McKenzie Monitor
May 24, 2019
Principal's Note: Flexible Classrooms - Thank You!
So much to be thankful for at McKenzie! Our PTA has once again dedicated substantial financial support in the amount of $50,000 to outfit more of our classrooms with flexible furniture! Our students and staff have been loving our flexible spaces, and we can't wait to meet the learning environment needs of even more students! Thus far our PTA has provided flexible furniture for the following spaces:
- Learning Commons
- 2 Kindergarten Classrooms
- 4 First Grade Classrooms
- 3 Second Grade Classrooms
- 5 Third Grade Classrooms
- 4 Fourth Grade Classrooms
- 4 Special Education Classrooms
- Art Room
In addition to thanking our amazing PTA, thank you to McKenzie's Flexible Space Committee of whom dedicated many hours planning and preparing for our new spaces. Thank you to all McKenzie staff members for continuing to provide and create innovative learning environments for our students!
But, that's not all!!! We would also like to thank our D39 Educational Foundation for donating $6000 towards even more innovative classrooms at McKenzie! McKenzie's students and staff can't wait to design our new flexible spaces! Your generosity is GREATLY appreciated!!!
D39 Early Childhood Program Named In Dr. Lechner's Honor
Dr. Lechner has dedicated 20 years of service to District 39. During his time with D39, he has worked towards creating a more inclusive environment for ALL of our students. Needless to say, Dr. Lechner has been very successful in making this goal a reality. CLICK HERE to read more. Please join the Board of Education in honoring Dr. Lecher by naming our Early Childhood Program, Lechner Early Education Center.
Open House To Honor Dr. Lechner
D39 Student Services Administration Parent Forum
It is now official that Dr. Romy DeCristofaro will be joining Evanston/Skokie District 65 July 1st. We would like your input as we search for the next leader of our Student Services Department. This important position oversees all D39 student and special education services, including the early childhood program.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 06:30 PM
Wilmette Junior High School, Locust Road, Wilmette, IL, USA
Registration For School Year 2019-2020
Paw Pride Winners!
We are happy to announce this week's students whose tickets were pulled for safe, responsible, and respectful behavior:
Kindergarten
Grayson Cohen
Yuna Cho
Corinne Phillips
Grade 1
Tiernan Coady
Nora Keller
Grant Koshkarian
Meir Rogers
Grade 2
Ava Goldstein
Samantha Kahn
Nate Shinners
Ben Sutphen
Grade 3
Isabella Canchola
Nancy Fang
Lily Gladfelter
Talia Lanam
Julia Wesemann
Grade 4
Lola Butterworth
Ziv Frydman
Alessandra Lucchese
Will Miller
Hallway CHAMPS
Mrs. Norton's Class
Ms. Hinton's Class
Mrs. Alfaro's Class
Mrs. Schroeder's Class
Mrs. Zorger's Class
PTA News & Information
Thank You to the out-going PTA Exec Board Members! Thank you for all you have done for McKenzie.
MaryAnne O’Keefe – President
Elizabeth Candido – Secretary
Julieta LaMalfa – Treasurer
Casey Brown – VP, Room Parents
Jamie Dennis – VP, Fundraising
Courtney Radde – VP, Communications
Margie Swain – VP, Community Building
Laura Werling – VP, Enrichment
Vivian Underwood-Treasurer, Assistant
Allison Allen-Assistant, Room Parents
Thank you Michele Coffey for opening your home to host the Volunteer Thank You Brunch this year!
DON'T MISS THESE EVENTS:
Field Day: McKenzie's annual Field Day is just around the corner!
Friday May 31st (Rain date: Monday, June 3rd). 3rd and 4th grade events will run from 8:50-10:30 AM and 1st and 2nd grade events will run 12:20-2:00 PM.
