McKenzie Monitor
September 21, 2018
Principal's Note: Thinking About Halloween Costumes Already?
Greetings McKenzie Families,
Is your favorite student already starting to discuss Halloween costumes? For many children, it's a favorite holiday and one to which they really look forward. So the big question--and one that I'm already planning for myself--what should I wear?
Knowing how special Halloween is for our K-4 students, I want to emphasize that school costumes should be developmentally appropriate and should not depict violence or include weapons. I recently learned about an interest in character costumes for "Momo" and "Granny," two characters from video games/social media that are geared to a much older audience. There are concerning and conflicting reports about suggestions for suicide and cannibalism promoted by these characters. Whether these concerns are urban legends or have a basis in fact, they are troubling, nonetheless.
Common Sense Media is an excellent independent, nonprofit resource for parents to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. As their website states:
Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. We offer the largest,
most trusted library of independent age-based and educational ratings and reviews for
movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites, books, and music. Our Parent Concerns and
Parent Blog help families understand and navigate the problems and possibilities of
raising children in the digital age.
Here is the link to this valuable resource for parents: Common Sense Media
We'll look forward to seeing some wonderful, creative, age-appropriate costumes in about a month! And just as a reminder, October 31st is a half-day of school with the following hours:
- No afternoon kindergarten
- AM kindergarten: 8:35-10:00
- Grades 1-4: 8:35-11:55 am
- Grades 5 & 6: 8:50-11:46 am
- Grades 7 & 8: 8:25-11:20 am
Enjoy the fall weather this weekend. Looking forward to our first full week in school next week...
Best,
~Melanie
Individual Student Scores on the 2018 PARCC Assessments
Woohoo for Mr. Oshana!
This Week's Paw Pride Winners
Kindergarten:
Ben McShane, Liam Cwick, Christian Guerra
Grade 1:
Gabriel Lavolpe, Sawyer Kemnitz, Jack Traficanto, Bryson Leahy
Grade 2:
Eliana Hart-Cunningham, Ben Sutphen, Grayson Preusen, Walter Deters
Grade 3:
Ben Vance, Sophia Lau, John Smith, Mia Wuellner, Lucie Ferdman
Grade 4:
Aidan Beard, Teagan Carleton, Sarah Toft, John Dominguez
Third Graders Prepare Weekly Video Newsletter Presentations
Update Regarding Early Dismissal Fridays (2nd Posting)
Drop-Off & Pick-Up (2nd Posting)
If you are driving your child to and from school...
- You must use the designated carpool lanes that are along the west curb on Prairie Avenue.
- No parking is allowed on Prairie Ave. between Washington and Central.
- Prairie, Central, 15th and Highland are one-way streets.
- Drivers MUST STAY IN THEIR CARS at all times.
- The parking lots or alleys MAY NOT be used for parking, after-school pick-up or student drop-off before or during school hours.
- KINDERGARTEN: The area south of Central and Prairie is for Kindergarten students; you MUST park your car and walk your child to/from the Kindergarten entrance.
- Grades 1 - 4: The area north of Central and Prairie is for students in grades 1 - 4. There is also a pick-up zone on 15th street.
- TIP: Talk with your child(ren) about a spot to meet you after school.
- And again, if you are bringing your dog to greet your student, the dog must be on a leash and please wait with your pooch across the street from the school.
Walk Bike Wilmette (2nd Posting)
The Village of Wilmette is seeking your input for a Master Bike & Active Transportation Plan to improve walking and biking. Please visit WalkBikeWilmette.com
Details
Date: Thursday, September 27, 2018
Time: 4pm - 7pm (drop in when you can)
Place: Wilmette Village Hall, 1200 Wilmette Avenue
For questions, contact Heather Schady at heather@activetrans.org
District 39 Superintendent's Search (4th Posting)
NWEA MAP Assessments for 2nd - 4th Grade Students (4th and FINAL Posting)
There is nothing your child needs to do in preparation for these assessments. The tests are taken on computers and adapt based on a child’s success. The information we receive from MAP along with classroom assessment data is helpful for our teachers to best meet the academic needs of each individual child.
PTA News and Information
PTA News:
Thank you!
Thank you to the following PTA chairs for helping to get our school year off to a wonderful start. We appreciate your hard work!
Casey Brown- School Pictures
Laura Werling and Alicia Cirrincione -Garden
Melissa Fenwick and Suzanne Gayle- New Parent Reception
Don’t Miss These Events!
Destination Imagination: Destination Imagination (DI) is a creative problem-solving competition for kids grades K-12 that focuses on teamwork, communication, strategic thinking, creativity, and other 21st century skills. Teams meet once a week from November through February and will participate in the regional tournament on Saturday, March 2nd in Gurnee, IL. Deadline is Sept 28th! Register here: http://mckenziepta.com/register-now-for-destination-imagination-di/
Parent Party:
Join us for the McKenzie Parent Party! Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Masonic Lodge. Registration is now live! Don’t miss out on the biggest adult only fundraising event of the year. Featuring a DJ, delicious food, raffle prizes and sign up parties (going live 9/24).
