McNear Falcon Flyer
Keeping Us Connected with Campus and PTA News
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF US
Great Job Falcons! We raised $25,488 for the PTA! We are close to funding all the programs you have come to love about McNear for next year. The site is still available for donations, because we are hopeful that we won’t have to cut anything from the budget.
With distance learning, it was harder to see the tangible benefits of PTA this year. We didn’t have our usual festivals, and programs in the Art and Science Center, for example. But even with our reduced budget, YOUR MONEY supported your students and teachers in many ways.
We thought you might like to know that we were able to make available $12,000 for teachers to spend on their students, at their own discretion, for teaching supplies, science kits, books, and other items not provided by the district. Another $4000 supported the Teacher Supply Closet, which provides basic teaching supplies like markers and paper. $3500 made sure that the garden infrastructure was maintained, and garden curriculum was available for on-campus students. This is just some of what you have supported with YOUR work and donations this year.
Finally, a quick reminder that we push hard for these fundraisers because we want to support our children and teachers, and make sure that our students have equal access to what they need to learn and grow. But I also want to acknowledge that not all of you are able to give right now, and THAT IS OKAY. At McNear, those of us who can give are able to lift up those of us who cannot. And all students benefit equally!
THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, created, rallied businesses and so much more to help with the Wish Fundraiser this year. We couldn’t have raised a penny without all of your help.
The class projects and raffles were a massive hit. We are very grateful for those involved (you know who you are!) for coming together, donating and creating such beautiful pieces of work and curated baskets.
A HUGE THANK YOU to each and every student for putting a piece of themselves into each project, and parents for being creative in themed donations. We won’t forget all the donations from local business and those parents who supported them by purchasing items/gift cards. Support from our local community is part of what makes McNear special.
This year was hard, but the McNear community rallied together to ensure that next year will be a great one for our students! This is a testament to how special McNear Elementary is.
Thank you to everyone.
Got Pictures?
Staff Appreciation Week
What a year! This year we have ALL worked differently, harder, and longer than we ever have in the past. Everyone should feel included in this year's Teacher Appreciation Week. Please celebrate yourself during this next week as we show our Appreciation for the wonderful McNear Teachers and Staff.
May 3rd-7th is Staff Appreciation week. This year, we started early as Risibisi so graciously hosted lunch for the teachers and staff on Friday 4/30.
Here is the schedule for next week as we show our appreciation for the teachers and staff!
Monday : Wear your teacher's favorite color day! Below is a list of teachers and their favorite colors.
Tuesday : Write your teacher or any staff member a thank you note, poem, song, recipe, drawing, coloring, painting or another art form to show them what this year has meant to you.
Wednesday : Hug or High Five your grown up day! They were teachers too!
Thursday : Bring your teacher a drink day. As the days warm up, the teachers and staff spend a lot of time cleaning and prepping. Please bring any can or bottle of water, soda, or juice to refresh the teachers and staff.
Friday : End on a sweet note! Bring your teacher chocolate day! Please bring the McNear teachers or staff member a chocolate treat to end the week. (Chocolate is not your thing? A gift card will work instead!)
Thank you!
Ashley Oakley
(TK) Mrs. O'Brien GREEN
(K) Ms. Elliott PURPLE
(K) Ms. Sharp-Biggs McNear colors! BLUE and/or GOLD
(1) Ms. Aja YELLOW
(1) Ms. Wilson BLUE
(2) Ms. Garcia BLUE
(2) Ms. Elliott GREY
(3) Ms. Humble PURPLE
(3) Ms. Larson on Monday RED
(3) Ms. Rockhold on Tuesday PINK
(4) Ms. Franklin GREEN
Ms. Parelius RED
(5) Ms. Turko YELLOW
(5) Ms. Heaslet BLUE
(6) Ms. Dowdy PURPLE
(6) Ms. Lyon GREEN
Covid-19 PSA #5 from PCS School Nurses: Returning to school after illness
In order to return to school we will need:
- Documentation of a negative COVID-19 test result, OR
- Doctor clearance, if an alternative diagnosis has been made.
Please provide a doctor's note for us to keep on file so that your child does not need to stay home or get tested if they experience their typical symptoms. The note should include:
- Their diagnosis/condition
- Their typical symptoms which should be considered non-contagious
**Rapid testing: Please note that we cannot accept rapid test results. A negative rapid test result must be confirmed by a standard PCR test in order to return to school.
