McKenzie Monitor
August 31, 2018
Principal's Note: Off to a Great Start!
Greetings McKenzie Families!
We had a great start to our 2018-19 school year!
Teachers were back in the building on Tuesday for our Building Institute Day. In addition to all of the minutiae we cover to get the year off to a great start for our students, teachers participated in an engineering teamwork challenge. See the photos below to see some of our staff grappling with the problem we presented.
Our Flexible Furniture reveal brought the squeals of excitement from your children as they entered their classrooms last week. (You can see one happy 3rd grader on a ball chair, above.) Many thanks for the PTA support that brought this remarkable furniture to our our classrooms. A special thanks to Denise Lam for her support in helping teachers with their classroom arrangements, and to Mr. Oshana and his crew! It takes a village.
Additionally, our New Family Orientation was a great success. The auditorium was packed with new families that learned about our school, PTA events, and volunteer opportunities, followed by a tour of the school. Thanks to MaryAnne O'Keefe (President), and Christi Harrison (Variety Show), Bonnie Kim (Variety Show), and Julieta LaMalfa (Variety Show), and tour guides Melissa Fenwick (Welcoming Committee), Amy Falkowski (President Elect), and Casey Brown (VP Room Parents).
Parents flocked to our blacktop for the PTA coffee and Virtual Sign-ups! Thanks to all who attended and all who (wo)manned the booths! (See photos below.)
Thanks to our PTA for supporting our teachers with a wonderful first day luncheon. In particular, we appreciate the efforts of Stephanie Rapp, Stephanie Zehender, and Gracie Atlan, and Cara Andrus. You ladies really know how to throw a party! I always feel like any day I don't have to pack a lunch is a great day! Everyone enjoyed the incredible spread of salads, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks. Yum! Photos are below.
On a personal note, my 5 year old granddaughter started kindergarten in Highland Park. After a bit of a rocky start, little Scarlett came home last Friday, all smiles, to announce that she has a boyfriend with a curly black mohawk. She gave him a love note on the bus and, "His eyes filled up with tears because he's very romantic!" I can't make this stuff up! (And I have my own ideas about the reason his eyes filled up with tears!) So life is good.
Have a wonderful three-day Labor Day Weekend and we'll see all those smiling faces back in the building next Tuesday, September 4th.
Hoping for a last few days of fun in the sun...
Best,
Melanie
Institute Day Challenge for Teachers
Getting started with new friends!
Learning from mistakes and persevering!
Almost there!
PTA Coffee and Virtual Sign-ups
PTA Staff Luncheon for Staff - Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Friday Early Dismissal Reminder (1st Posting)
As a reminder, with the start of the 2018-2019 school year, 2:15pm-3:15pm supervision for our Friday Early Dismissal will be offered only to families who meet one of following criteria:
- Your child attends the Park District After School Recreation Program and takes the 3:15pm bus from Central School to the Wilmette Park District Recreation Center.
- You have a child in grades 1-4 who has a sibling in PM kindergarten.
- Your child participates in a Friday After School Park District 3:15pm club at McKenzie.
District 39 Superintendent Search (1st Posting)
Tuesday, September 18th at 9:15 a.m.
Village Wide PTO, D39 Educational Foundation, Community Review Committee, PASS 39
Tuesday, September 25th at 10:00 a.m.
Parent forum at WJHS
Wednesday, October 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Community forum at WJHS – all are welcome
NWEA MAP Assessments for 2nd - 4th Grade Students (1st 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.
Wilmette PublicSchools District 39 Board Meeting Highlights from August 27, 2018 (1st Posting)
Pre-schoolers on our McKenzie Campus (1st Posting)
School Safety Reminders from our Student Resource Officer (1st Posting)
With school back in session, Office Raimond Pavely has sent us some great reminders: Traffic Safety for Drivers and School Safety Tips for Walking to School.
Additionally, as part of our Wilmette Police Department’s commitment to public safety, officers will be conducting a campaign aimed at school zones around the village. Officers will be looking for drivers that are speeding in school zones, using mobile devices, failing to yield at crosswalks and any other violations that might put children at a safety risk. The enforcement will be conducted mainly before and after school.
As always, Please reach out to the police department if there are any specific questions.
And More About School Safety...(1st Posting)
We LOVE dogs, but not on campus during student arrival and dismissal. Although the sidewalk and parkway are technically village property, we have students who are fearful of dogs (even little, cute, cuddly pooches) or who may have allergies to animals. Additionally, we know that dogs don't always play nicely with each other. As a safety consideration, we respectfully suggest that you arrange to meet your student across the street from school if you will have your dog with you. And always have your dog on a leash. Many thanks in advance for your cooperation.
New Safety Protocols from District 39 (3rd posting)
The District is always working to improve safety practices.Throughout the District, new school badges and lanyards will be worn by all adults in the building.
- Blue lanyards indicate school staff
- Lime green lanyards indicate substitute teachers
- Orange lanyards will be given to all school visitors/volunteers
PTO Village Wide Environmental Awareness Reminder (1st Posting)
Early Birds Program (3rd Posting)
Early Bird care is available beginning at 6:45 am on August 31st (the first full day of school). The cost is based on the number of days per week attending. You can register and pay online through the District’s web store. You may pay by credit card or eCheck; there is no transaction fee when paying by credit card.
You can choose “drop-in” or regular registration. Regular registration is for a set number of days per week and is paid by semester. Drop-in registration allows parents to use the service on an as-needed basis for a daily rate.
New this year, you have the option of using Auto-Pay. Choosing this option gives the District permission to charge your credit or eCheck for child care fees. This is especially convenient for drop-in users; fees are processed weekly with a statement and receipt provided.
Additional information is available online.
After School Clubs (3rd Posting)
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.
We Welcome our New Paraprofessionals! - Coming soon
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!
Evita Gailuma- School Supplies
Dawn Li-Directory
Gretchen Cappiello- Welcome Back Coffee
Stephanie Rapp- Welcome Back Luncheon for Teachers and Staff
Denise Lam- Webmaster
Melissa Fenwick and Suzanne Gayle- Welcoming Committee/ New Parent Orientation
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 is for sale for $2 and kids and parents can jam out to Epic DJ. Want to help hand out ice cream? Volunteers sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4aadaa2da02-icecream
Parent Party:
Save the date for the McKenzie Parent Party Saturday, October 6th from 7-11 pm at the Masonic Temple located right downtown Wilmette. After Party to follow at Napolita. Registration available soon!
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:
Room Parents:
Want to be a Room Parent? This is your chance to be involved in your child's classroom! Organize activities and serve as a liaison between the PTA, your child's teacher and other parents. Room Parent selection is made on a first come first served basis with priority given to those who haven't been a room parent before. Specifically looking for volunteers for Norton AM, Flondro, Kaplan, Noska and Eckholm.
Sign-up here:
http://mckenziepta.com/room-parent-signup/
Garden Volunteers:
Please sign up to help out in the garden! The McKenzie Gardens are open to the 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
Fall Frenzy:
Interested in serving on a committee? Please contact Shauna Smith sjsmith07@gmail.com. Volunteer signups coming soon!
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 Traficato stafford.sarah@gmail.com with any questions or to help with editing!
Other Happenings:
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.
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.com/order-birthday-books-now/
Community Events
Upcoming Dates
Monday, September 3rd
- No School - Labor Day
Monday, September 10th
- No School - Rosh Hashanah
Tuesday, September 11th
After-school clubs begin!
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
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