Welcome to the McVay PTA website!
2019 - 2020 School Year Board Members
President: Stephanie Cunningham
Vice President: Julie McClure
Treasurer: Kelly Gurich
Upcoming Events:
9/14 - Otterbein University Football Game 2:00 PM
9/20 - First Grade Peace Day Assembly
9/25 - McDonald's Night FUNdaiser on Executive Pkwy (see flyer in PTA Interactive) 5:30PM to 7:30PM
9/26 - Early Release Day
9/27 - Pride and Walk-a-Thon Assembly at 9:30 AM
10/3 - Skate Zone-71 FUNdraiser 5 PM to 7 PM
NEXT PTA MEETING:
9/10 at 6:30 pm in Art Room
(CHILDCARE IS PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE)
A Note from our PTA :
What a WONDERFUL Pride Assembly to kick off the new school year! Congratulations to all the recipients and thank you for all of your hard work. Keep it up!
A very special thanks to Mr. Swain and Mr. Fullen. They made an amazing video to help build up our Pioneer Pride! You can check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/oldtownmcvay
A Note from our PTA President:
August 15th, 2019
Dear McVay Families,
I hope your kiddos had an awesome first week of school and that your family has adjusted to the back-to-school routine. It was great seeing old and new faces at the Back-to-School Days, Meet the Teacher and the BooHoo Breakfast. If you haven’t had a chance to sign up to join the PTA, see the membership form [on the PTA Interactive page - link to left] . Please send it back to school by September 6th to be entered in a drawing for meal cards to Pizza Cucinova, as well as admission passes to Skate Zone. On the back, you will find the PTA schedule of events through December. We have a few new events this year. On September 6th we have Goodies with Grands. Your child can bring in their grandparent or favorite grandfriend for breakfast and classroom fun (next week more information will be sent). We have a Family Day planned on September 14th at an Otterbein University Football Game. Come enjoy this free event for McVay families. On November 22nd, COSI on Wheels will be visiting McVay during the school day. We need at least 20 volunteers that day, so if you are willing to help please let me know ASAP.
Regards,
Stephanie Cunningham
McVay PTA President
Stephaeac@gmail.com
Board authorizes November ballot issue to enhance safety and security at every school, manage enrollment growth
Funds also will maintain fiscal stability while creating opportunities for students to attend schools closer to home
Westerville City School District (WCSD) Board of Education (BOE) members on Monday voted unanimously to request additional funding for facilities and operations by placing a combined levy on the November 5, 2019, ballot. The levy includes 1.95 mills for facilities and 5.9 mills for continuing operations. The estimated annual additional cost to property owners is $274.75 per $100,000 of valuation.
BOE members noted that the district has managed its finances extremely well, but has reached a point where additional resources are necessary to address facility needs and maintain fiscal stability.
“We’re acting upon the recommendations of our community-led Facility Master Plan team, this is not the Board’s wish list,” said BOE Member Rev. Vaughn Bell. “This issue better positions us for the future; acting now is in the best interest of our district, families, students, staff, and whole community.”
Through careful management, stretching dollars, and taking rigorous care of its facilities, it has been seven years since the district last asked voters for new operating money and nearly two decades since the district needed new schools for enrollment growth.
BOE Member Dr. Nancy Nestor-Baker said, according to current figures, the amount requested during the November 5, 2019, election keeps the district off the ballot longer and reduces the amount of a future request.
Operationally, the district has avoided entering deficit spending at least six years longer than earlier financial forecasts predicted. Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall said the operating portion of November’s issue maintains programs and services, while the bond portion funds initial projects from the district’s Facilities Master Plan, which include:
- A new elementary school and a new middle school in southern end of district;
- Additional safety and security updates at all schools.
- Renovations and additions at Annehurst and Whittier elementary schools;
- Renovations at Hawthorne Elementary School;
- Infrastructure updates at Emerson, Hanby and Longfellow elementary schools; and
BOE member Gerrie Cotter added that “now is the time” to address the district’s aging fleet of buildings and a growing enrollment.
Since new schools last opened in 2003, the district’s enrollment has grown by 1,300 students. Updated enrollment projections indicate the district’s student population will increase by another 1,300 children will over the next 10 years. Opening two new schools in the southern end of the district means more students will have the opportunity to attend schools closer to their homes and neighborhoods, rather than having to bus them across the district.
