McNear PTA Newsletter
February 16, 2018
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Do you appreciate all that the PTA does for McNear? Do you think it’s a good idea to …
· Supply teachers with the materials they need?
· Donate money to the library so Ms. Bussey can buy books?
· Continue to fund the McNear Arts & Science Center?
· Have a Garden Program as robust as ours?
· Supplement field trips so that ALL children can go?
· Continue the After-School Enrichment (ASE) Program?
· Support a robust Performing Arts Program?
· Host fun community events, such as the Back-to-School BBQ and the Harvest Festival?
All in all, about $100,000 flows through the PTA annually to fund school programs that support ALL children.
For all this good work to continue, we need to have people on the Board to steer this ship. The PRESIDENT and TREASURER are finishing their 2-year terms—and according to our PTA bylaws they may not return to those positions. If no one steps in, then all PTA-funded programs stop. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.
Please consider stepping up. The Secretary and Historian are continuing to serve their terms next year, and I (Korren Farkas—the current President) will return to the Board as the Teacher Supply Fund Treasurer, so there will be lots of support. You can even share positions with a friend. It would be nice to fill these positions sooner than later so new Board members can be properly prepared for their terms.
So if you’ve even toyed with the idea, please let me know. I’ve been losing sleep over all this.
FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
Box Tops
Turn in those Box Tops! Just put all non-expired Box Tops in a baggie, write your child’s teacher’s name on the bag, and turn it in to the office or teacher. Easy Peasy! The final deadline for this school year is FEBRUARY 20.
Wish Benefit
Welcome to Camp McNear
Spend an evening under the stars and in front of the campfire with us This year's Wish Benefit will take place on Saturday, April 21 from 5-10pm at The Block. This is an adults-only event, so book your sitter!
Live & Silent Auction Items Needed!
Next week, donation paperwork will be sent home in your Wednesday folders and will also be available in the office. We are in need of donations both big and small to feature in both our silent and live auction. Need ideas?
· Start reaching out to businesses you frequent ... perhaps they will offer a gift certificate?
· What "experiences" could you tap into or even lead? (e.g. wine tour, rock climbing, cooking class, flower arranging)
· Physical items such as artwork, jewelry, sporting event tickets, wine, etc.
· We are also searching for some "big ticket" items. Do you have a vacation home you'd be willing to donate for a weekend?
This event can't succeed without all the wonderful donations our community pulls together. For questions regarding donations, please contact Leslie Buerger at lesliebuerger@gmail.com.
Wish Benefit Questions or Suggestions? Don't hesitate to reach out to Sarah Shah at sarahbjohnson@gmail.com
WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Drink & Donate
Save the date! On Sunday, February 18 The Block is sponsoring a fundraising event for McNear. The fun starts at 4pm and continues until they close. See you there!
Washington’s Day Holiday
There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, February 19 due to the holiday.
Homework Club
All students are welcome to join the Homework Club. It’s every Tuesday and Thursday between 3-4pm in Room 18. Snacks are paid for by the PTA, and no sign up is needed!
WHAT'S COMING UP
Parent/Teacher Conferences
They’re coming up! Students will be released early February 26-March 2. Not all students will have conferences. TK and K will be released at 11:45 every day; grades 1-3 will be released at 1:30pm every day except Wednesday (which is at 12:35pm); and grades 4-6 will be released at 1:40pm every day except Wednesday (which is at 12:40pm).
March PTA Meeting
The March meeting will be on Monday, March 5 at 6:30pm in the Library. Childcare will be provided in the Multipurpose Room.
TB Testing
If you plan on volunteering at school, you need to complete a TB assessment. The next date offered is March 14 from 3-4pm at the District Office (200 Douglas St.). An assessment must be done every 4 years. If you aren’t sure what your current status is, please check in with Loretta in the office.
Family Bicycling Workshop
McNear is hosting a Family Bicycling Workshop on Saturday April 7. This workshop is free, but families must pre-register online to be guaranteed a space. The Bike Coalition’s Safe Routes to School Program has developed these workshops (which have taken place all around the county) to teach families how to ride together safely and confidently; they include both skill/safety drills and an instructional ride and take place from 10am-12:30pm. Appropriate for Grade K-8, open to Petaluma families. For more information and to register, visit: http://www.bikesonoma.org/family-bike-workshops/
CONTACT ME!
Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or comments. To submit an event or announcement to the weekly newsletter, please contact me by Thursday at 12pm.
Korren Farkas
PTA President
mcnearpta@gmail.com