August 12, 2026

Important Dates

  • Thursday, August 13 — Back to School Night, 6–7 p.m.
  • Friday, August 14 — Coffee with the Principals, 8:30 a.m., McKinley Auditorium
  • Wednesday, August 26 — An Evening with the McKinley PTC: McKinley 101, 6–8 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 22 — Jog-a-thon

A Note from the Co-PTC Presidents

Welcome back to another great school year at McKinley! We’re excited to serve as your new Co-PTC Presidents and look forward to connecting with you throughout the year. Watch for our e-newsletter every Wednesday, and please join us for our first PTC meeting on Wednesday, August 26, at 6 p.m. in the auditorium. Character Builders will provide child care and pizza!

If you have questions, ideas or need support, email us anytime at mckinleyelementaryptc@gmail.com

Warmly, Megan and Steve Co-PTC Presidents (2026-27)

Back to School Night

Back to School Night is Thursday, Aug. 13, from 6–7 p.m. Teachers will offer two identical sessions—please attend whichever session works best for you. Teachers will share important information about classroom routines, curriculum, communication and volunteer opportunities for the school year.

This is intended as an adults-only event.

Session times

  • Session 1: 6:00–6:30 p.m.
  • Session 2: 6:30–7:00 p.m.

Room Parents Wanted!

Interested in becoming a room parent? Room parents help teachers coordinate classroom communications, organize celebrations and connect families with school and PTC activities.

Email Shontay Eichenlaub at mckinleyroomparentscoordinator@gmail.com and we’ll help get you connected!

Volunteer Clearances

Want to volunteer at McKinley? Be sure to complete the appropriate volunteer clearance. Find requirements and instructions here: https://mckinleyptc.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer/volunteer-requirements/

  • Category B: For volunteers helping on campus or at specific events, such as Jog-A-Thon. Category B volunteers must always be supervised when interacting with students.
  • Categories C and D: Required for volunteers working independently with students in the classroom or accompanying students on field trips. Both require a criminal background check and Live Scan fingerprinting through SDUSD School Police Services.

Once completed, Live Scan clearance is valid for 10 years.

Sponsors Needed — Jog-A-Thon (Thursday, October 22)

Attention, McKinley business owners and families! Our first major fundraiser of the year is right around the corner, and we’re looking for corporate sponsors. Sponsors can have their logos featured on more than 600 T-shirts worn by McKinley students and staff, on banners around campus, and on the PTC website and Facebook page.

Interested in sponsoring or know a business that might be? Email the Jog-A-Thon Committee at jogathonmckinley@gmail.com for details. Funds raised support McKinley’s IB curriculum and Wheel classes, including Art, Ceramics, Dance, Library and SmartLab.

Open Volunteer Position(s)

Leadership opportunities:

  • Annual Giving Chair – A great fit if you enjoy fundraising, building community support and launching new initiatives. We hope to introduce this program at the beginning of the school year and are happy to share more details and ideas.
  • Communications Committee Chair – Lead McKinley PTC communications and keep families informed and connected, including content management across all platforms (PTC newsletter liaison, website and social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram).
  • Camp-Out Co-Lead – Partner with Zach W. to help plan and coordinate these fun, family-friendly community events.
  • Variety Show Co-Lead – Work alongside Brooke R. to organize the annual Variety Show and give McKinley students a chance to share their talents.
  • Volunteer Coordinator – Help connect families with volunteer opportunities, recruit volunteers for events and programs, and make it easier for community members to get involved.

General support and opportunities to learn more about serving on committees and clubs will be available at the PTC meeting on August 26.

Interested in one of these positions or want to learn more before committing? Email mckinleyelementaryptc@gmail.com

Foundation Meeting Recap Coming in September

The McKinley Elementary School Foundation Board recently held its first meeting of the school year. A recap and the official meeting minutes will be shared in September, following review and approval by the board.

All Foundation meetings are open to the McKinley community, and families are encouraged to attend and learn more about the programs, events and initiatives supported by the Foundation.

Reminders

Editor’s note: “This Week at McKinley” is sent every Wednesday.

To submit an announcement or story idea, please email mckinleyelementaryptc@gmail.com or use the communications request form by Monday evening for inclusion in that week’s edition: https://mckinleyptc.org/communications-request/