Category: Announcements

Learn About All the Family Cultures at McKinley at our Ancestor’s Table Event – Saturday, March 12th at 11am.

The McKinley PTA is excited to announce a FREE community event taking place on Saturday, March 12th, at 11 AM at our beautiful McKinley School. We will be hosting an “Ancestor’s Table: You Belong at McKinley- Where Else Do You Belong?”

We want to celebrate the diversity of our students by sharing food, music, and culture from where your family calls home.  Don’t know where you’re from? We invite you to share anything you identify with as being part of your history, anything that shows where else you belong as a family. Join us for an event to come together as a McKinley family. 

Do you want to host a table with food, information or activities about your culture?

Please fill out this form to let us know and we will contact you with more details!

Tell us about your family’s culture!
Fill out this form to let us know more about your culture and share a favorite song for our playlist.

BONUS: When you fill out the form above and complete the RSVP section to let us know you’re coming, you’ll be entered into a raffle!

Questions?  Contact Emily Oh at or Alicia Callejas if you want to communicate in Spanish at

Intercultural Café is this Friday after morning drop-off!

Join us at the main McKinley entrance Friday, February 25th at around 8:30am after morning drop-off.

Enjoy a free cup of coffee, meet new families, discuss the prior week’s PTA meeting and learn how to get involved. Notes from the PTA meeting will be available in English and Spanish.

More details here

February PTA Meeting Summary

Thank you to all of you who participated in our budget feedback survey and PTA meeting on Wednesday. We were able to vote and approve some items based on the feedback and proposals from community members including some exciting live experiences on campus (since we are not able to go on our field trips!) including animals and the Bay Area Discovery Museum “Try It Truck”, funding for a community movie night, funding for our upcoming free community “Ancestor’s Table” event, and dedicated funds for Physical Education for all grade levels! 

Our general meeting also reviewed and voted on the possibility of joining the Petaluma PTA Council.

Read the full meeting minutes here

Would you like to have a front row seat for PTA decision making (including how we spend our money?!)?  We have started recruiting for our 2022-2023 board and we have a few key positions available!    

Would you like more information about a board position or have any questions or ideas for the PTA?  Email Emily Oh at . We appreciate the collaborative and dedicated spirit of our McKinley family! 

We need volunteers like you!

Ancestor’s Table – March 12th
The PTA is planning an Ancestor’s Table event to take place in March and we need your help. The Ancestor’s Table will allow families to share about their culture and discuss what we learned and what we have in common as a diverse group.

Spring Fundraiser – May 14th
We are looking for a few enthusiastic volunteers to help plan and execute the raffle portion of our spring fundraiser. (More details about the event coming soon!)

This is a great opportunity to connect with other families and help us raise much needed funds to benefit every McKinley/PACS student.

If you’d like to volunteer or learn more about these opportunities, contact Emily Oh at .

Did you participate in The Giving Tree for Classrooms?

The Giving Tree for Classrooms Program raised a total of $1,525 during the holiday season. This amount was generously matched by our PTA and we therefore had $3,050 to purchase gift cards for each teacher and staff member at McKinley so they can buy the supplies needed to work with our children. Thank you for your generosity!

Have you been participating in our Kindness Challenge?

Email your acts of kindness to or tag us on Facebook so we can spread the love and post on our PTA bulletin board.

Check out the calendar here.

Lion King Rehearsal and Backstage Crew Information

We will be rehearsing at the multi this week on Wednesday and Friday! Full rehearsal details are here.

Would you like to be part of our backstage team for The Lion King Jr. and get involved in building a variety of stage crafting and tech crew skills? Set building, set painting, prop making, costume making, hair and makeup, production crew, etc.? 

Students in Grades 4-8 are eligible. Click here to sign up.

Got questions? Email Cate Bruce-Low at .

Earn donations for McKinley when you shop without additional cost to you!

