Mountain Lion Memo

Each year, Mackeben Elementary honors September 11 by coming together to recognize and celebrate the first responders who serve our community. On Friday, September 11, we will gather for a special Patriots Day assembly where students and staff will honor visiting first responders and family members for their service, participate in the Pledge of Allegiance, and sing patriotic songs. We are grateful for the opportunity to teach our students about service, courage, and the importance of recognizing those who help keep our communities safe.

Families who have a first responder in their family are invited to complete the Patriots Day visitor form to attend and be recognized during the assembly. If a first responder is unable to attend, families may submit a photo and brief description so they can be included in our recognition slideshow.

Patriot's Day Assembly - Visitor Form *link*

*Students Wear - Red, White & Blue - Friday, September 11th*

What is a Star Student?

At Mackeben, a STAR Student is a student who exemplifies our school expectations by being Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Involved. Students may also be selected based on the growth and improvement they have demonstrated in these areas and may be nominated by their teacher. Because STAR Students are recognized only five times throughout the school year, each classroom will select just five students. If your child is not selected, it does not mean they are not following our school expectations. Many factors may be considered when selecting a STAR Student, including opportunities to recognize a student who has shown meaningful growth or demonstrated these expectations in a special way.

Thank you to Raising Canes in Algonquin for donation of prize certificates

ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES, AND TARDIES

School attendance is one of the most important tasks of a student. Accordingly, all students are expected to be present in all scheduled classes every school day unless absent for a valid reason. Students who stay home for trivial illnesses or because they do not feel like attending school are, in effect, only hurting themselves. They are missing vital information in their education and placing their future in jeopardy. We will closely monitor all absences and hope for the cooperation of parents in improving school attendance.

Absences

For students who are required to attend school there are two types of absences: excused and unexcused. The school may require documentation explaining the reason for the student’s absence. The school administrator is the final decision maker as to whether an absence is Excused or Unexcused.

Excused Absences (EA)

1. Illness of the student

2. Mental or Behavioral Health Days – Students may utilize up to five mental or behavioral health days per school year. After use of the second mental or behavioral health day, the student may be referred to the appropriate school support personnel.

3. Death in the immediate family

4. Family emergency

5. Religious holiday observance

6. Attending a military honors funeral to sound TAPS

7. A student will be excused for up to 5 days in cases where the student’s parent is an active duty member of the uniformed services and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat-support postings.

8. Court appearance.

9. Work or school sponsored activity approved by the school.

10. Voting in a local, State, or federal election.

11. College Visitation Days - Must be taken before May 1. A College Visit Verification form signed by the college or institution must be provided to excuse the absence as a college visit and be coded as College Visit (CV). Failure to follow the correct procedure will result in the absence being coded as an Unexcused Absence (UA). Only the day of the college visit can be excused under the College Visit (CV) attendance code. Days required to travel for a college visit do not count as excused absences and will be coded as an Unexcused Absence (UA).

Unexcused Absences (UA)

• All other absences are Unexcused.

• Tardies (late to school or class), vacations, and cultural trips are Unexcused Absences.

Procedure for Communicating Absences

In the event of any absence, the student’s parent is required to call the school before school begins to explain the reason for the absence. If a call has not been made to the school to report the student’s absence by the start of the day, a school official will attempt to contact you to verify the absence. The purpose of this procedure is to determine if your child has arrived safely. If the parent cannot be contacted, the student will be required to submit a signed note from the parent explaining the reason for the absence. Failure to do so shall result in an unexcused absence. Upon request of the parent, the reason for the absence will be kept confidential.

Elementary Schools: When your child arrives after the official start time, parents are required to sign their child in at the school office. Students who leave school early for reasons of illness, appointments, or notes from home will be released only to the parent unless prior arrangements have been made through the school office. Parents are required to sign their child out in the office.

Elementary Handbook

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.

Thank you for following our new routine. Students, families and staff are safer in the morning with your continued effort.

Helping Children Thrive in a Phone-Based World

Today’s children are growing up in a world where smartphones, social media, video games, and online interactions play an increasingly large role in daily life. The resource Free the Anxious Generation encourages families and schools to work together to create healthy boundaries around technology while giving children more opportunities for real-world connection, play, and independence.

The resource encourages parents to consider delaying smartphones until high school and social media until age 16, while also supporting phone-free learning environments at school. Just as importantly, children benefit from opportunities to build independence through free play, face-to-face friendships, responsibility, and age-appropriate activities in the community. Working together as families and a school community can help create shared expectations that support children's social, emotional, and overall well-being.