Please consider volunteering for this “kid-favorite” day and help make this day a continued success! Sign up here
PTA Last Day Popsicles and Lemonade: Celebrate the end of a great school year with popsicles and lemonade on the McKenzie blacktop June 14th at 11:45. Prior to our popsicle party, please join the families and students of the McKenzie PTA community in honoring our retiring McKenzie staff, Lisa Swift, Fran Rosenthal and Jennifer Weil.
WE NEED YOUR HELP:
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 a dedicated parent to volunteer for President Elect.
If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Amy Falkowski
McKenzie Garden: The McKenzie Garden is now open and needs your help! Please sign up here.
Interested in meeting new families at McKenzie? Volunteer to be a mentor to a new family and/or a tour guide! It’s really simple and fun. All it takes is a quick email to introduce yourself and set up a time to drop off a car magnet to the new family. If also interested in being a tour guide, tours will be conducted in the morning or afternoon throughout the school year. Please email Suzanne Gayle at if you have any questions and to sign up!
OTHER HAPPENINGS:
School Supply Kits: Today is your last chance! Don’t miss out! Order your school supplies for the 2019/2020 school year today! Orders can be placed here and a portion of the sales from each kit will be donated to the McKenzie PTA. Contact Evita Gailuma with questions.
4th Grade Farewell: Attention 4th Grade Families! Pictures needed for 4th grade farewell slideshow! Please submit at least 3 pictures of your child at McKenzie with friends or alone (ideas include first/last day of school, class parties, field day, field trips, Fall Frenzy, pictures on the blacktop/playground/front of school/classroom...). If you do not have any pictures taken at school, please send pictures taken elsewhere. Submit pictures to aimeehartigan@yahoo.com by 5/29
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.
Destination Imagination: Are you curious about DI? Come to an informational presentation to find out what Destination Imagination (DI) is all about! DI is a team-based creative problem solving competition for ids grades K-12. There are several identical, 1hour presentations to choose from. RSVP here.
- May 30th, 7 pm @ WJHS
- June 4th, 7 pm @ McKenzie
- June 7th, 9 am @ MEC
- June 11th 3:35 @ Harper
District 39 Education Foundation: The District 39 Educational Foundation is proud to announce the Ray of Light Fund to celebrate and honor Dr. Lechner's background, support, and advocacy of special education and inclusion programming. Please click here to make a donation in honor of his retirement after 20 years of service.
District 39 Education Foundation: Show your appreciation to your child’s teacher in a unique way this year. D39 Educational Foundation Teacher Appreciation Certificates are a special thank you. For $39, your honoree is sent a certificate displaying your own words of thanks. In addition, his/her name and yours are added to a virtual Wall of Honor. These donations are used for Gripp Grants that enrich the lives of all D39 students. Click here to order.
Community News
The Wilmette Police Department & The Wilmette Public Library host a forum on Opioid Use in the Community tonight at 6:00 pm at the Wilmette Public Library.
The Center for the Gifted offers summer programs for Pre-K through 12 grades.
Winnetka Youth Organization hosts Junior Game Night for 7th - 12th graders on Friday, May 24th 6:00-9:00 pm.
Wilmette Baseball Association has opened Summer League Registration for students in Kindergarten - 3 grades.
Wilmette Historical Museum hosts Summer Scavenger Hunt June 17 - August 4th.
Oakton Community College hosts summer STEAM camps and classes for students ages 8-12. Registration is now open.
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 Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
2nd Posting: PTA Fun Run - Rescheduled 5/30/19
2nd Posting: PTA Stock The Shelves
Upcoming Dates
5/27/19
No School - Memorial Day
5/30/19
PTA Fun Run @3:15pm (Rescheduled)
5/31/19
Field Day
6/6/19
4th Grade Music Show @2:15
6/11/19
8th Grade WJHS Promotion
6/13/19
Paw Pride Assembly
4th Grade Farewell Party
6/14/19
Last Day of School
PTA Popsicle and Lemonade Party @11:55am
PTA McKenzie Retiree Recognition @11:155am
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