McKinley PTO Newsletter
Where Every Parent Is A Member
November 11, 2019
Presidents' Update
Hello McKinley Families,
Happy Veterans Day, thank you to all our service men and women, both past and present! Those who live in freedom will always be grateful to those who helped preserve it.
Thank you to all our awesome volunteers, especially, Wendy Von Rueden and Mike Hansen for all your hours spent on the 2019/20 school directory and Faith O'Toole and Becky Smale for organizing last week's Keepsake Art Night.
This week in a nutshell:
- 2019/20 School Directory will be sent home on Tuesday.
- Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m. is McKinley's first of two family equity discussion sessions.
- Destination Imagination Information Session on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
- Friday is the Real Good Life Meal delivery fundraiser.
- Order your McKinley Spirit Wear for stocking stuffers!
In this edition of the PTO newsletter look for more information about:
- School Directory
- Box Tops
- Spirit Wear
- Destination Imagination
- Adult Social
- Secret Holiday Workshop
- Dine Out Dates - Real Good Food
- Holiday Shopping Starts Here
- Teacher Treat Sign Up
If you have any questions or ways you would like to get involved, please feel free to contact us.
Have a great week and thank you to all our volunteers!
Kayla Merker and Mike Hansen
Important Dates to Remember
Make sure to put the following dates on your calendar!
- November 13th - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Family Equity Discussion Session
- November 14th - 6:30 p.m. - Destination Imagination Info Meeting
- November 15th - Real Good Life Meal Delivery *Order all day for delivery on 11/20*
- November 17th - McKinley Spiritwear Deadline
- November 27th - December 2nd - No School JK - 12
- December 5th - 3:20 - 6:30 p.m. - Secret Holiday Workshop
The school directory is finally ready! Look in those backpacks tomorrow for your copy if you purchased one earlier this fall. If you are interested in buying one and have not already done so please contact Wendy Von Rueden (wvonrueden@gmail.com).
It has been a huge team effort to get this done so thank you to everyone who has pitched in to help out, especially a big thank you to Gina Johnson for all her great work in the layout and design, Charlotte Garder and the many sponsors who helped make the directory possible.
Sorry for the "just under the deadline" submission!
Calling all Box Tops!
It is time to earn some extra cash for McKinley and bring in all those box top clips you have been saving since last spring!
Its simple and easy...gather all the box top clips together, count how many you have, label a zipper bag with the number and you're done. Have your child bring the bag in to class and we'll take care of the rest. The only thing we ask is to please make sure that the clips have a valid expiration date on them. The collection period starts now and will go through the end of November. So as you are stocking up for the holidays double check those packages for the Box Top logo!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Wendy Von Rueden (wvonrueden@gmail.com).
And stay tuned for more information on changes and updates to the program!
McKinley Spirit Wear Store Open Until November 17th
We reopened the spirit wear online store. This will be your last chance to purchase McKinley spirit wear before the holidays. The store features the same fantastic spirit wear items. Show off your school pride while at the same time raising money for McKinley!
McKinley Spirit Wear Online Store
Order deadline is November 17th
Destination Imagination
Destination Imagination is back for another school year at McKinley!
For anyone interested in learning more about Destination Imagination, please attend the informational this Thursday, November 14th at 6:30 p.m. It should last about an hour. The meeting will take place in the library and we ask that parents enter through the W9 door which is by the gym because of the door monitor. Either Marc or Lakisha will be by the door to let parents in.
Register your 3rd - 5th grader for Destination Imagination click HERE.
Register your SK - 2nd grader for Destination Imagination Rising Stars click HERE.
If you have any further questions, please contact Lakisha Arif-Holmes (co-chair) at
larifholmes@gmail.com OR Marc Reichman (co-chair) at marcreichman@gmail.com.
2020 McKinley Adult Social
The 2020 McKinley Adult Social planning is about to launch and we’re hopeful many of you would have the time, interest and energy to join some of your fellow McKinley parents in organizing this major fundraiser for the PTO and most importantly our kids, teachers and school! Building on those past year’s incredibly successful event at the Echelon Apartments, we’re most hopeful again to have each grade represented on the planning committee. We’ve got something for everyone, so if you’re even remotely curious, please consider at least coming to the first meeting, to be scheduled just before Thanksgiving. Contact this year’s chair, Bill Koch at bkoch54@sbcglobal.net or simply give him a call at 414-534-4501. WE WANT YOU!!!!
Secret Holiday Workshop
The Secret Holiday Workshop is coming!
DATE: Thursday, December 5th
TIME: 3:20pm-6:30pm
LOCATION: Large Gym at McKinley
The Secret Holiday Workshop is a great way to purchase one of a kind gifts for family, friends, teachers, etc. for the holidays, or just because. All items sold by our over 30 creative vendors are handmade and sell for $10 or less.
We are very excited to have some new vendors join us this year as well. There will be something for everyone!
Students can shop by themselves or shop secretly with a "5th grade Secret Shopper" to help them manage their list and money so it remains a surprise for those they buy for. They can even wrap their gifts and bring everything home all ready to go.
