McKnight News
Week of March 2-6, 2020
McKnight Construction Update

Head to the NA website to get the latest updates on construction at MCK!
Dr. Seuss Dress-Up Days

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” ― Dr. Seuss
 
STAND OUT and celebrate Dr. Seuss Day by dressing up in wonderfully wacky ways all week! We are celebrating Dr. Seuss Day on Monday, March 2. Look forward to a visit from the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 during lunches, and in the kindergarten classrooms.
Dr. Seuss Day Reading Bingo Activity

Keep your family reading this winter and be eligible to win some cool prizes by participating in Reading Bingo.

All forms are due today, February 28. All students who complete a row of reading activities and return a signed form to their homeroom teacher will be included in the READ-O raffle. This raffle will take place on March 2 during the Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration at McKnight! Only one entry per student, please. 
Family Bingo Night has been Rescheduled for Friday, March 6

Bingo Night has been rescheduled for Friday, March 6
If you ordered pizza for Bingo night previously and cannot make it to the rescheduled event, please contact Elizabeth Yurkovich by March 4 for a refund. If you ordered pizza and plan on attending the rescheduled event, your pizza will be waiting for you as planned! 

Were you sad that you could not make Bingo night but can now because of the reschedule?? Do you want a pizza to round out the evening? Click the button below!

Bingo cards will be sold at 10 for $5.00 at the door. A new card is needed for each game and there will be approximately 12 games played, each with multiple winners. Please be sure to bring markers or stampers to mark your cards. As always, we will have “Celebrity Callers” featuring McKnight Staff and a 50/50 Raffle.
McKnight PFA Candy Sale

The McKnight PFA is once again holding a candy sale. Order forms and money are due today, Friday, February 28. (Checks made payable to the McKnight PFA) Please return both copies of the master order form and money. Keep the color brochure for your use in the distribution of your orders.  

Online ordering is available but is intended for out of town customers. Orders placed online will ship directly to the customer, which significantly reduces the percentage of the sale the PFA receives. Our online order code is 10-1013.

Pick up is Wednesday, April 1 in the cafeteria from 3:30 -5:30 p.m.
If you are unable to pick up your order on April 1, please contact Elizabeth Yurkovich in advance or 412-369-7484 to make other arrangements. 
2019-20 Yearbook Sales Available for Purchase

Only one month to order! Orders are due by March 20. Limited quantities after that date may be available but not guaranteed. 

Give a shout-out to a student or a staff member! It’s a great way to make them feel special! Shout-outs are $5 for up to 100 characters, and will be placed in the 'shout-outs' section of the yearbook. By purchasing a shout-out, you help provide a free yearbook for students who are not able to afford one*. 
 
*The yearbook sale is not a fundraiser. We keep prices to a minimum just to cover the cost. We want to make this keepsake affordable for everyone. If you experience a financial hardship and are unable to cover the cost of a yearbook, please contact the school counselors. We would love for every student to have a copy! 
Be the Kind Kid Wednesdays

Wednesdays are "Be the Kind Kid" day across NA & we would love to see McKnight jump into this awesome activity with hundreds of "Be the Kind Kid" shirts walking our halls. If you would like to join in as we work to help everyone remember that kindness always matters, now is your chance. 
 
The NA Kindness Committee is accepting orders for t-shirts, which are black short-sleeved t-shirts with a gold "#bethekindkid NA" logo.

Please don't delay.  Orders must be submitted to homeroom teachers by Friday, March 13 using the order form linked in the button below.
Calling all Kids of Steel

Our annual Kids of Steel running program is hitting the pavement, starting Wednesday, March 25. Kids of Steel is a youth exercise and nutrition program where during a 1.5 month period children earn miles to run the equivalent of a full marathon (26.2 miles) and work to eat healthy foods at home along the way. 

There is NO COST to participate at school. Proper behavior is required for participation. You must sign up and turn in the Kids of Steel waiver.

Send all completed waivers to Mrs. Rice, whether by email or dropped off in 4A. Due to construction, we will only be accepting 50 participants this year. Anyone is welcome to run in the Kids Marathon in May, but we are limited to only 50 children for the after school program. We hope you’ll join us! 

