McKnight News
Week of October 28-November 1, 2019
Halloween Parade and Party Information - PLEASE READ

The Halloween party will take place Thursday, October 31 from 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. following the parade.  Please read this important information. Note: Morning Kindergarten parties are from 10:45-11:30 p.m. Only party volunteers will be allowed to enter the school foyer to obtain their name tags after the parade. Also, for the safety and health of our entire student body, NO food or treat bags containing edible items will be distributed in the classrooms. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 


  • Party coordinators and helpers have been contacted via email. If you are on the Halloween volunteer list, but have not received an email, please contact the appropriate grade level party coordinator as soon as possible.
  • If your class still needs a party coordinator and you are interested in filling that position, please contact the appropriate grade level coordinator so that they know you are willing to coordinate the party.
  • Finally, party coordinators should share all party ideas with the homeroom teacher prior to the day of the Halloween party. 

There is still the opportunity to assist with the party in the following classrooms: 1B, 2A, 2B, and 5A

If you are available to help during this fun-filled party, please contact the appropriate grade level party coordinator at your earliest convenience. Remember, clearances are required and need to be submitted to the district to volunteer at a grade level party. Click on the North Allegheny Volunteer Policy if you have questions regarding clearances.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Tracie Bradshaw (K-2nd grade party coordinator)
Christina Morton (3rd-5th grade party coordinator)
Book Fair Volunteers Needed

The fall book fair is just around the corner with the preview week running from October 29 - November 1. Buying week for the book fair is November 4 - 8. Volunteers are needed both weeks to make the book fair a success.

The librarians truly need help from volunteers to make this book fair work. Multiple classes will be shopping at the same time to ensure all students can participate due to in-service days. Our book fair results in new books for the kids, not only at home but also at the library. Please help! If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Slegal. 

Finally, returning this year is the eWallet option for the Book Fair. Information on how to load your child's account can be found here.
Clothing Donations Needed

As we switch from summer to fall, and with winter poking its head around the corner, please consider donating any clothes to the nurses room. Accidents, spills, and mishaps happen at school and spare clothes are always needed. If you have questions, you can email Mrs. Hunt. Thanks for your consideration!
PFA Fall Fundraiser

A new and unique fundraiser this year comes from Usborne Books & More! 

The fundraiser will begin November 7 and end November 22. These beautiful greeting cards will save you time and money. There are five box options and four of them have thirty cards included in a keepsake box and the holiday box has fifty cards included for just $30! This value is just $1 or less per card, much cheaper than buying cards you need in stores and the quality is amazing. No more worrying about running out for that card you need at the last minute!
 
Help our PFA raise funds for the needs in our classrooms while gaining something useful for you and getting holiday gifts! Look for the envelope in your child's book bag at the beginning of November. 
PFA Meeting and Minutes

Our November PFA meeting will take place on November 6 at 6:30 p.m. Note that this is a change of time from what is written in the district calendar. 
Mystery Library Contributors

The library has received several books from Amazon that are donations/birthday books for the library.

  • Pokémon: Journey to the Orange Islands
  • Arthur’s Eyes by Marc Brown
  • Lego Ninjago Character Encyclopedia

Unfortunately, Amazon did not include any information as to who donated these titles. If you purchased these books, please email Ms. Falkner to let her know. We’d like to include a bookplate in the book to thank you for your gift!
Clearances

McKnight's Raptor system, which runs background checks on volunteers, is taking longer to process requests at this time. If you plan to volunteer, please plan to submit your request/clearances 10 days prior to an event to make sure paperwork goes through.  Any questions regarding this can be directed to Mrs. Mazza. 
Counselor's Corner

National Drug and Alcohol Prevention Week is October 28 through November 1. Each elementary school will participate in a variety of activities, using materials that promote good decision-making. Classroom lessons and messages will focus on helping students understand that they are responsible for making healthy choices in life. Choosing to be alcohol, tobacco, and drug free is one of the best choices that they can make!
Important Dates
October 28 – No School
October 28-November 1 – Red Ribbon Week & Book Fair Preview Week
October 31 – Halloween Parade (1:30 p.m.) & Halloween Parties (2:30 p.m.)
November 1 – Grade-Level T-Shirt Day
District Updates
Update on Redistricting for 2020-2021

At the October 23 Combined School Board meeting, the School Board approved the final redistricting scenario for the 2020-2021 school year. The plan in its entirety can be viewed on the North Allegheny website.
 
WHAT’S NEXT?
  • Transition information, including the continuation option for students currently in grades 4, 6 and 7, will be sent to all families in November. 
  • A meeting for parents/guardians regarding transition activities and the continuation option will occur in January.
  • Transition activities for students will begin in February. 

Visit the redistricting webpage to view transition tips, previous communications from the District, and additional FAQs. North Allegheny appreciates the input and involvement of the community throughout this process.
Become a Fashion Designer

NA FCCLA FIDM Fashion Club is hosting its first-ever #BecomeAFashionDesigner Contest! This contest is open to all 4th and 5th-grade students in the District. Two designs will be chosen from each elementary school. These designs will then come to life with the help of our high school members and be modeled in our spring fashion show. Please follow the button below for further details and the design template. Be sure to submit your design by November 8
NA Foundation Trick-or-Trot
5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Marshall School Campus

Join us for a fun morning for the whole family! You can walk, run or stroll! There will be a costume contest for kids under 12, a special spooky appearance by the costumed NA Marching Band, along with prizes and treats! Registration includes a high-performance race shirt and a finishing medal.
Welcome, Neighbors!
Refugee Experience Panel Discussion
Tuesday, October 29, 7-8 p.m.
Marshall Middle School

Project LIT NA and Global Minds are hosting a panel discussion titled “Welcome, Neighbors!” about refugee experiences in the Pittsburgh area on Tuesday, October 29, from 7-8 p.m. at Marshall Middle School. All members of the NA community are welcome to attend the event to hear our neighbors and fellow community members share their stories. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Donations of winter hats, scarves, mittens/gloves, and new and gently used books of all types are being collected to benefit refugee groups throughout the Pittsburgh region.
SchoolMessenger Test Notification
Evening of Monday, November 4, 2019

In anticipation of the winter months ahead, we will be conducting a District-wide SchoolMessenger test on the evening of Monday, November 4, around 6:00 p.m.

SchoolMessenger is a web-based automated system and is one of the North Allegheny School District’s communication vehicles for the delivery of information to parents/guardians and staff via phone, email, and/or text. Messages may include attendance notifications, school delays or cancellations, information about a serious health-related issue, or a crisis response update.

SchoolMessenger imports information from Tyler SIS Student 360, including your cell, home, and work phone numbers, as well as the email address you use to log into Tyler. If you wish to add additional phone numbers into SchoolMessenger that are not listed in Tyler, or opt-in for text messages and emails, you will need to create a SchoolMessenger account. Accounts created during the 2018-19 school year are still active.

For more information on SchoolMessenger and instructions on how to create an account, visit our website.
Resources
Missed a Newsletter?

All building newsletters are archived weekly on the North Allegheny website. This designated webpage will be updated with links to the previous week’s newsletters at the beginning of each school week by 11:30 a.m. A link to the archive is accessible on the District’s homepage and on each building’s homepage.
Community Flyers
The North Allegheny School District often receives requests for the distribution of athletics and approved non-profit community organization digital flyers. All requests for community flyers to be included in this newsletter must be submitted via email only at flyers@northallegheny.org . Flyers will only be posted and removed from the District website on Friday. Visit our website for details on how to submit flyers .
Building Contacts
Main Office - 412-635-4105
Nurse's Office - 412-635-4105
Counseling Office - 412-635-4105