McKinley PTO Newsletter
Where Every Parent Is A Member
November 25, 2019
Presidents' Update
Dear McKinley Families,
With Thanksgiving in mind, we want to THANK! the teachers, staff, families, and the generous volunteers who help make McKinley such a wonderful community for all of our children to learn and grow.
It's a short week, but we have a few reminders:
- Adult Social Kick Off Planning Meeting, Tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Ray's Growler Gallery...beverages will be provided.
- Turn in your Box Tops!
- Nov. 27 - Dec. 2 - No School JK - 12
- Consider volunteering for the Secret Holiday Workshop, click here.
We are excited to announce that we've have a date for Math Night! Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 2, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. We are delighted to have Dave Wurzburger be the committee chair again.
In this edition of the PTO newsletter look for more information about:
- Adult Social Planning Meeting
- Calling All Box Tops
- Destination Imagination
- Secret Holiday Workshop
- Ruby Tap Dine Out
- KinderKonzert
- Winter Concert Bake Sale
- 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 safe and Happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends!
Kayla Merker and Mike Hansen
Important Dates to Remember
Make sure to put the following dates on your calendar!
- November 25th - 6:30 p.m. - Adult Social Kick Off Planning Meeting - Growler Gallery
- November 27th - December 2nd - No School JK - 12
- December 3rd - 4:15 p.m. - Holiday Train
- December 5th - 3:20 - 6:30 p.m. - Secret Holiday Workshop
- December 5th - 3:00 - 10:00 p.m. - Ruby Tap Fundraiser
- December 6th - 5:45 p.m. - Village Tree Lighting
- December 7th - 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. KinderKonzert with Wauwatosa West Orchestra
- December 13th - 2:00 p.m. - 4th and 5th Grade Winter Concert
- December 23rd - January 1st - No School JK - 12
Adult Social Planning Kick Off Meeting - Tonight!!
The 2020 McKinley Adult Social Planning Kick Off Meeting is tonight, Monday, November 25th at 6:30 p.m. at Ray's Growler Gallery. We've got something for everyone, so if you're even remotely curious, please join us...beverages will be provided to anyone that attends this meeting! If unable to attend the meeting and interested in being part of a fun committee, contact Bill Koch at bkoch54@sbcglobal.net or simply give him a call at 414-534-4501.
Calling all Box Tops - Bring to School this Week!
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!
Destination Imagination Registration
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity for your child to participate in Destination Imagination.
Deadline to register students is December 15, 2019. We also need committed volunteers for team managers. If we do not have team managers, we cannot have the teams. Please help your students' teams a reality!
Here is a link briefly describing more specifically the 2019-2020 challenges - https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-program/2019-20-challenge-previews/
There is no right or wrong answer. It’s up to the kids to solve their challenge! Each team will have one to two adult team co-managers supervising the work, but the adults have a “hands off” role in helping the students with their challenge. All the teams will then perform their solution to the challenge at the regional tournament at Muskego High School on March 14, 2020.
Register your 3rd - 5th grader click HERE.
Register your SK - 2nd grader click HERE.
If you have any further questions, please contact Lakisha Arif-Holmes OR Marc Reichman.
Secret Holiday Workshop - Next Week - Thursday, December 5th
Next Week, December 5th - 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!
If you have any questions please reach out to Amanda Mast or Elise Hetzel.
Co-Chairs
Amanda Mast and Elise Hetzel
Ruby Tap Dine Out on December 5th
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!
21st Annual KinderKonzert
Come join us at Tosa West's 21st Annual Kinderkonzert on Saturday, December 7th, a free community event! The Tosa West Orchestra will perform two brief holiday concerts, one beginning at 1:00PM and the other at 2:30PM. Following each concert, there will be hot chocolate, holiday treats, crafts, a visit with Santa, and an opportunity for children to try out instruments.
Winter Concert Bake Sale
Calling all McKinley bakers and treat makers! The PTO will be hosting a bake sale during the 4th and 5th Grade concert on Friday, 12/13. We need cookies, brownies, treats, etc! Items can be homemade or store bought. We will also need volunteers to help with set up, clean up and selling food items. Look for the signup link in the next PTO newsletter. If you have any questions, please contact Lori Brandenburg.
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