McKinley PTO Newsletter
December 6, 2015
Co-Presidents' Update
The PTO Dine Out event at Noodles scheduled for December 16th has been cancelled. Tammy Adams is working on scheduling a new date in January. Thank you for your understanding.
Don't forget about the Secret Holiday Workshop this Tuesday after school from 3:20-6:30.
Please help us by filling out a survey on Keepsake Plate Night. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TSHXTQJ
Molly Hannan and Chris Riley
PTO Dates to Remember
Make sure to put the following dates on your calendar!
December 8 - Secret Holiday Workshop
December 11 - Wear ORANGE for Sodexho's Stamp Out Hunger Day
December 17 - Winter Sing at 2p.m. (Grades K5-3)
December 18 - Winter Concert at 2p.m. (Grades 4-5)
December 18 - McKinley Spirit Wear Day
December 23 - Winter Break Begins
Secret Holiday Workshop is December 8th
McKINLEY'S SECRET HOLIDAY WORKSHOP IS ALMOST HERE!!!
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8th from 3:20-6:30pm in the small gym. Enter the building at the 90th street doors.
For those of you new to the Workshop I highly recommend you try and attend this year. We have 25 vendors with exciting new things to sell for the holidays, birthdays or any occasion. All gifts are homemade and sold for $10 or less!
Students can shop with mom or dad or shop secretly with help to manage their money with a 5th grade Girl Scout. Kids can even wrap their gifts and bring everything home ready for the big surprise! Everyone is welcome to shop. This event is open to the public and there our gifts for all ages!
Make sure you stop by for a yummy treat while your kids shop or bring some goodies home for the family. The Brownie and Girl Scout Troops will be having a bake sale during the Secret Holiday Workshop to raise money for families in need. Bring your appetite and your sweet tooth!
The holidays always bring back memories and traditions for me as a child. I remember like it was yesterday taking my plastic bag of change and dollar bills tucked in my little elephant purse to our elementary school holiday craft fair. I was so proud to pick out the perfect gift for all of my family members using my own money. I couldn't wait to get those presents under the tree in anticipation for Christmas morning. I remember spending hours with my brother and sister trying to guess what each of us bought looking at the gifts under the tree. They were often the first presents we opened in the morning as we all couldn't wait to see what each other bought.
It meant so much more to me because I could do it on my own without my mom and dad having to be next to me at a shopping mall or big store. It is so fun to sit back and watch the kids search for that perfect gift. I love when they come up and show me what they bought as they are headed to the wrapping station. There is such joy in their eyes. This is why I love being involved with Mckinley's Holiday Workshop.
No matter what holiday you are celebrating, or anniversary or birthday...there is something for everyone. Consider making the McKinley Secret Holiday Workshop part of your family tradition.
We hope to see you all there!
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to email me at jamieschwake@yahoo.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
McKinley Messengers Christmas Concert Front Row Ticket Raffle
Four front row seats and preferred parking will be raffled off for each the December 17th K5-3rd grade and the December 18th, 4-5th grade concert. Tickets cost $2 a piece or 3 for $5. All proceeds benefit the McKinley emergency fund.
Last year, McKinley used money raised in this raffle to purchase additional emergency snacks, winter wear items, and an emergency lunch account for students who were out of funds or needed something to eat.
Return the form below to your child’s home room teacher or Mrs. Garder, and we will fill out tickets for you and put them in the appropriate raffle bag. McKinley messengers will pull out the winning tickets on Friday, December 11. Winners will be announced in school and be notified by a phone call.
Bake Sale Help Needed!
Volunteers are needed to provide baked goods and sweet treats for the upcoming winter concerts on December 17 and 18. Volunteers are also needed for set up, clean up, and selling food items. Please contact Lori Brandenburg (crashburg@yahoo.com) by December 8 if you would like to help!
Keepsake Plate Night Survey
Family Game Night is January 22!
Please note the new date.
McKinley PTO Play Deck Fundraiser!
We will be selling Play! Milwaukee decks of cards as a fundraiser to support the McKinley PTO.
Play! Milwaukee is a deck of 21 cards to 21 family fun places in the Milwaukee area. Each adorable card offers an amazing deal, and, in total, the entire fun-filled deck boasts over $400 in savings. Every family needs one of these decks to keep them busy, having fun and saving money!
Each deck will almost pay for itself if you simply use the YoMama, buy 1 get 1 free yogurt cups (up to 4)!
Just in time for the holidays, Play Milwaukee is the perfect stocking stuffer and hostess gift. Each deck costs $25. The McKinley PTO will earn $5 for each deck sold. Learn more about the decks at www.playyourcity.org
Find the flyer with more ordering information here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4KAet79BtUrYnMxbl9XYndSSTA/view?usp=sharing
Do You Have a Flair for Hair?
This year’s High Interest Day committee is looking for one or two people to teach the very popular Flair for Hair class. You don’t need to be a professional stylist. You just need to be handy with colored hair spray and a quick updo. You could work by yourself or with a friend for the three classes in the morning session, the two in the afternoon or all five. Necessary materials (colored hair spray, rubber bands, etc.) are provided. High Interest Day will be on April 22nd. Please contact Heidi Engbring at hengbring@wi.rr.com if you’re interested or know of someone who may help. Thanks!
High Interest Day Presenters Needed
High Interest Day will be held on April 22nd this year. We’re looking for one or two presenters for both the morning (3 classes) and afternoon (2 classes) sessions. Please consider sharing your time and talents with the McKinley community. We’d love to hear your idea for a class or we can help a willing presenter find something they’d like to present. Please contact Heidi Engbring at hengbring@wi.rr.com for more information.
School Dance Help Needed!
Help the Homeless
McKinley Adult Social Auction Donations
S.O.S. Wauwatosa- "We believe in Tosa. Invest in our kids."
Thank you to the over 3,000 Wauwatosa parents and supporters of public education who reached out to our elected officials in the Spring asking them not to make changes that would impact funding in our schools. Our representatives did not make the larger cuts asked for in Gov. Walker’s initial budget in public education in part due to these efforts. However, because of expansion of private school vouchers in the state WI public school funding and how school funding is distributed our public schools will take a cut. For the first time in the state history, Wisconsin lags behind the U.S. average in K-12 per- pupil funding.
Are you confused by how voucher schools are causing cuts to public education funding? Are you aware that some districts are already asking for higher taxes to make up for these cuts? Come and find out more- Thursday, December 10th from 730-9 pm at Tosa East Library. Mr. John Mack, director of business services for the Wauwatosa school district will help demystify public education funding. He will give a basic, nuts and bolts explanation of the school funding formula and where district funds come from. Scheduled for 7:30-9:00, including time for questions.
East High School's PTA is co-sponsoring the event with S.O.S. Wauwatosa. Complimentary desserts and coffee will be provided, thanks to a private, anonymous donor.
S.O.S Wauwatosa is committed to keeping you up to date and informed on legislative action that impacts our public schools. Our goals are to help citizens understand the Wauwatosa and WI K-12 budget, the impact of independent charter schools, and private voucher schools on the WI public education funding, and advocate for investment in quality, public education for our children. We are a non- partisan, grassroots community organization. Please consider becoming a member. Your $10 membership fee will help us with fees associated with obtaining our non- profit status and educational efforts.
Join at: http://groupspaces.com/soswauwatosa/join/
Please share, comment and connect with us at http://www.Facebook.com/SOSWauwatosa and http://www.Twitter.com/SOSWauwatosa.