Anxious Generation For Parents

PTA NEWS

The Square Barn PTA is searching for a new Vice President of Conley Elementary! Duties would include:

1) Working closely with the board to plan events.

2) Working with the Mackeben VP to set up Dine & Shares.

3) Volunteering time to set up/assist in running of PTA events.

If you are interested in joining the PTA Board as the Conley VP, please contact us at squarebarnpta@gmail.com!

CONTACT US: squarebarnpta@gmail.com Square Barn PTA Website

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

• No volunteer requirement or obligation to attend meetings!

• 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! Join by September 18!

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

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

QR Code to membership website

• WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE FILL OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP FORM EVEN IF YOU USE OUR ONLINE PORTAL. THIS WILL HELP US ENSURE YOUR CHILD IS ENTERED INTO THE DRAWING!

SBPTA Membership Form 2026-27

MEETINGS: Join us for our first community meeting!

Where: Conley Elementary Library (B103) Childcare Provided! (ages 3 and up). Children are welcome at our meetings too!

Time: 6:00PM

When: Thursday September 17th

UPCOMING EVENTS

MACKEBEN SPIRIT WEAR!!

Last chance to order spiritwear is September 4! Use the link or QR code below to order!

Link to Mackeben Spirit-Wear

Mackeben Spiritwear QR code.png

Mackeben Spiritwear QR Code

SQUARE BARN SHUFFLE!!!

Shuffle Flyer

CONLEY - September 11th MACKEBEN - September 18th

Our biggest fundraiser asks students to pledge from family, friends and neighbors to raise money for field trips, PTA school events, and sunshades for both schools!

PLEDGE PACKETS WERE SENT HOME MONDAY.

Need another copy of our pledge sheet?

Shuffle Pledge Sheet

Set up an online page for your child to share with family and friends!

1. Use the link to our online fundraising platform (99 Pledges) https://app.99pledges.com/fund/squarebarn3

2. Scroll down to the bottom and choose “add a participant”

3. Follow the prompts and you can create a shareable link for family and friends to your child!

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER AT THE SHUFFLE!

The Square Barn PTA needs your help! We need volunteers to help us run our Square Barn Shuffles! Use the link or QR Code below to sign up!

Shuffle Volunteer sign up.png

Shuffle Volunteer Sign Up QR Code

Link to Shuffle Volunteer Sign Up!

Get Involved and Join PTAC!

Are you looking for a meaningful way to get involved in our school district? We invite you to consider serving as a representative on our district Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee (PTAC) for the 2026–27 school year.

This year, we are working to strengthen communication and connection between our schools and the district by increasing awareness of the important work of PTAC. We are seeking one parent and one staff representative from each school to attend three meetings during the year and serve as a liaison between their building’s parent group and the district PTAC.

About PTAC
PTAC is a school board-required committee led by the superintendent that meets regularly to review and provide input on key areas, including:

• Student discipline policies and their implementation, including considerations for students with disabilities

• The reciprocal reporting system between the school district and local law enforcement

• School bus safety procedures and how they are reflected in discipline policies

• Policies addressing student behavior, including supports for students at risk of aggressive behavior and bullying

• Guidelines related to the administration of medication at school

Meeting Schedule
All meetings will be held at the District Office from 6:00–8:00 p.m. on:

• Tuesday, September 22, 2026

• Tuesday, January 12, 2027

• Tuesday, April 20, 2027

Representatives will be asked to share updates and gather feedback at their school’s parent meetings (such as PTO/PTA or school advisory groups) to ensure two-way communication between the district and each building.

Important Note
While PTAC plays an important advisory role and informs recommendations to the Board of Education, it is not a decision-making body.

Interested in Participating?
Please complete the interest form by Sunday, September 6, 2026.

Your voice matters, and your perspective is essential to this work. We look forward to partnering with you to support our students, staff, and school community.

If you are looking to be involved at the school level rather than the district level, more information on ways to do that will be coming out soon.

Huntley 158 Family Learning Series (virtual)
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 158’s motto is “Your Presence is Your Power.” 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.

Rhew’s 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.

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 6:00–7:30 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!

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

kaumann@district158.org

847-659-3402

Jamie DeYoung - Special Services Coordinator

jdeyoung@district158.org

847-659-3573