For more information about our COVID-19 protocols please see the PCS Student & Parent Handbook for COVID-19 Safety.
TK-2 Summer School
June 14th-July 30th for traditional schools
This year we invite ALL interested current TK-2nd grade students to join us for our summer program. From 8:30 AM -2:00 PM each day we will provide opportunities for engagement, enrichment, social-emotional learning, and hands-on learning all while working on foundational academic skills. There will be science. There will be games. There will be math, reading, and writing. There will be laughter! There will be something for everyone. Students will start school in the fall feeling engaged in their school community and ready to rock their year. Click here to register! See you there!
Daily Health Screenings are ESSENTIAL
This is a critical and required step each day your child comes to campus.
Here are the app links if you need to add it to your phone (it's free):
App for Android devices
App for Apple devices
Please set an alarm on your phone, place a few sticky notes around the house, put a chair upside down in front of the door, whatever might help support this essential habit. We will be sending out morning Parent Square reminders and paper forms to those who need them. Please avoid calls from the office and help us all stay healthy, safe and open.
More Important Tips:
- Update your ParentSquare app
- If there are no symptoms, click "I would like to answer "no" to all questions" to avoid accidentally answering "yes" to anything
- Review your answers before submitting as you cannot change your answers once the form is submitted
- Watch this 2-Minute How-To with helpful tips (no audio)
Please review the updated Student and Family Handbook for COVID-19 Safety for best practices and return-to-school protocols. You can find information about how to complete the screening in ParentSquare on the PCS website.
Digital BoxTops Collection
How to redeem Digital Clips (aka Labels)?
You will need your store receipt and the BoxTops App. Remember receipts expire after 14 days!
- Get set up on the app
- Download the BoxTops for Education App in your app store (use this referral link to get an extra 20 points when you scan your first receipt)
- Create an account and select “McNear Elementary School” as your beneficiary
- If you have a paper receipt: scan the store receipt with the app.
- If you have a digital receipt: email the receipt to receipts@boxtops4education.com. Check participating retailers and learn more here.
- Give credit to your student
- Make sure you have the most updated app version.
- In the app, click on the school information box at the top of the screen, then click on the transaction you’d like to credit. Scroll past the list of purchased products and click on “Give Credit” at the bottom of the screen.
- You are done!
How to redeem Paper Clips?
This program is winding down but if you still have unexpired BoxTops clips, bring them to school and we will send them in.
Don’t forget
- Make sure you scan the receipt within 14 days of purchase. Else those BoxTops are lost… forever!
- Still not clear? Check out the BoxTopsForEducation website or watch these videos (BoxTops app, How to scan, How to give credit).
Still Room in Some After School Enrichment Workshops
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!!! If you need a scholarship, PLEASE ASK!!!! There are spots for all students, please email me immediately - we want your student to be part of after school!!!
Below is the schedule and other info about all of the available classes. Read carefully, the dates and times are different between the classes. Some classes require online registration, others you email me at lilykreimer@gmail.com. Please reach out with any questions. And sign up quickly - classes are first come, first serve. Ask your kid's friends to join. This is going to be amazing. Hope to see many of you there!
Thank you and take care,
Lily Kreimer
Mama to Pearl (2) and Ruby (K)
Pandemic Benefit Transfer P-EBT Cards
The *State of California* will be sending out new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food cards to families who are eligible for free and reduced meals. P-EBT cards are *sent directly to eligible families by the State* and can be used to purchase food for their children, like a debit card. Apply now for free and reduced meals for your students if you have not already done so this school year, as this is the only way you will receive the next P-EBT card.
Families can apply for free/reduced meals through Titan School Solutions in a variety of languages. If you need help applying or updating your address, call the district's Petaluma Family Resource Center (FRC) at 707-778-4697. FRC staff are fluent in both English and Spanish. https://family.titank12.com
Time to Enroll for Next Year! TK or K Siblings? Neighbors?
UPCOMING DATES
Memorial Day
Monday, May 31st
Last Day of School
Friday, June 4th
Ways to Stay Connected
Email: Leichert@petk12.org
Website: https://www.petalumacityschools.org/mcnear
Location: 605 Sunnyslope Avenue, Petaluma, CA 94952
Phone: 707-778-4752
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McNear-Elementary-243976945636795/?eid=ARA0ovmGs_7oUxh6_4wadNP1pGIc2snX8ZUqdFtE15ERQBNAa6SYUuk1idGxeccJqxEs6pOYIxmx7MJf
Twitter: @mcnearelement