1. Shop at Petaluma Market or Oliver’s Markets: these grocers will donate 2.5% of your purchase amount to the McKinley PTA if you have the Store’s Community Card. Learn how to get started

2. Shop on Amazon: 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.

3. Scan your grocery receipts with the BoxTops app: Did you know you can now easily collect BoxTops on your phone? Simply scan your receipts with eligible items using the BoxTops app and you are done. No more clipping!

Follow the full instructions here to get started!

Upcoming Events

Feb 21 – President’s Day Holiday
Feb 25 – Intercultural Café

PTA General Meeting this Wednesday, February 19th at 6:30pm

Join us via Zoom for our February meeting.

We’ll be discussing our budget plan for the rest of the school year. Read the full agenda here.

Zoom Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 831 7083 5685

Passcode: 603963

Dine and Donate at Stockhome – Thursday, February 17th – 12:30pm – 8:30pm

Enjoy popular Swedish foods in the heart of Petaluma! No flyer necessary. Mention “McKinley” when you order and a portion of dinner sales will be donated.

220 Western Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952
Stockhome Website

We need volunteers like you!

Cultural Fair – March 12th
The PTA is planning a Cultural Fair to take place in March and we need your help. The Cultural Fair will allow families to share about their culture and discuss what we learned and what we have in common as a diverse group.

Spring Fundraiser – May 14th
We are looking for a few enthusiastic volunteers to help plan and execute the raffle portion of our spring fundraiser. (More details about the event coming soon!)

This is a great opportunity to connect with other families and help us raise much needed funds to benefit every McKinley/PACS student.

If you’d like to volunteer or learn more about these opportunities, contact Emily Oh at .

Support our students and staff during lunchtime in the month of February!

We need volunteers to assist during lunchtime and recess to ensure students eat lunch, clean up after themselves and stay safe during recess play. Just one lunchtime per week (more or less if you’d like) from 11:45am – 1:00pm.

Volunteers have the opportunity to utilize or build skills in conflict management, basic first aid and social coaching skills will be developed.

Read the requirements and learn more about this great volunteer opportunity here.

Ready to sign up? Add your name to our Sign Up Genius.

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

Have you been participating in our Kindness Challenge?

Email your acts of kindness to or tag us on Facebook so we can spread the love and post on our PTA bulletin board.

Check out the calendar here.

Lion King Rehearsal and Backstage Crew Information

We will be rehearsing at the multi this week on Wednesday and Friday! Full rehearsal details are here.

Would you like to be part of our backstage team for The Lion King Jr. and get involved in building a variety of stage crafting and tech crew skills? Set building, set painting, prop making, costume making, hair and makeup, production crew, etc.? 

Students in Grades 4-8 are eligible. Click here to sign up.

Got questions? Email Cate Bruce-Low at .

Earn donations for McKinley when you shop without additional cost to you!

1. Shop at Petaluma Market or Oliver’s Markets: these grocers will donate 2.5% of your purchase amount to the McKinley PTA if you have the Store’s Community Card. Learn how to get started

2. Shop on Amazon: 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.

3. Scan your grocery receipts with the BoxTops app: Did you know you can now easily collect BoxTops on your phone? Simply scan your receipts with eligible items using the BoxTops app and you are done. No more clipping!

Follow the full instructions here to get started!

Upcoming Events

Feb 16 – PTA Meeting
Feb 17 – Dine & Donate Stockhome
Feb 21 – President’s Day Holiday
Feb 25 – Intercultural Café

We want your input on the PTA budget

We want your input as we work on our budget for the remainder of the year!

Please complete this Google form with your thoughts about our budget priorities. Budget items will be discussed at our next PTA meeting on Wednesday, February 16th.

Questions? Email Emily Oh at .

We need volunteers like you!

Cultural Fair – March
The PTA is planning a Cultural Fair to take place in March and we need your help. The Cultural Fair will allow families to share about their culture and discuss what we learned and what we have in common as a diverse group.
Spring Fundraiser – May 14th
We are looking for a few enthusiastic volunteers to help plan and execute the raffle portion of our spring fundraiser. (More details about the event coming soon!)

