McKenzie Monitor
August 17, 2018
Welcome Back 2018
Greetings McKenzie Families!
To keep you informed throughout the year, I will be sharing McKenzie Monitor emails every Friday; these are weekly informational newsletters sent to all McKenzie families. It is important you keep your contact information in PowerSchool current in order to receive these updates.
This year, Melanie Horowitz will be McKenzie's principal interim while I am out on maternity leave. Melanie was the Central School principal for eight years before joining the District administrative team handling curriculum and instruction. Melanie was also a senior editor in educational publishing, a teacher for 20 years, and a principal in Wauconda. Although Melanie retired in 2016, she has remained involved in D39 through a handful of projects. She also consulted in North Shore District 112 on the development of their full-day kindergarten program, which will benefit her five year old granddaughter this coming school year! In spite of a busy July with the last of her four children getting married, Melanie has been planning with me to ensure a smooth start of the year. I am thrilled to have McKenzie in such capable hands while I am gone. I will keep everyone posted on my return date!
In related news, we have also hired an assistant principal interim to cover Meghann Young while she is out on maternity leave. Judy Gutwillig retired after 10 years in Highland Park as their Special Education Department Chair. Her education experience also includes special education teaching in Chicago Public Schools and Arlington Heights, and her work as an Inclusion Facilitator and Assistant Principal through the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization. Judy was also a national trainer for court reporters and owned a swimwear shop in Highland Park. Currently, she is enjoying her grandma status to three grandchildren, courtesy of her two married children.
I have started my maternity leave and wish everyone a wonderful start to the new school year, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone when I return.
Sincerely,
Rachel
New People to Meet At McKenzie
Melanie Horowitz
Principal Interim
Judy Gutwillig
Assistant Principal Interim
Maeghan Deutsch
Kindergarten Teacher
Megan Filip
Joanie Hartmann
Devra Kaplan
Michelle Lawniczak
Nathan Rahn
Jackie Zorger
New Paraprofessionals
- New paraprofessionals joining our staff will be announced in September!
Familiar Faces, New Places
- Erin Schroeder, formerly one of our 2nd grade teachers, will be joining our 3rd grade team of teachers.
- Regina Safran, recently retired 3rd grade teacher just can't stay away! She will be covering for Teresa Alfaro's maternity leave.
Exciting News!
- Darcey Noska got married this summer on July 7th in Michigan! Ms. Noska will now be known as Mrs. Blomberg.
- Teresa Alfaro and her family welcomed their new addition, Santino, on July 16th. Teresa and her family are doing great as a new family of 4!
- The Filippi family welcomed Jacob "Jake" Allen on August 10th. Rachel and John are thrilled to have two little boys!
Teacher Assignment
Thursday, August 30th Information
1st Grade - 4th Grade
Thursday, August 30th is an early release day of school:- 8:35 - 11:55 am
- Parents of 1st grade - 4th grade students may walk their child(ren) to class and then proceed to the blacktop for coffee and PTA volunteer sign-up opportunities beginning at 8:45am.
Kindergarten
Teacher Meet & Greet - Students attend with parent/adult:
- 8:40 - 9:25 am Morning kindergarten students with the last names A-K
- 10:25 - 11:10 am Morning kindergarten students with the last names L-Z
- 1:00 - 1:45 pm Afternoon kindergarten students with the last names A-K
- 2:15 - 3:00 pm Afternoon kindergarten students with the last names L-Z
New Safety Protocols from District 39
The District is always working to improve our school safety practices. Throughout the District, new school badges and lanyards will be worn by all adults in the building:
- Blue lanyards indicate school staff
- Lime green lanyards indicate substitute teachers
- Orange lanyards will be given to all school visitors/volunteers
Back To School Information
Lunchroom Updates
Snack Policy
Friday Early Release Information
During the 2018-2019 school year, 2:15-3:15 supervision for our Friday Early Dismissal will be offered only to families who meet the one of following criteria:
Your child attends the Park District After School Recreation Program and takes the 3:15 pm bus from their elementary school to the Wilmette Park District Recreation Center.
