McKenzie Monitor
September 15, 2017
Principal's Note: Ant House
Greetings McKenzie Families!
I have been enjoying spending time with your children, and today I had the opportunity to spend some time at recess with our 2nd graders. I do have to say it's pretty great that sometimes my job duties involve going to recess! As I walked around, I happen to stumble upon a group of kids building some sort of structure. I couldn't help but wonder about the wonder that intrigued our kids to create something so intricate; naturally, I asked questions. The enthusiasm, excitement and detail that came with the explanation was incredible! I found out they were building an ant house AND they had a plan to encourage ants to live in the house. This is why I love coming to work every single day...the exploration and curiosity of our children have no limits!
Our new learning commons focuses around the 4 C's: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity. The process to plan, build and create the ant house involved all of these skills. In case you missed it, here is a link to an article in The Wilmette Beacon: "McKenzie learning commons to 'buzz with student activity'". Our goal is to foster the 4 C's in our everyday learning environments!
Sincerely,
Rachel
Help for Hurricanes
The news of the past couple of weeks has unfortunately been filled with tragic natural disasters impacting several parts of our country. Many of us want to help, but with so much happening, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are many, many people that have been impacted by the hurricanes and need assistance.
District 39 has focused on one Texas school district that was very hard hit - Pasadena Independent School District in Pasadena, TX. Pasadena is just southeast of Houston and suffered significant damage. If the D39 community comes together, we can have a positive impact on this district and its many students and families.
We are beginning a District-wide fundraising effort involving parents, students, and staff on Monday, September 18. We will have a jar to collect money in the lobby. In addition, you can donate by check made out to Pasadena ISD Education Foundation, or online; it’s a 501(c)3. If you donate online, put “District 39” in the “special instructions” field so we can track how much we collectively raise. We will continue collecting through September 29.
As you learn a bit about Pasadena ISD, you’ll see that it is a large district serving 56,000 students in 67 buildings (before the hurricane). Nearly 77% of their students are economically disadvantaged. They employ 7,650 staff. The hurricane impacted their schools and the homes of many students and staff members. They really need our help.
You can learn more about Pasadena ISD at www.pasadenaisd.org or https://www.facebook.com/pasadenaisd.
In addition, they shared this video that gives you an up-close look at what they are dealing with - https://youtu.be/RZl9DGilsuU
I hope you’ll join us and give what you can. Every donation helps. Together, we can make a real difference.
Box Tops for Education
Box tops? What are those?
Let's get creative!
Are you good at making money?
9/28/17 3rd & 4th Grade Curriculum Night - Learning Commons Open House
- Grade 4 6:15pm - 6:30pm - Learning Commons Open House
- Grade 4 6:30pm - 7:15pm - Teacher Presentation
- Grade 3 7:15pm - 7:30pm - Learning Commons Open House
- Grade 3 7:30pm 8:15pm - Teacher Presentation
Notes From the Nurse
PTA News and Information
Don’t Miss These Events!
Yearbook Cover Contest starts now!
All McKenzie students are invited to draw their favorite McKenzie place, activity or person for the yearbook. For rules and contest template, click here. Entries must be received by
September 29.
McKenzie Parent Party:
Register now for the McKenzie Parent Party! Please join us at the McKenzie Parent Party on Saturday, October 7th at 7pm at A. Perry Homes, conveniently located in the neighborhood! The proceeds from this year's Parent Party will fund McKenzie’s many PTA programs. Tickets are $80 per person. NEW THIS YEAR: McKenzie parents can opt to "Round Up for the McKenzie PTA" ticket for $100 per person.
Spirit Wear Sale:
The sale ends September 24. Click here to view and order items today!
Fall Frenzy: Save the date!
McKenzie’s indoor festival of games, dancing, crafts, and more is Friday, October 13, 5:30-8 pm.
Help Wanted:
Yearbook Editor:
The most popular book at McKenzie needs your help! We need an editor to produce the
Yearbook so that your children will have a cherished keepsake of their school year. Please
volunteer for this important position! Without an editor, there's no yearbook. Contact
president@mckenziepta.com if you're interested.
The Yearbook Committee:
Classroom photographers are needed for Chick AM, Norton AM, Allen, Lauer, Hinton, Faulkner, Carter, Alfaro, Torf, Bialk, Noska, and Uhler. Please sign up here. Responsibilities include visiting the class twice and uploading photos.
We also need special event and recess photographers!! Sign up here.
The Sharing Committee:
Are you interested in helping our sister school, Carman-Buckner Elementary in Waukegan,
where over 75% of the student body comes from low income households? Every year, the
McKenzie Sharing Committee conducts a number of drives to benefit the children and staff at Carman-Buckner. Please contact Cara Gaziano at caragaziano@gmail.com or Heather Stege at heatherstege@gmail.com to participate.
Learning Commons:
Sign up to volunteer during your child’s library time!
McKenzie Gardens:
We need your help to keep the McKenzie Gardens beautiful this fall. Click here to sign up!
Fine Arts:
Fine Arts is looking for 5 volunteers from each class to present art projects to each class! There will be an info meeting at the end of this month. Email questions to bonniekim@usa.net. Click here to sign up for your child’s class.
Fall Frenzy: Being such a big event, we need lots of volunteers. Even older siblings
(5th grade and up) can help with games and crafts. There are lots of opportunities. Sign
up today! http://bit.ly/1MrENJD
AtoZ Directory Chair for 2018-19:
We need someone to be in charge of coordinating with the District and an outside vendor to create the annually published AtoZ online and print directory. You would shadow our current AtoZ chair this year and assume the role next school year. Please contact
president@mckenziepta.com if interested.
Other Happenings…
District 39 Educational Foundation 4th Annual "Attire to Inspire" Luncheon:
Local shops, fall fashions and trends will be highlighted. Make a date with friends for this fun event, on September 28th, 11:30am-2pm! Click here to buy your ticket today!
Destination Imagination (DI):
Want to learn more? Attend a Parent Information Presentation and see if it is for you.
Evening Option: Tuesday, September 19th 7-8pm, McKenzie Auditorium
Morning Option: Monday, September 25th 9:15-10:15am, McKenzie Auditorium
Registration deadline is September 29th. Questions? Email emilyparis@gmail.com
Community Events
Wilmette Historical Museum hosts Auto Historica XIV September 17th 12:00 - 3:00 pm
New Trier HS Football Schedule is posted online.
Wilmette Ice Hockey Recreational House Leagues open for registration
Tour Wilmette! Bike Wilmette Sunday, October 1st at 2:00 pm
Wilmette Rotary Club hosts annual BIG BOOK DRIVE October 2nd - November 15th. Donate books at any D39 school.
Wilmette Public Library is taking registrations for (FREE) student book clubs.
- Boys & Books - for 3rd & 4th grade boys on September 26th 7:00 - 7:45 p.m.
- Mother-Daughter Book Club - 3rd & 4th grade girls on September 27th 7:00 - 7:45 p.m.
- 2nd Grade Book Club on September 28th 7:00 - 7:45 p.m.
Upcoming Dates
9/19/17 School Pictures
9/21/17 No School - Rosh Hashanah
9/22/17 No School - Teacher Institute Day
9/28/17 Curriculum Night: 3rd Grade - 4th Grade
10/7/17 PTA Parent Party
10/13/17 Fall Frenzy
10/23/17 Book Fair Begins
10/31/17 Halloween - Half Day
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
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.