Originally delivered on 12/11/2025 11:00 am

SUBJECT: Backpack PTO Newsletter

Upcoming PTO Events

We have a lot of exciting events coming up this year. Mark your calendars. We look forward to see you all!

Save the Date

Next meeting: Thursday, January 8, 2026 @ 6:30pm

Light refreshments will be provided!

5th Grade Committee

Attention 5th grade parents!!!!

For anyone who would like to help with 5th grade fundraising, events and planning please email us: mckinleygrade5@gmail.com

Fundraiser & Events link

Stay up to date with the latest events, fundraisers and sig ups by visiting the 5th grade section of the PTO Website at https://www.mckinleypto.org/5thgradecommittee.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM AT THE LINK BELOW AND RETURN TO SCHOOL BY WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22nd!

Making History Since Day One - 5th Grade Fundraising Form

Together, we can ensure that ALL our kids have a great year. McKinley has H.E.A.R.T!

4th & 5th Grade Neon Dance

Tickets for the Neon Dance are now live!

The event will be held on Friday, January 9th, and is open to all 4th and 5th grade McKinley students.

Buy Neon Dance Tickets: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/neon-dance-52614/items

More details can be found on the ticket page. Want to volunteer? The signup can be found on the event page during your checkout process & HERE!

Hope to see your students there! Online ticket sales end December 22nd!

Auditing Committee

We are in search of an auditing committee (two volunteers) to cross check the 2024-2025 treasurer binder for accuracy.

If you are interested, please email McKinleyPTO@gmail.com.

2025-2026 PTO Meeting Schedule

McKinley Spiritwear

IN-HOUSE SPIRITWEAR

Time to show your Dragon pride! The PTO offers such an easy way to get your gear! To order your Quick Gear (Turnaround less than 2 weeks!) - in house offering including shirts, blankets, bottles, stickers & more. Available all school year!

Shop now & show your school spirit!

NEW BLANKET DESIGNS JUST ARRIVED - Snag yours today & cozy up just in time for the temp drop!

McKinley Drama Club

McKinley Drama Club

If your child is staying after school for the musical but you have not received email communications from the Drama Club, please contact us right away at mckinleydramaclub370@gmail.com.

Don’t forget to join us on Band as well! https://band.us/n/a3a8A5c7u2169

We have almost double the amount of students participating in the play this year! We love the excitement, but can always use help. Please consider volunteering a few hours of your time:

Willy Wonka Jr. Volunteer Sign Up

Thank you to everyone who supported the Drama program by ordering from Bloombox! Stay tuned on the Drama Club page, in email and on Band for future fundraiser information.

Family Fun Night... Coming Soon!

Join us for a sweet night of FREE water ice and ice cream for ALL Mckinley students and their families, as we bring you an Ice Cream Social like no other! Join us for an evening filled with laughter, delicious flavors, and a sprinkle of joy!

SPECIAL GUEST SCOOPERS to include Mr. Oldham and McKinley Teachers!

The event will be held on Thursday, January 15th from 5pm-7pm in the school Cafeteria. The social is open to ALL McKinley students and their families to thank YOU. Without the McKinley community the PTO would not be possible! This a free night of fun.

Flyers to be sent home soon! Please RSVP so that a head count can be gathered!

Hope to see everyone there!

Girls on the Run

Please consider volunteering to help us coach our spring 2026 Girls on the Run team! The more coaches we have, the more girls who can participate. The program will run most Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, from March 3-May 14, culminating in a big 5K race the weekend of May 16. You do not have to have a child in the program to volunteer; if you do, you will receive a discount on your child’s tuition fee. Contact Joanna Kallan with any questions (joannapcohen@gmail.com)

Volunteer Interest Form

Committee Information

The PTO offers so many fun events and incentives for students all year long! Check out the committee information on our website to find the best fit for you to get involved and volunteer at your child’s school—it’s a rewarding (and fun!) way to give back.

Click THIS LINK to find out more & to join the fun!

Garden Updates

❄️⛄ HELP MAKE THE GARDEN A WINTER WONDERLAND! ⛄❄️

The garden committee is accepting winter light and decor donations for our winter wonderland! Once the winterland is complete, we'll open the garden for a few nights under the lights this winter!
BIRDHOUSE GOURDS SOLD OUT!! Thank you to all who supported our Birdhouse Gourd Sale, we raised over $400!
All proceeds from the gourd sale will go towards our fundraising goal of $4,000, the cost to purchase 3 new 8' recycled plastic tables with benches. If you would like to give directly to this fundraiser, you can do so here.
Thank you, as always, for your support of the garden and our students.

And finally, we've created a photo album if you'd like to see some photos from our October garden happenings! This is a continuously running google photo album. To see recent photos, scroll to the bottom of the album. McKinley garden photos

All of your help to keep the garden maintained and staffed for the students is truly appreciated. The smiles on their faces are so worth it!! As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Join McKinley's Virtual Lost & Found Google photo album. This album is updated weekly with pictures of every item in the Lost & Found. Comment on the photo to claim your student's item and it will be returned to them.

Please remember to label all hoodies, jackets, water bottles, and lunchboxes! Any labeled items are quickly returned to students. Unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the month. Thank you!

Our upcoming Winter events are coming up soon!

4/5 Grade Dance: January 9th

Click the LINK to volunteer at the dance!

Ways to Stay Connected

Become a PTO Member

Dues start at a suggested donation of $20. These funds will allow us to recognize our teachers, support activities, and provide fun events.

Pay PTO dues!

Join the Directory

We invite you to visit the McKinley PTO Directory. The directory is the best way to connect so we encourage all families to add or edit their information as soon as possible.

PTO Website

Visit the PTO website for events, updates, and more.

PTO Facebook Group

The PTO has a Facebook group to interact with families and to inform you of fun activities for students, parents and teachers. This will also be a hub to stay up to date on school information.

Become a PTO Member Today!