Mountain Lion Memo
Family Newsletter - September 25th, 2026
From the Principal
Our school is currently reading more than ever during our Read-A-Thon. We want to make this the most successful Read-A-Thon, but can't do it without your support. You can help us be successful by sharing your student's reading donation page and message with friends and family on Facebook. By using the link below to share, you can celebrate your child's achievements and support our school:
Don't forget grandparents are a huge part of our children's lives, and they can be a fantastic support in reaching those reading goals. During our Read-A-Thon, they can help encourage your child by donating to your child's reading goal. To help them get involved, below is a link you can use to easily email them about supporting our fundraiser:
Celebrations 🙌
Congratulations to Mrs. Maggie Rodriguez "Nurse Maggie"
Mrs. Maggie Rodriguez truly is our Super Woman! She is always ready to support our students and staff with medical needs, wellness support, and all of the little moments that make a big difference in a school day.
Mrs. Rodriguez keeps us organized and on top of important health requirements, including registration materials, physicals, immunizations, and compliance. But her impact goes far beyond paperwork. She provides a caring and comforting presence for students who get hurt, need a little extra love, or simply need some tender loving care to get through their day.
And, of course, we can't forget her loose-tooth celebrations! Mrs. Rodriguez keeps a special chart outside her office where students can add their names when they have a wiggly tooth—turning a sometimes-nervous moment into something exciting to celebrate!
Mrs. Rodriguez is also always willing to jump in wherever she is needed—from helping with student supervision, to riding in on a horse and passing out Band-Aids during our staff sing, to making a quick call home to reassure a parent that their child is doing just fine.
We are so grateful for Mrs. Rodriguez's humor, caring heart, dedication, and diligence in supporting the health and wellness of our Mackeben students and staff. Thank you, Mrs. Rodriguez, for being our everyday Super Woman! đź’™
Week At A Glance đź“…
Picture Day
Picture Day
Thursday, October 1st
Book Fair
Book Fair
During the School Day
October 5th-9th
Welcome to the Jungle Literacy/Math Night
Literacy/Math Night
Thursday, October 8th
5-7pm
Announcements & Reminders 📣
Help supply our Prize Cart
Students use their PAWS to "purr-chase" items
Thank you for your support
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3K18HUBFPZ9AM?ref_=wl_share
PTA News 👪
PTA NEWS
ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES:
NEW CONLEY VP!!!: At our last meeting, Micheli Jorda was voted in as our new Conley Vice President! Micheli previously served as a committee chair for our Square Barn Shuffle, so she’s already been an amazing part of SBPTA!
SQUARE BARN SHUFFLE!! : 🎉 WE DID IT! 🎉A HUGE thank you to all of our amazing families for helping SBPTA reach our $10,000 fundraising goal! 🙌 Your generosity and support make it possible for us to provide fun experiences, support our schools, fund field trips, and so much more for our students. We truly could not do it without you! Thank you for supporting SBPTA and our students!
CONTACT US: squarebarnpta@gmail.com Square Barn PTA Website
MEMBERSHIP: We met our goal of 100 members by September 18th!! We will have our first “Pie The Principal” at Conley, today, Friday, September 26! The classroom at Conley with the highest number of parents with paying memberships was Mrs. Burg’s Class! Congratulations!! Her class will receive an indoor recess game of their choosing. Mackeben’s Pie the Principal will take place on Friday, October 2!
MEETINGS: Join us for our next community meeting! Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our first meeting last week.
Where: In Person: Conley Elementary Library (B103) Childcare Provided! (ages 3 and up). Children are welcome at our meetings too!
Online : https://meet.google.com/hvw-wehs-miw
Time: 6:00PM
When: Thursday October 15th
UPCOMING EVENTS
MOD PIZZA DINE & SHARE
fundraiser-flyer social media.png
Our First Dine and Share will be at MOD PIZZA on October 1st ALL DAY!
