McKenzie Monitor
October 27, 2017
Principal's Note: Author Visit
Greetings McKenzie Families!
Did you know that Candace Fleming is coming to visit our students on Wednesday, November 8th?! Ms. Fleming is a Chicago native who began storytelling as a preschooler. Candace was a history major in college, of which has inspired many of her fiction and non-fiction stories.
Some Fun Facts:
- Candace was the arm wrestling champion of her fourth grade class.
- She has a pet tarantula named Betty.
- Ms. Fleming reads 6 novels per week!
Featured Books:
- Papa's Mechanical Fish
- Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!
- The Giant Squid
Ms. Fleming will be autographing books while visiting McKenzie! Book orders for Candace Fleming are due by Wednesday, November 1st. A hard copy of the book order can be picked up by the office, or you can CLICK ON THIS LINK to print an order form.
Have a great weekend!
Regards,
Rachel
Parent Education Night - How to Raise Resilient Children
Tip: Click on picture and zoom in.
McKenzie Green Team
Calling all 3rd and 4th grade students interested in protecting the environment!
McKenzie is forming a Green Team again this year consisting of 3rd and 4th graders. The goal of the Green Team is to find ways to help protect the environment. This might include recycling, composting and finding other ways that McKenzie can help the environment. We will work together to brainstorm ideas, and we will be putting together our Green Team goals during our first meeting on November 16th @8:00am.
Mrs. Eckholm and Mrs. Reed are excited to kick off the McKenzie Green Team! Please reach out to them with any questions. Hope to see you there!
2nd Posting: Halloween
It’s October & Halloween is right around the corner! Please remember that for the school parade, students are not allowed to bring weapons or wear a costume that is in “bad taste." Please have conversations with your children about what is appropriate. More information about our parades and classroom parties will be shared by the classroom teachers soon.
- The Halloween Parade for grades K-4th will be held Tuesday, October 31st, at 9:00am. Grades 1st-4th will be dismissed at 11:55am. Kindergarten will be dismissed at 10:00am.
- The parade begins out the front doors. Students will parade down the front sidewalk and around the school for parent viewing.
- Kindergarten parents, please review communication from Mrs. Chick or Mrs. Norton for specifics about kindergarten Halloween plans.
If it should rain in the morning, our outdoor parade for parents will be CANCELLED!
3rd Posting: PTA NEEDS your input!!! Please take this QUICK survey to support our students!
Survey: CLICK HERE
The 4C's: Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity
Mrs. Alfaro's Class: Paper Airplanes
Ms. Noska's Class: Breakout EDU
Ms. Bialk's Class: Enrichment
PTA News and Information
DON'T MISS THESE EVENTS
Teacher Gift Fund:
The PTA is changing things up this year by asking for a monetary contribution that will go toward holiday gifts for all teachers and the entire McKenzie staff! In the past, room parents collected funds for classroom teacher gifts, but front office, custodians, specials teachers and paraprofessional staff members were not included. In an effort to recognize everyone working with the children, please consider a suggested donation of $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. Click here to contribute by November 17th.
PTA Gift Survey:
Have you filled out the gift survey yet? The PTA would like to hear from you as to where our funds should be gifted. This initial survey is open until Monday, October 30. Please take a few moments and give us your input: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RRP62
HELP WANTED:
Parliamentarian:
Be an important advisor to the PTA! We are looking for someone who is interested in understanding the finer points of PTA bylaws and procedure, and advising the board when questions arise. Please email president@mckenziepta.com if interested.
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!
OTHER HAPPENINGS…
Youth Connection of Wilmette:
Make dinner a selfless act and help support Youth Connection of Wilmette. Come in to the Chipotle at 9408 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie on Saturday, October 28th between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Bring in this flyer, show it on your smartphone or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Youth Connection, a non-profit District39 Partner serving Wilmette 5th-8th graders.
Community Events
Wilmette Theatre hosts Chicago International Children’s Film Festival November 3-5.
Youth Connection is hosting a fundraiser at Skokie Chipotle Saturday, October 28th, 4:00-8:00 pm. Show the flyer or state your support for Youth Connection of Wilmette to donate 50%.
League of Women Voters of Wilmette hosts buffet dinner and State of the Village meeting with Village Leaders on November 1st at 6:00 pm. Register by October 27th.
League of Women Voters of Wilmette & Wilmette Public Library host informational meeting on IL School Funding Reform - SB 1947 at Wilmette Library on November 5th 7:00 - 8:30 pm
PEDAL POWER is collecting gently used bicycles to reward CPS students for making honor roll! Drop off in Wilmette at McKenzie Elementary School November 11th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Other drop off sites available.
New Trier HS Football Schedule is posted online.
Wilmette Rotary Club hosts annual BIG BOOK DRIVE October 2nd - November 15th. Donate books at any D39 school.
Register now for Wilmette Park District’s Saturday Basketball for boys & girls grades 4-8.
Free sneak peek of WTTW’s “Nature Cat” Screening at Wilmette Theatre for kids ages 3-7 Saturday October 28th at 9:30 am.
Upcoming Dates
10/31/17 Halloween - Half Day
11/8/17 AM/PM Kinder Teacher Conferences (School in session)
11/9/17 No School for Students/K - 4 Conferences
11/10/17 No School for Students/K - 4 Conferences
11/13/17 Board of Education Meeting @7pm MEC
11/20 - 11/24 No School - Thanksgiving Break
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.