McKenzie Monitor
October 16, 2026
Principal's Message
Dear McKenzie Families,
Mark your calendars for our very first Class T-Shirt/Grade Level Color Spirit Day on Wednesday, October 21st! We are excited to come together as a school community to celebrate our McKenzie Paw Pride. Students are encouraged to participate by wearing their official class t-shirt, their grade-level color, or any favorite McKenzie spirit wear and gear. Let’s fill our halls with school spirit next Wednesday.
As a reminder, the grade-level colors are:
Kindergarten: Red
1st Grade: Pink
2nd Grade: Green
3rd Grade: Blue
4th Grade: Purple
Thank you for your support in making this a fun and festive day for all of our students!
Have a great weekend,
Dana & Claire
Social-Emotional and Behavioral Risk Assesssment
In the past, elementary students have participated in the INSIGHTS Social-Emotional Competency assessment to gauge their progress in several SEL Competency Areas, and 5th-8th grade students have participated in the MESH/Panorama assessment for the same purpose.
We have transitioned this year to a new tool that will act as a screener for social-emotional and behavioral risk called the SAEBRS/mySAEBRS. Using this tool will help MTSS teams to identify students in need of support, and provide interventions as needed. It is a different type of tool than used before, and will provide more actionable data for us to better support students.
The assessment tool is brief (20 questions) and at K-2 will be completed by teachers, while at 3-8 it will be completed by students. It should only take about 10 minutes total for 3-8 students to complete. Use of this tool supports our District 39 strategic priority of creating an inclusive student community that advances social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health.
Please note: Students in grades 3-8 will need headphones to complete this assessment.
Halloween Details
October 30th/Halloween Details for Grades K–4)
Time: The parade will begin at 9:00 a.m on October 30th.
Route: Students will exit through the front doors on Prairie, march along the sidewalk, and circle the school building so families can enjoy the procession. There is plenty of space along the sidewalk, so find a cozy spot and cheer on our Cheetahs!
Weather Contingency: If rain or inclement weather forces us inside, students will still enjoy an internal classroom celebration. However, the outdoor parent viewing portion will be canceled.
Costume Guidelines To ensure a safe, comfortable, and fun day for all students, please keep these guidelines in mind:
Keep costumes age-appropriate for an elementary school environment.
No weapons (real or toy) are permitted on school grounds—please save all swords, blasters, and props for trick-or-treating at home.
Early Dismissal Reminder. Please remember that October 30th is a student early dismissal day. ALL students will be dismissed at 11:55 a.m.
We can’t wait to see all of the creative costumes and celebrate this fun school tradition with our incredible students!
Kate Hannigan Family Author Visit
Award winning author Kate Hannigan is planning on coming back to Wilmette for a D39 Parent Education Event! She will be at the Romona auditorium on Wednesday, November 4th at 6:30p.m. Please see the attached flyer for her event. If your family does intend to attend, the district kindly asks that you register for this free event through the Eventbrite link. There is also an opportunity to have a pre-signed book from Kate through Willow Books. The last date to order is October 23rd. We hope to see you there!
D39 News and Information
Parent Education
District 39 is proud to announce that award-winning author Kate Hannigan will be coming to Wilmette for an evening, in-person Parent Education event on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 pm inside the Romona Elementary School auditorium. Registration for this event is open now. Families can pre-order signed Kate Hannigan books prior to the event through a partnership with Lost Willow Books. These online book orders close on Oct. 23.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday for our Parent Education event titled “Big Feelings, Little People.” A recording of this event is now available. Please visit our D39 Parent Education webpage for our full 2026-27 Parent Ed schedule as well as recordings of presentations from previous years.
Community Update – Bicycle Tampering
The Village of Wilmette and the Wilmette Police Department have received reports of people tampering with unattended bicycles. It has been reported that people are opening and/or loosening the quick release wheel lever, which is used to remove a bicycle’s front wheel. When this lever is loosened, the front wheel is unsecure, posing a fall hazard to the rider. Riders are asked to take a moment to inspect their bicycle before riding to ensure it is safe and road-ready before riding. Please reference this flyer from the Village for more information on these incidents and overall bike safety.
