Martin Memo
Sept 13, 2026
From the Principal
Good Things Happened at Martin! ππ
It was a short week, but so many good things happened at Martin! We successfully completed our first shelter-in-place and evacuation drills. Both went smoothly, and our students did an amazing job following expectations. β
Students also completed their first Benchmark assessments in literacy and math. Next week, teachers will take a deeper look at the data and use it to support the needs of all students. π
Our Exemplary Husky basket was overflowing! πΎ Ask your child to show you their celebration ring and first positive-recognition tag. When students are recognized for going above and beyond expectations, they receive an Exemplary Husky nomination, a new tag for their ring, and an entry into our weekly Exemplary Husky drawing.
Donβt forgetβPicture Day is September 15! πΈ
Picture Day - September 15th
School Portrait day/s will be held on September 15, 2026. Afterwards, youβll be able to view your images, order packages and select your image for your yearbook (please remember to do so before itβs selected for you), all orders will be delivered to your home.
To view and order photos from Picture Day: Youβll receive an email when your images are ready to view online. Or, you can search for them at vipis.com shortly after photos are taken. If you need further assistance, contact VIP at support@vipis.com.
Celebrations π
ππΎ Exemplary Huskies πΎπ
Congratulations to our outstanding Huskies! ππ
We are excited to celebrate this week's Exemplary Husky winners! These students were recognized for going above and beyond our schoolwide expectations through kindness, responsibility, leadership, and respect. They are wonderful examples of how Good Things Happen at Martin and They Begin With Us!
Upcoming Events π
Sept 14-5th Grade Choir
Sept 14-Multilingual Parent Advisory Committee (MPAC) 6:00β7:30 p.m. at the District Office
Sept 15-Picture Day
Sept 21-25-Start with Hello Week
Sept 22-Early Release Day-Dismissal at 12:55
Sept 22-PTAC Meeting at District Office 6-8pm
Sept 24-School Store Open during lunch/recess
Sept 25-CMPTA Fun Run
Sept -29-School Anxiety, Avoidance & Refusal: Symptoms and Interventions
Oct 1-Thriving Parent Support Group 6:30-7:30pm
Oct 13-Huntley 158 Movie Night
Oct 14-CMPTA Dine and Share-Chick-Fil-A
Announcements & Reminders π£
βIt Starts with Helloβ Week Sept 21-25
Join us September 21β25 as we celebrate friendship, kindness, and belonging through special dress-up days and activities! We will also recognize Deaf Awareness Month by learning ASL greetings throughout the week. Our celebration will finish with the CMPTA Fun Run on Friday. Students should wear their grade-level team color: 3rd grade red, 4th grade orange, and 5th grade blue. Good things Start with Hello and happen when we come together at Martin!
District News πͺ§
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! π
At Huntley Community School District 158, weβre proud to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Join us in honoring this vibrant heritage and the diverse voices that make our community strong.
Join Us for Our Upcoming MPAC Meeting!
Huntley Community School District 158 is excited to welcome all Huntley 158 multilingual families to our next Multilingual Parent Advisory Committee (MPAC) meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026, from 6:00β7:30 p.m. at the District Office, Room 180, 650 Dr. John Burkey Drive in Algonquin. MPAC provides families an opportunity to connect with district staff, share ideas, ask questions, and help support the success and well-being of our multilingual students. Your voice matters, and we hope to see you there!
The Huntley Hurricanes Special Olympics team
The Huntley Hurricanes Special Olympics team is excited to kick off the 2026 basketball season in a few months! To gauge interest and tailor our plan for the fall, we kindly request your assistance in participating in an interest survey. See below for two Special Olympics basketball opportunities that will be available this fall/winter.
To be eligible to participate, students must be at least 8 years old (at the start of the 2026-27 school year) through age 22 and have an intellectual disability or an impairment approved with physician consent. There is no cost to participate, other than to ensure proper attire including athletic shoes.
Basketball Team- Students will be on a team playing basketball games against other Special Olympics teams in the area. Commitment: At least three games and weekly practices leading up to the regional competition
Basketball Skills- Students will compete focusing on these skills: Target Pass, 10-Meter Dribble and Spot Shot. Commitment: Weekly practices leading up the regional competition
Please fill out this form by September 25 if you are interested in signing up your child for the 2026 Special Olympics Basketball Team or Basketball Skills. This is only the first step of the process as we are seeking to gather interest. You will be contacted directly regarding next steps. By collaborating with you, we can ensure that our efforts align with the needs and preferences of our community.
If you encounter any difficulties or have any questions regarding the survey or the initiative itself, please let me know. Thank you for your cooperation and support in this endeavor.
Sincerely,
Keely Grasse
Special Olympics Coordinator
Email: kgrasse@district158.org
Huntley 158 Family Learning Series
Topic: School Anxiety, Avoidance & Refusal: Symptoms and Interventions
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 6PM - 7PM
Presenter: Jacqueline Rhew, LCPC
Open to all Huntley 158 families
Join via Google Meet
September is Attendance Awareness Month and Huntley 158βs motto is βYour Presence is Your Power.β Every day a student is in school is an opportunity for them to build relationships, learn and access support.
