PTA Events | PTA Meetings | McKinley Calendar
The McKinley PTA, in conjunction with McKinley Teachers and Staff, works year-round to help build community at McKinley and raise funds for our kids. Learn more about PTA events below. As events approach, check your Wednesday Folder for details. For a complete calendar of all McKinley events (not just PTA events), please refer to the McKinley Elementary website calendar pages.
Weekly:
- Wednesday Folders: Each Wednesday after drop off parents meet in the parent room to stuff Wednesday Folders. Volunteers are always welcome -- and you can stay a little or as long as you are able. It's a great way for parents to help out and get to know other parents! Newcomers welcome!
Snack Sales: Each Wednesday after school there is a $1 to $2 snack sale
1st Wednesday: Jamba Juice ($2)
2nd Wednesday: Popcorn or popsicles (volunteers welcome)
3rd Wednesday: Jamba Juice ($2)
4th Wednesday: ELAC snack sale (volunteers welcome)
And for the occasional 5th Wednesday: we wing it!
Monthly:
- Restaurant Nights: On the first Tuesday of each month, with some exceptions, McKinley families gather for a fun community night out! Families descend upon the same restaurant, and the restaurant gives 20 to 50% back to our school!
Family Nights/Parent Ed Days: Each month we have a PTA meeting; to accommodate the most people, we alternate between morning and evening meetings. Morning meetings are followed by a speaker who informs parents about things going on in our school community. Past topics include the switch to Common Core, the new face of testing, and the Pillars of Character curriculum used at McKinley. Evening meetings are followed by Family Nights, which are a great chance for parents and kids to play together and do projects around topics like math, art and science. Everyone is welcome!
September:
- Family Picnic 9/18: Gather on the big yard for a community picnic! Bring along a picnic basket or support 5th grade by purchasing a pizza diner!
October:
- Reflections 10/5-9: PTA Reflections is a national art program, but the important thing to know is that it's a fun week of free art after school! Kids get a great opportunity to create art, and they can submit their work to competitions at the Council, District, State and even National PTA!
Bike it/Walk it 10/9: As part of a district wide program, McKinley families cut down on car trips and come to school by walking, biking, scootering, and even car pooling!
Cold Stone Day 10/15: All afternoon and evening Cold Stone on Wilshire near 18th street donates a portion of McKinley sales back to the school. And to make it super fun, many McKinley teachers are there dishing out the ice cream! If your teacher participates, be sure to let your families know.
SM Classic Race 10/13: A 5K run to support the Ed Foundation and our District schools!
Harvest Festival 10/30: A great evening of fun for the whole family! With carnival games, great food and a giant slide -- it's a blast! We really need volunteers for this one, so please volunteer for a shift. Kids love that you volunteer, and each of us will still have plenty of time to hang with the kiddos!
November:
- See's Candy 11/18: We sell See's Candy in advance of the holiday. It's the same products at the same price as in the stores, but McKinley kids benefit! Stock up on this great gift! Candy will be delivered to your classroom the week before Winter break.
December:
- Barnes & Noble In-Store Book Fair DATE TBA: This one-day book fair actually takes place in the bookstore on the Third Street Promenade. A percentage of McKinley sales come right back to our library, so it's a great time to stock up on holiday gifts! There's also an online code we will share as the event approaches, so even far-away family can support us. This year the book fair coincides with our CPK family restaurant night, also on the promenade, so make an evening of it! (4th and 5th grade families will also have a concert that night; we regret the inconvenience and hope you will come to the promenade before or after your performance time.)
Talent Show 12/4: This amazing event encourages kids to get up on stage and share a talent in a supportive environment. We have new event chairs this year, so we may see some differences from years past, but historically the show is divided into two shows, broken up by grade: TK-2 and 3-5. Rehearsals last for about three weeks. Each performance is no more than 2 minutes long, and no performer is turned away as long as they come prepared and attend the requisite rehearsals. It's an amazing night and such a confidence builder!
January:
- International Day 1/29: This used to be our big end of the year event, but it now takes place in January. We will be changing it up this year, but as always it will be an amazing celebration of our community's diversity. The event involves a "Parade of Nations", class performances, and amazing food from around the world!
February:
- Buddy Grams: This is a student council run events where the 5th graders sell valentines which your child can complete and which student council will deliver to the classrooms on Valentine's Day. Parents and other family members can even send one to your little valentines!
- Jogathon 2/26: This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and a great day of fun! Kids get sponsors leading up to the event and then see how many laps they can run with their class in 30 minutes. Family members are there to join in the run or cheer the kids on, and each run is followed by face painting and popsicles. It's an amazing day! The kids then have two weeks to collect their pledges (and even get new ones) and win awesome prizes while helping their school.
April:
- Art Fundraiser 4/6: A fun opportunity for those who wish to buy a special memento with their child's art on it.
- Comedy Night 4/11: This adults-only evening includes a dinner and auction with Auction surrounding an amazing night night of comedy featuring Paula Poundstone. The event takes place at Le Meridian Delfina, and tickets are only available in advance, so buy tickets early!
- Cold Stone Day 4/28: All afternoon and evening Cold Stone on Wilshire near 18th street donates a portion of McKinley sales back to the school. McKinley teachers are there dishing out the ice cream! If your teacher participates, be sure to let your families know.
May:
- Camp Fair 5/5: Join us in the auditorium to see what local camps and activities have to offer for a summer of fun!
- Staff Appreciation 5/13: Families host staff for a luncheon in the garden. It's a lovely McKinley tradition!
Bookfair 5/23-27: An on-campus bookfair in the auditorium. Great time to pick up some summer reading and support the library at the same time!
Class BBQs 5/27-6/3: Classes join together for a potluck BBQ at the end of the year.
