Sign up to Volunteer for 2018-19

Hi, we're looking for volunteers for 2018-19 class organization.
For each chess class, we could use 2 parents to help with sign-in and sign-out, and then during class, to walk around and keep kids on task.
Here is the link to sign up!   Thanks!  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4baeaf2babfb6-class1

Chess for the New Year

Hello Parents -

We will be starting a new year of chess at McKinley this year, I'm happy to say!  This year, we must move to Thursday after school - library location.  We hope this change doesn't inconvenience too many people.

I will be at Forms and Fees day this week with a table to recruit players.  As with past years, we will accommodate NEW players as well as returning players.  Also as in the past, I'll have a signup genius page for parent volunteers - I'd like to have 2 per class.  Fees for the full year (Oct thru Mar) will stay at $50, and I hope to have our own tournament again like we did last year (date TBD).  Returning again from our State Champ team will be instructors Robin Grochowski and Kyle Jain, and of course myself as coach.  Our goal this year will be to 1) have fun, and 2) hold onto the elementary state championship for another year.  If we have fun, and inspire some kids to learn chess, that's a successful season!  Chess teaches kids so many things - that's what it's all about - learning, growing, competing, being great sports, and having fun.

I'd also like to have a parent "board" to help with decisions, as we did last year.  We will be having an organizational meeting at my house on 85th St, sometime in September.  We'll have games for the kids (including my giant chess board on my patio bricks) and we can plan the year.

I welcome any and all questions.  If you'd like to be part of the "board" this year, please let me know.  Your commitment would be one meeting at the outset, then just emails here and there to take votes.  I'll have the Signup Genius page up soon for weekly volunteers, and we'll have a tournament schedule soon.  See you at Forms & Fees!

State Champs in 2018 - can we do it again?

  
I've gotten a few emails and thought it was time to send the word - we hope to have the chess program again this year at McKinley!  Getting confirmation now from the school.

Same format, but I think we may change the day.  Last year we were Wednesday after school, but this year, that day is difficult for Mr. Kyle.  This year we may do after school on a different day.  After I receive confirmation from the school, I'll send an email out to parents to gauge interest and to gather info on what day may be best.

Last year was fantastic - can we keep our title another year as Wisconsin State Champs?

Mr. Mark Finishes his Chess Board!

Last year, I had a 5x5 chess board built into our new patio.  This year, I found the right pieces! 
If you're looking for a game, swing by my house on 85th St!   Have your parents email or call first.

We'll probably have the organizational meeting at my house, so kids can play while we babble...


Evan on his way to beating Dad...