This is a great opportunity to connect with other families and help us raise much needed funds to benefit every McKinley/PACS student.

If you’d like to volunteer or learn more about these opportunities, contact Emily Oh at .

Have you been participating in our Kindness Challenge?

Email your acts of kindness to or tag us on Facebook so we can spread the love and post on our PTA bulletin board.

Check out the calendar here.

Lion King Rehearsal and Backstage Crew Information

We will be rehearsing at the multi this week on Wednesday and Friday! Full rehearsal details are here.

Would you like to be part of our backstage team for The Lion King Jr. and get involved in building a variety of stage crafting and tech crew skills? Set building, set painting, prop making, costume making, hair and makeup, production crew, etc.? 

Students in Grades 4-8 are eligible. Click here to sign up.

Got questions? Email Cate Bruce-Low at .

Dine and Donate at Stockhome – Thursday, February 17th – 12:30pm – 8:30pm

Enjoy popular Swedish foods in the heart of Petaluma! No flyer necessary. Mention “McKinley” when you order and a portion of dinner sales will be donated.

220 Western Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952
Stockhome Website

Support our students and staff during lunchtime in the month of February!

We need volunteers to assist during lunchtime and recess to ensure students eat lunch, clean up after themselves and stay safe during recess play. Just one lunchtime per week (more or less if you’d like) from 11:45am – 1:00pm.

Volunteers have the opportunity to utilize or build skills in conflict management, basic first aid and social coaching skills will be developed.

Read the requirements and learn more about this great volunteer opportunity here.

Ready to sign up? Add your name to our Sign Up Genius.

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

Earn donations for McKinley when you shop at Petaluma Market and Oliver’s!

If you shop at the Petaluma Market or at Oliver’s Markets, these grocers will donate 2.5% of your purchase amount to the McKinley PTA if you have the Store’s Community Card. It is a painless way to support the school and it does not cost you extra.  To do so, follow these steps:

Step 1:  Next time you are in the checkout line, ask for a community card and application. The form takes less than 60 seconds to complete.  Just list your name, phone number, zip code, and e-mail and choose the McKinley PTA as the charitable group you want donations to go to.

Step 2: Go to eScrip.com and set up your account.  You will enter the number that is on your store’s community card and list the McKinley PTA ( group # 500825908) as your preferred charity.  Also list your reference phone number.  You may also choose to register a credit card or debit card with them if you want the deduction to happen automatically.

Step 3: Next time you checkout, tell the cashier you have a community card and they will scan it. Optionally, they can also apply it if you give them your phone number or the credit or debit card  you registered.  The 2.5 % contribution will show in your receipt.

That’s it! Thank you and thank these local businesses for their community support.

Upcoming Events

Feb 14 – Lincoln Holiday Observed
Feb 16 – PTA Meeting
Feb 17 – Dine & Donate Stockhome
Feb 21 – President’s Day Holiday
Feb 25 – Intercultural Café

Support our students and staff during lunchtime in the month of February!

We need your help!
Sign ups are now open for February, and you can join this amazing crew!  Just one lunchtime per week (more or less if you’d like), one-month commitment to start (11:45am – 1:00pm). We welcome a longer commitment. Quick overview, requirements, and sign up genius link below.

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/or 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.
*If you feel most comfortable with the 10 and under age group or feel more confident with ages 10+  we can accommodate, just contact us.

Requirements: 

• TB Assessment  (@ McKinley, good for 3 years. This is free.) 
• Proof of Covid Vaccine
• School Volunteer Application
• Short Training with Principal Larson on your first day
• 1 Consistent Lunchtime Day/ Week Commitment for February

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

Huge amounts of gratitude to David Schiltgen, Trisha Young, Staci Stern, Margo & Sam Tucker, Bree Arthur and Jenny Elwick Ruether for volunteering at lunchtime to support our staff and students during January. The kids love seeing these new faces out on the playground, and these volunteers are allowing Principal Larson and staff to complete impactful work off the blacktop. 

