McKinley PTO Newsletter
Where Every Parent Is A Member
March 19, 2018
President's Update
As I'm sure most of you already know, the PTO conducts fundraising efforts throughout the year to support curriculum enrichment for McKinley Elementary. But did you know that the annual school wide First Stage Theater field trip and High Interest Day are two areas of major support from PTO fundraising dollars?
During our March 8th PTO meeting we discussed the best way to inform McKinley parents and guardians, who make up our PTO membership, about how annual fundraising dollars are spent. To present an overall idea, I've created an Annual PTO Support pie chart (below). This chart is based off of estimated net proceeds of $35,000. The categories include: the Adult Social Special Projects, First Stage Theater & Art Field Trips, High Interest Day, Teacher Appreciation (throughout the year), Teacher Appreciation (forms & fees campaign), Other (5th Celebration, Publishing Center, PBIS, McKinley Messengers, Movie Night & Popsicle Social), Composting and Donations. As you can see in the graphic below, our top four categories of support for McKinley Elementary are Teacher Appreciation, Adult Social Special Project, The First Stage Theater & Art Field Trips and High Interest Day.
In addition to the above mentioned, the PTO also oversees the following events, activities and projects: Family Fun Night, Destination Imagination, Chess Club, Sock Hop Dance, Kids Trivia Night, Game Night, Math Night, Spirit Wear Campaign, Keepsake Art Night, Battle of the Books, McKinley Mile, Safe Routes to School, the Secret Holiday Workshop and the McKinley Directory.
It takes countless volunteer hours, generous donations and family participation to keep all of these programs running successfully. Thank you to everyone in the McKinley Community for your continued support of the PTO and McKinley Elementary!
As always, if you have any questions about your PTO, please feel free to contact me.
Have a great week,
PTO Dates to Remember
Make sure to put the following dates on your calendar!
- March 20th - MOD Pizza Dine Out; 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
- March 21st - World Down Syndrome Day - Lots of Socks Day
- March 23rd - Sock Hop Dance, 6-8:30 p.m.
- March 30th-April 6th - Spring Break; No Classes
- April 2nd - World Autism Day - Wear Blue
- April 10th - Math Night; 5-7:30 p.m.
- April 27th - High Interest Day
Upcoming Spirit Days:
Every Friday is McKinley Spirit Wear Day (wearing McKinley red counts too)!
Below are a list of specially themed spirit wear days for the year:
- March 21st - World Down Syndrome Day - Lots of Socks Day
- May 4th - Tie-Dye
MOD Pizza Dine Out Fundraiser Tomorrow Night!
MOD Fundraiser Flyer, Click HERE.
Thank you for supporting McKinley through these Dine Out events!
Sock Hop Dance Is This Friday!
The Sock Hop is coming up March 23rd from 6 - 8:30 PM. Look for the Sock Hop flyer coming home in your child's Tuesday Folder this Friday or click HERE for a printable version. The event flyer includes a ticket order form as well as information on how you can help us decorate for the dance. We're also looking for volunteers to who would like to help out on the night of the dance. Click HERE for the volunteer sign up sheet.
McKinley at the Movies!
Please help show your support for our fifth graders and join your fellow McKinley friends and families for a special screening of
A Wrinkle in Time, Sunday, April 8th at 2:00 at the AMC Mayfair Theatre.
Advanced tickets can be purchased by filling out the bottom of the sheet (Click HERE for event flyer) and returning it to the office by Thursday, March 29. Your tickets will be available for pickup in the theatre lobby before the movie starts. You will also receive $2 off all kids packs at the concession stand!
A portion of all money raised will go towards making the fifth graders last day celebration extra special!!
Any questions please email Nicole McCann
Thank you!!
Math Night Is Back!
Please join us for McKinley's Math Night anytime between 5 and 7:30 on April 10th in the gym! The event will cost $3/person which includes pizza, math games, and giveaways. This will be an opportunity for families to play various age-appropriate math games together, and an opportunity to not worry about cooking dinner for a night :). This year we've teamed up with Mathnasium in Wauwatosa to bring a new and different spin on the event. Please RSVP by 4/6 using the link below, and we hope to see you there!
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/508094EAFA82DA6FA7-2018
- An RSVP is not required to attend but will help us better estimate food orders
Destination Imagination Team Headed to State
2018 High Interest Day
McKinley’s High Interest Day will be held on April 27th. Information regarding class registration and volunteer opportunities should have come home with your student’s report cards on March 16th. You can also access registration and volunteer information by clicking the following links. Please note that registration forms are due by March 30th. We’re offering a great assortment of classes this year. In addition to several old favorites, we’re excited to offer new selections like Baton, Be Your Own Boss, Escape the Room, Fun Food, Lab Play and Mock Trial.
High Interest Day cannot happen without the help of volunteers. Please complete the volunteer form and return it to school. If you are unable to volunteer during the day, but still want to be part of the fun, please click the link below to sign up to bring baked goods or drinks for the volunteers.