Second Annual District 39 Educational Foundation’s Innovative Educators Award
The District 39 Educational Foundation will soon be accepting applications for the Second Annual Innovative Educators Award. This award recognizes educators who demonstrate excellence in innovative teaching and learning practices in their classrooms and who model the characteristics of the D39 Educational Foundation’s mission.
Nominees for the Innovative Educator Award are educators who think beyond traditional teaching methods and programs. Some descriptors of Innovative Educators are listed below:
Try new practices and approaches to reach and teach students.
Create an environment of innovation within their classrooms.
Show leadership among their peers and share their innovative practices for the benefit of all students.
Provide new and innovative opportunities for students in their varied interests and talents.
Innovative in building a welcoming community within their classrooms where every student is valued for unique abilities, background, and talents.
Families are encouraged to nominate qualified faculty/staff as we seek to showcase our amazing D39 educators! Nominations for this award will open on Nov. 2
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Families are asked to Save the Date for our fall parent-teacher conferences, which will take place Nov. 19-20, immediately preceding Fall Break (Thanksgiving week). Conferences will be held virtually through the Tes Parents’ Meeting platform, with in-person appointments available by request. Sign-up information, including login credentials, will be emailed to families on Thursday, Oct. 29 with electronic sign-up opening on Monday, Nov. 2.
Information Regarding Items On D39 Lunch Menus
District 39 is proud to announce a partnership with The Common Market to offer fresh, farm-to-table ingredients in some of its lunch offerings beginning Nov. 1. The Common Market is a nonprofit regional food distributor that connects urban communities with local food from sustainable family farms. Each month, District 39 will receive one or more ingredients from a local farm. These ingredients, which will largely consist of fruits and vegetables, will be incorporated into select items on our school lunch menus. These items will be designated on our online lunch menus by a farmhouse icon.
Throughout November, we will be using fresh apples from Hildebrand Fruit Farms in Berrien Springs, Mich. We are looking forward to providing fresh ingredients for our students while supporting our local farms.
Gripp Grant Applications
Applications are now being accepted for District 39 Educational Foundation Gripp Grants. The Ed Foundation grants funds for innovative educational programs, experiences, and technologies that expand, enrich, and complement the schools’ curricula. Grant applications are welcomed from anyone in District 39 (including families) or any organization that makes a proposal consistent with the mission of the Foundation. Some examples of recently funded projects include sensory boards for elementary schools, classroom VR headsets, and Apple Pencils for creative learning.
Please visit the D39 Educational Foundation website for more information and to apply. Applications are due by Oct. 24.
Upcoming Dates
Friday, October 30th
Halloween Parade at 9am
Friday, October 30th
Student Early Release Day @ 11:55 am
PTA News and Information
Fall Frenzy! 10/17 1-3pm
The annual Fall Frenzie is right around the corner! We hope to see you on Saturday the 17th from 1p-3p on the playground blacktop. There will be games, inflatables, pumpkins, a bake sale and more. Advance ticket sale information coming soon! Want to volunteer? SIGN UP HERE.
McKenzie Annual Parent Party- Buy Tickets Now!
When: Friday, November 13, 2026 (7-10pm)
Where: Michigan Shores
Saddle up for a Wild West night filled with food, music, drinks, dancing & plenty of fun! 🌵 🥃 🎶
Link To Buy Tickets HERE
Sharing committee is back with Share the Warmth this fall!
We’re collecting clothing and winter essentials for our long-time sister school, Carman-Buckner School, a pre-K–5th school in Waukegan, and would love your help!
