McKenzie Monitor
December 20, 2024
Principal's Message
As the winter break approaches, I wanted to take a moment to wish you and your families a wonderful and restful holiday season. I'm looking forward to an amazing 2025 and seeing everyone back in the new year! To reflect on the year so far, enjoy this short video highlighting some of our favorite moments.
As we head into possible travel, this is a friendly reminder that we kindly ask students to refrain from taking any iPads or library books on trips over winter break. Please remind students to keep these items in a safe place at home during our time away from school. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Happy Holidays!
Dana
Lunch at McKenzie
We recently have some questions to our front office regarding lunch accounts, charging and lunch options. With the new year upon us, we want to review our lunch options, the protocol to set up, fund, and understand your child(ren)’s lunch account as a way to help prepare you moving forward.
A reminder that our monthly lunch menu can be found online, along with nutritional facts and allergen information. Beginning in January, as you monitor your child(ren)’s lunch account, you will see these three options as possible charges.
McKenzie Lunch Options:
Full Lunch (entree, other items listed on the menu i.e. small salad, fresh fruit, and milk as a beverage)
Additional Entrée (this would be considered a double and the child would receive a second entrée; for example, a second pizza but not a second full lunch)
Milk Only
Lunch payments are made through the students’ lunch account, which parents manage through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. To add money to your child(ren)’s account, login to the Portal account, click “Balance” and then “Make a Payment.” You will be directed to RevTrak, where you can deposit money into a child’s account. If you have multiple children, please remember that each child has their own balance to be maintained separately.
Related Arts Spotlight
We’re excited to introduce our Related Arts Spotlight newsletter! This weekly update will highlight the exciting activities and learning happening in our related arts classes, including art, music, PE, Spanish, Tech and Library. It’s a great way to stay informed about the creative and engaging experiences your child is having in these special areas.
Lost & Found Corner
Next donation date: Today!
D39 Updates and Information
What I Like About…District 39!
There are so many fun and creative things happening in our schools that bring smiles to students and staff alike. As we head into winter break, we celebrate all that we love about our schools! Please enjoy these short videos sharing a few of the many reasons our students and staff enjoy their schools!
Parent Education Event
District 39’s December Parent Education event titled “Youth Substance Use Trends Parents Should Know About” was full of valuable information for families. If you were unable to join us live, the recording and presentation materials are available below.
We are grateful to have partnered with PEER Services and the Knowledge Empowers Youth (KEY) Coalition for this presentation, which provided outstanding guidance on an important topic. Please visit our Parent Education webpage for our full schedule of events as well as archived recordings of past events.
Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education gathered this past Monday for its monthly business meeting. In addition to hearing committee reports, the Board was presented with a draft of the 2025-26 academic year calendar, which will be officially approved by the Board on January 27th, and approved the supplemental debt service tax levy for 2024. Agendas and materials for all Board of Education meetings are posted online the Friday prior to the meeting.
Save the Date – Registration for the 2025-26 Academic Year
With the end of the calendar year rapidly approaching, we wanted to share that registration for the 2025-26 school year will open on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. District 39 is excited that it will be offering full-day kindergarten for all families beginning in Fall 2025! A draft of the 2025-26 academic year calendar is available here and will be officially approved at the Board’s January 27th Board of Education Meeting.
Upcoming Dates
December 23-January 3
No School - Winter Break
Monday, January 20
No School - MLK Jr. Day
January 21-24 - Spirit Week
January 21: Grade-Level T-Shirt Day
January 22: Hat Day
January 23: Silly Sock Day
January 24: Backwards Day
Friday, January 31
Early Release - All students dismissed at 11:55 am
PTA Information
Thank you for your generous support of this year’s Share the Joy toy drive! Sharing committee members and Carman-Buckner staff handed out 223 gifts to their students on the 18th. It’s impossible to put into words the joy you brought to those kids! Images are below.
Create a Profile on the PTA Website to track purchases and donations: We have just rolled out a new feature on our PTA website! You may now create an account to see your past orders, save payment and shipping information, and check out faster.
Follow these simple steps to create your account:
1. Go to www.mckenziepta.com
2. Click "Login" on the top navigation bar
3. Click "create account" at the sign in pop up
4. Add your info. Make sure to use the same email address you have been previously using to purchase things through the site (otherwise your past purchases will not show up)
5. You will get an account verification email (click to verify).
6. Voilá! You will now be able to sign into the McK site - no more digging through your email to find receipts for teacher gift fund etc.!
If you have any questions, please email webmaster@mckenziepta.com
Kid sign-up parties:
Check out a few events that are still available. Please also note that many events are restricted to specific grade levels; please assure to double-check any grade level limits before signing up your child. Click here https://mckkidssignup.cbo.io to purchase tickets.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Cafeteria Sign-Up: Click HERE to sign up.
Library Sign-Up: HERE.
Sponsor a new library book in honor of your child's birthday! Click HERE for the $20 purchase.
DISTRICT 39 News:
Appreciation Certificates Are Now Available!
Looking for a special gift to say THANK YOU to a special teacher, staff or administrator AND give back to our D39 schools? For your $39 donation, the staff member(s) of your choice will be honored with a personalized certificate sent via email and their name posted on our website's virtual Wall of Honor. All donations will benefit our schools by funding the D39 Educational Foundation's Gripp Grant program. Purchase your appreciation certificates here.
Family Bingo Night - It's Back & Better Than Ever!
Friday, January 24th from 6 PM to 8 PM at Highcrest Middle School Cafeteria. Join us for fun-filled bingo games, pizza and salads! Exciting prizes for all ages! Visit d39foundation.org to buy tickets and pre-order your meals. Let’s make some unforgettable family memories together!
Community News
Regular School Hours
Kindergarten
Academic Kindergarten AM: 8:35 - 11:55 am
KEEP39: 11:55 am - 3:15 pm *Friday: 11:55 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.
About Us
Email: nasiakod@wilmette39.org
Website: mckenzie.wilmette39.org/
Location: 649 Prairie Avenue, Wilmette, IL, USA
Phone: 847-512-6300