Mountain Lion Memo

‘Twas the night before the first day of school.

The kids were asleep (’cause 8 p.m.’s the new rule!),

And I sat on the couch and shed a small tear

Thinking of all that was changing this year.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of glue sticks danced in their heads.

Their backpacks were hung by the front door with care,

Knowing the school bus soon would be there.

All I could think was how quickly you’d grown

To all of a sudden be leaving our home

And heading to school for the first time ever

To learn reading and writing and strive to be clever.

Study science and music! And socials and reading!

Learn math and learn English! Then a parent-teacher meeting!

There’s so much to learn, so much fun to be had,

I was both proud and excited (and just a little bit sad).

I hoped that you’d love your new teacher and classmates,

Make lots of new friends and set up some play dates.

I couldn’t help but worry that while filling your belly,

Would you trade your egg sandwich for a bowlful of jelly?

It was so hard to send you out there on your own

Knowing I wouldn’t be there. My, how you’d grown!

I hoped that I’d given you all the tools you would need

To take these first steps into the world and succeed.

Just before I headed off to my room and my bed

I sneaked into yours and kissed your sleep-tousled head.

As I crawled into bed and settled to sleep,

I knew that the next day would be hardest on me.

Copyright © 2015 This West Coast Mommy. All Rights Reserved.

Establishing a consistent routine is one of the best ways to help children transition successfully into the school year. Predictable morning habits—such as waking up at the same time, eating breakfast, laying out clothes and backpacks the night before, and following the same sequence of getting ready each day—reduce stress and help children become more independent. Families can also use strategies like timers or educational shows to make mornings smoother and reinforce routines. As children adjust to school, they benefit from the structured schedules used in the classroom, and parents can support their success by staying informed about the school day, communicating with teachers, and addressing challenges such as hunger or fatigue. Balancing structured evenings with time to relax, read together, and maintain a consistent bedtime routine helps children feel prepared, confident, and ready for each new school day.

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/setting-a-routine-for-success-at-school

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!

MEET THE 2026-2027 BOARD/COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WNXw-yRsLZJRpKBXkYyJ-10T1ARhBu7x/view?usp=sharing

From Top Left: VP Elizabeth Hartmann, VP Kristin Johnson, Secretary Desiree Habrat, President Mary Kaye, Treasurer Ewa Weck, Social Chair Jen Kranig, and Square Barn Shuffle Chair Micheli Jorda.

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

• No volunteer requirement.

• No obligation to attend meetings.

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

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

December 3

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

SCHOOL SUPPLY DROP-OFF AFTERNOON/EVENING

August 17 2:30-4:30PM & 5:00-6:00PM

Visit our tables at Conley and Mackeben!

· Connect with a board or committee member!

· See Mackeben Spirit Wear! (Conley will host a school sponsored spirit wear sale)

· Join a committee!

· Sign up to donate items or volunteer!

· Stop by the Kona Ice Trucks outside both schools!

BOOHOO! WOOHOO! MEET and GREET

August 20 8:45 AM

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KtLgYvgTEME_IIqu1pK8T8CmL2cdQy55/view?usp=sharing

Welcome Kindergarten Parents! Enter the school at 8:45 for this special event!

· Enjoy some tasty refreshments!

· Hear about the PTA and how we support the school!

· Sign up to join a committee, volunteer, or donate items!

· Ask questions!

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