The district is kicking off its first virtual Family Learning Series this year with a presentation by Jacqueline Rhew, a licensed clinical professional counselor, who specializes in school refusal and anxiety in children. The virtual event is free and open to all Huntley 158 families.
Rhewβs presentation will provide parents and caregivers with practical strategies to support their child who may be struggling with school anxiety, avoidance, and school refusal.
She will explore factors that contribute to school avoidance and help parents learn how to recognize early warning signs and unhelpful coping patterns, and better understand how anxiety and avoidance can reinforce one another.
In addition, Rhew will outline specific interventions to help children manage anxiety, increase motivation, set realistic goals, and gradually re-engage in school. Parents will also learn strategies for responding to anxiety without unintentionally reinforcing avoidance, promoting healthy coping and problem-solving, and using communication that builds self-advocacy, confidence, and independence.
Thriving Futures Parent-led Support Group
The Thriving Parent Support Group is a parent-led support group for Huntley District 158 parents/guardians of students with IEPs. The goal is simple: to help parents build connections with one another so they can strengthen the supports that are vital for their childβs success.
Families are invited to connect, share experiences, and support one another through casual conversations, roundtable discussions, and occasional learning opportunities. Parents of IEP learners of all ages are welcome, and attendance is flexibleβcome when you can. Please share with other parents that may benefit!
βWhen: Thursday October 1, 2026
βTime: 6:30pm-7:30pm
βWhere: Morkes Chocolate, 11801 Main St, Huntley, IL 60142
If youβd like to stay informed about future meetings, please take a moment to complete this form
Join Us on 10/13 for NEW Huntley 158 Movie Night
Grab a blanket and get comfy for Huntley 158βs first sensory-friendly movie night! Join us on Tuesday, October 13, at Heineman Middle School for a fun and inclusive evening open to all ages.
The featured movie, Out of My Mind (rated PG), is an inspiring story about a young girl with cerebral palsy who finds her voice and challenges others to see what she is capable of. With powerful themes of friendship, inclusion and perseverance, itβs the perfect film to bring our community together.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and the movie begins at 6:15 p.m. Come dressed for comfort and bring a blanket for floor seating; an accessible seating area will also be available. Weβll provide snacks and water, or feel free to bring your own. Stop by our βselfie stationβ and enter for a chance to win a prize! The evening will wrap up at approximately 8 p.m. Students under age 13 must attend with a parent or guardian.
Questions? Contact Ina Hall, Huntley 158 Family Engagement Liaison, at ihall@district158.org.
PTA News πͺ
ππ Join the CMPTA! π
We're excited to kick off another amazing school year and continue supporting our wonderful Reed Road school community! π The CMPTA helps make so many fun events and memorable experiences possible for our students and staff.
Can't make the meeting? No worries! We'd still love for you to become part of our CMPTA community and enjoy all of the great events and opportunities CMPTA supports throughout the year. Every family is welcome, and every level of involvement makes a difference! β€οΈ
πββοΈπΎ Fun Run Volunteers Needed! πΎπββοΈ
Our upcoming Fun Run is the only fundraiser sponsored by the CMPTA, making it an especially important event for our Reed Road Campus! It is a wonderful opportunity for students, families, and staff to come together for a day filled with movement, school spirit, and fun.
We are looking for volunteers to help make the event run smoothly and safely. If you would like to volunteer, please register using the link below by September 18.
For planning and safety purposes, late registrations and day-of volunteers will not be accepted.
π Sign Up to Volunteer
CMPTA Family Event- All Seasons Orchard-Sept 20th
Join the CMPTA Family Events Committee for a fun family day at All Seasons Orchard on Sunday, September 20th with a rain date Sunday, September 27th!
Tickets are $9 per person for PTA members and $11 per person for non-PTA members, and your ticket includes full barn access. If your family would like to go apple picking, that is an additional $12 per person and can be purchased at the event.
Tickets must be purchased by September 9th, so start texting your ECC, Chesak, and Martin friends to see who will be joining! Ticket pick up information will be sent via email week of the event. Check out the All Seasons website to see more information about the farm-https://allseasonsorchard.com/
CMPTA Spirit Night Fundraiser at Chick-fil-A in Algonquin on Wed, October 14
Join us for a CMPTA Spirit Night Fundraiser at Chick-fil-A in Algonquin on Wednesday, October 14, anytime from 4:30β8:00 p.m.! When ordering in the dining room or drive-thru, be sure to mention Spirit Night. For mobile orders, select the option to support a community event and enter the code Husky. Enjoy dinner while helping support our Martin students and school community!
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
NEW: Explore School Meals with My School Menus
New, interactive school breakfast and lunch menus are now posted online! Visit the My School Meals website or download the mobile app to view interactive menus and nutritional information in the language of your choice. Read this article below for more information about My School Meals, MySchoolBucks, and more!
Breakfast Menu
Click on the image to enlarge the menu.
Lunch Menu
Click on the image to enlarge the menu.
Meal Prices
Lunch-$3.70
Milk Only-$0.50