McNear PTA Newsletter
stay connected
GREETINGS McNEAR FAMILIES
We're very much looking forward to seeing many of you at Monday's PTA meeting at 7pm in the library. If this is your first school year at McNear, PTA meetings are a great way to meet other engaged parents and have a say in how we go about supporting your kids. I hope to see some new faces!
One of the things we'll be discussing is the Wish Benefit, scheduled for April 18th. Read on to find out about all the ways you can support this critical fundraiser. It doesn't all require volunteer time.
See you at school,
Neil
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ALL THE WAYS TO HELP WITH THE WISH BENEFIT
The event will be held on Saturday April 18th. We are close to announcing the venue and theme. There are so many ways to help!
- Donate to the auctions: Do you own a local business? Can you donate either items or services? If so, please email Kennon Fleischmann at kennonpyle@sbcglobal.net.
- Donate accommodations for the live auction: Do you have a vacation rental, condo or timeshare? These are incredibly popular and valuable! Please email Andrew Lick at alick@christies.com with details on your property.
- Help secure donations: Do you know any local businesses who you can connect with to ask for donations? Again, please contact Kennon at kennonpyle@sbcglobal.net.
- Host a buy-in party: Are you looking for a unique way to contribute to our school community? Love hosting get-togethers? Buy-in parties are small fundraisers that are “bought into” at the Wish Benefit and are an important part of our fundraising efforts. In addition to raising money, they are a fun way to get to know more McNear families, share a passion or talent, and create community. Be creative... we welcome any ideas you can dream up! How about an evening teaching a dance class or hosting a bourbon tasting? Arrange a farm dinner or a skating outing? Hosts can be individuals or you can pair up with friends to make the costs and planning more manageable. If you are interested in hosting, please contact Leigh Felix at lfavret@gmail.com for more details.
- Provide storage: We're looking for some space (about a 2-car garage-worth) to store all the auction items in the days leading up to the event. Email Heather Brooks at cadillacheather@gmail.com if you have some extra space that is indoors, dry and secure.
- Provide content for our slideshow: If you have photos or testimonials that show what the work of the PTA means to your family, please email Marc Johnson at mountainmanmarc@gmail.com.
- Volunteer!: We can still use extra help to plan the event, and will certainly need a lot of assistance leading up to it. One area in particular is anyone who can help make our auction bundles look pretty. Email mcnearpta@gmail.com if you'd like to join our crazy fun group of organizers.
MASC UPDATE
The MASC room is really getting dialed in, you should drop in and check it out if you haven't been by recently. Science Challenge, Art Club and Robotics enrichment classes are off to a good start.
We are still looking for a parent or two to step up to help out with the 23 kids in the Science Challenge class.
The Robotics crew will be at McKinley on Thursday for a competition to help them get ready for a countywide competition in Santa Rosa on May 2. Mark your calendars to come out and support the Falcons! More details will be provided closer to the date of the event.
Calling all Kinder and 1st grade parents who have an interest in art and science. Please join us at our next meeting on Feb 25! We are looking for someone to step up to lead Recess Renaissance - we have the space, ideas and supplies to get this beloved program up and running again - just need some people power! Email McNearMASC@gmail.com for more info.
the 2020 McNEAR VARIETY SHOW
The Variety Show is McNear’s annual showcase of student performed music, dance, comedy and theater. We encourage lots of ‘variety’ by way of song and dance collaboration, parent/music teacher participation, skits, stand-up comedy, demonstrations and movies. This event is open to any student, Kindergarten – 6th grade who dreams of performing on stage.
Every audition participant will be granted a place in the showcase. Please read this packet carefully as it pertains to your child’s act and return the required participation agreement on the second page to the office prior to auditions.
Guidelines for Variety Show participation:
● Acts should be as close to 2 minutes in length as possible
● The school dress code will apply to all costumes
● You must be able to attend the Tech/Dress Rehearsal on Wednesday, March 4 at 3:00pm
IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, 2/5 AUDITIONS; 12:45-1:45pm. Front of the Multi.
Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2020Variety
for a time slot. Arrive 5 minutes before your time slot.
Wednesday, 2/19 COACHING SESSION; 12:45 - 2:15pm
Wednesday, 3/4 DRESS/TECH Rehearsal; 12:45 - 2:45pm
Friday, 3/6 SHOW; 8:30 call time (9am school show), 6:30 call time
(7pm public show)
In order for everything to run smoothly please come prepared with the following as it applies to your act:
1. Complete your participation permission slip and turn it into the office as soon a possible. Sign up for an audition time slot at: http://bit.ly/2020Variety.
2. Arrive 5 minutes early for your audition!
3. If you are in Kindergarten/1st Grade, you need to have a grown-up with you at the auditions.
4. RECORDED MUSIC: If you are singing or dancing with background music, you will need to provide it for the auditions. Parents: we encourage your child to practice before trying out, so they are prepared. If they are singing with background music, please choose a karaoke version of the song. No explicit lyrics or inappropriate content will be permitted. Email the Mp3 to Donnie at the email below.
5. MOVIES: If you want to present an original short film, please start working on it prior to the audition. Parents please email the file to us to look at with your child at the audition for feedback (a rough cut is fine). At a minimum we are asking that they present a storyboard or provide written description of their concept so that we can provide feedback and follow-up.
6. If you are performing as duo or group, make sure all participants are present to audition together and be as prepared as possible. We know you might not have all the kinks worked out, but we need to know what you are planning to perform! Meet up before auditions and practice!
7. EMCEES: 5th and 6th grade students are eligible to audition as emcees for the first and second acts. Please
prepare a sample script to perform at auditions.
8. CREW: 5th and 6th grade students are eligible to serve on our technical crew to help with sound, lighting and backstage.
Come to auditions to learn more. Questions? Please contact Donnie Frank at donniemfrank@gmail.com or
707-481-8384
LOST & FOUND
UPCOMING PTA EVENTS
PTA Meeting
Monday, Feb. 3rd at 7 PM
Lincoln's Birthday - No School
Monday, Feb. 10th
Petaluma City Schools Westside Chorus Festival
Wednesday, Feb. 12th from 12 PM - 7 PM
Petaluma Junior High School Gym
Washington's Birthday - No School
Monday, Feb. 17th
Spring Parent Teacher Conferences - Early Dismissals
Monday, Feb. 24th - Friday, Feb. 28th