McKinley PTO Newsletter
July 11, 2016
Co-Presidents' Update
Friday, July 22nd is our next Dine Out Event at Jason's Deli in Brookfield Square from 5:00-10:00p.m. Please be sure to mention McKinley when checking out so that the PTO gets credit for your purchase. Also please be sure to put your receipt in the group raise box on the counter. You must do both in order for McKinley to get credit for your purchase.
We hope you are having a wonderful summer!
Molly Hannan and Chris Riley
PTO Dates to Remember
Make sure to put the following dates on your calendar!
July 22 - Dine Out Event at Jason's Deli (5:00-10:00)
August 17 - Form pick up Day and Class List Posting (8:30-5:00)
August 22 - Fees, Forms and Photos (1:00-5:00)
August 25 - JK Meet the Teacher 5:00-5:30, JK Parent Information Night 5:30-6:00
August 29 - Meet the Teacher (K5-5th grade) 5:45-6:30
August 29 - Parent Information Night (K5-5th grade) 6:30-7:00 and 7:00-7:30
August 29 - Popsicle Social 6:30-7:30
September 1 - First Day of School
September 5 - No classes
September 8 - Mechanics of McKinley (6:30) and PTO Meeting (7:00)
September 22 - McKinley Mile (5:15 start time)
Hats Off To.....
Thanks also to the following McKinley Girl Scout alumnae for helping to beautify and maintain the McKinley gardens on 89th Street this summer: Sydney Badciong, Sara Blomfeldt, Eleanor Hannan, Katie Huitink, Keagan Schmitt, Isabelle Schmitt, and Nadia Starich, as well as their families!
Thank you to Tom O'Neil for all of his help over the past years with our website, online registration forms, and the directory! We greatly appreciate all of the effort you have put into this job!
Classroom Parent Sign UP
Room parents assist classroom teachers in a variety of ways, depending on grade and teacher. Duties may inclue scheduling classroom volunteers, managing sign up lists for class parties and field trips, collecting money and purchasing class gifts, and assisting with other tasks such as Scholastic book orders. Two room parents are typically chosen for each classroom teacher.
Anyone interested in volunteering as a room parents should sign up by August 10, so we have time to make room parent assignments by the August 17 class list posting date.
Back To School Help Needed
Volunteers are Needed to help Water the Peace Garden this summer!
Volunteers are needed for watering and weeding the McKinley Peace Garden throughout the summer. Please use the Sign Up Genus link below to sign up for a week of your choice.
Safe Routes to School
Needed- Incoming 5th Graders.
5th grade students are needed to help “escort” younger students dropped off at the Hug and Go to their class lines in the mornings the first 2 weeks of school Parent SRTS volunteers will be at each cut out helping students exit their cars.
Students will be expected to arrive at 8 a.m. on the mornings that you are volunteering. You will be excused to class once the first bell rings. Yellow “Hug and Go” safety vests will be available for you to wear to identify you as a volunteer.
A brief informational meeting/ demonstration will be held during the parent information times at “Meet and Greet” on Monday, August 29th. Sarah Lerand will also be available at Forms and Fees day for any questions about the program.
We're using SignUp.com (formally Volunteer Spot) to organize our upcoming SignUps.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: http://signup.com/go/Lu2FzR
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.
Thank you for helping out with this important program!
Please email or call Sarah Lerand, SRTS coordinator with any questions. Sarah Lerand (414)841-3576 or sjlerand@yahoo.com
Video production skills?? McKinley SRTS would like to make a short video on proper drop off and pick up procedures. If you have experience in production, editing and/or equipment and would like to help, please contact Sarah Lerand, sjlerand@yahoo.com or (414) 841-3576.
Make sure to check out the Forms and Fees packet for information drop off and pick up procedures, and the 2016-17 Walking School Bus. SRTS Volunteers will be on hand at forms and fees day to answer any questions.
Destination Imagination
Friends of Tosa DI (https://www.facebook.com/WauwatosaDI/) is planning the second annual Tosa DI Summer Skills Workshop. It will take place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, Aug. 16-18, from 9 am to noon at Longfellow, 76th & North.
There will be two different skills are taught each morning, with a snack break in between. The exact topics have not been announced, but they will be skills that are useful in solving DI challenges. (Last year they taught sewing, robotics, and performing skills, among others.) They will charge a small fee to cover materials and snacks.
Last year's workshop was open to rising 3rd-graders, on up through high school. There is interest in opening a Rising Stars section (1st and 2nd graders) and they are in the process of finding a volunteer to lead it.
In mid-July, they will send out a flier with more information. Children do not have to be DI team members in order to participate in the summer session! The workshop is actually a good introduction to DI for kids who have not experienced it before.
Also, if you, or anyone you know, would be willing to help out with the workshop--either as an instructor, or just as a volunteer please contact Anne Couling, Friends of Tosa DI at anne.coulling@wisconsindi.org Helpers can be there one, two or all three days--whatever works for your schedule. Teen helpers are also welcome. Being a volunteer is a great way for parents to learn more about DI!
If you turned in an expression of interest form for DI in the Spring, you should have received a confirmation email. Thank you to those who expressed potential interest in being a team manager. We are planning a "team manager" information session/training the beginning of September.