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0A4BACAF22ABFE3-breakfast2
EFW Walk/Run Sign Up
The EFW (Education Foundation of Wauwatosa) supports Wauwatosa teachers in creating innovative classroom experiences by funding new and state of the art ideas. Our largest fundraiser of the year is the Walk/Run on the morning of May 5, 2018 at the zoo. Sign up sheets have gone home in Tuesday folders and you can also sign your family up online www.tosa.efw.org. Join hundreds of other Tosa families for a fantastic time for a good cause! Click HERE for the event flyer.
Pennies for Patients - Every Hero Needs a Squad
McKinley kicked off their pennies for patients drive on March 2nd with a lofty goal of raising $1,500 to help cure blood cancer. Two weeks later, on March 14th, students had not only met their goal, but crushed it! McKinley students raised a grand total of $3,233.66. We could not be more proud of them. Thank you for supporting your children in donating their change from their piggy banks, paying them extra for chores done or making the donation yourself. This just shows what can happen when a school of amazing kids and families come together for a cause!
The McKinley Publishing Center Is Back!
Starting this week, every student in 1st through 5th grade can sign up to create a book. Each student who signs up will receive a book packet with all the information and materials needed to create a one-of-a kind keepsake. Students can sign up online using the link below. Volunteers are also needed to type and assemble books. Please visit the volunteer link to sign up. Contact Lori Brandenburg at Crashburg@yahoo.com with any questions.
Book Sign Up, Click HERE.
Volunteer Publishers & Typists Sign Up, Click HERE.
Lost & Found
Please consider stopping by the lost and found rack located in the hallway between the cafeteria and gym to see if anything looks familiar. On Thursday March 29, the remaining items will be taken down, washed, and eventually donated. If your kiddo is missing something, please come take a look!
Safe Routes to School
Important Crossing guard update:
Have you seen a crossing guard go above and beyond? Or, have there been issues at your corner (crossing guard not there, on cell phone, not going to middle of road to stop card, smoking, etc.)? Crossing guard feedback needed— both positive and negative.
There is now a new method to report. The city has created an email address for any communications about the crossing guards. You can email or text Sarah Lerand, sjlerand@yahoo.com or 414-841-3576 the location and feedback and/or the city at crossingguards@wauwatosa.net. If you include Sarah, McKinley SRTS coordinator she can also follow up to be sure the issue is addressed.
Thank you for helping to ensure our students safety walking and biking to school.
News from Wauwatosa SOS
Here is a link to important information about School safety measures. Please take a look and follow the link to contact your elected representatives about your views on School safety measures.
WI Chiefs of Police Call for Comprehensive School Safety Measures
http://www.WisconsinNetwork.org/blog/police-chiefs-call-for-school-safety
On the April 3 election, voters statewide will be asked whether they wish to eliminate the office of the State Treasurer. This move would have significant impact on public schools and libraries, and could jeopardize over one billion dollars in funding that reaches schools through the Common School Fund, as well as funding for the Normal School Fund and the State Trust Fund Loan Program. Learn more about the broad impacts of this measure and find out how this impacts local schools: http://wp.me/p8lbfJ-mr.
Community Reminder
Election Day is Tuesday, April 3rd!
Note that this date falls during the district Spring Break. If you will be out of town or otherwise need to plan ahead there are options.
In-person absentee voting for the upcoming election will be held the weeks of March 19 and March 26 at the City Clerk's office. Hours are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Even though City Hall is closed on March 30th, the Clerk's office will be open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for absentee voting. Registered voters may also make online absentee ballot requests at https://myvote.wi.gov.
Some voting locations have changed: District 6, ward 16 and 17, (80th west to Menomonee River Parkway south of Center) will now vote at the Grand Hall at Hoyt Park. Ward 18 will vote at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, Voting Room: Community room.
Are you wondering what is on the ballot? There are many Wauwatosa aldermanic districts that are contested.Justice of the Supreme Court, and Statewide referendum to eliminate State Treasurer. You can view a sample ballot at: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/PreviewMyBallot
2018-19 PTO Board of Directors
The PTO Board of Directors is comprised of the following positions: President (Lindsay Stadler), Vice President (Lindsay Krumsee), Treasurer (Larry Holzen), Secretary (Kate Neugent), VP of Committees (Kristi Knoedler), VP if Membership (Heidi Engbring) and Co Corresponding Secretaries (Robin Lane & Lindsay Krumsee). The volunteers currently holding the positions of President, Vice President and VP of Membership will all be seeking reelection for the 2018-19 school year. The following Board positions are open for next school year: Treasurer, Recording Secretary, VP of Committees and Co-Corresponding Secretaries. If you are interested in joining the PTO Board or if you would like more information about any of these positions, please contact Lindsay Stadler.
Show Your McKinley Elementary Pride Wherever You Go!
McKinley Elementary Bumper Magnets Only $5!
Proceeds of the sale go to support McKinley programs and projects.
McKinley Elementary PTO
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/