We’re looking for gently used or new items in a wide range of children’s sizes for boys and girls:
• Pants — all sizes, especially sweatpants
• New underwear — sizes 4T- Youth XL
• New socks — all sizes
• Snow boots — all sizes
• Gloves/mittens — all sizes
• Jackets/coats - children’s sizes
Place items in designated bins located in the front and back of McKenzie.
Sign Up Parties
Interested in hosting a Sign-up Party or want to learn more? We're still looking for a few more volunteers to host parties and raise money for McKenzie! Sign-up parties are parent led parties that raise money for McKenzie and are also a great way to meet other McKenzie families and have fun! Reach out to Monica at Fundraising@mckenziepta.com or text message at 773.230.5011. For More Info CLICK HERE. Parties must be finalized by 10/14.
McKenzie Book Fair
Mark your calendars for the Literati Book Fair on 10/29 from 4–7 PM!
McKenzie staff will be treating kids to a night of campfire stories and book tastings! We’ll also have a special guest appearance by HumanKind, our spiritwear vendor, for onsite printing and McK swag.
Shop your teacher’s wishlist ONLINE NOW.
Online Book Fair Is Live
The online Book Fair is now LIVE and ready to shop at your convenience. Support our school and your reader by purchasing a subscription BOOK BOX. Each subscription sold generates $100 cash for the school. Shop HERE
Yearbook Cover Contest
The McKenzie Yearbook 4th grade cover contest starts now! Please have your 4th grader submit a contest entry by 10/23/26 for a possibility to be featured on the cover of this year's yearbook!
Garden Volunteer Sign Ups
If you enjoy being outside, visiting with the kids, and crafting, please join us in the McKenzie Garden! We are open as a recess option on Mondays & Fridays but need your help to supervise.
Grades 1-4 sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4EAAA82FAAFD0-56963489-mckenzie#/
Kindergarten sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4EAAA82FAAFD0-56963488-kindergarten#/
Join the PTA & Access the Family Directory: CLICK HERE
We encourage all families to join the PTA ($25). Membership provides access to the Membership Toolkit app, including our convenient online family directory and classroom lists.
Teacher & Staff Gift Donation: : CLICK HERE
The Teacher & Staff Gift Donation replaces the individual collections previously coordinated by room parents. Donations allow the PTA to provide gifts to teachers, paraprofessionals, specialists, and other staff members throughout the year.
Lunch Volunteer Sign Ups!
McKenzie welcomes volunteers to help in the cafeteria during lunchtime. To provide the opportunity for all to participate, please limit your initial signups to 2. Please CLICK HERE to sign up. Questions? Reach out to cafeteria@mckenziepta.com
Lost & Found
Did you know that the Lost & Found is cleared out every month to allow space for MORE lost items? Grab your kids' sweatshirts and water bottles while they're still in the cafeteria! Browse online to see what's there! Check out the virtual lost and found HERE.
Join The PTA!
The PTA is still looking for volunteers to fill this year's Communications Elect and Read-a-thon Committee positions! Reach out to Mandy Frost at secretary@mckenziepta.com or Jerilyn Smith at president_elect@mckenziepta.com with any questions or to learn more about the roles.
IT’S VARIETY SHOW TIME!
SIGN UP & JOIN THE FUN!
Calling all McKenzie families!
Whether you love being on stage or want to help behind the scenes, there’s a place for everyone!
DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BE PART OF THE SHOW!
SIGN UP TODAY! - Link here- https://forms.gle/wXYbqP4NVS7woHYU7
Community News
Please click here for Community News.
Regular School Hours
Kindergarten & Grades 1 - 4
Monday - Thursday: 8:35 am - 3:15 pm *Friday: 8:35 am - 2:15 pm
**First bell rings at 8:28 am for students to line up. Doors open at 8:30 am bell.
About Us
Instragram: mckcheetahs
Email: office-mckenzie@wilmette39.org
Website: mckenzie.wilmette39.org/
Location: 649 Prairie Avenue, Wilmette, IL, USA
Phone: 847-512-6300