McKenzie Monitor
November 2, 2018
Principal's Note: PARCC Designation 2017-18
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has redefined how schools in Illinois are evaluated. Using attendance data, PARCC scores, and numerous other metrics (see a breakdown here), schools across Illinois will receive one of four ratings annually. These include:
Exemplary: A school that has no underperforming student demographic groups at or below the “all students” group of the lowest 5 percent of all Title 1 schools, a graduation rate of greater than 67 percent, and whose performance is in the top 10 percent of schools statewide. Schools that receive an Exemplary School designation may apply to serve in the IL-EMPOWER network of partners.
Commendable: A school that has no underperforming student demographic groups at or below the “all students” group of the lowest 5 percent of all Title 1 schools, a graduation rate greater than 67 percent, and whose performance is not in the top 10 percent of schools statewide. Schools that receive a Commendable School designation may apply to serve in the IL-EMPOWER network of partners.
Underperforming: A school in which one or more student demographic groups is performing at or below the “all students” group of the lowest 5 percent of all Title 1 schools. Schools that receive an Underperforming School designation will receive Targeted Support services through IL-EMPOWER.
Lowest Performing: A school that is in the lowest-performing 5 percent of Title I schools in Illinois and any high schools that have a graduation rate of
67 percent or less. Schools that receive a Lowest Performing School designation will receive Comprehensive Support through IL-EMPOWER.
Based on our 2017-18 school year data, it is with great pride that I share we have been recognized as an exemplary school. When you consider that there are over 3,700 schools in Illinois, it is quite an honor to be ranked in the top 10% of schools!
There a numerous reasons McKenzie has achieved this distinction. Of course, our teachers are to be commended for all of the hard work they put in with our students each day; the success of McKenzie is in no small part a reflection of the excellence they bring to the classroom. What’s more, I am so proud that we have achieved exemplary status without teachers simply “teaching to the test.” Our students do so well because our staff creates engaging and inspiring learning environments within which students thrive.
You are to be commended as well. Thank you for sending us students who are eager, engaged, and ready to learn each day. Thank you for supporting us in our work with students, and for making the McKenzie community the warm and inviting environment that it is.
In the coming weeks we’ll begin work to analyze our overall performance on the new Illinois School Report Card. We will celebrate the many successes achieved, and look forward to identifying opportunities to raise the bar!
Warmly,
Rachel
Flexible Classroom Parent Night
Wednesday, Nov 14, 2018, 06:30 PM
McKenzie Elementary School, Prairie Avenue, Wilmette, IL, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
New D39 Assessment Website
BIG Win for the Wilmette Stars!
Paw Pride Winners!
Kindergarten
Josh Barnes
Cecily Clifton
Ady Gould
Grade 1
Bryn Burkemper
Finn Laude
Sloane Owen
Eliza Smith
Grade 2
Eleanor Black
Annabelle Hebbeler
Charlie Lahey
Mae Loesel
Grade 3
Quinn Boyle
Lia Candido
Luke Cheeren
Lukas Livaditis
Isaac Rapp
Grade 4
Julianna Capretta
Bryce Oh
Sean Uruba
Olivia Verstraete
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!
Casey Brown-Book Fair
Amanda Doblin-Book Fair
Aimee Koski-Book Fair
Heather Metz-Book Fair
Anne Dutro- Book Fair
DON'T MISS THESE EVENTS
Book Fair: It’s Time to Start a New Adventure! The McKenzie PTA Scholastic Book Fair runs Tuesday Nov 6th through Friday, Nov 9th with new EXTENDED hours during conferences.
- Tuesday, Nov 6th from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday, Nov 7th from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday, Nov 8th from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday, Nov 9th from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
HELP WANTED
Book Fair: It’s Time To Start a New Adventure! We need your help to make the McKenzie PTA Scholastic Book Fair a success! Sign up here!
- Monday, Nov 5th, set-up from 9:00 am - 11:00 am
- Tuesday, Nov 6th through Friday, Nov 8th, 2-hour shifts from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
- Friday, Nov 9th, 2 hour shifts from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and clean up shift from 3-5 pm.
Parent Teacher Conferences Staff Dinner: Conference days are long and the McKenzie staff is working hard…let’s treat them! Please sign up to bring something to accompany our all staff dinner on Thursday, Nov 8th and breakfast Friday, Nov 9th. All items can be dropped off in the front office and should be there by 3 pm on Thursday Nov 8th. Sign up here!
OTHER HAPPENINGS
iGNITE: Have you contributed to iGNITE? Did you know that the PTA (you!) directly sponsors field trips, in-school speakers and presentations, and the McKenzie Garden’s activities through your iGNITE contribution? Without your contribution, these endeavors do not occur. To cover the projected costs, the requested contribution is $125.00 per McKenzie student but the PTA welcomes your contribution, whatever the amount. Please contribute today!
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!
