McKinley PTO Newsletter
Where Every Parent Is A Member
September 18, 2017
President's Update
It's another busy week for McKinley!
I'm guessing that your week will include at least one trip to the grocery store. Make this week's grocery run one that is both fun and rewarding by heading to Whole Foods Market (Wauwatosa location only) this Wednesday, September 20th between 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. for the Whole Foods Market Community Giving Day benefiting McKinley Elementary. 5% of all of Wednesday's sales will be donated to McKinley. Look for more information in you Tuesday folder and in the newsletter below.
In this week's edition of the newsletter look more information about:
- Whole Foods Community Day
- McKinley Chess Club
- Noodles Dine Out Fundraiser
- McKinley Mile
- Last Week Online Volunteer Sign Up
- Destination Imagination
- Safe Routes to School
- Community Happenings
- PTO Links, Flyers & Forms
Have a great week!
PTO Dates to Remember
Make sure to put the following dates on your calendar!
- September 20th - Whole Foods Community Day Fundraiser, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- September 25th - Noodles Dine Out Fundraiser, 4- 8 p.m.
- September 28th - McKinley Mile
- October 3rd - Photo Retake Day
- October 4th - Walk to School Day
- October 12th - PTO Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Library
- October 12th - Ray's Wine & Spirits and Growler Gallery Dine Out Fundraiser
- October 18th - Jason's Deli Dine Out Fundraiser, 5-9 p.m.
- October 20th - No School
- October 23rd - JK Conferences
- October 24th-27th - Scholastic Book Fair
- October 26th - Costume Parade
- October 27th - No School
- October 26th & 30th - Elementary Conferences
- November 1st - Keepsake Art Night
Whole Foods Community Day Fundraiser
Head to Whole Foods (Wauwatosa location only) anytime between 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20th and 5% of the net sales will be donated to McKinley!
Not only groceries, this fundraiser includes purchases from the beer & wine department, vitamins & supplements, hair/body/facial care items, gifts and toys from the Whole Body department as well as any purchases made from the Juice Bar, Coffee Bar and Tosa Tavern located inside the store. Whether you're starting your day with a cup of coffee or freshly squeezed juice and a bakery treat, stocking your pantry or stopping by the Tosa Tavern for a glass of wine or one of the 20 unique craft beers on hand, every purchase made that day will go to support McKinley.
McKinley Chess Club
The McKinley Elementary Chess Club is back for its 2nd year! The Club will continue to be headed by volunteer coach Mr. Mark Seghers, and this year he is assisted by WI state high school champ Kyle Jain. Mr. Seghers is an accomplished chess coach who has led a number of champion teams over the years. Last year, Mr. Seghers coached our team to a number of trophy wins (you can see the collection in the library!). There is a one-time fee of $50 which covers all sessions and materials.
There will be 15 WEDNESDAY classes during the year, divided into two sections:
- Session 1: October 4, 11, 18, 25 and November 1, 8, and 15 & 29.
- Session 2: January 10, 17, 24 and February 7, 14, 21, and 28.
Look for more information in the Tuesday Folder on Sept. 19. You can also register @ tosachess.com.
Noodles Dine Out Fundraiser
McKinley Mile September 28th!
To sign up for an open slot, please go to the McKinley Mile SignUpGenius page (http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f44adae2faaf85-mckinley1) and pick a slot that works for you. Help is especially needed for corner marshals (need to be 18+), set up for the post-event meal and clean up. Any assistance you can provide for this McKinley Elementary institution is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for helping make this a great event!
Last Week for Online Volunteer Sign Up
Did you know that McKinley Elementary has one of the strongest PTO/PTA groups in the entire Wauwatosa School District? Parental involvement is the backbone of our organization both through fundraising and volunteerism. Now that we are back in full swing with the new school year, I encourage you to consider ways in which you can get involved throughout the year. With so many events, clubs and fundraisers, there are so many ways for you to participate. Whether you have few or many hours to spare, whether you can work from home or be at school, there truly is something for everyone!
