Congratulations to the Class of 2023

The 5th grade moving up ceremony took place Friday afternoon. The theme for the event was “Reach for the Sky” A cupcake reception followed the ceremony

Coordinating the moving up ceremony is a gargantuan effort and requires the helping hands of many. On behalf of the fifth grade committee, Tracey Altieri, Tricia Bailey and myself, as well as the entire 5th grade, thank you to:

McKinley staff: Principal Gingrave, Mr. T, Ms. Morales, Mrs. Petrino, Miss Bettke, Mrs. Holleran, Ms. Trantum, Mr. Dolyak, Mr. Diego, Mr. Roth, Ms. Jean-Francois, Mr. Lowry, Mrs. Staley, Mrs. Battaglia, Mrs. Herron

McKinley PTA volunteers: Katie Romeo, RJ Romeo, Elaine Davis, Alison Seyal, Lauren Connelly, Nicole Yannieh, Sarah Muldowney, Kristin Gryga

Our beautiful balloon backdrop was created by Dika Constan, “formal” photography by McKinley alum parent Michelle Gurner and cupcakes by Chaves Bakery.

A wish for all McKinley students from 5th grader Mira Rajan’s moving up speech, “I hope each of you reaches for the sky, there is no limit to what you can achieve!”

We are family!

High school Seniors visited McKinley.  So much joy watching them greet their teachers. Afterall these are our graduates.  It all started at McKinley!

A message for Sonal Rajan- PTA President

As my year concludes as your McKinley School PTA President, I would like to thank you for granting me this opportunity to serve. We are incredibly fortunate to have a supportive staff, an eager pool of PTA families who want to pitch in and help, and a long running and sustaining PTA fundraiser, the Carnival, which allows us to do so many wonderful things for our students and staff. 

I would like to thank Principal Gingrave for her continued support of the PTA. I would also like to thank my amazing Board. The Board was made up of self-directed and enthusiastic PTA members, and as President, I never had to worry about things getting done and ensuring what was done was in the best interests of our students and staff. Next year’s Board is equally terrific, and I wish them and President Katie Romeo all the best!

In my 8 years at McKinley, it has felt like home to our family. I will always remember the joy I feel walking into the school and seeing all of the country flags hanging, knowing this jewel of a school is a bastion of diversity, and reflects the real world, the one outside of our four walls. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of your children over the years. Their smiles are infectious and it’s always so sweet seeing them at school and at events. Watching our staff teach and care for our students is also something I will remember. Their love for our students is limitless. Our motto “We are family” rings true every day. 

One of the things things I’ve learned in my 8 years in the McKinley PTA is if someone asks you to do something, say yes. You’ll be better for it and there’s a reason you are being asked. Whether it’s something quick that needs to get done (like cleaning Carnival signs!) or a longer running position or project, whoever is asking you sees your potential to make a difference. Say yes. We need you!

Change is always happening, that is inevitable. But the one thing that remains constant is the dedication of the staff and families of this school. That dedication will continue to carry McKinley far into the future.

Reach for the sky, McKinley! There is no limit to what you can achieve!

Sonal S. Rajan

McKinley School PTA President, 2022-23

A message from Tracey Altieri, Tricia Bailey & Sonal Rajan

The McKinley School Class of 2023 would like to thank the school community for its generous support this year! From 7 School Stores to the March rainbow pencil fundraiser to the Art Show Ice Cream Social, we are grateful for the ways in which you contributed to the 5th grade fundraising efforts this year. Funds raised are spent on field trips and special events for the 5th grade, as well as a class gift. The Class of 2023 gifted a McKinley flag to the school during its promotion ceremony on Friday. The flag will be flown outside the school on the flagpole, below the United States flag. We plan to spend the balance of our Class of 2023 fund in these ways:

• $200 gifted to the Class of 2024

• $500 contributed to the installation of a Kevin’s Afterglow Buddy Bench, to be installed at McKinley in the fall of 2023. The hope of the Class of 2023 is the student body and PTA will raise the balance to cover the cost of the bench. The mission of Kevin’s Afterglow is to teach kids kindness, empathy and the ability to listen. The Class of 2023 wants to be be sure no one at McKinley will ever be without a friend. Learn more about Kevin’s Afterglow here: https://www.kevinsafterglow.org. 

• $1,000 scholarship to a Fairfield Warde High School student graduating in the class of 2030 who is a McKinley alum of the class of 2023. This fund will be earmarked for this select group of students. There will be stipulations:

  • It will be an application process and include an essay. 

  • The recipient selected will best demonstrate the McKinley core values…safe, responsible and respectful.

  • The Warde Class of 2030 will need to be made aware of the scholarship in order to apply so all students in that select group of Class of 2023 McKinley alumni will all have the same opportunity to apply.

• The balance remaining will be contributed to the McKinley PTA general fund.

Thank you again for your support. We had so much fun running the 5th grade committee this year. It was a special time for our 5th graders - and for us! We wish the very best for the Class of 2024! 

Tracey Altieri, Tricia Bailey & Sonal Rajan

The Class of 2023/5th Grade Committee

MCKINLEY PTA UPDATE

Thanks to all who attended our final PTA general membership meeting of the school year on Monday night! We had a great turnout! Please read the minutes at https://mckinleyschoolpta.membershiptoolkit.com/assets/04603/Meetings/20230515-mckinley-pta-general-membership-meeting-minutes.pdf.

Congratulations to our 2023-24 McKinley PTA Board of Directors! Thank you to these PTA members for stepping up to lead the PTA next year! Lots of great things to come!

• President: Katie Romeo

• President Elect: tbd

• Treasurer: Sofia Luciano

• Assistant Treasurer: Jennifer Quiles

• Secretary: Alison Seyal

• VP Communications & Membership: Chrissy Fernandez

• VPs Fun & Fundraising: Christy Guilfoyle, Jenn Arata, Danielle Bieling

• VPs Programming: Liz Chatel, Ryan SanAngelo

• Board of Ed & Budget Rep: Michelle Walker

• Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Rep: Erik Hayden

• PTA Council (PTAC) Rep: Laura Veneman

• Principal: Teresa Gingrave

• Teacher Rep: Jessica Curtis 

• Advisor/Past President: Sonal Rajan