Originally delivered on 10/14/2026 8:50 am

SUBJECT: Hay Bales & Dragon Tales 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!

5th Grade Committee

Attention 5th grade parents!!!! 

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

Fifth Grade Fundraising Initiative

Attention 5th Grade Parents!

It’s an exciting year for our 5th graders! The 5th Grade Committee is planning and fundraising for all of the special activities that come along with their final year at McKinley.

5th Grade family contributions due by Friday, December 18.

For complete information about 5th Grade activities, dues and payment options, please click below.

LINK HERE FOR PARENT LETTER AND DUES 

Interested in helping with 5th Grade fundraising, events or planning? We’d love to have you!

- Tracy Deromedi, Jen Gaughan, Diana Cooney & the 5th Grade Committee 


1,2,3,4 - We Declare a Coin War!

LINK HERE 

5th Grade Election Day Bake Sale

Election Day Bake Sale

Tuesday, November 3rd


5th Grade ONLY:

DONATIONS & VOLUNTEER

2026-2027 PTO Meeting Schedule
First PTO Meeting

Thank you for attending our first meeting   

Meeting Notes HERE!

GARDEN UPDATES: WEEK OF 10/12/26

RECESS VISITS HAVE RETURNED! The garden is open for student visits during recess on Wednesday through November 18th. We need volunteers to help make these visits possible! Our students truly enjoy being able to spend time in the garden and it is very special to see them experience the many different joys this space has to offer.  Shifts are available from 10:45a-12:15p, and 12:15p-1:45p each Wednesday. If you are interested in volunteering to help make these visits possible, please sign up here: Fall 2026 Recess Visits 

Please note you must be an approved school district volunteer for recess visits. If you need to complete the volunteer clearance application, more information can be found here: https://www.abingtonsd.org/page/volunteers 

If you would like to volunteer but are unable to commit to the entire time block, please contact the garden committee at mckinleygarden370@gmail.com. Any help is appreciated, even 30 minutes can make a difference! 

THANK YOU to everyone who ordered mums! With your support, we were able to raise over $700! We hope you are enjoying your mums and appreciate your support of the garden! 

QDOBA DINE & DONATE - Thurs. Oct 22nd

Dine at Qdoba on Thursday October 22nd from 4-8pm and 25% of sales will be donated back to the garden! Show the flyer above or use promo code “qdobagives” when ordering online. Also available for use on catering orders. 

Please contact the garden committee at mckinleygarden370@gmail.com if you have any questions.

GARDEN VISIT PHOTOS

Volunteer Interest Form


Interested in Volunteering?

Not sure where to start? Fill out our Volunteer Interest Form and take a look through our upcoming events and opportunities. Let us know what interests you, and we’ll follow up with more information on how you can help!

Spiritwear

💚YOU ASKED — THEY’RE HERE! 💚

Our McKinley Crewneck and Green & White Tie-Dye Hoodie are available in Youth & Adult sizes. Pre-orders will stay open through October 19, and orders will be sent home with students the week of November 16.

And while you’re shopping, check out all of our other Spiritwear too — including our new T-shirt designs, 17 oz. tumblers, blankets, baseball tees, keychains & more!

💚 Shop now and show your Dragon pride! 🐉

Ready to shop? 🛍️

Shop now HERE!

❄️ Frozen - Musical Registration

Calling all 4th & 5th graders! Registration is now open for McKinley’s production of Disney’s Frozen Kids!

Everyone who registers will be part of the show, whether or not they receive a casted role. Registration is now closed.

👉 REGISTER HERE

McKINGO IS BACK!

Mark your calendars!  Friday, November 13, 2026 — McKingo is coming back to McKinley! 

Be on the lookout for forms being sent home soon with all the details.

Want to help make McKingo a fun and memorable night for our McKinley families? Volunteers are needed before, during, and after the event! 

 Click the link to sign up and help! Every volunteer makes a difference, so please consider giving some of your time to support this fun McKinley tradition. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FAAAB23A6FE3-66313928-mckingo


Interested in becoming a sponsor or making a donation? Please see the attached form, which will also be sent home.

 We need our McKinley community to make McKingo a success! We hope you’ll join us!

FLYER HERE

Scarecrow Night

Build-A-Scarecrow Night is back! 🍂🎃
Join us Friday, October 16 from 5:30–7 PM for a FREE night of family fun! Gather your family or team up with friends to build a scarecrow to display at McKinley. Registration is now closed.  See the flyer for details and supplies to bring!

FORM HERE

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!

ONGOING FUNDRAISERS
Mabels Labels

We have partnered with Mabel’s Labels.  Their waterproof labels are dishwasher and laundry safe.  They’re perfect for preventing mix-ups & ensuring kids’ stuff stays out of the lost and found. The PTO earns 20% back from sales which helps support our yearly budget.   

Mention McKinley Elkins Park!

Box Tops

Box Tops for Education is a digital school fundraising program operated by General Mills that lets you earn cash for K-8 schools by scanning store receipts.

LINK HERE

Ways to Stay Connected
PTO Socials
Join the Directory

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

MORE INFO...
Volunteer

Volunteer! We have lots of events planned, but we need your help. Any and every little bit counts. Please email mckinleypto@gmail.com or fill out the form here to let us know that you would like to volunteer. 

SAVE THE DATE

🍽️ Tired of cooking? Let Iron Hill do the cooking for you!  Join us at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant – Huntingdon Valley on Monday, November 2nd for a Dine & Donate fundraiser!

Bring the attached flyer—either a paper or digital copy—and 20% of your food order will be donated back to McKinley Elementary School! ❤️  Come enjoy a great meal while supporting our school. We hope to see you there! (School is closed Tuesday, November 3rd!)

Become a PTO Member Today!

The PTO is a Non-Profit Organization!

This means that you can write off your PTO dues! Funds collected through dues and fundraising events go directly towards supporting our teachers, student events, and various school clubs. PTO Dues start at the suggested donation of $20.


Please take a moment to update the directory at www.mckinleypto.org/directory-howto with your child(ren)'s current grade and teacher. Thank you!

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