Please take a moment to visit our Online Volunteer Sign Up Survey. Here you will find more information about all of the volunteer opportunities throughout the school year. This survey is the best way for us to determine which programs have enough support to continue into the school year.
Adult Social - Save the Date
Destination Imagination Parent Info Session
Still on the fence?? There will be a DI parent info session TONIGHT Monday 9/18 at 7pm in the cafeteria. A representative from Tosa DI will provide a brief overview presentation of DI and answer questions.
What is DI? DI is an international program that allows students to be involved with creative problem- solving. McKinley students in 1st and 2nd grade can join as “Rising Stars”; 3rd -5th graders can join a competitive team. Students work as a team to solve an open-ended problem.
The McKinley DI competitive teams will be determined based upon a student's interest. Here is a link briefly describing more specifically the 2017-2018 challenges - https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-program/2017-18-challenge-previews/. There is no right or wrong answer. It’s up to the team to solve their challenge! Each team will have one to two adult co- team managers supervising the work, but the adults have a “hands off” role in helping the students with their challenge.
For incoming 3rd-5th graders interested in DI - please complete the following survey to help determine teams. https://goo.gl/forms/qlEozIaiWaxHOUIo1
Registration fees are $50 for a Rising Star student and $85 for 3rd-5th graders on a competitive team. These fees help pay for T-shirts and other program expenses. Team managers have the option of collecting an additional fee of $10 to $30 per student, depending on the needs of the team, to pay for snacks, materials, and supplies. Full and partial scholarships may be available based upon need - please contact Monica Deluhery for more information.
Teams will be put together in the next couple weeks, with teams starting to meet mid-October.
We are still in desperate need for parents to step up and volunteer to be a team manager, each team needs one (ideally two). Without adult managers we can not have teams. See the link for more info https://www.destinationimagination.org/blog/so-you-re-a-newbie-team-manager/
If you or your student is interested NOW IS THE TIME to contact Monica Deluhery at Monica.Deluhery@gmail.com
Safe Routes to School
Thank you to the 5th grade McKinley Messengers and their parents for greeting students the first week of school- Jane and Ellie Scholtus, Sarah and Olivia Dupee, Jenni and Abigail Tank, Ellen Mack and Xavier Crum, Angela and Isabella Miller, Ava Schwantes, Nora O’Toole, Addison Scharlau, Chloe Standal, Kate and Peter Neugent, Jenny Jablonsky and Ben Wozniak, Milo Hagopian, and Niamh Wick.
Families who filled out interest forms in the Walking School Bus program have been contacted. We look forward to our 5th year of the walking school bus program. We have 4 walking school buses this year.
Wednesday, October 4th is Walk to School Day! McKinley has been celebrating Walk to School Day for 8 years. We are looking for guest walking school bus leaders. Please contact Sarah Lerand, sjlerand@yahoo.com if you have any ideas or contacts with local dignitaries.
We are excited to have apples, provided by Firefly Real Estate and an all school assembly on the playground featuring the McKinley Students performance of the Pedestrian Safety Dance!
Help needed to set up, pass out apples at Walk to School Day- Sign up here. http://signup.com/go/bVboGwk
Did you know that McKinley SRTS won the national bike to school day raffle? McKinley received n 10 new bikes and 20 helmets. GE volunteers built the bikes this summer. The bikes will be used for programs for the younger elementary students. Please consider signing up to be a part of the committee developing a biking program for younger students. http://signup.com/go/hKSZfpZ
Community Happenings
The EFW is looking for you...WAUWATOSA DISTRICT PARENTS to support the EFW.
Consider organizing a team and attending EFW BOWL for EDUCATION.
What is it? - a fun filled fundraiser consisting of bowling, raffles, and fun / Adults only
Locate your group (up to six people) and sign up on attached form.
When is it? Saturday, September 30th - Check in at 4:30
Where is it? AMF Bowlero - 117th & Burleigh
Details and registration form are attached.
Questions can be directed to Kristin at info@tosaefw.org.
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/
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