Register here: McKenzie.cbo.io
Fall Frenzy:
Join us for McKenzie’s annual indoor fall festival, Fall Frenzy, Friday, October 12th from 5:30- 8 pm! Bring the whole family for a night filled with games, crafts, pumpkin decorating, freeze dance, the cake walk and more!
Help Wanted:
Fall Frenzy:
Fall Frenzy is looking for parent volunteers! Shifts are only an hour long, easy and fun! We have many spots to fill so please consider signing up! Older siblings (5th grade and up) can help with games and crafts too. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054fa5a9283-parent today!
Calling all Bakers and Buyers! We are looking for families to donate festive treats to the Fall Frenzy Bake Sale and Cake Walk. We are in need of:
· 100+ Whole Cakes (from scratch, from a cake mix, or from a store - must be labeled)
· 100+ Individually Wrapped Bake Sale Goodies (must be labeled)
· 10+ Allergy Free Cakes (store bought and labeled please!
· 10+ Allergy Free Bake Sale Items (store bought and labeled please!)
Click here to sign up! Thank you!
Garden Volunteers:
Please sign up to help out in the garden! The McKenzie Gardens are open to students during their lunch/recess times. It’s a fun opportunity for parents to interact with the kids as they explore the gardens, dig in the dirt, plant or create an art project. Sign up here: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F084DA5A92F4-mckenzie8
Library Media Center Volunteers:
The library media center needs your help! Volunteers needed for a shift in the morning and a shift in the afternoon each day that school is in session. Help re-shelve books while getting a sneak peak at your child’s library lesson for the day. Please check out the library website for your child’s class time and the Sign up here: http://mckenziepta.com/library-duty/
Other Happenings:
Spirit Wear: Today is the last day to order! Support our school and show your spirit! Get your McKenzie spirit wear today! Order due by Today! September 21st. Order here: www.headsupapparel.com
Yearbook Cover Contest: All McKenzie students are invited to draw their favorite McKenzie place, activity or person for the yearbook. Think about what McKenzie means to you! Please return entries to the front office no later than October 1.
For rules and contest template, visit http://mckenziepta.com/yearbook-cover-contest-2/
Order Yearbooks Now:
Buy a yearbook now for the “early bird” discount of $21! Yearbooks can be purchased here: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09862419. Contact stafford.sarah@gmail.com with questions. Early bird pricing ends October 31st.
Birthday Books:
Celebrate your child's birthday by donating a book to the McKenzie Learning Commons! Your child can choose a book, be the first to check the book out, and it will be dedicated with your child's name and birthday. Please check out the PTA website for details. http://mckenziepta.com/order-birthday-books-now/
Teacher and Staff Gifts:
Show your teachers and the McKenzie staff your appreciation during the holiday season by contributing to teacher and staff gifts! Your contribution will include holiday gifts for all teachers and staff. The suggested amount is $40 per student. Thanks in advance! Please note this will be the only time to donate to the teacher gift fund; there will be no end of year collection. Please be sure to contribute by November 16th. Contribute here: http://mckenziepta.com/teachers-gift/
Taste of Wilmette:
Attend the Taste of Wilmette Thursday, September 27th at the Wilmette Golf Club from 5:30-7:30 pm. Enjoy food, wine and craft beer tastings from Wilmette’s restaurants and specialty markets while helping the D39 Educational Foundation! Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door and a portion of the proceeds go to the D39 Educational Foundation. Register here: https://chambermaster.wilmettekenilworth.com/events/details/taste-of-wilmette
Quick Date Reference:
Yearbook Cover Contest Due Date 10/1
Environmental Awareness Week 10/1-10/5
National Walk/Bike to School 10/2
PTA Parent Party 10/6
PTA General and Exec Board Meetings 10/9
Picture Re-take Day 10/11
Fall Frenzy 10/12
Share the Warmth 10/15-10/19
Early Release 10/31
Community News
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, September 26th PLEASE NOTE TIME CORRECTION IN BOLD PRINT BELOW
- 6:30 - 7:15 pm Grade 3 Classroom teacher presentations
- 7:30 - 8:15 pm Grade 4 Classroom teacher presentations
- 6:30- 7:15 pm Please stop by the Art Room, the Music Room, Gym, or the Learning Commons where Specialists will be on hand.
Monday, October 8th
- No Student Attendance - Columbus Day
Regular School Hours
Kindergarten
Kindergarten AM 8:35am - 11:10am
Kindergarten PM 12:40pm - 3:15pm
Grades 1st - 4th
Monday - Thursday 8:35am - 3:15pm
Friday 8:35am - 2:15pm
Student drop off will begin at 8:20am, and the first bell will ring at 8:30am. Please refer to McKenzie's calendar for important dates/holidays.
About Us!
Email: filippir@wilmette39.org
Website: http://mckenzie.wilmette39.org/
Location: 649 Prairie Avenue, Wilmette, IL, United States
Phone: 847-512-6300
Twitter: @McKCheetahs