The Brownies, Girl Scouts & McKinley Messengers will be participating with hosting a bake sale, selling raffle tickets, and assisting with wrapping gifts... all the money donated will be going to support a family in need in Tosa during the Holidays through Tosa Cares. This is really the reason we host the Workshop! Giving back to the Community is so important to teach our children. There is nothing better than providing joy and hope to others!
Ms. Daily and her very talented musicians will also be playing Holiday tunes while you shop. The Orchestra students have a "tip jar" that they graciously donate to our family in need as well. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and plate of cookies from the bake sale and enjoy the beautiful music as you take a break from all that shopping.
Lastly, every year, many of the vendors donate one item from their table for our raffle. Tickets are $1.00 a piece or 6 for $5.00. We hope you come and try your luck, as all the raffle sales are also donated to our family in need.
If you have any questions or are interested in joining us as a "vendor" please reach out to Amanda Mast -amanda.mast@yahoo.com or Elise Hetzel - elisehetzel@hotmail.com.
Bring your neighbors, family and friends...everyone is welcome to attend! Many thanks to all involved and see you on December 5th!
Co-Chairs
Amanda Mast and Elise Hetzel
Important Dine Out Dates
Please remember that this Friday 11/15 is the Real Good Life Fundraiser! ALL orders placed that day generate 10% back for our school! You order meals this Friday online and then take delivery or pick up on their North Ave store on November 20th. The Real Good Life, Tosa's own meal delivery service, is excited to welcome the McKinley community into their family. Meals are available in one, two, four or six serving portions and serve all kinds of diets (including the kinds that love cheese and chocolate!). The Real Good Life can't wait to take dinner off your plate! http://www.therealgoodlife.com/shop
Thursday, December 5th 3-10 pm The Ruby Tap (1341 N Wauwatosa Ave.) Will give 10% back on drink purchases, gift cards, wine of the month clubs, and bottles just in time for the holidays! Come out for a drink with the McKinley parents that night!
Holiday Shopping Starts Here - Support the 5th Grade Class
Start your holiday shopping and support the 5th grade class! The 5th grade class is selling movie tickets, gift certificates, gift cards to Marcus Theaters to fund their End of the Year Celebration and class gift. These make great holiday gifts! To order: Contact a 5th grade student or use this link:
Marcus 5th Grade Fundraiser Order Request
NEW- 2 DELIVERY DATES! Any orders received and paid by Monday, November 18th will be available the first week of December. Orders received and paid by Friday, December 6th will be available before Winter Break.
The Platinum Discount Tickets are $8.50 each (up to a 23% savings). They are valid for one movie ticket* to any Marcus Theatre. *Not valid for any feature listed as Alt Event or VIP Seating. 3D and D-Box surcharges apply when applicable. If excluded, this ticket may be exchanged for a $8.50 credit toward the purchase of any full priced admission ticket. No expiration date.
The Silver Discount Tickets are $6.50 each (up to 41% savings). They are valid for one movie ticket. *Not valid for any feature listed as an Extra Special Attraction (X), VIP Seating or for movies beginning after 5:30pm on Saturdays. When valid, 3D surcharge applies. If excluded, this ticket may be exchanged for a $6.50 credit toward the purchase of any full priced admission ticket. No expiration date.
Complimentary Snack Cash Receive one FREE snack cash voucher – good for $3 off your next concession stand purchase– with every two Discount Platinum or Discount Silver tickets purchased. Satisfy your hunger AND your wallet! Expiration dates apply for snack cash.
Gift Cards are available in $10 or $25 denominations. Gift Certificates are available in $5, $10 & $25denominations. No expiration dates or fees apply. Did you know that these are not only for movie theaters? Gift Cards and Certificates are eligible for use at Marcus theatres, hotels, resorts, restaurants, golf courses, water parks and spas across the U.S. Marcus Examples of Marcus properties include The Chop House, Mason Street Grill, Miller Time Pub and Grill, The Pfister, St. Kates, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. To see all visit: MarcusRestaurants.com or MarcusHotels.com *Not valid at Ho-Chunk Cinema in Tomah.
Gift Cards & Certificates- Gift Cards are available in $10 or $25 denominations.
Gift Certificates are available in $5, $10 & $25 denominations. No expiration dates or fees apply.
Did you know that these are not only for movie theaters? Gift Cards and Certificates are eligible for use at Marcus theatres, hotels, resorts, restaurants, golf courses, water parks and spas across the U.S. Marcus Examples of Marcus properties include The Chop House, Mason Street Grill, Miller Time Pub and Grill, The Pfister, St. Kates, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. To see all visit: Marcus Restaurant Group | Milwaukee, Wisconsin Restaurant Management or https://MarcusHotels.com
*Not valid at Ho-Chunk Cinema in Tomah.
Contact Sarah Lerand, sjlerand@yahoo.com or 414-841-3576 with any questions or concerns.
Teacher Treat Sign Up
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.
Please plan to attend the PTO Meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the followings dates:
January 9th
March 5th
May 14th
For more information about how you can become involved in PTO efforts, contact Kayla Merker at kaylamerker@gmail.com or Mike Hansen at academymike@gmail.com