Mechanics Grove School

MG Families... PLEASE complete this quick survey!

Parents, we are asking for all households to please take this survey about The Leader in Me at MG. We are applying for a very special award and need to have families complete this survey for us as a part of our reflection. You can click on the link below and choose your language. We would like to ask you all to complete it by Friday, December 18th. THANK YOU!!!

LEADER IN ME SURVEY LINK...

https://www.leaderinme.com/s/mechanics-grove-elem-il/families

Morning Drop Off at MG

In order to keep all students and families safe and so that morning drop off goes as smoothly as possible, we have some guidelines in place. We ask that all families follow these guidelines.

1. be sure you pull ALL THE WAY UP in the drop off line whenevr possible.

2. Parents MUST stay in their car and stduents exit on curb side.

3. When exiting the parking lot, cars should be turning right only.

4. All stduents need to be dropped off by 8:02am. School begins at 8:05am.

Thank you

A Note from our English Language Learner Teacher

With the month of December often busy for many people, here are some easy websites students can use to read or practice the English Language. These can be done with family or the students are able to also use them on their own.

Unite for Literacy

FREE online Books in English and Spanish

Recommended Grade Levels: Elementary

Unite for Literacy offers a selection of free books with audio to be read at home.

Have your child select a book to read daily for free in English or Spanish.

Go to uniteforliteracy.com and click on the pencil icon to select your preferred language.
Have your child select a book and begin reading.
Click on the speaker icon for the language your child wants to listen to, then click the arrows to turn pages.
When you've finished the book, be sure to discuss it with your child. Ask “What did you learn in this book?”

This is a simple way for your child to read even when a book is unavailable.

2. Games to learn English

This site has quick games that practice vocabulary, review parts of speech and teach common phrases used in English.

https://www.gamestolearnenglish.com//

A Note from our Specials Teachers

PE:

Our basketball unit is off to a slam-dunk start! Students have been learning about how the game is played, while practicing fundamental skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. Our favorite game so far has been Hot Spot Shooting and Spelling where students get to practice shooting hoops, and spelling vocabulary words at the same time! Students are also working towards meeting all of their Healthy Fitness Zone goals with various fun fitness activities each week. As always we are focusing on habits such as synergizing, being proactive, and thinking win-win. Lastly, our Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser will be starting in January! This fun and inspiring event encourages students to learn about heart health while raising awareness and funds for the American Heart Association. Throughout the challenge kids engage in heart-pumping activities as we promote the importance of staying active. This is a great way for students to support a meaningful cause, improve their physical fitness, and have fun together while making a positive impact on heart health in our community!

Art

The MG building is coming alive with displays of amazing finished artworks from all students! Every student should feel proud of the time, energy and effort they put forth into completing their amazing pieces! Currently, the third grade students have taken a quick break from their printmaking project to create an air-dried clay project to take home before winter break. They are learning proper clay handbuilding techniques and using their painting skills to complete the projects. The fourth grade students have completed their construction paper masks and are working on a winter object stained-glass inspired oil pastel project. Students drew their designs and are now using their knowledge of color theory as they experiment with mixing and blending the oil pastels before applying it to their final design. The fifth grade students are working on a whimsical winter watercolor landscape. Students sketched an original winter village and are learning about wet-on-wet watercolor techniques as they practice “shading” with paint. I am excited to see such creativity, artistry and craftsmanship as students continue to explore, problem-solve, and experiment with different artistic techniques and processes!

Music

We’ve been busy in the music room this month! 3rd Grade spent the month of November discovering a new rhythmic concept called 16th Notes. We have learned how to read these rhythms, and are using a song called, “Piccadilly Circle” to compose our own 16th Note rhythms. 4th Grade began learning how to play the Recorder this month! So far, we have learned proper hand position, and the pitches “A” and “C”. Students are moving on to learning how to improvise with these two pitches using a song called “Extra! Extra!” 5th Grade is finishing up with their concert preparations. We are so excited to present our concert, “We Shine Bright” on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, featuring songs about things that glow and shine. Overall, it’s been a great first half of the school year, and we are looking forward to continue letting students’ creativity shine in 2026!