Kids of Steel Running Dates: 3/25, 4/1, 4/7, 4/15, 4/22, and 4/29
Basket Night Donation Requests

Basket Night is Friday, April 3. Plans are already underway for another fantastic night of fun! Perhaps you have something to contribute...Did you receive an item (or items) over the holidays that you don't want or don't need? Do some early spring cleaning and send those unwanted items in as a donation for Basket Night! We will find the perfect basket for them. Do you own a business? Perhaps you would consider donating a basket or an item for a basket that we could include in one of our MANY baskets! It would be a great way to advertise your business to the McKnight community and beyond! Or perhaps you are an employee of a business that you think might consider donating to our Basket Night.

Please send in any donations to Sherri Hinkson at McKnight by Friday, March 8. Please send in any completed baskets by Friday March 22. If you have any questions, please contact Basket Night Committee co-chair Sherri Hinkson. As always, the Basket Night Committee appreciates your support!  
PFA February Meeting Minutes

Attached you will find the minutes from our PFA February meeting. Please note that our next meeting is on Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Shute will be showcasing the new "Maker Carts" that our students have begun using in class. 
2020-21 Volunteers

As the PFA is starting to plan next year's events and activities, we need your help! If you're interested in volunteering throughout the year, check out the PFA website for descriptions and opportunities.

Everything from organizing an event like Basket Night or Holiday Shop to a school day activity like Picture Day or a Book Fair, volunteers are needed to make it happen. Sign up today! 
Science Night Presenters and Volunteers Needed

The McKnight PFA's Annual Science Night is coming up on Friday, April 3 from 6-8 p.m. The purpose of McKnight Science Night is to get our elementary students interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) by exposing them to different areas of study in the world around them. If you would like to volunteer for this event, please sign up through the PFA website or reach out to Alison Stevens.

If you or someone you know might be interested in hosting a table with STEM-related, hands-on activities, please fill out this Google Form or contact Alison Stevens directly.
Time to Jump for the Hills

Jump for the Hills is almost here! Please make sure your student comes to school ready to jump, hop, dance, hula hoop, and even limbo on Monday, March 2. There is a ton of fun to be had, all in support of an excellent cause. North Hills Community Outreach is a vital source of support for our neighbors in need. We are so excited to see what the combined might of our seven North Allegheny elementary schools can do to further their mission. Donations may be returned via check or cash using the second page of this Jump for the Hills Flyer or they may be made online here. Thank you!
Counselor's Corner
Important Dates
March 2 - Dr. Seuss Silly or Mismatched Socks
March 3 - Dr. Seuss Wear Red or Blue (or both)
March 4 - Dr. Seuss Wear Your Wacky Hairstyle or Outfit; PFA Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.
March 5 - Dr. Seuss Wear Your Favorite Pajamas
March 6 - Dr. Seuss Wear Your Favorite Hat; Tiger Shop during lunch
District Updates
NA Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education Meeting

The next meeting for the NA Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (NAPAGE) will be held on Monday, March 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the Baierl Center.
NA Special Education Parent Networking Group

The next meeting for the NA Special Education Parent Networking Group is on Friday, March 13, at 9:30 a.m. at the Baierl Center.
Dr. Scherrer Named Executive Director of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit

On Monday, February 24, North Allegheny’s Superintendent Dr. Robert Scherrer was appointed as the next executive director of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU). He will remain at North Allegheny through the end of the current school year and anticipates transitioning to his new role at the AIU in July 2020. “I am excited about the opportunity to positively impact students across the 42 school districts in Allegheny County, however I am sad to leave such a wonderful school district that I have devoted my heart and soul to over the past seven years,” Dr. Scherrer shared. Please join the North Allegheny community in congratulating Dr. Scherrer on this exciting opportunity!
A Taste of North Allegheny

Join us for a night of small bites, drinks, and fun as we support the excellent work of North Allegheny teachers and students! If you would like more information on contributing raffle baskets or becoming a vendor please email Abigayle Tobia, Executive Director.
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