McNear PTA Newsletter
May 25, 2018
THANK YOU!!
After two years of writing newsletters, this is my last one. It has been an honor to serve as your PTA President, and while it wasn't always fun and games, it was always meaningful. I feel so lucky to be part of such a wonderful community.
My job was made immensely easier by the mere fact that I was surrounded by such competent, dedicated people who want to make McNear a great place to be. Many people stepped forward to head committees and events, and it was a rare occasion when someone didn't follow through--often with above-and-beyond results. For my last thank you I'd like to recognize all of these people who have added so much to our school. Many of them led teams that made this all happen, but these were the people who were willing to step up and take charge. THANK YOU!
After-School Enrichment: Jeanne Schroeder & Toni Phillips
Back-to-School BBQ: Dorothy Fox
Birthday Bulletin Board: Barbara Robbe
Book Fairs: Carli Merrill
Box Tops: Claron Warner
Elder's Day: Millie Green
Dine & Donate: Jessica Servin
Harvest Festival: Carli Merrill
Holiday Giving Program: Cathy Epstein
Garden Committee: Julia Luna
Jingle Bell Jog: Jessica Servin
Jog-a-thon: Sarah Shah
McNear Art & Science Center (MASC): O'Meara Cover & Ramsey Mussallam
McNear Schoolwear Sales: Tiffany Matley
Performing Arts Director: Donnie Frank
School Directory: Heather Mackin
School & PTA Signboard: Jill Eskes & Tara Smith
Teacher Supply Closet: Jennifer Selby
Variety Show: Heather Jennings
Staff Appreciation: Amy Brewer
Volunteer Coordinators: Deb DeMartini & Jessica Musallam
Webmaster: Sonia Detels
Yearbook: Liz Foote
Teachers & Staff
I'd also like to thank all the staff and teachers for being so supportive these past couple years. You were very kind and patient with me and the PTA, and I hope you know that we really appreciate all that you do for our children.
GARDEN REPORT
Power to the Plants!
We covered exciting ground in our spring garden program. Students explored Life Cycles, creating a life cycle mandala art project, studying the ladybug life cycle (thriving!), and sampling life cycle salads (ladybugs not included). We concluded our semester discussing the medicinal health benefits of plants, some that can be found in our very own garden. Keep these conversations going with your child at home and throughout the summer!
Our Program Is Growing!
Catherine Sky will be joining Julia Luna to co-teach the garden lessons next year. A landscape painter, permaculture activist and experienced arts educator, Catherine is enthusiastic to integrate art and science through the backdrop of our garden.
With this added support we will be able to increase our garden curriculum to once a week. Other thoughts for next year include installing a rainwater harvesting system. We are also in conversation with the folks at Recology about establishing a school-wide composting system at McNear.
Keep an eye on our new habitat garden that will be developing behind rooms 16 & 17 that will be led by 4th graders with the help from STRAW! If you would like to get involved with that project please email thelunafamily@att.net.
Summer Volunteers Needed!
Just because our school year is coming to a close doesn’t mean an end to our school garden. Even though we have our new drip irrigation installed, we still need a weekly visitor to weed and water on dry hot days. The biggest perk of the job is that you get to harvest our summer bounty for your home. Any questions, contact Julia Luna at 415-722-3763. Here’s the sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E49A9AA2FAB9-summer
Thank YOU!
A big shout out to all the parent volunteers who took time out of their busy schedule to dig in the dirt, corral our kids, and help create meaningful learning experiences at our school. Thanks to our teachers who create room in their busy classroom schedules to bring the curriculum outside. And to the PTA, your support helps make this program happen.
Hope your summer is bountiful and filled with growth and good times!
The Garden Committee
FROM THE OFFICE
Lost and Found
Take a moment at dropoff or pickup to check the Lost & Found rack in front of Room 1. Anything not collected by the end of the year will end up being donated.
WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT WEEK
Memorial Day Holiday
There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, May 28 due to the holiday.
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
The McNear staff would like to recognize all those volunteers who throughout the year have helped to make our school so special. So if you've given some time to helping out, then come to the Staff Room on Wednesday, May 30 from 8-8:30am.
Last Day of School
Friday, June 1 is the last day of school, and it’s an early release day: TK and K get out at 11:45am, and grades 1-6 are dismissed at 12pm.
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