Mountain Lion Memo
Family Newsletter - August 9th
Welcome to the 24-25 School Year
Hello Mackeben Families,
It was so exciting to see our new Kindergarten students at Sneak Peek. We hope that your child is ready and feels comfortable in our school.
Our teachers are getting their rooms decorated and information organized for our Meet the Teacher - Supply Drop Off on Monday, August 12th from 2:30-4:30pm. If you are unable to make it then, the building will be available for supply drop off from 5:00-6:00pm, but the teachers will not be present.
This year we are going to SHINE BRIGHT!!!
Tears & Cheers
PTA is hosting a Tears & Cheers event on Thursday, August 15th. Families will be invited into the building at 8:45am to learn about PTA and meet new Mackeben Families.
PTA No Cook Night - MOD Pizza
Dine in or Take out to support Square Barn PTA at MOD Pizza in Algonquin.
Thursday, August 29th 11:00am-8:00pm
Huntley Hootenanny - 5K
Join the Huntley District 158 community with its annual 5K on Saturday, September 7th
All ages & abilities welcome
Grandparents Day - Lunch with a Loved One
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.
Electronic Devices
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 Information
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.
Health Services Information
Important Health Services Reminder!
As we look ahead to the 2024-25 school year, we want to provide you with information regarding required health documents that will need to be submitted for any student entering Kindergarten, 2nd, 6th, 9th, or 12th grades. These documents are required by Illinois School Code and Huntley 158’s school policy in order for a student to attend school. If you have not scheduled your appointment you will want to do so now in order to have the required health information for the start of the school year.
Families will need to provide the following documentation for their student by the first day of student attendance on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Huntley 158 has a first day exclusion policy, which means that students must be excluded from school if they have not provided the necessary documentation to our health services offices. If you feel you have an extenuating circumstance that will prevent you from meeting that deadline, please reach out to your building nurse to discuss possible options as soon as possible. They will return your email/message as soon as they are able.
Kindergarten Students: Physical exam, up-to-date immunizations, dental exam, and eye exam
Second Grade Students: Dental exam
Sixth Grade Students: Physical exam, up-to-date immunizations, and dental exam
Ninth Grade Students: Physical exam and dental exam
Twelfth Grade Students: Up-to-date immunizations
Required immunizations can be found on the Health Services page at huntley158.org or speak with your physician.
Completed health documents can be emailed to your students' school health office (listed below), dropped off at or mailed to your student’s school.
Huntley High School: huntleymedical@district158.org
Heineman Middle School: heinemanmedical@district158.org
Marlowe Middle School: marlowemedical@district158.org
Leggee Elementary School: leggeemedical@district158.org
Mackeben Elementary School: mackebenmedical@district158.org
Chesak Elementary School: chesakmedical@district158.org
Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a healthy school community!
School Breakfast
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
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.
Special Events
- 24-25 Huntley 158 Calendar
- August 14th - 1st Day of School - 1st & 2nd
- August 15th - 1st Day of School - Kindergarten
- 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
Mackeben Information
Address - 800 Dr. John Burkey Dr. Algonquin, IL 60102
Main Office Phone Number - 847-659-3400
Attendance Number - 847-659-3411
Marcie Marzullo - Principal
847-659-3401
Abbe Colantonio - Assistant Principal
847-659-3402
Jessa Palmer - Special Education Coordinator
847-659-3573