McNear PTA Newsletter
April 20, 2018
WISH BENEFIT 2018 GUIDE: Welcome to Camp McNear!
Don't have your tickets yet? No problem!
Tickets may be purchased at the door or you can buy yours online ahead of time to speed up your check-in process. http://www.biddingforgood.com/wishbenefit/campmcnear
Pre-Event Checklist:
1. Check the Credit Card you have on file on the Auction Website: http://www.biddingforgood.com/wishbenefit/campmcnear. At the end of the evening, in order to make checking out a breeze, we will charge the card that is already entered in the Bidding for Good system. Unfortunately we cannot add new credit cards at checkout, which is why you should be sure the one on file is the one you'd like to use.
2. Please DO NOT park in the Auto Zone Parking Lot. You will be towed! We encourage ride-sharing or walking to the event.
3. Come thirsty and hungry! Each event ticket comes with a meal coupon. You will have your choice of Firetrail Pizza, Croques & Toques, or Wing Man. Still hungry? You can purchase additional food if you like! Open Bar will be available from 5-7pm and drinks will available for purchase from 7-10pm.
4. Although the forecast looks absolutely wonderful for Saturday, we suggest a layer or jacket as this event is partially outdoors.
5. "Can I take my items home the same night?" YES! Before leaving the event please pick up any items you purchased. We have minimal storage for larger items. Thank you for your help with this!
The Wish Benefit Needs YOUR Help!
As of now, we still don't have enough volunteers to help pull this fun night off! We still have openings for silent & live auction help, camp store, and clean-up. (NOTE: Clean-Up helpers get 25 free raffle tickets as a thank you!) PLEASE see what you can do and sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4eaaab2eaaf49-wish
Thank you to those who have already signed up … this is truly a team effort!
Silent Auction
We have a record number of items featured in this year’s auction! Check out all the amazing goods at the link below. Remember, the silent auction is from 5-7pm, so get there on time to get your bids in! https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/item/browse.action?auctionId=312807387&grouping=ALL
Signboard Auction - Open Now for Bidding!
Have you ever wondered how people get their kid's birthday listed on the signboard in the front of school? It's not a secret, and yet every year people miss the boat. Don't let that be you! Basically, the signboard is auctioned off week-by-week through the Wish Benefit. THE SIGNBOARD AUCTION TAKES PLACE EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE and is open for bidding now. It will remain open for a week after the event, so hop on and bid for the week(s) you want! You will be contacted to finalize your messaging at a later date. https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/item/browse.action?auctionId=312807387&view=IMAGE&page=3&sort=LOT_ASC&grouping=ALL
Fund-a-Need (Paddle Pledge): Two Awesome Causes!
Each year, the PTA asks for suggestions on specific ways to dedicate funds raised at the Wish Benefit. This year the vote went to funding two awesome needs.
First, the PTA has been able to fund $10,000 worth of new PE equipment this year, which is amazing! However, this equipment is badly in need of appropriate storage, so much so that much of the new equipment hasn't even been purchased yet for lack of a space to properly store it. New/improved storage would enable teachers to organize and access equipment in a safe and efficient manner, which translates to more time spent using equipment vs. digging through to find it! Having an organized storage space not only means we can make room for more (new) equipment, but also as helps increase the lifespan on our equipment.
Second, we will be pledging more funds towards our newly created MASC room. The activities that take place here, including Art Club & Robotics, have been met by students with overwhelming enthusiasm … so much so that we would like to be able to add more opportunities to reach additional students as well as to broaden the scope of the curriculum. Additional funds will be spent on these goals as well as on instruction and supplies.
The Paddle Pledge takes place during the live auction and allows supporters to donate in any amount they feel comfortable. These funds are then specifically earmarked for the goals outlined above.
Live Auction
You won't want to miss the chance to bid on these fantastic live auction items. Live auction starts at 7pm!
· Cabo Getaway - One week stay at the 5-Star Casa Dorada
· Wine Collection - Featuring over 4 cases of hand-picked wine
· Tara Firma Farms Barn Party with Private Concert by Citizen Flannel
· San Francisco Luxury Getaway - Featuring a Porsche, hotel stay, dinner, and opera tickets
· A Year of Pampering Package - Includes 12 self-care treatments for you to enjoy
Raffle
Raffle tickets are available for sale at the event or online ahead of time. Tickets are 1 for $1, 12 for $10, or 25 for $20. The raffle will take place at the end of the live auction. We are really excited about our raffle prizes this year:
· Portrait Session with Dana Hargitay Photography
· Paul Simon Concert Tickets
· Private Flight for 3 people - Arial tour of the Golden Gate Bridge & SF Bay
· Your Personal McNear Reserved Parking Spot for the 2018-2019 School Year
After-Party!
The fun doesn't have to end at 10pm. Tell the sitter you'll be late and head over to the Big Easy after the event to enjoy music from McNear dad Neil Smith and his band Citizen Flannel!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Open Committee Chair Positions
Garden Report
WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Variety Show Auditions
Any student who wants to participate in next month’s Variety show needs to sign up by NEXT Monday using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpMhNb6ceK_0DIdISQfPZA0bTMdxxKdYdp_cFTuNIH97sNtg/viewform.
Additionally, kids must attend the audition on Tuesday, April 24 from 3-4:30 in the Multipurpose Room. Details and requirements went home in this week’s Wednesday folder. Address any questions to Heather Jennings at hlbjennings@gmail.com.
WHAT'S COMING UP
Cinco de Mayo
Join the McNear community for our annual Cinco de Mayo celebration on Friday, May 4. Food will be available for purchase, and entertainment will include the McNear Folklorico dance group as well as our kindergarteners. Sign-up sheets went home this Wednesday; please consider helping out with a donation (water, napkins, plates, desserts, arroz con leche, posole) or helping to set up, break down, or during the event.
PTA Meeting
The May meeting will be on Monday, May 7 at 6:30pm in the Library. We will be voting in our 2018-2019 PTA Board, so come meet our candidates! Childcare will be provided in the Multipurpose Room.
Variety Show
The Variety Show is McNear’s annual showcase of student-performed music, dance, comedy, and theater. This year it will be held on Friday, May 18 with a school performance at 9am and an evening show at 7pm.
This event is open to any student, Kindergarten-6th grade, with a special talent or skill they'd like to share with the school. As always, we are encouraging “variety” by way of song and dance collaboration, parent/music teacher participation, skits, comedy, demonstrations, and movies. Be on the lookout for a packet with details and sign-up information. If they are interested, please encourage your student to start putting their act together now. The more prepared the better the show!
We are also hoping to have four 6th graders to serve as our official emcees and a few 5th and 6th graders to serve as our lighting and stage crew.
Dates for your calendar:
Auditions: 4/24, 3-4:30pm
Coaching Session: 5/1, 3-4:30pm
Mandatory Rehearsal: 5/17, 3-5pm
Shows: 5/18, 9am and 7pm
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