O.S. Updates
Please join us!
Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 29, 7 – 8:30 pm, at the Tosa Firehouse in the Training Room.
We hope you’ll join us as we review where we’ve been, gather new ideas, and make plans for the coming year. Please RSVP on Facebook for this event or email us at info@soswauwatosa.org if you’re able to attend. We hope to see you there!
What is SOS Wauwatosa?
SOS Wauwatosa was formed in the spring of 2015 by local parents and community members in response to Governor Walker’s proposed budget that year, which would have cut $127 million from public schools across the state. We got organized quickly and spoke out loudly and clearly. Fortunately, those cuts didn’t go through. Nevertheless, funding for public schools didn’t keep pace with inflation in 2015-2017, so we knew our work was just beginning. In 2017, some of SOS Wauwatosa’s highlights have included:
- Holding a Spring Budget Forum
- Meeting with legislators locally and attending committee hearings in Madison
- Delivering snacks to over 1,000 teachers and staff for “I Love My Public Schools Week”
- Testifying at state budget hearings
- Publishing a Candidate Guide for our local Wauwatosa School Board election
- Organizing a legislative postcard drive & yard sign drive
- Speaking with reporters and getting Op-Eds published
- Collaborating with public education advocates from across the state
- Speaking at community meetings (PTAs, PTOs, Rotary, League of Women Voters, etc.)
The State Budget that was signed by Governor Walker last month included increased money for public schools – about $200 per pupil this year and another $204 next year -- and for that we are pleased. We believe our efforts made a difference, and we know that the vast majority of Wisconsinites share our values when it comes to public education.
Nevertheless, we remain concerned about the future and are determined to continue our work. Over the past 6 years, Wisconsin’s spending on public schools dropped below the national average, and only a fraction of Governor Walker’s previous cuts have been restored with the current budget. There have been significant and alarming declines in the number of young people training to become teachers. Nationwide, there is a movement towards “privatization”, and Wisconsin has been on the forefront of the expansion of tax-payer funded, minimally accountable voucher schools. This school year (2017-18), approximately $245,000 in taxpayer money is being spent on students in Wauwatosa who are attending private schools, and this number is expected to increase.
Show Your McKinley Elementary Pride Wherever You Go!
McKinley Elementary Bumper Magnets Only $5!
Proceeds of the sale go support McKinley programs and projects.
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
Office Max / Office Depot Fundraising
This year Office Max/Office Depot stores are offering local schools the opportunity to partner in a fundraising activity. 5% of all qualifying purchases made by parents or teachers for the entire year will be donated to the school in the form of a merchandise credit. McKinley's master ID # is 70113794. For more information, visit http://www.officedepot.com/a/content/back-to-school/5percent/