School Of Excellence Update

Thank you to those who attended the PTA Meeting in January.  We reviewed the survey together and selected survey question 7  “Our school helps families understand how they can support their child’s learning.”  to focus our efforts.  Our next steps are to identify ways that the PTA can support and strengthen this family school partnership. 

Please be in touch with Staci Stern at if you’d like to join in future meetings.

Earn donations for McKinley when you shop at Petaluma Market and Oliver’s!

If you shop at the Petaluma Market or at Oliver’s Markets, these grocers will donate 2.5% of your purchase amount to the McKinley PTA if you have the Store’s Community Card. It is a painless way to support the school and it does not cost you extra.  To do so, follow these steps:

Step 1:  Next time you are in the checkout line, ask for a community card and application. The form takes less than 60 seconds to complete.  Just list your name, phone number, zip code, and e-mail and choose the McKinley PTA as the charitable group you want donations to go to.

Step 2: Go to eScrip.com and set up your account.  You will enter the number that is on your store’s community card and list the McKinley PTA ( group # 500825908) as your preferred charity.  Also list your reference phone number.  You may also choose to register a credit card or debit card with them if you want the deduction to happen automatically.

Step 3: Next time you checkout, tell the cashier you have a community card and they will scan it. Optionally, they can also apply it if you give them your phone number or the credit or debit card  you registered.  The 2.5 % contribution will show in your receipt.

That’s it! Thank you and thank these local businesses for their community support.

Lion King Rehearsal and Backstage Crew Information

We will be returning to the multi for rehearsals this week on Wednesday and Friday! Full rehearsal details are here.

Would you like to be part of our backstage team for The Lion King Jr. and get involved in building a variety of stage crafting and tech crew skills? Set building, set painting, prop making, costume making, hair and makeup, production crew, etc.? 

Students in Grades 4-8 are eligible. Click here to sign up.

Got questions? Email Cate Bruce-Low at .

McKinley’s Month of Kindness

Did you see our PTA February Month of Kindness Calendar in your Wednesday folders?

Share your acts of kindness with us during the month of February by emailing or tag us on Facebook so we can spread the love and post on our PTA bulletin board

Would you like to help with our spring fundraiser?

We are looking for a few enthusiastic volunteers to help plan and execute the raffle portion of our spring fundraiser taking place in May. (More details about the event coming soon!)

This is a great opportunity to connect with other families and help us raise much needed funds to benefit every McKinley/PACS student.

If you’d like to volunteer or learn more, contact Emily Oh at .

Dine and Donate at Stockhome – Thursday, February 17th – 12:30pm – 8:30pm

Enjoy popular Swedish foods in the heart of Petaluma! No flyer necessary. Mention “McKinley” when you order and a portion of dinner sales will be donated.

220 Western Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952
Stockhome Website

Upcoming Events

Feb 14 – Lincoln Holiday Observed
Feb 16 – PTA Meeting
Feb 17 – Dine & Donate Stockhome
Feb 21 – President’s Day Holiday
Feb 25 – Intercultural Café

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

Purchase Here

Pass expires 2 months from first visit after purchase

For more information visit www.parkfitpetaluma.com or check @parkfitpetaluma on Instagram!

Intercultural Café is this Friday after morning drop-off!

Join us at the main McKinley entrance Friday, January 28th at around 8:30am after morning drop-off.

Enjoy a free cup of coffee, meet new families, discuss the prior week’s PTA meeting and learn how to get involved. Notes from the PTA meeting will be available in English and Spanish.

More details here

Lion King Rehearsal Information

This week, we will be rehearsing via Zoom on Wednesday, January 26th and Friday, January 28th. All rehearsal details are available here.

You can also pay your student’s participation fee on this page. Scholarships are available!

Collect BoxTops Using Your Phone!

Did you know you can now easily collect BoxTops on your phone? Simply scan your receipts with eligible items using the BoxTops app and you are done. No more clipping!

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.