Share the Feast: Please join the Sharing Committee in our tradition of purchasing Jewel gift cards for the families at our sister school, Carman-Buckner Elementary. Carman-Buckner is located about 25 miles north of Wilmette in Waukegan, and over 80% of the students come from low income households. Let's help make their holidays even brighter this season! Donation link coming soon!
Lost and Found: Please be sure to check out the lost and found table in the McKenzie lobby during conferences. Please pick up missing gloves, coats and water bottles. Unclaimed items will be donated.
Community News
Wilmette Rotary Club is running its annual BIG BOOK DRIVE at all District 39 schools from October 1st through November 15th. Please donate any gently used books.
Wilmette Park District’s Saturday Basketball registration is open for boys & girls grades 4-8.
Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
Free adult English language classes are available at Highcrest Middle School through November 13.
2nd Posting: #D39Cheetahs
Hello McKenzie Elementary School Families!
Check out Our Week At McKenzie 10/19-10/26
In an effort to showcase ALL of the rich learning experiences happening at McKenzie, we have created our own unique hashtag that we are currently using on Twitter and Instragram. Tagboard is a tool that allows me to pull all posts with the hashtag #D39Cheetahs so you can see what we have been up to at McKenzie this week! If you aren't on Twitter or Instagram, all you need is the Tagboard link I will provide you each week.
However, I would like to encourage you to join Twitter to follow us live as well! To get you started, here are a few people to follow:
- McKenzie School - @McKCheetahs
- Rachel Filippi - @RMFilippi
- Meghann Young - @mrsjoven
- Wilmette District 39 - @Wilmette39
- Many of our teachers now have class Twitter handles as well!
Regards,
Rachel
2nd Posting: Traffic Reminders
If you drive to school, you MUST either use the drop-off/pick-up lane on Prairie Avenue or park your car legally and walk. DO NOT drop-off/pick-up in the back of the school.
Legal Parking is available on:
- Prairie Avenue, north of the staff parking lot
- Central Avenue, east of Prairie
- Washington Avenue, west of Prairie
- 15th Street
- Highland Avenue
Staff Parking Only: Limited spaces in the North and South parking lots are for McKenzie staff ONLY. If you are dropping off children for Early Birds, please put your emergency flashers on so staff knows that a parking space will be available soon.
Alley Ways
- Please be extra careful when traveling by car through ally ways since many of our students are walking to and from school.
- One of our neighbor's houses will be undergoing construction. The ally way directly behind the school may be blocked at times.
3rd Posting: Operation Gratitude - October 30 - November 5
With Halloween approaching, it is time for Operation Gratitude, headed by staff member, Miss Allie Denton. Surplus Halloween candy goes into care packages that are sent to our military heroes, past or present. Last year, McKenzie donated over 250 pounds of candy!
Students will be writing letters to the heroes at school, which will accompany the candy, but letters can be written at home as well. This year, Allie is broadening the scope of the project by inviting our students to write letters at home to service men and women. These letters will be included in the packages. Last year, 22 student letters were sent. The goal for this year is to send over 100 letters. If you'd like to have your child support this effort, letters or drawings may come from home. Some letter writing tips include:
Letters should indicate if the letter is written to a first responder, a new recruit, a veteran, or a deployed troop member
Start salutation with "Dear Hero" or "Dear Brave One." Offer thanks for selfless service.
Do not include the date or year.
Share a personal story or interest.
Only include the student's first name.
Also include the teacher's name, the grade level, Miss Denton's name, and your child's teacher's email or school address.
Your family can help by:
- Donating extra Halloween candy
- Donating other items needed items: Deodorant or sunscreen (Travel Size, non-aerosol), Foot Powder (Travel Size), Gum, Hand Warmers, Lip Balm and playing cards. (Please visit the Operation Gratitude Website for further information to learn about other items that can be donated.)
- As an alternative--or in addition to donating candy--we need help with mailing all of these goodies. You may send in a monetary donation to the McKenzie school office to help cover shipping (Tax-deductible, must be turned into the office.)
- Collection boxes will be out in the lobby starting on Tuesday October 30th and will be removed on Monday, November 5th after school. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Allie with any questions, and thanks in advance! dentona@wilmette39.org
Upcoming Dates
11/4/18
Daylight Savings Time Ends
11/6/18 - 11/8/18
Book Fair
11/7/18
Parent Teacher Conferences - Full Day Kindergarten Teachers ONLY
11/8/18 - 11/9/18
No School - Parent Teacher Conferences
11/12/18
Veteran's Day - School in Session
Kate Klise Author Visit
School Board Meeting @7pm MEC
11/12/18 - 11/30/18
Share the Feast & Share the Joy
11/13/18
PTA General Board Meeting @8:40am
11/19/18 - 11/23/18
No School - Thanksgiving Break
11/29/18
PTA School Play - Mary Poppins @5:15pm and @6:15pm
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