DD

All of the classes heard the story Balloons Over Broadway before Thanksgiving. It tells the history of the Tony Sarg, the balloonist who helped start the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Students have been creating their own balloons and some also worked on making a city street. The city will be a backdrop for a video of all the balloons. Recording of the video is in progress and once complete it will be shared for all to see.

Have you heard that Dog Man and Greg Heffley are on vacation? Every week, students receive clues about what famous locations these favorite characters are visiting. So far, the students have discovered that Dog Man has been at the Statue of Liberty and that Greg has been at the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China. These favorite characters will be back on the shelves of the Discovery Den after the holiday break!

Calling all 5th Grade Students for the CSMS Musical!

Dear Mechanics Grove Families,

I am thrilled to share with you District 75’s next musical, MOANA JR! Our CSMS students have been working really hard the past several months getting started on our rehearsals. We can’t wait to share the final production with you!

I’m also excited to invite our 5th Grade Mechanics Grove students to be a part of our “Kakamora” Ensemble cast. Students cast in the Young Ensemble Cast will be a part of our Kakamora song in addition to our Bows song! This is a great way for your 5th grader to get involved in musical theatre before they arrive at CSMS next year! We can’t wait to have them!

Students interested in attending the workshop for Moana Jr. (MJR) MUST complete the following:

Complete this Google Form (also in Discovery Den google classroom)
Attend the Moana workshop

Thursday, December 11 from 415-515 pm at Carl Sandburg Middle School (enter door 24 by the flag pole)

See attached information sheet for complete details.

Thank you!

Moulee Gupta

CSMS Musical Director

Our District is Hiring Paraprofessionals and Guest Teachers

Please visit the district website for more information on how to join our amazing D75 Team!

A Note from our PTO

Box Tops (flyers attached)

Thank you to all of our families who have joined our Box Tops Team! If you haven't downloaded the Box Tops For Education App yet, you can still do it! Simply go to your app store and download the Box Tops for Education App and enter code PNKN0SEQ (District 75 PTO Mundelein), scan a receipt with a Box Top eligible item, and you'll start earning for our schools! There are monthly bonus opportunities too, so watch the Box Tops (and $$) add up for our schools! We are well on our way to hitting our goal of raising $1,000 this year!

OPEN GYM

Venture Athletics is hosting an open gym exclusively for D75 K-8th students on Saturday, December 13th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Tickets for this event can be purchased through the QR code on the flyer for only $10. Venture Athletics will donate 15% of sales back to the PTO.

Gift Card Purchases

Purchase gift cards from RaiseRight.com and help the District 75 PTO earn money! See the flyer below.
With over 750 popular brands participating, you can earn money for the PTO by getting your morning coffee, dining out with the family or getting TEACHER APPRECIATION GIFTS.

Return order to school by 12/8.

Cards will be ordered on 12/10 and will be delivered to schools before 12/18

Thank you

The PTO Board would like to extend our thanks to everyone who helped plan, organize, donate, or volunteer time to make our events possible.

Important Dates

12/11- Thursday After School Clubs

12/12- Early Release (students dismissed at 11:05am)

12/15- RAINBOW DAY

12/16- HATS OFF TO WINTER! Wear your favorite Hat

12/17- Holiday Sweater Day

12/17- 5th-8th Grade Band Concert (7:00pm at MHS)

12/18- PAJAMA DAY

12/18- Please complete the Leader in Me Surevy by today! SURVEY LINK

12/18- Last Day of School before Winter Break

1/6- TUESDAY -School Resumes for Students

Do you want more information about your student?

Text the word YES to 79041 to receive text message notifications from their school. Click here for more information.

Find Information HERE

RevTrack: this document has details. For help with payment and balances, please contact Patty DeLozier, pdelozier@d75.org or 847-949-2700 ext. 2014.
PowerSchool: directions for parent accounts is HERE If you have any questions, contact Diana Solis via email dsolis@d75.org.
Teacher contact info: our staff list is on our WEBSITE.