Upcoming Events

All January – Sweat and Donate at Petaluma Park Fit
1/28 – Intercultural Café

PTA General Meeting this Wednesday, January 19th at 6:30pm via Zoom

Join us this Wednesday at 6:30pm for our January PTA general meeting via Zoom. Learn about our upcoming initiatives to support all our students and teachers.

Zoom meeting link

Meeting ID: 823 5194 8834
Passcode: 039952

School of Excellence Committee Meeting During Wednesday’s PTA Meeting

Reminder that the School of Excellence Committee will meet to review the results of the survey (McKinley PTA SOE Responses 2021-22 ) during our regularly scheduled PTA Meeting on Wednesday, January 19th at 6:30pm via zoom. Please see the agenda here: School of Excellence January 2022 Meeting Agenda and Escuela de excelencia Agenda de la reunión de enero de 2022 .

We’ll use this time to identify one area to focus the efforts of the PTA to increase the impact of our work on creating strong family school partnerships. We are actively seeking participation from ALL families! Please join us if you are able. You do not need to prepare for this meeting. Simply showing up ready to listen and share is enough.

However, if you would like to review the survey responses and think about which question(s) stands out to you as the area that we should select for our focus, you may find that helpful. We promise to make the best use of time and walk away with a more clear vision for our work.
Visit the School of Excellence page on the PTA website to stay up-to-date on our efforts!

Lion King Rehearsal Information

This week, we will be rehearsing via Zoom on Wednesday, January 19th and Friday, January 21st. All rehearsal details are available here.

You can also pay your student’s participation fee on this page. Scholarships are available!

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

Purchase Here

Pass expires 2 months from first visit after purchase

For more information visit www.parkfitpetaluma.com or check @parkfitpetaluma on Instagram!

Collect BoxTops Using Your Phone!

Did you know you can now easily collect BoxTops on your phone? Simply scan your receipts with eligible items using the BoxTops app and you are done. No more clipping!

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.

Upcoming Events

All January – Sweat and Donate at Petaluma Park Fit
1/19 – PTA General Meeting at 6:30pm

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

Purchase Here

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 and/or Emily Oh with any questions.

Collect BoxTops Using Your Phone!

Did you know you can now easily collect BoxTops on your phone? Simply scan your receipts with eligible items using the BoxTops app and you are done. No more clipping!

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.

Upcoming Events

All January – Sweat and Donate at Petaluma Park Fit
1/19 – PTA General Meeting at 6:30pm

Lion King Auditions are This Tuesday!

We are excited to announce that the performing arts are returning to McKinley this spring with The Lion King! All students in grades 1st through 8th are invited to audition on January 4th with callbacks on January 5th.
Click here for audition information and full details.

Do you shine more behind the scenes? We’ll have information about the tech crew coming soon.

Only a few spots left in our Martial Arts After-School Enrichment Winter Session

Martial Arts (TK-3) – $90

Schafer’s ATA Martial Arts teach children to be confident, disciplined, and respectful leaders in our community. Students will receive belts and have opportunities to test for stripes at the end of each session. The cost is $90.

Our six-week winter session begins Thursday, January 6th and ends February 10th. Classes will meet in the multipurpose room.

TK/K – Thursdays, 1:45pm-2:30pm

Grades 1-3 – Thursdays, 2:40pm-3:25pm

Click here to register for Martial Arts now!

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 and/or Emily Oh with any questions.

Dine and Donate at Mary’s Pizza Shack – January 11

Get some delicious pizza at Mary’s Pizza on Tuesday, January 11th from 11am-8:30pm. Mary’s will donate 20% of take-out and delivery orders to McKinley.

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 this January 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

Purchase Here

Pass expires 2 months from first visit after purchase

For more information visit www.parkfitpetaluma.com or check @parkfitpetaluma on Instagram!

Collect BoxTops Using Your Phone!

Did you know you can now easily collect BoxTops on your phone? Simply scan your receipts with eligible items using the BoxTops app and you are done. No more clipping!

