McKenzie Monitor

Dear McKenzie Families,

As we reflect on these past two weeks, we want to take a moment to celebrate our third and fourth grade students and staff on their completion of the IAR state assessment! While everyone reacts to testing in different ways, one thing is for sure, our McKenzie Cheetahs put forth great effort and care as they showcased their talents and skills! Thank you for joining us in celebrating student success!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Dana

Our nurse's office is looking for clothing donations. As you clean out closets this Spring, please consider donating any gently used pants, shorts, tops and socks to our nurse's office. All K-4 sizes are needed! Thanks in advance for your support.

Please see the attached Countdown to 5th Grade flyer with a timeline of transition events. All incoming 5th grade families should have also received the 5th Grade Parent Input form, which closes on April 28th.

School Safety Reminders and Resources

Safety measures across our D39 schools are of paramount importance and partnerships with our entire community, as well as with our local law enforcement agencies, are critical to maintaining safe, supportive schools. We continue to partner with our Wilmette Police Department as well as other local and regional experts in school safety for ongoing review of our safety and security measures, for training, and for review of critical incidents. The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority and we are incredibly grateful for our close partnership with the Wilmette Police Department. If you would like to learn more, below are some resources and information regarding school security and safety in District 39.

• District 39 School Safety and Security webpage

• District 39 Parent Education presentation – “Safety in District 39 Schools”

• Wilmette Police Department presentation – firearm safety

• Wilmette Police Department critical firearm safety program and services

• “See Something, Say Something” through Illinois Safe2Help

Parent Education Opportunities

Thank you to everyone who attended last night’s Parent Education event, a book discussion on Michelle Icard’s “Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen.” It was a great presentation and sparked a robust discussion!

Our final D39 Parent Education presentation titled “Maintaining Academic Skills Over the Summer” will take place on Wednesday, May 10 at 11 am. This presentation will take place via Zoom. Register now to save your spot. Be sure to visit our D39 Parent Education webpage to learn more about our parent education program and find recordings of past presentations.

April 25, 2023

McKenzie Open House 5:30-6:30 pm

*E-Tickets will be sent to families on April 24th.

May 29, 2023

No School - Memorial Day

Garden Help Needed!

Two great opportunities to get involved by helping with the Mckenzie Garden!

Join the Garden Committee

• We are forming a committee to help with ongoing garden maintenance and planning activities for the McKenzie garden. No green thumb necessary! Help is needed this spring and summer and into next school year. Please email katebschmitt@gmail.com if you are interested in helping.
  

Volunteer during recess

• The garden is now open for students to visit during their recess on Mondays and Fridays. SIGN UP HERE to help and spend time with your student outside! Consider coming to the garden after your shift in the cafeteria during your child’s recess. Volunteers facilitate pre-planned activities or oversee students helping in the garden. No green thumb necessary!

Get ready...get set...READ!

The Read-A-Thon is here! This exciting school-wide program promotes reading and raises funds for McKenzie’s new accessible playground. Now through 4/22, collect donations from family and friends. Then track minutes daily from 4/23-5/7. This year’s Read-A-Thon will coincide with a book drive led by the McKenzie Student Leadership Council (drive starts 4/24). Click HERE for pledge and reading forms and for more information.

Variety Show Download/DVD ON SALE NOW!

Take home this year's blockbuster Variety Show "Heard in the Halls"! Thrill your kid as they relive their favorite VS moment. DVD/Download will be available on release date, approx. week of May 22nd. For details & to purchase, go to the Variety Show website HERE.

Birthday Books: Last Call!

Last call for Birthday Books for this school year! April 18 is the deadline to sponsor a book in honor of your child's birthday so they have time to check it out and enjoy it before the end of the year. Click HERE to sponsor a book!

Learning Commons Volunteers

Sign up now to shelve books in the Learning Commons during your child's library time. It's a great chance to see them during the day.

Cafeteria Sign-up through the end of the school year–Click HERE to sign up! The 2-slot-per-grade limit has ended now that everyone has had an opportunity to sign up and volunteers may take additional spots if they wish.

Wilmette Park District seeks residents input and feedback to help create a clear vision for parks, facilities, and recreation to meet the needs of residents for play, health, wellness, open spaces and nature places. Project Parks and Play: Explore the Possibilities. Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/wilmetteparkdistrict

Glide to Growth is a non profit organization that aims to provide one-on-one free figure skating lessons to children with disabilities. Ice skating is an excellent therapeutic activity that promotes physical, emotional, and social growth. Contact www.glidetogrowth.com

Kindergarten Boys & Girls - join Illinois Baseball Academy for Mini-Majors Spring League A great way to learn baseball fundamentals and have fun. Form your own team, register as a group or as an individual. Register through the Park District - last year sold out!

Wilmette Baseball Association Spring House League registration is open for K-8th grades. www.wilmettebaseball.org

Oakton College offers STEAM Youth Summer Camp with in-person and virtual options. Virtual courses: June 6 - August 26 and In-Person Courses: June 12 - August 3

Northwestern presents Wildcat Science Camp! Session 1: Insect and Pollinator Behavior July 10-14. Session 2: Engineering Rockets July 24-28. Scholarships available for families with need.

New Trier Township offers a Food Pantry 10am - 4pm weekdays for families that live/work in the township. NT Township also offers Emergency Financial Assistance, Legal Aid Clinic, property tax assistance, social service referrals and other available resources. Go to www.newtriertownship.com for more information.

Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:00-11:00 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Kindergarten

Academic Kindergarten AM: 8:35 - 11:10 am

KEEP39: 11:10 am - 3:15 pm

*Friday: 11:10 am - 2:15 pm

Grades 1 - 4

Monday - Thursday: 8:35 am - 3:15 pm

*Friday: 8:35 am - 2:15 pm

**First bell rings at 8:30 am.

Follow #D39Cheetahs on Twitter to get a glimpse of all of the learning happening at McKenzie!

Email: nasiakod@wilmette39.org
Website: mckenzie.wilmette39.org/
Location: 649 Prairie Avenue, Wilmette, IL, USA
Phone: 847-512-6300