McKenzie Monitor
April 12, 2019
Principal's Note: New Superintendent Open House
2019-20 Kindergarten Orientation 4/17/19
D39's Nutrition Survey Part II
Dear District 39 Parents,
As part of our strategic plan this year, a Nutrition Committee has been reviewing the school lunch program to assess and reflect on current practices. District 39 is committed to providing a school environment that promotes healthy lifestyles, including good nutrition. The first step in our review process, a survey of parents and students in December, drew 767 parent responses. Overall parents and students are satisfied with the current program, however, there is always room to improve. Highlights from 1st Nutritional Survey 86% of parents are satisfied or very satisfied with D39’s food service. Cleaner, less processed ingredients desired More fruits and vegetables requested Improved nutritional awareness and more encouragement toward good food choices wanted We want to address the desire for "cleaner" ingredients in our school cafeterias, but we need more information from you. D39 defines "cleaner" as less preservatives, food dyes, trans fats, sugars, artificial sweeteners, and partially hydrogenated oils found in food options, but we know this could increase the cost. The D39 food service program is designed to be cost neutral, with prices set to completely offset the expenses of the lunch program. As a result, we need to determine how much parents are willing to pay for this improvement. In order to receive more feedback, we are are asking you to complete a short, second survey by Thursday, April 18th. Thank you, The Nutrition Committee
2019-2020 Connecting Kids Preschool Openings
Housed within Romona School is the Connecting Kids Preschool Program. The half-day sessions for three, four and five year-old children are specifically designed to prepare children for District 39 kindergarten classrooms. With structured play, planned pre-academic instruction, differentiated learning, and vocabulary development, Connecting Kids provides an excellent foundation for all children. Reserve a spot for your child in next fall's three, four or five year-old classes.
Registration is still open and spots are still available! Registration forms can be found online here.
Paw Pride Winners!
We are happy to announce this week's students whose tickets were pulled for safe, responsible, and respectful behavior:
Kindergarten
Reid Koshkarian
Maddy Freed
Natasha Frangos
Grade 1
Bryn Burkemper
Nora Keslosky
Cora Callahan-Rose
Zoe Metz
Grade 2
Henry Lieberman
Rocco Castellano
Charlie Lucchesi
Sophia Fratini
Grade 3
Katie Cook
Julia Wesemann
Julia Martello
Beckett Smith
Lina Hoover
Grade 4
Charlotte Belmonte
Maddie Digrino
Sean Uruba
Brea Yang
Hallway CHAMPS
Mrs. Deutsch's AM Class
Mrs. Lauer's Class
Ms. Faulkner's Class
Mrs. Flondro's Class
Mrs. Zorger's Class
PTA News & Information
THANK YOU!
Thank you to the following PTA chairs for helping to provide McKenzie students with so many wonderful experiences and events!
Jennifer Campolieto- Power Up to Play Race for Recess
Kelly Levine- Environmental Awareness Week
Svetlana Chae -Staff Appreciation Lunch
DON'T MISS THESE EVENTS:
Earth Week: “No act too small…” Take the Eco Challenge April 15- April 18 and support McKenzie students in their efforts to reduce environmental impact. Each day will offer a new challenge!
Monday: Waste Free Lunch
Tuesday: Save Water
Wednesday: Lights Out Day
Thursday: Eco Commute
Friday: No School
All Week Challenge: Pick Up Litter
Click here for more information.
Race for Recess: Help fund recess equipment for our sister school Carman-Buckner! Presented by the Power Up to Play Committee, Race for Recess will be a run/walk for the entire family and McKenzie staff. All proceeds will go toward gym equipment for Carman Buckner Elementary School. The Race for Recess takes place on Thursday, May 16, from 3:15-5 pm. For more information and to sign up click here.
WE NEED YOUR HELP:
Staff Appreciation and Stock the Shelves: Let's honor our wonderful teachers and staff during Staff Appreciation Week by throwing a Mexican Fiesta-themed luncheon and stocking the shelves of the staff lounge. There are many ways to get involved. Please sign up here to contribute food or drink items or your time.
Thank you in advance!
PTA Executive Board: The PTA needs you! Are you interested in volunteering for the PTA Executive Board for 2019-2020? The Nominating Committee is looking for dedicated parents to volunteer for the following positions:
President-elect
Secretary-elect
Treasurer-elect
If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Amy Falkowski.
PTA Committee Chairs: The PTA needs parent volunteers for the following committees:
Audit
Book Fair (have 5 need 1 more)
Charging for Cheetahs
Community Review Committee (CRC)
Fall Frenzy Co-Chairs
Volunteer Thank You Brunch
Please consider volunteering as these programs cannot run without chairs!
Contact Amy Falkowski for more information or to sign up!
McKenzie Garden: The McKenzie Garden is opening soon and needs your help! Please sign up here.
OTHER HAPPENINGS:
School Kits: Don't spend your summer running around trying to find school supplies at the last minute. Pre-order your child's kit and the supplies will be waiting for him/her on the first day of school! Ordering information will be available April 29th. Ordering runs from May 1st - May 17th. A portion of the sales from each school kit will be donated to the McKenzie PTA. Questions? Contact Evita Gailuma
AmazonSmile: You can now earn money for McKenzie just by shopping at Amazon! You shop. Amazon gives. Same products, same prices, same service. Support McKenzie and register here.
Community News
North Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) offers year-round recreation programming for disabled individuals. “Camp Yardigans” is a new camp offered this summer. Registration deadline is April 26th.
Trevian Girls Softball Association is seeking a few more 9/10 year old girls (4th/5th graders) interested in playing spring/summer softball. Contact Kelsey Lee at Klee@trevians.org for more information.
Oakton Community College hosts summer STEAM camps and classes for students ages 8-12. Registration is now open.
Northwestern’s Center for Talent Development offers Weekend Enrichment Programs for students age 3 through 8th grade.
Love to sing? Youth Choral Theatre of Chicago offers a free vocal training class with flyer. Vocal classes available for children ages 4-18.
The Center Fitness Club schedule and various park district classes for children are posted. Wilmette Park District Flag Football for boys & girls grades 3-8. Registration is open unti April 16th at noon.
Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
2nd Posting: Cub Scouts Rocket Night - Everyone Is Welcome
Sunday, Apr 14, 2019, 04:00 PM
McKenzie Elementary School, 649 Prairie Avenue, Wilmette, IL, USA (Cafeteria)
Upcoming Dates
4/9/19 - 4/16/19
Illinois Assessment of Readiness Window - IAR (Formerly PARCC)
4/15/19 - 4/19/19
Earth Week
4/15/19
Garden Opens
4/16/19
School-wide Assembly: Opera for the Young
4/17/19
D39 New Superintendent Open House @5:30pm-7pm WJHS
Kindergarten Orientation @6:30pm
4/19/19
No School - Good Friday
4/22/19
Spirit Day - Superhero Day
4/24/19
Kindergarten Conferences (Full-time K teachers)
4/25/19
Early Release @11:55 Grades 1st - 4th
4/25/19 - 4/26/19
Parent-Teacher Conferences
5/6/19 - 5/10/19
Teacher Appreciation Week
5/16/19
PTA Fun Run @3:30pm
5/17/19
Spirit Day - Hat Day
5/22/19 - 5/24/19
4th Grade Outdoor Ed
5/27/19
No School - Memorial Day
5/31/19
Field Day
6/6/19
4th Grade Music Show @2:15
6/13/19
4th Grade Farewell Party
6/14/19
Last Day of School
PTA Popsicle Party @3:30pm
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