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.

Volunteer Coaches Needed for Girls on the Run this Spring!

Girls on the Run is coming to McKinley this spring and we need coaches to help with the program. 

What is Girls on the Run? Girls on the Run is a 10-week life skills learning program powered by running that meets twice a week for 90 minutes. The program teaches 3rd-6th (3-5 or 4-6) grade girls about health, friendship, body image, self-esteem and service while training for a 5k. Learn more about Girls on the Run!

Read more information about coaching here. 

To learn more, email Megan McClellan, Program Director at  or visit our website at gotrsonomacounty.org/coach to complete the application.

Upcoming Events

1/11 – Dine and Donate at Mary’s Pizza Shack
1/19 – PTA General Meeting at 6:30pm

PTA General Meeting this Wednesday at 6:30pm

Join us this Wednesday, December 15th at 6:30pm via Zoom for our December PTA meeting!

Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 895 7898 0966
Passcode: 951084

Last chance to participate in the Giving Tree for Classrooms!

The Giving Tree is in full swing and we need your help to assist in replenishing out children’s classrooms with all the much needed materials and other supplies.

This year the PTA will match the amount we raise so teachers can enjoy double the resources for their classroom!

Visit our Giving Tree portal to choose and purchase your gift card to a classroom

Deadline to participate is Friday 12/17

After School Enrichment Winter Session – Enrollment Starts Now

Martial Arts (TK-3) – $90

Schafer’s ATA Martial Arts teach children to be confident, disciplined, and respectful leaders in our community. Students will receive belts and have opportunities to test for stripes at the end of each session. The cost is $90.

Our six-week winter session begins Thursday, January 6th and ends February 10th. Classes will meet in room 13.

TK/K – Thursdays, 1:45pm-2:30pm

Grades 1-3 – Thursdays, 2:40pm-3:25pm

Click here to register for Martial Arts now!

Chess (K-6) – $120

Novice players will learn the basic principles of the game. Intermediate and advanced players will focus on tactics, strategies, algebraic notation, and game analysis.

Develop and nurture good sportsmanship.

Session begins Wednesday, January 26th and ends Wednesday, March 16th. 

Grades K-6: Wednesdays 1:20 – 2:20 pm 

Register for Chess Now

Thank You to the Winter Festival Team!

A huge thank you to everyone who helped on the Winter Festival team led by Rebecca Hachmeyer and Emily Betts.

Planning & Execution Team:
Emily Betts
Rebecca Hachmyer
Kristen Joyce
Erica Kliewer 
Alanna Murphy
Sarah Winders
Kristin Richman

Event Volunteers
Matt Richman
Tracie Hankers
Courtney Wolfe
Elda Molina
Alma Gonzalez
Julie Glew
Cesar Barahona
Staci Stern
Vanessa Nelson

Thank you also to Oliver’s Market for donating 16 gallons of organic apple juice! 

And a huge thank you to to the vendors for helping to make the evening festive and engaging, the front office staff, the custodial team, the PACS maestro and band, the PTA, and to Principal Larson for their work and support in making it all happen!

We’ve received a few thank you emails from families who came and want to extend our sincere gratitude for your incredible vision, pulling it together so quickly and making it a beautiful night for all.

Looking for last minute holiday gift ideas for our wonderful teachers and staff?

Look no further! Click here to find a list for the favorite stores and restaurants of our McKinley/PACS staff.

Are you shopping on Amazon.com for your holiday gifts?

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.

Volunteer Coaches Needed for Girls on the Run this Spring!

Girls on the Run is coming to McKinley this spring and we need coaches to help with the program. 

What is Girls on the Run? Girls on the Run is a 10-week life skills learning program powered by running that meets twice a week for 90 minutes. The program teaches 3rd-6th (3-5 or 4-6) grade girls about health, friendship, body image, self-esteem and service while training for a 5k. Learn more about Girls on the Run!

Read more information about coaching here. 

