2025-2026 School Year
Class of 2026 McKinley 5th Graders ROCK! 2025-2026 School Year
Parent Committee Co-Chairs: Sarah Vatch, Luke van der Raddt’s mom & Brijet Myers, Calvin’s mom Communications Lead: Rachel Ready, Owen’s mom Treasurer: Tracie Stender
The 5th Grade Committee is made up of all parents and guardians of McKinley 5th Graders! It takes a village to make this year special for all McKinley 5th Graders, and lots of helpers make that happen!
The Fifth Grade class participates in tons of fun activities throughout the year to celebrate their final year of elementary school. They hold a variety of fundraising events throughout the year to raise money to fund these activities!
The McKinley Fifth Grade Committee coordinates fundraising and logistics for these activities.
How we raise money:
Concessions sales at movie nights, theater productions, the Variety Show, and more
Halloween Costume sales in October
SoNo Craft sales in December
Donations all year
What we pay for:
Camp Marston Scholarships*
Skateworld and Montclair Field Trips
5th Grader T-Shirts
Legacy Project
5th Grade Teacher Gifts
*Camp is a non-school-sanctioned event, and families will be asked to contribute financially. The Fifth Grade Committee works hard to ensure that cost is not a barrier to anyone who wants to attend camp. The more we can fundraise, the more partial and full scholarships we can provide, as well as keep the cost affordable for all families.
Upcoming Events
5th Grade Families: 5th Grade Committee Information Session
5th Grade families are invited to the next informational session led by the 5th Grade Committee co-Chairs (Sarah and Brijet). This Zoom meeting will be held this Tuesday, November 18th at 6:45 PM.
There will be updates shared, details for opportunities to help and questions answered. Invite information can be found below – we hope to see you there!
McKinley PTC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: 5th Grade Parents Meeting
Time: Nov 18, 2025 06:45 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 814 1348 3189
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Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/
FIRST 5TH GRADER EVENT: BACK TO SCHOOL MEET UP
Sunday, September 14th from 3 – 6 pm
McKinley Joint Use Park
Please bring a chair/blanket to sit on! Pizza and drinks will be provided. Please complete the RSVP form before, so we know how many pizzas to order, and if you would like to contribute, please Venmo Sarah: @sarah22
We’ll have fun activities and games for the kiddos. Learn about 5th-grade volunteer opportunities and ask questions! This is also an excellent opportunity for 5th-grade families to get to know each other and celebrate the beginning of the school year!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Schedule of 5th Grade Events for 2025/2026
November 1st
Bonfire get together on Coronado Beach
5th graders and their families meet at the north end of Coronado Beach (where there is easy parking, restrooms and fire pit availability) for a 5th Grade Bonfire!
November 1, 2025 from 4pm – 8pm (sunset is at 5:57pm)
– This is not a “drop your kid off” event – parents or guardians must stay at the event or have an adult responsible for them
– BYO Chair or blanket
– BYO fun beach sand games
– Supply sign up & Venmo donations
Coronado North Beach Meet Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/
OCTOBER
Halloween Costume donation drive
Halloween Costume sales
DECEMBER
Concession Stand: SoNo Community Chili Event
Saturday, December 6th, 1 – 4 pm
San Diego Ceramic Connection
SoNo Fest booth: Craft Sales
Sunday, December 7th from 11 am – 5 pm
32nd Street & Thorn
Winter Social: Sell treats, hot cocoa, and leftover SoNo Crafts
Date TBD, McKinley Elementary School
FEBRUARY
Concession Stand: Theater Productions
Dates TBD, McKinley Elementary School
MARCH
Concession Stand: Variety Show
Date TBD, Lincoln High School
MAY
5th Grade Camp at Camp Marston
Date Confirmed: Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3, 2026
5th Grade Exhibition
Thursday, May 14, 2026; Evening during Spring Open House
Skateworld Field Trip & Pizza Party
Friday, May 15, 2025 during school hours
McKinley Campout – Pass the Torch (train 4th graders how to sell concessions)
Friday, May 15 – Saturday, May 16, 2026
5th Grade Challenge
Thursday, May 21, during school hours
5th Grade Picnic at Montclair Park
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 during school hours
5th Grade Promotion
Thursday, May 28th, 2026. 9 am – 11 am (exact time TBD)
5th Grade Promotion Party at Morley Field
Thursday, May 28th, 4 – 6 pm
Legacy Project: TBD
How You Can Help:
There will be lots of opportunities for students and families to volunteer to help with fundraising and other Fifth Grade events. Fifth Graders love to work a shift at the concessions stand (and they get great practice with math and cash handling!). Keep an eye out for signup forms on this page and in the PTC Newsletter or reach out to Sarah or Brijet!
Page updated September 8, 2025