McNamara Update - November 8, 2024

Posted Date: 11/08/24 (4:04 PM)

McNamara Elementary School

November 8, 2024

Dear McNamara Families,

As a McNamara community, we feel so proud to have been able to honor the veterans at our assembly today. What a special ceremony it was! Thank you to all of the staff, students, and family members that worked to put together such an incredible event.

Please remember that there is no school on Monday, November 11 for Veterans Day. Tuesday, November 12 will be school photo retake day.

Staff and students can wear PJs to school next Friday for Paige's Pajamarama! See more information below.

Have a terrific long weekend!

Mindy Howard

Principal - McNamara Elementary School

Attendance/Dismissal Change Form

Student Spotlight

Each week we will celebrate students who exemplify the Positivity Project character strength of the week. Congratulations to our Student Spotlight recipients for Bravery!

Community Connection - Thanking Veterans

Our third and fifth graders put together these heartfelt cards for veterans at our assembly, veterans at Syracuse Home, and veterans who receive Meals on Wheels!

2024 Helping Hands Food & Gift Drive

From November 4th - December 6th McNamara Elementary School will be participating in the Baldwinsville Volunteer Center food and gift drive to benefit the Christmas Bureau. All donations benefit families with

children in the BCSD. If you would like to participate, we encourage you to donate these items:

Canned and boxed food
Socks, hats, mittens, and gloves
New unwrapped gifts including stocking stuffers
Any gift that a child (ages birth to 18) would appreciate, including toys, games and sports items

You can send in donations with your child or drop them off in the front lobby.

Thank you for your generosity!

Wear your PJ's to school and donate $1.00/spare change to help support pediatric cancer research and patient programs at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.

Paige's Pajamarama Donation Link

Smart Watches

The recent Baldwinsville Community Café had a focus on personal devices and social media use in schools. At the elementary level the expectation is that students do not use personal devices at all during the school day, including cell phones and smart watches.

After conversations with our teachers, it seems that smart watches have caused a distraction to students at all grade levels. Oftentimes when students are receiving messages, they come from parents/family members regarding changes to dismissal, items being dropped off, etc. I would like to encourage all parents/guardians to refrain from messaging students during the school day, and instead call the main office with these types of messages - we will always follow up with students and their teachers. We would also recommend checking parental control features to limit or restrict messaging during school hours. Thank you for your help in keeping our students focused on learning!

Capital Project Information Session

On Thursday, November 21 the McNamara PTA will be hosting a Books and BINGO event - stay tuned for more information!

Prior to the start of this event, Baldwinsville Superintendent Dr. DeBarbieri will be holding an information session for McNamara families regarding the proposed Capital Improvement Project. We invite you to join us as Dr. DeBarbieri outlines the district's exciting plans, which will be up for a public vote on December 10.

From the PTA!

The McNamara Parent Teacher Association is an asset to the McNamara community, providing fun events for students and showing lots of love to our teachers and staff. Join the PTA using the link below to show your support!

Link to Join the PTA

2024-2025 Yearbooks

Our 2024-2025 McNamara Yearbooks are available for purchase! Please click the link below to order. Yearbooks cost $11.11 prior to December 13. After that time they go up in price to $13.89.