McKenzie PTA

HABIT OF MIND:  Listening with Understanding & Empathy

From the Principal

Dear McKenzie Families,

It has been a busy and fun-filled week for us all.  Our second graders participated in science enrichment activities with both our scientist-in-residence, Judy McKee, as well as the creative approach of Mad Science.  A special thank you to our generous PTA who plans and funds all of our enrichment activities.  Also this week….McKenzie’s first graders entertained us with their music program, “The Copycub Cantata”. This delightful show featured singing, playing instruments, and storytelling. Kudos to our music teacher, Mrs. Bergmann, and our hard-working students for an outstanding show!

I’m happy to announce that our Student Council exceeded their goal of collecting 550 items for their holiday food drive!  Through your continued generosity, a total of 760 items will be delivered to the local food pantry, enabling many families to enjoy what we so often take for granted.  Our Student Council is gearing up for their next School Spirit day on Friday, Jan. 6th, when the theme will be “Around the World”.  Everyone is invited to wear his/her favorite vacation souvenir tee-shirt representing a geographic location.

Speaking of ‘geography’, our fourth graders culminated their study of geography this week with the final round of the Geography Bee.  Congratulations to the finalists:  Sophia Rucker, Joe Fox, Cecily Weinrub, Anna Shah, Reilly Oh, Zoe Siegel, Kesleigh Lettner, Alexandra Levin, Karthik Srinivasan, and Zachary Marshall. After several challenging questions were posed, the contest was won by Karthik Srinivasan, with Joe Fox coming in as runner-up.  We hope that our fourth graders’ enthusiasm for geography will last a lifetime!

At Monday evening’s Board of Education meeting, McKenzie joined the other elementary schools in presenting our school improvement plan.  I invite you to visit the following link to learn more about our school’s areas of focus for the remainder of this year.  School improvement information can be found under the Information Items section of the District 39 website at:  http://www.wilmette39.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1131:2011-12-12-boe-highlights&catid=44:boe-minutes&Itemid=1056.

Just as a reminder, there is no school on Monday, January 2nd.  From all of us at McKenzie, we wish you a joyful holiday season and an enjoyable winter break.  May 2012 be filled with good health and much happiness!

Sincerely,

Dr. Welter
welterd [at] wilmette39 [dot] org
847.251.2295 x6300

From the P.T.A.

Don’t Forget to Order the 2011-2012 Yearbook! New this year. . . you can only order online at Jostens (http://www.jostens.com/apps/shop/customer.asp?CID=204749). Each yearbook costs id=”mce_marker”3, and no orders will be taken after January 23, 2012. If you have any questions, please contact Sheri Herd at sheri [dot] herd [at] me [dot] com.

Spirit Day Coming Up on January 6 – Students are invited and encouraged to participate in January’s First Friday Spirit Day. Wear clothing with the name of a geographic location to participate in “Around the World Day.”

Chess Club Registration is Open – Whether your child is new to the game of chess or has experience, all skill levels are accommodated. Because chess is mathematical and strategic, students master important skills applicable in many areas: concentration, patience and problem-solving. Registration is open until January 8, 2012, and the first class is on January 9. See the PTA website for details.

Donate to the McKenzie Benefit! The biennial benefit “Going Places” takes place on Sat., Feb. 4, 2012. We’re seeking donations big and small from the McKenzie community! Please visit http://signupgenius.com/go/donations104 to see what we need and sign up for what you can give! Check out some of the places already confirmed for the auction here: http://mckenziepta.com/2011/benefit-feb-4-2012/. Questions? Contact Rebecca Lieber and Emily Zivin at benefit [at] mckenziepta [dot] com.

Honor a Faculty or Staff Member with a Certificate of Appreciation from the District 39 Education Foundation. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation (minimum online donation $39) and we will create and delivered a beautiful keepsake certificate for the honoree. Each honoree will also be added to our online Wall of Honor — a virtual brick wall that lists every honoree and the family that has made the donation. All donations to the Foundation help fund innovative programs and experiences for the D39 community. For more information, or to order a certificate, go to www.d39foundation.org.

This Week

Click Here for the Lunch Menu: http://mckenziepta.com/lunch-menus/

Monday 1/2

• SCHOOL CLOSED: Last day of Winter Break!

Tuesday 1/3

• REMINDER: Chess Club registration closes on January 8; don’t delay in signing up!

Wednesday 1/4

• STUDENT COUNCIL: 8:20-8:50 a.m., Auditorium
• MONITOR DEADLINE: Submissions for the McKenzie Monitor are due at 3 p.m.

Thursday 1/5

• REMINDER: Have you ordered your McKenzie yearbook yet? Time is running out!

Friday 1/6

• REMINDER: Wear clothes with the name of a geographic location for Spirit Day!