TRUNK OR TREAT!!!
Our Trunk or Treat will take place on Friday, October 23 from 5-7PM in the Mackeben/Conley Bus Lot. Follow the link to reserve your spot as a trunk host!!
Trunk or Treat Trunk Host Sign Up
District News 🪧
Huntley 158 Family Learning Series (virtual)
Topic: School Anxiety, Avoidance & Refusal: Symptoms and Interventions
When: 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 in school provides students with opportunities to learn, build relationships and access important support.
As part of its virtual Family Learning Series, Huntley 158 will welcome Jacqueline Rhew, a licensed clinical professional counselor specializing in school refusal and anxiety in children. This free presentation, open to all Huntley 158 families, will provide practical strategies for supporting children experiencing school anxiety, avoidance or refusal.
Parents and caregivers will learn how to recognize early warning signs, understand the connection between anxiety and avoidance, and help children develop healthy coping skills, build confidence and gradually re-engage in school.
Thriving Futures Parent-Led Support Group
​When: Thursday October 1, 2026
​Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
​Where: Morkes Chocolate, 11801 Main St, Huntley, IL 60142
The Thriving Parent Support Group is a parent-led support group for Huntley District 158 parents/guardians of students with IEPs. The goal is simple: to help parents build connections with one another so they can strengthen the supports that are vital for their child’s success.
Families are invited to connect, share experiences, and support one another through casual conversations, roundtable discussions, and occasional learning opportunities. Parents of IEP learners of all ages are welcome, and attendance is flexible—come when you can. Please share with other parents that may benefit!
If you’d like to stay informed about future meetings, please take a moment to complete this form
Join Us on 10/13 for NEW Huntley 158 Movie Night
When: Tuesday, October 13
Time: 6 PM - 8 PM
Where: Heineman Middle School
Register HERE
Grab a blanket and get comfy for Huntley 158’s first sensory-friendly movie night! Join us on Tuesday, October 13, at Heineman Middle School for a fun and inclusive evening open to all ages.
The featured movie, Out of My Mind (rated PG), is an inspiring story about a young girl with cerebral palsy who finds her voice and challenges others to see what she is capable of. With powerful themes of friendship, inclusion and perseverance, it’s the perfect film to bring our community together.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and the movie begins at 6:15 p.m. Come dressed for comfort and bring a blanket for floor seating; an accessible seating area will also be available. We’ll provide snacks and water, or feel free to bring your own. Stop by our “selfie station” and enter for a chance to win a prize!
The evening will wrap up at approximately 8 p.m. Students under age 13 must attend with a parent or guardian.
Questions? Contact Ina Hall, Huntley 158 Family Engagement Liaison, at ihall@district158.org.
Thriving Futures Talk on PUNS
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time: 6:30–7:30 PM (45-minute presentation with 15 minutes for Q & A)
Location: District Office, Room 180, 650 Dr. John Burkey Dr., Algonquin
Cost: Free; light snacks will be served
Guest Speaker: Jen Rowzee, Services Inc.
During this session, Huntley 158 families who have a student with an IEP will learn about the timeline to follow when applying for disability-related benefits for their child. The presentation will highlight PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services), providing an overview of the potential benefits available when families plan early.
As a follow-up to this, families can make a 30-minute appointment on Monday, October 19 to meet one-on-one with a Services Inc. representative who will walk them through the PUNS registration process, answer questions, and provide guidance on what information is needed to complete the application. Visit the website for more information about both events.
Mackeben Quick Links đź”—
Questions / Feedbackâť“
Virtual Bulletin Board 🎯
Mackeben Information
Address - 800 Dr. John Burkey Dr. Algonquin, IL 60102
Main Office Phone Number - 847-659-3400
Attendance Number - 847-659-3411
Marcie Marzullo - Principal
847-659-3401
Katie Aumann - Assistant Principal
847-659-3402
Jamie DeYoung - Special Services Coordinator
847-659-3573