McKinley PTO Newsletter
February 20, 2017
Co-Presidents' Update
It feels like spring is here! Spring brings so many fun PTO events, like High Interest Day and the Adult Social. Be sure to read below for information about these events as well as the Publishing Center. This year the Publishing Center is an AT HOME program, so students and families must sign up to participate and complete work at home. The end product is a beautiful, published book for your child, and we don't want anyone to miss out!
This week we enourage everyone to participate in Winter Walk to School Day on Friday. The temperature may not feel quite like winter later this week, so please plan to walk (or park a few blocks away and make it a short walk to school)!
Finally, read below for information on purchasing McKinley spiritwear. Every Friday is Spiritwear Day, and red tickets are doubled when wearing McKinley shirts on Fridays spirit days!
Molly Hannan and Chris Riley
PTO Dates to Remember
Make sure to put the following dates on your calendar!
February 24 - Crazy Sock and Hair Day
February 24 - Winter Walk to School Day
March 3 - McKinley Spiritwear Day (wear McKinley shirt or red)
March 10 - McKinley Spiritwear Day (wear McKinley shirt or red)
March 24 - McKinley Spiritwear Day (wear McKinley shirt or red)
March 24 - McKinley School Dance
March 31 - McKinley Spiritwear Day (wear McKinley shirt or red)
April 1 - Adult Social at Blue's
April 28 - High Interest Day
Hats off to...
A big thank you to Gina Dee and Allison Gugala for planning and running a fantastic Family Fun Night! Also thanks to the event's volunteers, including: Shalini Khare, Sarah Lerand, Terri Holzen, Andrew Blomfeldt, Lisa Bosman, Jacob Zielinski, Meg Malloy, Rhianon Bott, Jade Rahn, Ben Peirce, Lori Brandenburg, Girl Scout Troop 8378, Mary Delcore, Jessica Zembles, Bridget Thuli, Caroline Weickhardt, Chloe Beaudoin, Emma Gabriel, Hannah Kramer, Isabelle Johnson, Lauren Baish, Josh Standal, Luke Huitink, Lisa Kimpler, Anna Smith, Rachel Kauflin, Maggie Brener, Charlie Somers, Maura Riordan, Jenny Jablonsky, Sara Deutsch, Eric Denson, Luke Denson, Joellen Bradach, Cara Schwantes, Jamie Schwake, Troy Miller, Jimmy Fuhrman, Chris Riley, McKinley Cub Scouts, Katie Petitt, Miranda Banks, Melissa Wittig, Tori Haanstad, Eliza Soczka, Malorie Clasen, Anjika Verma, Isabella Jacobson, David Kimpler, and Katie Phillips. We are sure we have overlooked many in this list, so if we have forgotten your name please let us know!
2 Liter Bottles Needed
The High Interest Day committee is collecting rinsed, CLEAR 2 liter plastic bottles for use in the Master Gardner Class. Please bring your bottles to the HID container in the office. Thank you for your help.
Artwork Displays
Help make McKinley a more colorful place to learn. We need help displaying the pieces our students are creating in art. Come in when it’s convenient for you and hang art up in the hallways. No experience necessary! Please contact Jenny Leigh at leighje@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us if you can help. Thanks!
PTO Committee Help Needed!
We have an immediate vacancy for someone to chair the Dining Out fundraising events. This role involves contacting restaurants, making arrangements to hold events, and following up after the event. You would not be required to attend the actual event. This position could be handled by one person or a small committee. The PTO has ideas and contact information for restaurants that have been successful fundraisers in the past.
We are also in need of a new PTO Treasurer for the coming school year. If you are interested, please contact current treasurer Phil Janowski for more information.
If you are interested in learning more about these positions, please contact Kristi Knoedler, Chris Riley, or Molly Hannan for more information. Thanks!
Winter Walk to School Day is February 24!
Winter Walk to School Day is Friday, February 24th. Bundle up and walk to school with your friends and neighbors. Live to far away? Park 3-4 blocks away and walk- it is a great way to get some exercise before school. Or join a group at one of meeting spots along the way. We are in need of meeting spot leaders from Pasadena, Swan Park, Parkway Estates, Lowell Damon Hills neighborhoods. You get to pick the spot, time and route to school. It is a great way to meet people in your neighborhood or people that live too far from school and need a place to park and walk. We are also in need of volunteers to pass out healthy snacks to students.
1) SignUp on SignUp.com: http://signup.com/go/asPdQF
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.
Under the Sea Sock Hop
Please consider volunteering! We’ll need help with set up, check in, crafts, food and clean up. If you can lend a hand, email Lori Hagopian (lorihagopian@gmail.com) or Chuck Schmidt (chuckaschmidt@gmail.com).
