 McKenzie Monitor
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HABIT OF MIND: Thinking FlexiblyFrom the PrincipalDear McKenzie Families, Happy New Year to you! I hope your holidays were wonderful and that you feel rested and refreshed as we turn our attention to a new calendar year and all it has in store for us. We seem to have made a good transition back to our familiar routines. I am certain that I speak for all of us—it’s good to be back! There are many important dates and events to highlight this month. I urge you to keep the District 39 Google calendar handy to stay up-to-date. Each week the Monitor calls your attention to deadlines, events, and ways in which we need your support. Please be sure to read it in its entirety so that you don’t miss out. In the coming week: January 10th: PTA Meeting, 9:15 am, McKenzie cafeteria January 11th: Open Gym Night, 6-8 pm., McKenzie gyms January 12th (or 19th): HMS World Language Presentations for 4th Grade Parents only, 6:30 p.m. @ Highcrest auditorium I am very pleased to announce that McKenzie’s Parent Learning Network will be hosting its second annual Technology Night on Wed., Jan. 24th, from 6:30-8:15 pm. Like last year, parents and their children are invited to explore the use of 21st century learning tools in a variety of fun ways. There will be everything from podcasting to iPad and iPod Touch applications. This is a hands-on night of learning, so families are welcome to bring their own hand-held devices or use the ones we have here at school. More information about the various mini-courses, along with an online sign-up, will be available at the end of next week. Watch for that link in next week’s Monitor! McKenzie’s Civics and Safety committee has been hard at work, developing traffic guidelines to increase student safety at both drop-off and pick-up times. You will notice that we now have McKenzie Curb Greeters who are assisting with keeping the traffic flowing along the curb. These staff members are there to assist drivers, but ultimately, to keep students safe. We need ALL families to cooperate with the carpool line rules. By continuing to pull forward, everyone wins! PLEASE remember that Illinois law prohibits the use of cellphones in school zones. Also, students should never be dropped off or picked up in the staff parking lot. As always, thank you for working together to keep all of our children safe! In staff news….we welcome back our social worker, Nadine Ibrahim, and bid a fond farewell to Lenore Deutsch, who served McKenzie so very well in Nadine’s absence. Also, congratulations to Chris Edman, our technology paraprofessional, on the birth of his son, born Dec. 19th. Enjoy your weekend, everyone! Dr. Welter From the P.T.A.Last Chance to Submit Benefit Auction Items! Go to: http://mckenziepta.com/2011/benefit/ now! All donations must be received by Wed., Jan. 11th to be included in the auction catalog. Invitations will be emailed early next week, and be on the lookout for raffle tickets in Backpack Express! Any questions? Email Rebecca & Emily at benefit [at] mckenziepta [dot] com. Come to the PTA Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 10that 9:15 a.m. and find out what’s happening at McKenzie! Kids are welcome. Get Ready to Register for McClubs – Registration starts at 7 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 11 and continues through Wed., Jan. 18. The winter session of McClubs runs Jan. 23 through March 16. Visit the McKenzie PTA website for a preview of the offerings. This winter, there are plenty of new and exciting clubs, as well as your old favorites. Check out the schedule and prepare to get on board for another great session! Reminder! Open Gym Night is next Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 6-8 pm. See the PTA website for more details. Order A Yearbook Now Before It’s Too Late! Yearbook orders must be placed by January 23rd, and can only be ordered through the Jostens website: mckenziepta.com/2011/order-your-yearbook/#more-2365. Don’t let your child be caught without one! If you aren’t sure you placed an order, check for an email receipt from Jostens or contact Sheri Herd at sheri [dot] herd [at] me [dot] com Free Movie Screening! FAN invites you to a free screening of the prize-winning documentary “Louder Than a Bomb,” which chronicles the unforgettable journey of four Chicago-area high school poetry slam teams as they prepare for an annual competition. The screening is on Thursday, January 12, 2012, 7-9 p.m. at New Trier High School, Winnetka Campus. Reserve your seat at the FAN website: http://fan-ntts.ntnow.org/. Don’t Throw Away Your Holiday Cards! Student Council is collecting used holiday cards to send to St. Jude’s Children’s Ranch in Nevada. The kids living there earn money by making new cards out of the used cards. The card collection will run until Tuesday, Jan. 10th. Cards can be dropped in the box in the school lobby 4th Grade Parents – The Highcrest PTO is looking for two McKenzie representatives to serve on the nominating committee to help search for next year’s PTO board. If you are interested, please contact Jen-Konz Alt at jdkonz [at] hotmail [dot] com. Attention 4th Grade Parents - It’s time to book your 4th grade ad in the Variety Show program! Make your 4th grader feel special and support the McKenzie PTA! For just $25.00, your child’s photo and your personal message will be featured in the show program. Purchase your ad electronically at: http://mckenziepta.com/2012/variety-show-2012-get-in-on-the-act/.Don’t miss out – order your ad by January 25th. Any questions, contact Erin Lyons at erin-john [at] att [dot] net. Chess Club Registration Ends on Jan. 8th – 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 Monday, January 9. See the PTA website for details. This WeekClick Here for the Lunch Menu: http://mckenziepta.com/lunch-menus/ Monday 1/9
Tuesday 1/10
Wednesday 1/11
Thursday 1/12
Friday 1/13
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