Return to School Information

August 12, 2022

Dear McCracken Families,

Welcome to Oliver McCracken Middle School! We hope you and your family are healthy, safe, and have been able to find some time to enjoy the summer weather. We are looking forward to personally connecting with our students and families in many ways during the 2022-2023 school year. Our teachers and staff are eager to begin a new year of learning and growth with all of our students! The purpose of this communication is to welcome our families and provide detailed information regarding our upcoming school year, including student schedules, daily bell schedule, school-wide protocols and procedures, communication tools, student programming, beginning of the year events, and extracurricular opportunities. We are excited to begin a successful and safe school year in person with our McCracken families! 

Student Schedules

Student schedules and welcome packets were mailed home to families on Thursday, August 11th. Please expect to receive a large white envelope in the mail from McCracken early next week. Families can also access student schedules on the PowerSchool Parent Portal website. Access a helpful resource to help find your child's schedule.

New families to the district who recently completed registration may not receive a schedule because we may be waiting for academic records from the sending school. We will process those schedules as soon as possible.

New McCracken Staff Members

This year, we have a few staffing updates to share with families. We are so excited to welcome many new staff members to McCracken Middle School. They are excited to connect with students, families, and staff during the upcoming school year. We are incredibly happy they have chosen our wonderful and diverse school community to continue their educational career path. Please help us in welcoming new staff to District 73.5 during the 2022-2023 school year! 

• Mr. John Wash ~ 7th Grade ELA Teacher
• Ms. Emily Crook ~ McCracken School Psychologist
• Ms. Ashley Kang ~ McCracken EL Teacher
• Mr. Reed Gettleman ~ Special Education Teacher
• Ms. Marryann Warda ~ McCracken School Nurse
• Ms. Stephanie Boshea ~ Social Work Intern
• Ms. Erin Ellis ~ Social Work Intern

We are also currently in the process of hiring for several vacant positions including one 8th grade math maternity leave, two paraprofessional positions, and a library assistant. We are continuing to interview and hope to have these positions filled as soon as possible! Check our Skokie School District 73.5 website for access to open positions across the district and employment applications.

Documents Enclosed in Mailing:

• McCracken Student Schedule (families must complete e-Registration prior to the first day of school)
• Return to School Information Packet
• Attendance Reminders
• Technology Tips
• 6th Grade Transition FAQ
• District 73.5 2022-2023 School Calendar 
• McCracken Daily Bell Schedule
• District 73.5 Emergency Drills Letter
• Second Step Social and Emotional Curriculum Letter
• District 73.5 Lunch Program Letter

*Families who signed up for bus transportation will receive bus passes by mail the week of August 15th.

Important Upcoming Dates:

• 6th Grade Meet and Greet ~ Thursday, August 18th
• Student Materials Pick Up ~ Thursday, August 18th
• New Family Tour ~ Friday, August 19th
• District 73.5 Back to School Event ~ Sunday, August 21st
• Staff Institute Days ~ Monday, August 22nd and Tuesday, August 23rd (No School)
• First Day of School ~ Wednesday, August 24th
• Labor Day (No School) ~ Monday, September 5th
• McCracken Curriculum Night ~ Thursday, September 8th 
• Fall Picture Day ~ Thursday, October 6th

We are so fortunate to work in collaboration with a community of caring and supportive families! Thank you, in advance, for partnering with us toward a successful year of growth and learning for your child. We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for your students. 

Are you interested in supporting our dedicated and hard working teachers and staff? Help us to "Stock the Staff Lounge" with donated goodies throughout the year. We are FINALLY re-opening the staff lounge after almost three years and we want to roll out the red carpet for McCracken staff. Drop off bagged snacks, drinks, K-Cups, tea, hot chocolate packets, candy, mints, and more to the school office throughout the year so we can show staff our support. Thank you for considering!

Please read through weekly school newsletters, access PowerSchool for student academic progress, reach out to teachers and staff by email or phone, and attend school community events.  We will continue to communicate important updates with families throughout the school year. 

Please remind your student to finish reading our McCracken All School Read book, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. Free copies of the book were distributed to all students at the end of last year. Staff will engage students in fun literacy activities and events connected to this book at the beginning of the year! 

McCracken Return to School Information Packet

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nancy Ariola, Principal

Mr. Marty Behm, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Priya Amin, Assistant Principal