McKenzie Monitor
September 7, 2018
Principal's Note: Talking Tips and Paw Pride!
Greetings McKenzie Families!
The summer heat appears to be subsiding with the rain! And now we're experiencing cooler than expected temperatures. Gotta' love Chicago weather, right?
Parents often lament the difficulty in getting their children to elaborate about their day in school. Here are a few helpful tips that can be really effective discussion starters at home:
- What made you smile today?
- Can you tell me an example of kindness you showed/saw?
- Who did you sit with at lunch?
- Tell me something you know today that you didn't know yesterday.
- If you could change one thing about your day, what would it be?
- What made your teacher smile?
McKenzie Paw Pride is definitely in the air! We had our first school-wide pep assembly this afternoon. Students were introduced to "tickets" they can earn by showing safe, responsible, or respectful CHAMPS behavior. They enjoyed a "Kid President" video and a surprise visit from our McKenzie Cheetah mascot. (Hmmm...guess who?) Some student volunteers participated in a game show video featuring some staff "stars" who displayed examples of CHAMPS--and not-so-CHAMPS--behaviors. You'll be hearing more about our school-wide positive behavior initiative in the weeks and months to follow. Go Cheetahs! Many thanks to Mrs. Quinn, Mrs. Norton, and Senorita Zera who spearheaded this new initiative. Also a big cheetah cheer goes to our acting troupe: Ms. Hochwert, Ms. Denton, Mrs. Lauer, Mrs. Fillippi, Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Eckholm and Director/Editor Quinn and Camera Operator Garry.
I inadvertently forgot to include Gretchen Cappiello in last week's "thank you" for her work on the Welcome Back Coffee. Many thanks, Gretchen!
Enjoy the three-day weekend!
Best,
~Melanie
Paw Pride!
Our McKenzie Cheetah! We Love Our Mascot!
Who is Acting Like a CHAMP?
Congrats to Students! They Logged 1200 Reading Minutes!
District 39 Superintendent's Search (2nd Posting)
NWEA MAP Assessments for 2nd - 4th Grade Students (2nd 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.
And More About School Safety (Final Posting)
New Paraprofessionals
- Eleni Pronos - In Mr. Rahn's class
- Valerie Weber - in Mrs. Eckhom's class
- Mercy Ndungu - In Mr. Rahn's class
- Stephanie Xamplas - In Mrs. Deutsch's AM K class and Mrs. Hartmann's 3rd grade class
Eleni Pronos (Mr. Rahn's class)
Valerie Weber (Mrs. Eckholm's class)
Mercy Ndungu (Mr. Rahn's class)
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!
Jen Tan- Birthday Books
Julie Gustafson -Library Media Center
Missy Stambor- Cafeteria
Don’t Miss These Events!
Ice Cream Social:
Join us in celebrating the new school year on Sunday, September 16th from 1-3 on the McKenzie blacktop. Ice cream will be available for $2 and kids and parents can jam out to Epic DJ.
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 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 today! Please contact Shauna Smith sjsmith07@gmail.com with any questions.
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
Learning Commons Volunteers:
The learning commons needs your help! Volunteers are 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. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044fafaf2aabf94-mckenzie5
Yearbook committee:
Volunteers needed to take pictures. Be a classroom photographer, a special events photographer or help with editing!
Signup here:
Classroom Photographers
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a48acac29a4fe3-classroom
Special Events Photographers
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a48acac29a4fe3-event
Please contact Sarah Traficanto stafford.sarah@gmail.com with any questions or to help with editing!
Other Happenings:
Don’t Miss Communications!
Are you a new family to McKenzie? Are you receiving PTA information and emails from the Welcoming Committee? If you are not, please confirm that you have not opted out of receiving PTA emails. Feel free to contact the front office or email MaryAnne at maryanneokeefe@gmail.com to receive emails and other information from the Welcoming Committee and PTA.
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. Interested in DI? Attend an informational meeting:
Thursday, Sept 13th; 7-8pm; Harper Auditorium
Monday; Sept 17th; 7-8pm; McKenzie Auditorium
Questions? Email emilyparis@gmail.com
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/
Community News
Upcoming Dates
Monday, September 10th
- No School - Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday, September 12th PLEASE NOTE TIME CORRECTION IN BOLD PRINT BELOW
Curriculum Night Grades K, 1, & 2
- 6:30 - 7:15 pm Kindergarten AM & Grade 2 Classroom teacher presentations
- 7:30- 8:15 pm Kindergarten PM & Grade 1 Classroom teacher presentations
- 6:30 - 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 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- 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 8:35am - 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