Mountain Lion Memo

Hello Mackeben Families,

Welcome back, and happy 2026!

We are excited to begin a new year of learning and growth with your children. As we start the year together, our focus is on setting clear goals that support a positive, respectful learning environment for all students.

This week we reinforced expectations, such as keeping hands to ourselves, practicing patience by waiting our turn, following all staff directions and arriving at school on time each morning so learning can begin promptly.

Your continued support at home in discussing and modeling these expectations makes a meaningful difference.

We look forward to a successful second half of the year filled with learning, collaboration, and student success.

Families who are interested in learning and growing together with thoughtful discussion around a common book, is the purpose of the Square Barn Family - Book Club.

Mackeben Principal, Marcie Marzullo, would like your opinion on which book, should be our shared book choice. Please fill out this form to vote for your top book.

Once the top book is chosen, families that are interested in participating in the book club, will have the book purchased for them, as long as they attend at least 3 out of the 5 family book club meetings. Meetings will be held in the evenings at Mackeben, childcare will be provided.

Thank you in advance for completing the survey by Monday, February 2nd.

Square Barn Family Book Club - Book Choice Survey

Does your child like to write? The Young Authors program is a great opportunity for our Kindergarten through 8th grade students. The students who participate will have their books judged by community volunteers. One winner will be selected for each grade level at each school. Entries will be due to your child’s school by Friday, March 13, 2026. Classroom teachers will be sharing more details soon!

Huntley 158 Virtual Bulletin Board

The Huntley 158 Virtual Bulletin Board (VBB) connects families with enrichment and educational events and programs in the school district and the community. Visit the district’s VBB webpage to learn about what’s happening for students and families in the community!

October 20-24, 2025 is National School Bus Safety Week! The Illinois Association for Pupil Transportation (IAPT) is hosting a poster contest to increase student awareness of school bus safety. The contest is open to all students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade and has six divisions. Winners of the state contest will be awarded cash prizes. Illinois winners will be entered into the National School Bus Safety Poster Contest. The overall winning national poster is made into a printed poster for distribution around the United States! Click the link for contest details: https://ilapt.net/Poster_Contest. Deadline to apply is April 17, 2026.

Communicating a Concern

Keeping lines of communication open between our families and schools is important to us! As the new school year starts, visit our website for a diagram that guides the chain of communication should you have questions or concerns about your child's educational experience. Click here for diagram translations in Spanish and Polish.

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 Harris - Assistant Principal

kaharris@district158.org

847-659-3402

Abbe Colantonio - Special Education Coordinator

acolantonio@district158.org

847-659-3573