The McKinley Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a great way for parents to get involved in the school community.

Parents are a part of McKinley’s PRIDE philosophy, which guides all aspects of life at McKinley. McKinley's parents and staff work together as a community in service of this core belief. Just like our students, McKinley's parents and staff are: Peaceful, Respectful, Intelligent, Diverse, and Enthusiastic. McKinley’s PTA parents and staff members are proud to model PRIDE for our students, and are proud to promote a positive school culture and climate for our children through their positive involvement and volunteerism.

One way you can get involved in the PTA to support our PRIDE philosophy and positive school culture is to attend monthly meetings. At monthly meetings you can hear more about what is happening at McKinley, and learn about ways you can support the school. We also encourage you to attend our other fun and informative PTA group meetings like AASG, SBC, and the Special Ed Resource Group. McKinley’s ELAC also has monthly meetings.

PTA works with administration to ensure that our school family/community events are:

Inclusive: Event includes staff, parents/families, and students
Equitable: The event is accessible to families from all backgrounds and socioeconomic status
Safe: Event is safe, well-organized, and has supervision
Purposeful: Event is relevant and meaningful, and ties into student learning and school goals
Attended: Event has large attendance
Considerate: Event is understanding and respectful of time involved for those coordinating the event as well as those attending
Sustainable: Event is sustainable over time

Some of the many amazing events PTA helps coordinate for the school include:

• Back to School Picnic
• Bike it! Walk it! Days
• Harvest Festival
• Reflections Art Competition
• Campus Beautification Days
• Book Fairs
• Multicultural Day
• Staff Appreciation Week
• 5th Grade Party and Culmination
• And more!

We encourage you to attend a PTA Meeting to hear more about our PTA coordinated events or to directly contact your PTA Executive Board Members to see how you can get involved. We are always looking for event coordinators and volunteers and would greatly appreciate your help! Also, think about taking on a leadership role within the PTA; elections are each Spring but we often have vacancies throughout the year and could always use your help.

The PTA also helps to fundraise for the school. The Santa Monica Education Foundation funds staff for McKinley, so your donation to the Ed Foundation funds things like music, visual arts, ballroom dance, instructional assistants and more. Your donation to the PTA Direct Investment Fund pays for stuff. So your PTA donation funds things like field trips, technology, school assemblies, and supplemental supplies. The school and your children greatly appreciate any amount that you can give. Big or small, your donation positively impacts your child’s education.

We also could use your help with our big fundraising events of the year. In addition to being fun community building events, these also raise a lot of funds for our school:

• Jog-a-thon
• Restaurant Nights
• And other small fundraisers

Check out our PTA website mckinleypta.com for more information. You can also sign up for our PTA eblast, and make donations on the PTA website. Thank you for making a positive difference at McKinley and in your child’s educational experience!