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Golden Apple Winner

I am happy to share news that McKenzie 2nd grade teacher Gwen Faulkner was selected to receive the Golden Apple Award! With more than 650 Pre K-3rd grade Chicagoland teachers nominated, Gwen was one of 30 finalists and 10 ultimate award winners. The Golden Apple team surprised Gwen at McKenzie with banners, cake, and even some of Gwen’s family and friends. WTTW will air a special about all the Golden Apple winners on May 19th. Enjoy this short video of the fun! https://youtu.be/lMBTz_l0pug

School Safety

We remain focused on school safety. I want you to know that we continually look for ways to improve. Since the tragedy in Florida, we have worked closely with the Wilmette Police and Fire Departments to reexamine our practices in each building. We have identified some action steps, both short term and long term, that will improve security. Some are physical changes such as locking capabilities in large spaces; others involve our practices such as customized drills for each building.  Keeping our schools as safe places to teach and learn is our top priority.  

Instrumental Music

As you may know, we have taken a close look at the instrumental music program in D39. Plans are already underway for the WJHS orchestra program to be completely in-house for the 2018-19 school year; students will no longer travel to Avoca. Also starting next school year, scheduling for sectionals will improve for both band and orchestra, and students will miss individual classes less frequently. Parents and students will be surveyed to determine how these changes are working and to gauge interest in alternative, less intensive, instrumental music options. 

Last Day of School/Snow Day

At the April 23rd Board of Education meeting, I will recommend that students do not need to make up the one snow day we took in February. I’m hoping that our spring weather doesn’t bring any surprises, and our last day of school will be June 15th as planned.