You have a child in grades 1- 4 with a PM kindergarten sibling.
Your child participates in a Friday After School Park District 3:15 pm club at your home school.
This information was also shared in the following McKenzie Monitors: 1/26/18, 4/20/18 and 4/27/18. Please call the front office if you have any questions.
Safe Routes to School
The D39 Village Wide PTA Safety & Civics committee produced a fun video to ask kids and their parents/caregivers to respect the safety rules and guidelines around the schools. Over the last three to four years Wilmette Police officers, cross-guards, bus drivers, and PTA representatives gathered stories of incidents that happened at their school. With input from parents and kids of all ages, this video was created to communicate the most important safety guidelines to keep everyone safe.
Early Birds Program
Early Bird care is available beginning at 6:45 am. The cost is based on the number of days per week attending. You can register and pay online through the District’s web store. You may pay by credit card or eCheck; there is no transaction fee when paying by credit card.
You can choose “drop-in” or regular registration. Regular registration is for a set number of days per week and is paid by semester. Drop-in registration allows parents to use the service on an as-needed basis for a daily rate.
New this year, you have the option of using Auto-Pay. Choosing this option gives the District permission to charge your credit or eCheck for child care fees. This is especially convenient for drop-in users; fees are processed weekly with a statement and receipt provided.
Additional information is available online.
After School Clubs - Wilmette Park District
PTA News and Information
PTA News:
PTA Welcome Back Coffee:
BRING YOUR COFFEE MUG and join us on the McKenzie blacktop for the annual Welcome Back Coffee & Virtual Volunteer Fair! This is a great opportunity to connect with McKenzie parents and learn more about volunteer opportunities throughout the year. PTA programs will be represented and volunteers will be available to answer questions.
The event runs 8:35 - 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 30th behind the school. Coffee and breakfast treats will be provided.
ROOM PARENT SIGNUPS:
Want to be a Room Parent? This is your chance to be involved in your child's classroom! Organize activities and serve as a liaison between the PTA, your child's teacher and other parents. Sign-ups will begin on Wednesday, August 22nd! Room Parent selection is made on a first come first served basis with priority given to those who haven't been a room parent before.
Community News
Upcoming Dates
- Opening Day!
- 1st - 4th Grade Half Day
- Kindergarten Meet & Greet
Friday, August 31st
- 1st Full Day of School
- Bus service begins for kindergartners
Monday, September 3rd
- No School - Labor Day
Monday, September 10th
- No School - Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday, September 12th Curriculum Night Grades K, 1, & 2
- 6:15 - 7:15 pm Kindergarten AM & Grade 2 Classroom teacher presentations
- 7:15 - 8:15 pm Kindergarten PM & Grade 1 Classroom teacher presentations
- 6:15 - 8:15 pm Please stop by in the Learning Commons where Specialists/Specials Teachers will be hosting a “Meet & Greet”
Wednesday, September 19th
- No School - Yom Kippur
Wednesday, September 26th Curriculum Night Grades 3 & 4
- 6:15 - 7:15 pm Grade 3 Classroom teacher presentations
- 7:15 - 8:15 pm Grade 4 Classroom teacher presentations
- 6:15 - 8:15 pm Please stop by in the Learning Commons where Specialists/Specials Teachers will be hosting a “Meet & Greet”
Monday, October 8th
- No Student Attendance - Columbus Day
Regular School Hours
Kindergarten
Kindergarten AM: 8:35 - 11:10 am
Kindergarten PM: 12:40 - 3:15 pm
Grades 1 - 4
Monday - Thursday: 8:35 am - 3:15 pm
*Friday: 8:35 am - 2:15 pm
Before school supervision begins at 8:20 am, and the first bell rings at 8:30 am. Please refer to McKenzie's calendar for important dates/holidays.
*We provide supervision from 2:15 - 3:15 pm for those students who meet specific criteria.
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