Mountain Lion Memo

What a fabulous start to our school year! We roared into the year like a lion as our students filled the building with excitement, energy, and enthusiasm. During these first days, we are learning and practicing the routines and expectations that will help guide us through the school year. We are reminding students to be Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Involved as we build a positive school community together.

Thank you, families, for your patience, grace, flexibility, and partnership as we navigate these exciting first days. Your support at home makes such a difference as we work together to help your children feel confident, successful, and ready to learn. We are looking forward to a year filled with growth, learning, friendships, and success. We are truly Wild About Learning! 🦁

To help kick off our school theme, enjoy this fun little video with your child. We hope it brings a smile and gets everyone excited for the wild learning adventure ahead!

Watch our Wild About Learning video

Star Staff Member

Mrs. Jody Hilbrant

We are so very thankful for our secretary, Mrs. Jody Hilbrant! Mrs. Hilbrant is truly the heart and soul of our building. She brings laughter, organization, warmth, and her own special flair to everything she does. She steps up whenever a situation calls for extra attention to detail and somehow always manages to keep all the pieces together.

Mrs. Hilbrant makes sure our volunteers have a fun and supportive day, attendance is documented, and transportation is secured for each and every student. She knows our students and families by name and takes the time to learn their interests, accommodations, and those little nuggets of information that make each person feel known, valued, and like a star.

Jody has been loyal to Mackeben in so many roles—as a lunch supervisor, nurse substitute, and building secretary—but she is so much more than any title could capture. She is a problem-solver, a familiar face, a source of laughter, a steady presence, and someone who makes our school better simply by being here. Mackeben truly would not be able to function without her guidance, dedication, and unwavering support.

We are incredibly grateful for all that you do, Jody! Thank you for being the heart of Mackeben! 🦁❤️

Finding school meal information is now easier than ever! For the 2026-27 school year, Huntley 158 is introducing My School Menus, a new digital platform designed to give families convenient access to interactive breakfast and lunch menus, detailed nutrition information, and important information about allergens and food sensitivities.

My School Menus offers an accessible, user-friendly way for families to explore school meal options and make informed choices based on their students’ dietary needs.

By visiting the My School Menus website and/or downloading the free mobile app, parents, staff and students can:

• View and print breakfast and lunch menus;
• View and filter nutritional information, allergens and ingredients to meet personal dietary needs; and
• Translate menus into their preferred language

Menus can be accessed on the district and school websites or by downloading the mobile app. Search “My School Menus” in the App Store or Google Play.

Welcome to another exciting year in art class!

I am writing to share a quick update regarding our art room routine this year. We will not be using art shirts or smocks during class. Your child’s scheduled art day will remain the same every week, you will always know ahead of time when they have art.

Please help your child dress accordingly on their designated art day. I recommend wearing comfortable clothes that you do not mind getting a little dirty, as we will be exploring many wonderful-and sometimes messy- art mediums.

Thank you for your support in keeping our young artists ready to create.

Warmly,

Mrs. Van Ness

mvanness@district158.org

Art Teacher

Mackeben Elementary

The safety of our students, families, and staff must always come before convenience. Due to several occasions when safety has been compromised during morning arrival, we are making an important change to our walk-up procedure. Families will no longer be able to walk students to the front door while cars are in the car rider/fire lane area. In addition, the crosswalk may not be used while cars are in the car rider/fire lane area. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work together to keep everyone safe and ensure a smooth and secure arrival for all.

Vehicle Procedures for the Morning Arrival

• Enter the parking lot off of Dr. John Burkey Drive (Please do not block the bus entrance)

• We will have 2 lines of traffic. This will be marked with cones. Please choose a line and stay within the cones. We will have people directing these lines once we begin unloading cars.

• Pull all the way up behind the vehicle in front of you. The very first car should pull all the way to the very last cone.

• Be sure to stay in line and in your vehicle

• Students are required to exit the car by themselves CURB SIDE - PASSENGER SIDE only.

-Staff members will be on duty to escort the students into the building and will help guide them to their class once inside.