To learn more, email Megan McClellan, Program Director at  or visit our website at gotrsonomacounty.org/coach to complete the application.

Upcoming Events

12/14 – Dine and Donate at Brewsters
12/15 – PTA General Meeting via Zoom at 6:30pm
12/17 – Last day to participate in Giving Tree for Classrooms

Join us for the McKinley Winter Festival This Thursday December 9th

The McKinley Winter Festival returns this Thursday December 9th from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Join us for hot cider, live music, and a craft sale with vendors from McKinley / PACS.

Would you like to volunteer on the day of the event? Sign up to volunteer via SignUp Genius

We’ll also need  strands of holiday lights and patio lights to light up the outdoor space at the school. Please contact Emily Betts at  if you can help!

Volunteer Opportunity: After School Enrichment Coordinator(s)

McKinley’s After School Enrichment program is in need of one or more motivated volunteers to coordinate our After School Enrichment program beginning Spring 2022.   Please note that ASE will not run a Winter Session due to lack of space and a lead volunteer. 

If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please reach out to . Thank you!

Let us know how you help your community 

During this season of giving, we want to know how you help your community, small or big. Answers will be put up on the PTA bulletin board outside of the front office so that we all may be inspired to lend a helping hand.

Simply fill out this form to share the ways you give back.

Attention 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade families 

We are reaching out to the Third, Fourth, and Fifth grade families and asking, if you are in a position to do so, to please donate $5-$10 to help us put on our December staff appreciation event. We realize that some families may not be in the position to donate, and others may be able to donate more and that is totally okay.

With the funds we collect, our plan is to provide a lunch for the staff from a local restaurant on Wednesday December 15th. Due to covid protocols, we must stick to store/restaurant bought, individually wrapped items (ie sandwiches, burritos, snacks etc.)

Our goal is to collect the donations by Monday December 13th.

You can donate via this link on the PTA website and select Staff Appreciation Fund

You may also drop off cash and checks made out to McKinley PTA to the office in an envelope labeled ‘Staff Appreciation”.

Thank you for your assistance in helping make our fantastic McKinley teachers and staff feel the love. Please feel free to reach out to either one of us if you have any questions or ideas on how you would like to help out.

Lisa Baker and Lauran Colvin

National PTA School of Excellence Survey Update

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at McKinley by taking the survey. Please stay tuned for detailed results of the survey in the coming weeks. We are incredibly grateful for every response and for those of you who shared valuable ideas, experiences and insight in the comments. Much gratitude for our community.

Our next step is to assemble a committee to review the results, identify our areas of focus and opportunities to meet the needs of our community.

Please contact Staci Stern at or Emily Oh if you are interested in joining the committee.

The School of Excellence Survey received a total of 151 responses to date (10 Spanish /141 English) to date and it’s not too late to share your experience.

English Survey:

https://bit.ly/McKSurveyEng

Spanish Survey:

https://bit.ly/McKSurveyEsp

Giving Tree for Classrooms

As the season of giving approaches, we invite you to participate in our annual collection of funds for classroom needs.

This year the PTA will match the amount we raise so teachers can enjoy double the resources for classroom needs!

Look for our Giving Tree board during the Winter Festival and check out next week’s newsletter to find a link to our online gift card shopping page.

Are you shopping on Amazon.com for your holiday gifts?

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.

Volunteer Coaches Needed for Girls on the Run this Spring!

Girls on the Run is coming to McKinley this spring and we need coaches to help with the program. 

What is Girls on the Run? Girls on the Run is a 10-week life skills learning program powered by running that meets twice a week for 90 minutes. The program teaches 3rd-6th (3-5 or 4-6) grade girls about health, friendship, body image, self-esteem and service while training for a 5k. Learn more about Girls on the Run!

Read more information about coaching here. 

To learn more, email Megan McClellan, Program Director at  or visit our website at gotrsonomacounty.org/coach to complete the application.

Upcoming Events

12/9 – McKinley Winter Festival
12/14 – Dine and Donate at Brewsters