Mountain Lion Memo

Hello Mackeben Families,

We've had a fantastic first days of school. Our students are making new friends, learning the school expectations and learning each day!!!

Please remember to contact your child's classroom teacher or the main office to notify us of a transportation change. We want to make sure that all students leave school and arrive home safely each day.

Presence Is Your Power - Show Up and Shine!!! Attendance is extremely important!!! Students are learning vital classroom procedures and developing foundational skills each day. Please be aware of district attendance regulations and Chronic Absence percentages.

Over the next two weeks, the kindergarten classes will be learning about colors. We will be talking about a specific color each day. Please dress your child in the specified color to help us celebrate color week.

As always, this is an optional activity. Please do not feel the need to buy a new clothing item if your child does not have one of the colors in their wardrobe.

Mrs. Tara Drafall

Mrs. Tara, as she is affectionately called, is one of our paraprofessionals in our special education classes. This is the third year that Mrs. Tara has been in this position. Prior to that, Mrs. Tara was a lunch recess supervisor at Mackeben.

Each day Mrs. Tara supports and cares for her students to ensure that they gain vital academic and social emotional skills. She encourages appropriate communication and inclusion, while developing positive relationships will all students at Mackeben.

Beyond her love for her students, you can find Mrs. Tara jamming out to New Kids On The Block and Taylor Swift, while tracking down Donny Wahlburg in St. Charles at Wahlburgers.

We love Mrs. Tara's positivity, joy and love she brings to Mackeben each day!!!!

Grandparents Day / Lunch with a Loved One - Lunch/Recess Visit.

• You may choose only one day - Thursday, September 5th or Friday, September 6th
• All visitors must complete this form prior to Tuesday, September 3rd This RSVP survey will be closed at 11:59pm on Monday, September 2nd. https://forms.gle/MLUHbwGLPJf4B9fRA
• Visiting sessions are during the lunch/recess times. If there are students in multiple grades, you may choose to visit them, but you need to complete a form for EACH student.
• A confirmation email will be sent to those that have RSVP'd by the end of the day on Tuesday, September 3rd.

At Mackeben, as well as the other school's in Huntley School District 158, we prohibit the use of electronic devices. Students that bring cell phones or smart watches to school will have to place those devices in their backpack during the school day. If students are witnessed using these devices, the device will be confiscated and parents will need to pick up the device in the main office.

Please see the policies about Electronic Devices from our Elementary Handbook.

Personal Electronic Items - Toys, Games, Cell Phones

Below is a list of items that may not be visible or accessed during the school day. Students choosing to bring these items to school must store them in backpacks in the “off” position. Please be aware the school is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items.

• Toys (electronic or other)

• Games (electronic or other)

• Cell phones, MP3 players, Smart Watches

Smartphones, e-readers and other educational electronic devices may be used for instructional purposes when the teacher deems appropriate.

Students will not be allowed to make phone calls during the school day except as permitted by a staff member. Students generally are not called to the telephone from classes except for emergencies.

Bus routes will be available to view in PowerSchool starting July 26, 2024. For help logging into PowerSchool, click HERE. Please continue to check route information as it will change as more students register. No changes will be made to routes from August 5, 2024 until September 2, 2024 in order to ensure consistent route assignments. Questions about transportation can be directed by phone to (847) 659-3000 or by email to transportation@district158.org.

Starting in September of school year 2024-25, all elementary schools (grades K-5) will be serving school breakfast in the cafeteria. See below for details:

• Breakfast is optional, but will be available to all students. Students will be charged for school breakfast.

• Breakfast will be served daily when school is in session from 8:20 a.m. to 8:35 a.m. (Chesak, Leggee, Conley, and Mackeben) and 7:50 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. (Martin)

• Breakfast will be a cold item kit consisting of a bowl of cereal or cereal bar, an additional grain, fruit juice and milk.

Food Service / Free and Reduced Lunch Applications

Starting in September of the 2024-25 school year, breakfast and lunch will be available to all D158 elementary, middle and high school students. Breakfast is new this year at D158 elementary schools (grades K-5) and will be served in the school cafeteria. See below for elementary breakfast details:

• Breakfast is optional, but will be available to all students.

• Breakfast will be served daily when school is in session from 8:20 a.m. to 8:35 a.m. (Chesak, Leggee, Conley, and Mackeben) and 7:50 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. (Martin)

• Breakfast will be a cold item kit consisting of a bowl of cereal or cereal bar, an additional grain, fruit juice and milk.

The cost of meals is based on a student’s fee status. Standard meal prices for the 2024-25 school year are as follows:

• Breakfast: $1.75

• Lunch: $3.25

Meal applications and fee waivers must be filled out annually. See links below to access these documents electronically. Paper copies are also available at the District Office. For more information, please contact Michelle Escudero at mescudero@district158.org or 847-659-6155.

• Meal applications: Free and Reduced Meal Applications are available online. Note: Meal applications must be submitted prior to submitting a fee waiver form.

• Fee waiver forms: Fee waivers are available for eligible students once a meal application has been submitted. Applications for fee waivers can be downloaded from the Forms page (see Food Services) of the District website. Forms can be dropped off at the District Office (Attn: Food Service Department, Michelle Escudero).

Families can set up (or continue to use) a MySchoolBucks account to manage food purchases. MySchoolbucks allows you to make online payments, monitor account balances and student purchases, and replenish accounts. To learn more about MySchoolBucks, visit the D158 website.

• 24-25 Huntley 158 Calendar
• September 2nd - No School - Labor Day
• September 5th & 6th - Grandparents Day / Lunch with a Loved One *please complete this form by Monday, September 2nd*
• September 7th - Huntley Hootenanny
• September 11th - Patriots Day Assembly 9:00am *if you or a family member are a veteran, active duty or first responder, please consider joining us in recognizing and honoring your service. Contact Mrs. Marzullo mmarzullo@district158.org*
• September 17th - PTA Meeting 6:00pm
• September 24th - Early Release
• September 27th - Fall Picture Day

Address - 800 Dr. John Burkey Dr. Algonquin, IL 60102

Main Office Phone Number - 847-659-3400

Attendance Number - 847-659-3411

Marcie Marzullo - Principal

mmarzullo@district158.org

847-659-3401

Abbe Colantonio - Assistant Principal

acolantonio@district158.org

847-659-3402

Jessica Palmer - Special Education Coordinator

jpalmer@district158.org

847-659-3573