• If you feel like your child needs your support walking up to the building then please do not use the car line. You can park in the lot and walk across using the crosswalk.

• After the first two weeks of school, ALL families will use the car rider or bus services. The crosswalk can get congested and delay student drop off and arrival.

Vehicle Procedures for the Afternoon Dismissal

• Enter the parking lot off of Dr. John Burkey Drive (Please do not block the bus entrance).

• We will have 2 lines of traffic once you enter the lot. This will be marked with cones. Please choose a line and stay within the cones. We will have people directing these lines once we begin loading cars.

• Pull all the way up behind the vehicle in front of you. The very first car should pull all the way to the very last cone. We will load the cars in groups of 10-12.

• Be sure to have visible the hang tag with your child’s number on your rear view mirror. This tells the staff on duty who you are authorized to pick up and helps our staff member quickly call the numbers in the walkie in order to get students outside and loaded and keep the line moving.

• Students will be loaded CURB SIDE - PASSENGER SIDE only

• Students are required to enter the car by themselves CURB SIDE - PASSENGER SIDE only. Staff members will be on duty to support students as needed.

• NOTE: If your child requires assistance with buckling a seat belt, please allow your child to enter the car and then pull into a parking spot to assist them.

All changes in transportation arrangements should be submitted in writing by the parent to the main office. You can do this in an email but please do so before 2:00pm that day as teachers are not checking their email while they are teaching. You can also call our main phone number at 847-659-3400. Please make every attempt to notify us of any changes prior to 2:00pm that day so that we can ensure that communication occurs and we can keep children safe.

As our kindergarten students begin to learn their colors, we also encourage our 1st & 2nd grade students to participate in our color weeks. Please see the dates and designated colors for you to choose to wear throughout the first full two weeks of school.

WELCOME TO THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR WITH THE SQUARE BARN PTA!

MEMBERSHIP: We invite you to become a member of the SBPTA!

• No volunteer requirement.

• No obligation to attend meetings.

• Membership strengthens our PTA, keeps you informed about school events and initiatives, and gives you access to exclusive PTA member benefits.

• NEW THIS YEAR!! Each student in a family with a paid membership will be entered into a drawing for a chance to PIE THE PRINCIPAL!

Please use the link or the QR code to become a member! We look forward to welcoming you as a member! Givebacks Membership Link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jRdChUdqLbRCKppZ-eD4RKuZIUFJR6tA/view?usp=drive_link

QR Code to membership website

MEETINGS: Join us for our monthly community meetings!

Where: Conley Elementary Library (B103)

Time: 6:00PM

When: Thursdays

Meeting Dates

September 17

October 15

November 5

January 14

February 18

March 18

April 15

May 13

WEBSITE: Our website is currently being updated for the 2026–2027 school year. Please check back often, as additional information and resources will be added throughout the year as plans are finalized. Square Barn PTA Website

SQUARE BARN SHUFFLE!!!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OwBkSg9it9-ZAMVMCyCw_5zXDleR7l87/view?usp=sharing

WHAT: Our Biggest Fundraiser!!! Students ask their family, friends, and neighbors for pledges. On the day of the shuffle, students participate in a fun obstacle course and games during their PE class time.

WHEN: Conley : September 11th / Mackeben : September 18th

FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES: Sun Shades for Conley’s courtyard and Mackeben’s playground area, Sponsoring community building events (Bingo Night, The Holiday Shop/Jingle Jam, and The Family Dance), Funding field trips

LOOK FOR PLEDGE PACKETS COMING HOME SOON!!

Administration/Office Staff

Attendance

Calendar

Menus

Newsletters (archived)

Staff Directory

Student Handbooks

Address - 800 Dr. John Burkey Dr. Algonquin, IL 60102

Main Office Phone Number - 847-659-3400

Attendance Number - 847-659-3411

Marcie Marzullo - Principal

mmarzullo@district158.org

847-659-3401

Katie Aumann - Assistant Principal

kaharris@district158.org

847-659-3402

Jamie DeYoung - Special Services Coordinator

jdeyoung@district158.org

847-659-3573