PACS NEWS
January 10th, 2022
Una nota de la Sra. Larson/ A note from Mrs. Larson
It was wonderful to see all of our students back after the first week back. It was a little wet, but the kids looked like they were getting right back into the swing of things.
We have already had COVID case notices go out this week. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we pivot with new guidelines and testing procedures. Updated information will be coming out soon.
This week I have sent out a link to our Youth Truth survey. Thank you for taking a few minutes to help us improve the programs at McKinley.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Larson
Camp Update
Hello PACS Families -
The current evolution of Covid has caused us to re-evaluate the camp experience for 7th and 8th grade this year. We have spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out how to make camp possible for our students while keeping everyone safe.
Currently, the District’s stated guidelines for overnight field trips have not been lifted. Because of our deposit and desire to find an alternative option before dates become unavailable, we have made some decisions that we feel will best suit everyone involved.
We will attend a 2-day, day camp on April 25th and April 26th from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
How is this change a positive?
District overnight guidelines do not prohibit the day camp.
The day camp will allow all students to attend.
The cost is lower, making it easier for families to afford (estimated to be $200).
Provides an alternative solution as opposed to canceling.
Allows for more chaperones to help.
Along with the 2-day camp, we will plan a trip to 6-Flags at the end of May.
We are excited to still be able to make a shared, community-building experience possible for our students who are given the continuing pandemic.
We will host a camp meeting in the coming weeks regarding paperwork and chaperones.
Save the Date for this meeting: Wednesday, March 2, 2022
If you've already paid for the camp, the office will work with you to reimburse the difference once the final cost of the 2-day camp is determined.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Mrs. Larson and The PACS teachers
We'd like your feedback-Please take the Family Survey
I am writing to ask for ~15 minutes of your time to complete an online survey that will help us improve your child’s school. We have asked YouthTruth – a nonprofit organization that supports hundreds of schools and districts across the county – to conduct an anonymous survey on our behalf.
Please take the survey before it closes at midnight on Friday, January 28th by clicking this link: ytsurvey.org/petalumafamily22.
Please note:
- The survey needs to be completed in one sitting.
- We ask that one member of each household fill out the survey.
- If you have more than one child who attends the same school, you may respond to the survey multiple times - one time per child.
- If you write any comments, please do not include your name or anything else that might identify you. Your responses are anonymous, and they will be combined with the responses of other parents and guardians before being shared back with the school and district leadership.
We sincerely thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. Your response is incredibly valuable to us.
If you have any questions about the survey or our plans for how we will use your feedback, please contact Ani Larson at alarson@petk12.org
Sincerely,
Mrs. Larson
Fechas Importantes/Important dates
Jan. 11th TK/K Tour 9:00 (must sign up)
Jan. 12th TK/K Tour 9:00 (must sign up)
Jan. 13th Vaccine clinic @Valley Vista
Jan. 14th TK/K Tour 9:00 (must sign up)
Jan. 17th NO School
Jan. 18th 4th- 6th Tour 9:00 (must sign up)
Jan 19th TK/K Tour 9:00 (must sign up)
Jan. 19th PTA Meeting 6:30
Jan 19th District LCAP Meeting
Jan. 21st 1st - 3rd Tour 9:00 (must sign up)
Jan. 24th - 28th The Great Kindness Challenge
Jan. 26, 6:00-7:30 PM - Empowered Parent's Guide to Media Balance Zoom webinar
Jan. 27th 100th day of school
Jan. 28th Intercultural Cafe
Jan. 29th LUMACON
Feb. 7th Kickball Starting
Lumacon
Pledge To be Idle Free
This January, we are holding our 2nd annual "Idle Free Sonoma County Month", to educate parents, staff, and students about the benefits of turning their car engines off if idling for 30 seconds or more.
To help students and families do that, we've created both a coloring page for students, and an online pledge for parents and/or school staff.