BOE President Tracy Davidson noted that bond funds would ensure that every school receives more modern security features and systems to keep students and staff safe. BOE Vice President Rev. Rick Vilardo added that, except for a small amount of growth due to new construction, district operating revenue remains flat due to the effects of House Bill 920 and only increases with voter approval of an operating levy request.
Superintendent Dr. John Kellogg said additional funding would provide modern equipment and system upgrades to support a technologically advanced education that allows graduates to be more competitive in college and the workplace.
“We will be better able to implement our redesigned middle school curriculum and ensure that both middle and high school students have access to courses where they can explore high-demand careers, such as engineering, business, logistics, and the medical profession,” Kellogg added.
Residents interested in learning more about the district’s Facilities Master Plan can visit http://www.wcsoh.org/facilities for details. Video of the BOE’s discussion prior to approving the resolution to proceed will be available on the district’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/WCSDOhio.
A Message from Mr. Swain about Safety
The safety of staff and students is the top priority for Westerville City School District. Here at McVay, we are working diligently on creating an inviting culture while also increasing safety and security on our school campus. We are making improvements to our communication, safety policies and procedures, and emergency drills and strategies.
Help keep our schools safe with the Safe School Helpline!
1-800-4-1-VOICEext. 359
(1-800-418-6423
ext. 359)
Use the Safe School Helpline to report threats of violence, suicide, bullying and illegal activity that could harm students in our schools. Your call is private, confidential, and anonymous. Here are the basic safety practices we are encouraging families to review together:
- Don't talk to strangers, get into cars, or accept anything from them;
- Walk with an adult or group of friends to and from school, bus stops or after-school activities;
- Follow the appropriate walking routes and stay in well-lighted areas;
- Walk straight to bus stops and go directly home after school;
- Agree on a time when your child should be home after school
Westerville City Schools Facilities Plan Conversations Scheduled
Times Change: Modern, Safer Spaces
On Behalf of the Westerville City Schools Board of Education...Feedback provided by the community during strategic planning and last year’s facilities conversation has generated some exciting possibilities for Westerville City Schools. The Board of Education wants to learn what families, students and the community think about components of the resulting facilities plan. The plan includes new facility and instructional program opportunities, as well as financial considerations.
The proposed plan recommends a new elementary and new middle school in the southern portion of the district. It also includes modernizing instructional spaces at Annehurst, Emerson, Hawthorne and Whittier elementary schools. As you participate, please keep in mind the following:
- Every school in the district will receive safety and security upgrades from this plan.
- This plan would allow us to maintain magnet programs at Emerson and Hanby.
- Opening a new elementary school would ease overcrowding and allow for expansion of All Day Kindergarten.
- The addition of an elementary school in the southern end of the district would increase the district’s operating budget.
- Opening a new middle school in the southern end of the district would ease overcrowding and allow Blendon Middle School to be used as temporary “swing space” where students would attend while their school was being renovated.
- Blendon Middle School later could be repurposed and house unique instructional program opportunities.
- Elementary and middle school attendance boundaries would be adjusted so more students can attend schools closer to their home.
Please join us at one of the following community meetings to lend your voice to the conversation.
Review Materials online: www.wcsoh.org/TimesChange
Support McVay When You Shop - Here’s 3 Easy Ways!
AmazonSmile: You Shop, Amazon Gives
Shop the same great products and prices on Amazon while supporting McVay! Amazonsmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of all eligible purchases to McVay. It’s easy to participate! Just shop the link below.
Shop for everyone on your gift list this holiday at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/31-1273686 and Amazon donates to PTA Ohio Congress McVay
Shop Kroger, Swipe Card, and McVay Earns $!
Update your Kroger Rewards Card here: https://www.kroger.com/account/communityrewards/enroll
Select McVay Elementary (80775) for your Community Rewards Organization.
Shop at your local Kroger and swipe your Kroger card! It’s that easy!
Shop Giant Eagle, Swipe Card, earn Mcvay points for cash! Easy!
Register your Giant Eagle Card here: www.gianteagle.com/AFTS
Select McVay Elementary School (3407)
*please see attached flyer on our PTA Interactive page for more details on shopping support*