McNear PTA Newsletter
February 23, 2018
WISH BENEFIT 2018
Welcome to Camp McNear!
Spend an evening under the stars and in front of the campfire with us. This year's Wish Benefit will take place on Saturday, April 21 from 5-10pm at The Block. This is an adults-only evening, so book your sitters!
Live & Silent Auction Donation Items Needed: Here's How You Can Help!
1. Check out the Wish Benefit Binder (located at the front desk in the office).
2. Pick a few items that you are willing to solicit.
3. Sign your name next to them and ask away. Make sure to bring the donation form & letter (sent home in this week's Wednesday folder) so that they have the Tax ID# number for their records.
4. Have an idea for an item that isn't on the list? We'll take it! Simply list it in the binder. (Physical items such as art work, jewelry, gift certificates, vacation homes, hotel stays, or experiences are great additions!)
5. Bring your items back to the PTA office and document in the binder what you were able to get.
For any questions regarding donations please contact Leslie Buerger at lesliebuerger@gmail.com.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Do you or a family member work for or own a company that doesn’t provide a product or service that can be donated, but you still want to support our school? Then be a sponsor! Check out the sponsor page in the office binder. It’s a great branding/marketing opportunity and a tax write off for a great cause–our kids!
For questions regarding sponsorships please contact Kelly Valera at keval415@gmail.com.
GARDEN UPDATE
The Garden Committee had our first meeting of the year. Teachers and parents gathered to share ideas and goals for 2018. Working together is where it’s at. We would love for you to join us for these upcoming dates:
Tuesday, March 6: Garden Classes begin
Please contact your child’s teacher if you are interested in volunteering.
March 10, 9am-12pm: Garden Workday
We need your help! Come dig in the dirt, won’t you? We will be preparing our garden for spring’s plantings, garden infrastructures, and classroom adventures. We would love for the McNear Community to represent. Breakfast snacks and beverages will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can prepare accordingly: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E49A9AA2FAB9-lets
April 20, 2pm-5pm: Earth Day
Join us after school for fun Earth-loving activities. Have an idea for an activity or just want to lend a hand? Email Julia Luna at thelunafamily@att.net.
Meet you in the garden!
WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT WEEK
Parent/Teacher Conferences
They’re coming up! Students will be released early February 26-March 2. Not all students will have conferences. TK and K will be released at 11:45 every day; grades 1-3 will be released at 1:30pm every day except Wednesday (which is at 12:35pm); and grades 4-6 will be released at 1:40pm every day except Wednesday (which is at 12:40pm).
Homework Club
All students are welcome to join the Homework Club. It’s every Tuesday and Thursday between 3-4pm in Room 18. Snacks are paid for by the PTA, and no sign up is needed!
WHAT'S COMING UP
PTA Meeting
The March meeting will be on Monday, March 5 at 6:30pm in the Library. Childcare will be provided in the Multipurpose Room.
Book Fair
The Spring Copperfield Book Fair is coming March 5-9. This is a great opportunity to do some book shopping locally AND support your school. As an added bonus, Ms. Bussey, our Librarian, personally goes through the book list and adds many quality titles to the collection. Sales will be before and after school in the Library. There will be a Dessert Night on Friday March 9 from 6-8pm. If you would like to volunteer for cashier or baking a delicious dessert, please sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B44A8AD2FA5FE3-volunteers1.
TB Testing
If you plan on volunteering at school, you need to complete a TB assessment. The next date offered is March 14 from 3-4pm at the District Office (200 Douglas St.). An assessment must be done every 4 years. If you aren’t sure what your current status is, please check in with Loretta in the office.
Walk & Roll to School Day
Ditch the car and walk or roll your way to school on Wednesday, March 7.
Spring Break
Remember that this year’s Spring Break is March 19-23. Enjoy your time off!
Westside Band Festival
Save the Date: Wednesday, April 4, - 7-8pm in the Petaluma High School Gym
This year’s Band Festival will be a fun evening of band music, with all grade levels (4-12) participating in the Grand Finale. If you haven’t already done so, please return the bottom portion of the letter sent home with your child indicating that you and your child will be able to attend.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sandra Kruse, Erin Norris, & Luanne Rice
Petaluma City Schools Elementary Band Teachers
Family Bicycling Workshop
McNear is hosting a Family Bicycling Workshop on Saturday April 7. This workshop is free, but families must pre-register online to be guaranteed a space. The Bike Coalition’s Safe Routes to School Program has developed these workshops (which have taken place all around the county) to teach families how to ride together safely and confidently; they include both skill/safety drills and an instructional ride and take place from 10am-12:30pm. Appropriate for Grade K-8, open to Petaluma families. For more information and to register, visit: http://www.bikesonoma.org/family-bike-workshops/
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