For enrolled, comprehensive sites, in early-mid January, we will also be dropping off ~100 hard copies of the coloring page, a set of bookmarks, and in some cases, an educational banner.
Parents/families, teachers, and school administrators/staff who sign the pledge by Friday, February 4th will be entered into a drawing for one of eight $50.00 gift cards to a local business of the winner's choice.
Please REPLY to this email to let us know if you will be promoting our January Challenge at your site, and/or if you have any questions or need technical support! Scroll down for downloadable English/Spanish resources for the January Challenge including the Coloring Page, flyers, and other images.
All resources referred to below are accessible at www.sonomasaferoutes.org
Our January Idle Free Challenge is sponsored by the Sonoma County Spare the Air Resource Team.
Online School Menu
Dine and Donate at Mary's Pizza Shack - This Tuesday, January 11
Show this flyer on your device or mention McKinley when you order.
Mary's Pizza Shack West
359 E Washington St
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778-7200
To order online, select "Dine and Donate" in the Extras section when you order at https://www.maryspizzashack.com/
Sweat and Donate All January Long with Park Fit Petaluma!
Get a pass to women's outdoor fitness classes from Park Fit Petaluma and earn donations for McKinley!
$60 for 5 class pass (Value $70)
25% of each pass sold goes back to McKinley ($15/pass)
Use promo code: MCKINLEY for $10 OFF
Pass expires 2 months from first visit after purchase
For more information visit www.parkfitpetaluma.com or check @parkfitpetaluma on Instagram!
School of Excellence Survey Results and Next Steps
We are thrilled to share with you that the McKinley School National PTA School of Excellence Survey Results are IN! Please review the results of the survey here
Please mark your calendars to join us during our regularly scheduled PTA Meeting on Wednesday, January 19th at 6:30pm. We will begin work to move forward with programs to address the needs of our community as evidenced by the survey responses.
January Meeting Goals:
1- Analyze results using the National PTA Roadmap
2- Use SOE survey responses to select one area to focus our efforts
We will use the National Standards for Family School Partnerships as the guide in our efforts.
Please contact Staci Stern McKPTAVP@gmail.com and/or Emily Oh McKPTAPres@gmail.com with any questions.
On-campus Volunteer Opportunity: Lunch Duty!
Overview:
Volunteers will support lunchtime eating and recess for 1st through 6th graders (parents of TK and K also welcome to volunteer). You will assist during two shifts, 1st - 3rd grade, and 4th - 6th grade. Volunteers will ensure students eat lunch, clean up after themselves and stay safe during recess play. Volunteers have the opportunity to utilize or build skills in conflict management, basic first aid and social coaching skills will be developed.
Requirements:
TB Assessment (@ McKinley, good for 3 years. This is free)
Proof of Covid Vaccine
Short Zoom Training with Principal Larson (Live or Rewatch)
1 Consistent Lunchtime Day/ Week Commitment for January
Click here to sign up - grab a friend to join you, or plan to make new friends!
Questions, or need help signing up for a shift? Contact the PTA Family Engagement Team:
Lori Engelhardt (415) 706-9591
Alicia Callejas (habla español) (501) 398-8116
Elizabeth Harris (habla español) (310) 251-2191
Once signed up, you’ll be contacted directly to schedule your TB assessment and training.
But… hey, does this leave you wanting more? Do you want to spend 5 lunchtimes/ week on campus? There are several open, paid Yard Duty Positions for hire. Contact Principal Larson for more details.
Collect BoxTops Using Your Phone!
Follow the full instructions here to get started!
Earn Donations for McKinley When You Do Your Shopping on Amazon.com
You can earn money for McKinley every time you buy merchandise through Amazon.com at no extra cost to you. Shop through smile.amazon.com and the charity of your choice will receive a portion of your purchase.
Follow these instructions to add McKinley as your chosen non-profit. You may also configure your Amazon mobile app to ensure all your purchases are credited to our school.