PTSA Events
Always be sure to check out our Facebook page for updates on events!
The following events are listed in the order they occur during the school year. Please note that some events listed do not happen every year; refer to the descriptions for specific details.
The following events are listed in the order they occur during the school year. Please note that some events listed do not happen every year; refer to the descriptions for specific details.
Beginning of the Year Events |
Before school even begins the PTSA is busy behind the scenes planning events. We want to make sure our new students and their families feel welcome at McAuliffe. Join us for the Kindergarten Play Date where our youngest students can get familiar with the playground and their parents can meet. New to the area but don't have a Kindergarten student? Make sure to come to our New Family Dinner the week before school starts.
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Back to Business
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Back to Business is typically held the week before school starts. Its purpose is to get all of that start-of-the-year paperwork done and out of the way before the first day of school, eliminating (well, almost, but not entirely) the use of classroom time getting school portraits taken, transporting all of that required paperwork home and back again, and writing separate checks for pictures, spirit wear, yearbook orders, and/or your PTSA membership. School portraits are taken during Back to Business by Dorian Studio. (Should you and your child miss the Back to Business event, portrait makeups are available.)
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Welcome Back Coffee
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What does McAuliffe have to offer in terms of programs and events this year? Come find out from the organizers. Meet the people who make things happen for McAuliffe and have fun doing it. Expect coffee and treats, information tables about programs and events, and a means to volunteer if you wish. Kids are welcome!
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Ice Cream Social
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At our first FREE family social event of the year, we always scream for ice cream! We plan the perfect evening that makes everyone feel like a kid again! Don't worry, there's no calorie counting here...just grab your bowl of "scoops" and pile on whatever toppings you choose...we even have a toppings table for those with dietary restrictions. This event is *free* for all McAuliffe students and their families.
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Challenger Chase
Fun Run |
It's our BIGGEST fundraiser of the year and one of our biggest EVENTS of the year! First, students collect pledges from family, friends, neighbors, and the community. Then they commit to run (or walk) 20-30 minutes during the Fun Run, which is during school in the early afternoon...and it's simply a lot of fun for everyone! One hundred percent of the donations collected go to the PTSA to fund programs, events, teacher stipends, and SO much more! To learn more about this fundraising event, click here!
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Reflections is a National PTA arts recognition program that helps students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful not only in school, but in life.
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October is International Walk-to-School Month! To celebrate, the PTSA invites students to get out and be active in their neighborhoods and track their minutes walking, rolling, or being active in any way during the month on a downloadable calendar. Participating students can earn a special reward from our partners at Sammamish SchoolPool.
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Shoe and Coat Drive
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Each October the McAuliffe PTSA hosts a NEW coat and shoe drive to support children who attend schools in our district that need your help. The shoe and coat drive happens prior to the Giving Tree in preparation of the cold, wet weather to come. Look for a display near the school's entrance around mid-October to find out what is needed so McAuliffe families can help these fellow LWSD students in need. The drive only lasts two weeks so we can get the items to the students before the weather turns.
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Talent Show
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McAuliffe's GOT Talent! Students in 3rd, 4th or 5th grades who have a talent to share can audition for the talent show with a performance-ready song, musical piece, skit, magic act, mime, cheer, dance, stand-up comedy...what's YOUR talent?! Students who don't want to perform but still wish to participate in the show can sign up to be stage hands to help with sound, lights, music and props. Everyone is invited to the talent show to see all acts LIVE! Be amazed and be entertained by fabulously talented students!
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Giving Tree
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Every year, McAuliffe families generously help others in need to make the holidays a special one. Our annual Giving Tree is set up in November and runs through mid December. Find our tree in the lobby decorated with tags that list requests from McAuliffe families that might otherwise go without. Sign out a tag on the sheet next to the tree, purchase that item, and return it to school by the deadline. It is a heartwarming opportunity to be able to help families near and dear who are in need this year. (The wish list is created through our school counselor, Lisa Daniel. The recipients remain confidential.)
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Used Book Rodeo
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Yeehaw! This event is a McAuliffe favorite and, because it is also open to the public, has gained quite a gallop in our community as well. At McAuliffe, we like to read and recycle! It's never too early to start saving your gently used books, DVDs. board games, puzzles and video games for the Used Book Rodeo. A week before the Rodeo, we have a Roundup Collection Week when students bring in all of their collected items. Click here for more information.
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Cocoa for Carpools
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Connect with other families interested in carpooling over a cup of cocoa before school starts! Information about how to find a carpool online is available and all students can enjoy a cup of cocoa.
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Bingo Night
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If you can spell B-I-N-G-O you can surely PLAY Bingo! This is another fun night for the whole family. We provide free Bingo cards (one per person), but there's always more to Bingo Night than just letters and numbers. Bring a few bucks for a bag of popcorn (50 cents per bag), delicious bake-sale treats, and $1 raffle tickets for prizes such as homework passes, lunch with your teacher, "Be the Principal for a Half Day" and many other prizes donated by McAuliffe staff members.
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Wear Blue for Kindness (WB4K) Day began in 2018 as a response to the growing acts of violence in our schools. The McAuliffe PTSA wanted to engage our elementary school students in an age appropriate way to help them learn and express empathy and kindness for everyone. With the help of the school staff, the school district and the Lake Washington PTA, we created a day for students to wear blue (the color of peace), perform random acts of kindness, look out for those who are lonely and reach out to make new friends.
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Students are invited to create a poster celebrating Sustainability and focused on an annual theme. In 2020, participating students thought about how walking and rolling are not only ways to take care of our bodies and nourish our minds, but also sustainable and healthy ways to get around.
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School Play
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The McAuliffe PTSA collaborates with Kirkland-based Studio East in bringing a wonderful opportunity to 4th and 5th graders to explore the performing arts with a school play. Students are required to complete and turn in an audition form, production contract, and medical information, and attend all mandatory rehearsals and final performances. Tickets for the school play can be purchased by the week before the play or at the door.
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Teacher Appreciation
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Since 1984, National PTA has designated one week in May as a special time to honor the individuals who lend their passion and skills to educating our children. Watch for ways we're celebrating our outstanding McAuliffe teachers, administration, and staff all week long!
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Walk and Roll to School Day
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Students are encouraged to walk, roll (bike, scooter, wheel), or use shared transportation (bus, carpool) to get to school this year and celebrate with treats and rewards from our community partners before school starts.
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Art Walk
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Stroll through the halls of McAuliffe and you will quickly see and be amazed by the artistic talents of our students, led by the creative and committed volunteers of our Art Start program. McAuliffe's annual art walk -- which is typically combined with a music "festival" of K-2 students -- always draws an appreciative crowd!
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International Night
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Travel the world in one night! Taste a variety of international foods; learn about many cultures around the world; and enjoy an evening of entertainment starring McAuliffe students, friends, and family members!
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5th Grade Promotion
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Do you have a 5th Grader this year? Then do what you need to do to clear the calendar for what is essentially your child's graduation from elementary school. This is not just an event, it is a very special day in the primary years of your child's education, and you will not want to miss this. (Travel pack of Kleenex recommended.)
Parents of 4th Graders are asked to volunteer at the ceremony as a "Pay It Forward" endeavor so that 5th Grade parents can relax and enjoy the promotion ceremony. |