Publishing Center
The McKinley Publishing Center is back! Beginning in February, every student in 1st through 5th grade can sign up to create a book. Each student who signs up will receive a book packet with all the information and materials needed to create a one-of-a kind keepsake. You can sign up online or simply return the signup form to the office. Look for more information in the Tuesday folder. Contact Lori Brandenburg at Crashburg@yahoo.com with any questions.
Here is the online link:
Need Spiritwear?
- Gildan kids shirts in youth sizes XS through XL. Some sizes have very limited quantities. (XS is size 2-4, S is size 6-8, M is size 10-12, L is size 14-16, and XL is size 18-20). Gildan youth shirts are $10 each.
- Bella womens shirts in womens sizes S through XL. Bella shirts are a more fitted style (S is size 2-4, M is size 6-8, L is size 8-10, and XL is size 10-14). Bella womens shirts are $15 each.
- Bella Canvas shirts in unisex adult sizes S through XL. (S fits chest sizes 34"-37", M fits chest sizes 38"-41", L fits chest sizes 42"-45", and XL fits chest sizes 46"-49"). Bella Canvas shirts are $15 each.
Shirt samples will be displayed on the PTO bulletin board outside the office. Orders can be places by emailing tosamckinleypto@gmail.com and will be filled in the order received. Some sizes have very limited availability. Shirts will be available for pick up in the office every Friday. Payment is due via cash (exact amount please!) or check at pick up.
Appraisers needed for Destination Imagination tournament!
The inaugural teams for McKinley's Destination Imagination have hit the ground running! The kids are working hard doing some Top Secret Vanishing while being In it Together to Save the Day for some Show and Tech!! Intrigued? The kids will be presenting all their hard work at the regional Destination Imagination tournament on Saturday March 18 at Muskego High School. The tournament is in need of volunteer appraisers (a kinder, gentler word for 'judges') to help appraise all the teams presenting. It will likely be an all-day commitment. Each school with teams represented at the tournament are encouraged to find appraisers. Interested? Contact Monica Deluhery at monica.deluhery@gmail.com.
McKinley Adult Social
It has probably been a few years since you have attended PROM, but we are giving you an opportunity for a flash back at this year’s Adult Social. We are looking forward to dressing up and having a great time while supporting McKinley!! Tickets will go on sale March 1st. The order form will be sent home in the Tuesday Folder on Tuesday, February 28th. Tickets will be $30/person. There are a limited number of tickets again this year, so if you are looking to attend, please return the form and payment promptly. Saturday, April 1st / Blue’s Egg / 7pm-11pm
Also, we are seeking additional items for the raffle and silent auction, so if you something to include (tickets, a service, an experience, beer, bottle of wine or liquor), please let us know. Contact Erin Kell at febz99@hotmail.com or 262-751-6924.
Meet the Candidates
S.O.S.
On Wednesday, February 8, Governor Walker announced his 2017-2019 state budget. Until it is signed into law - most likely in June - we will be paying close attention to the numbers and fine print. Please take time to check out SOS Wauwatosa on Facebook, become a member and/or attend one of these upcoming events.
We are determined to restore some of the essential funding that has been lost by public schools in recent years. We hope you’ll help us!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, February 21, 7 am – 8 pm: Primary Election – This is a very important election for the future of public schools in the state of Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Public Education Network has compiled responses to a Candidate Questionnaire for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Click here. Please read up on the candidates, mark the election date on your calendar, and encourage your friends and family to vote!!! In-person absentee voting is available at City Hall starting February 6.
Sunday, March 5, 11 am – 4 pm: Spring Budget Action Workshop in Milwaukee – Sponsored by Wisconsin Public Education Network and Wisconsin Leadership Development. Click here for more information or register now. Budget Action Workshops will also be held in Kaukauna (Sat 2/25), Eau Claire (Sun 2/26), and Middleton (Sat 3/4). Encourage friends and family statewide to participate!
Monday, March 20, 7 – 9 pm: SOS Spring Budget Forum – Longfellow Middle School Auditorium, 7600 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, Jeff Pertl, Senior Policy Advisor for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will be giving a presentation, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. Register now
Tuesday, April 4, 7 am – 8 pm: Spring Election – Four seats on our very own Wauwatosa School Board and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction will be on the ballot.
Art Room Volunteers
Looking for an opportunity to get involved in your child's classroom? Please consider volunteering to assist in the art room! Sign ups are available through the link below.
For questions, please contact Lisa Kimpler: lkimpler@yahoo.com
Wanted: Pencils
Please save and donate your old regular and colored pencils to be re-purposed. 4th graders will be making art from them. There is a box in the office to collect any you are able to give. Thank you!
Teacher Treats
Team Claire Wristbands
Office Max / Office Depot Fundraising
This year Office Max/Office Depot stores are offering local schools the opportunity to partner in a fundraising activity. 5% of all qualifying purchases made by parents or teachers for the entire year will be donated to the school in the form of a merchandise credit. McKinley's master ID # is 70113794. For more information, visit http://www.officedepot.com/a/content/back-to-school/5percent/