McNear PTA Newsletter
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HELLO FALCON FAMILIES!
I don't know about you, but this week has brought two different sets of feelings. On the one hand, seven weeks of shelter-in-place is starting to drag, but on the other hand we're starting to see glimmers of hope, as local parks re-open (with restrictions) and the governor lays out concrete plans for re-opening businesses and lifting restrictions. As I wrote when I signed off last week, brighter times are ahead.
And speaking of brighter times, before we know it, we'll be sending our kids back to school. It may look different for a while, but it's coming. And when it does, we want to be sure we have the resources in place, resources like our student advisor, Nanci Ryan. We made a solid start to our fundraising to keep Nanci in the role for the whole school year, but there's still a long way to go. THANK YOU THANK YOU if you've already donated. If you haven't had a chance to do so yet, please read on below.
One other thing to remember is that you can also share the fundraising campaign with family members, grandparents and friends. For all those people who always tell you they want to support your kids, now is the time to make the ask. We're going to need the help of our extended community to cover our enormous funding shortfall.
Finally, please join us for the final PTA meeting of the year this Monday. The meeting will be completely online. Details below.
Stay safe,
Neil
THE PTA SPRING FUNDRAISING DRIVE CONTINUES
WHERE TO DONATE
As of April 30th, 10% of our families have donated, totaling $7275, or 21% of the goal. That will fund the student advisor role through to about November, so there's definitely a lot more work to do.
Please share the campaign via social media and email using the buttons on the campaign page.
DON'T FORGET COMPANY MATCHING! If your company does donation matching, make sure to utilize that benefit! Let us know if you need help with things like our 501(c)3 form, EIN. or W9 forms - email mcnearpta@gmail.com
Also don't forget your extended family and friends. Many people are looking for ways to support organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, so this is a great opportunity.
THE LOCAL BUSINESS GIFT CARD DRIVE
Along with our fundraising drive, we also launched a unique new program last week. So many local businesses have been truly generous with donations to the Wish Benefit in previous years that we'd like to repay the favor while they're struggling in the current crisis.
We're encouraging families to donate gift cards from local businesses to McNear. We'll package them up into auction items for the reimagined Wish / Beerfest event later this year. The businesses benefit from the gift card sale, and PTA programs benefit from the auction when everyone has returned to some kind of new normal.
Here's how to contribute:
- Connect with a local, independent business to purchase a gift card. Think about all your favorite local businesses that need help right now: restaurants, wineries, clothing stores, nail salons, hairdressers, auto shops, cafes, antique stores, art galleries
- Once you have the gift card in hand, shoot a quick email to mcnearpta@gmail.com
- We'll arrange to collect the physical card from you, while adhering to distancing and sanitation guidelines
Thank you for your participation. We're hoping that this can help those vitally important small businesses that are so important to the fabric of our community.
YEARBOOK ORDERS ARE NOW OPEN
You can order by filling out the form here: https://form.jotform.com/201075246101137
Order by May 8th and save $5!
A MESSAGE FROM THE TEACHER APPRECIATION COMMITTEE
Hello all wonderful McNear families! I know this is a very challenging time for families and McNear staff. We are all missing the classes, school activities, and friends. Another missed school activity is the Staff Appreciation Week. This year, on May 5th, it is Teacher Appreciation Day. During that week, I will bring treats to the school to show appreciation for the McNear staff.
Since we have all taken on more of the distance learning and our schedules are full with the kids at home, I am asking for one or two ways to show the appreciation of our McNear staff.
During the week of May 4-8, please send either a virtual or physical Thank You note to your student's teacher(s) and a dedicated McNear staff member. Or you may create a general thank you note to the McNear Staff. Ms. Eichert and I will make sure the thank you notes are shared to the staff. Here are the links to the McNear teacher and staff directory.
Some virtual ideas include an email with an attached drawing, video clips, photos, song, or another wonderful creative idea.
If you prefer, you may mail a Thank You note to the school for your teacher(s) and a staff member. Some ideas include, a drawing, poem, favorite family recipe, or a personal creative idea.
McNear Elementary School
605 Sunnyslope Ave
Petaluma, CA 94952
I know everyone is working harder this year and I want to show appreciation to the McNear staff without increasing the stress at home.
Finally one day that week, please have your student wear YOUR favorite color!
Thank you all for ALL your hard work and dedication during this time to keep our community safe and our students educated! I am so excited to see you again soon!
Ashley Oakley
PTA MEETING
Board nominees:
President: Sue Spaulding (Maija: 4th, Anja: 6th)
Executive Vice-President: Dave Felix (Isabelle, 2nd)
Treasurer: Cyndy Shafer (Derek: 2nd)
Secretary: Ashley Oakley (Malani, 2nd)
VP Fundraising: Monica Thomas (Oliver, 3rd)
Co-VP Membership: Alisha Wilson (Ruby: 2nd, Dylan: K)
Co-VP Membership: Kara Sherrill (Tyler: 2nd, Ellie: K)
Historian: Leah Martinez (Lucia, 1st)
Zoom info:
https://iterable.zoom.us/j/568927856
Meeting ID: 568 927 856
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Meeting ID: 568 927 856
Monday, May 4, 2020, 07:00 PM
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UPCOMING DATES
PTA Meeting
Monday, May 4th, 7-8 PM
Last Day of School
Friday, May 29th