5Essentials Parent Survey

An informance is a way to inform parents of what a typical music class is like. It is similar to a performance in that there is an audience, but instead of rehearsing set pieces, the students demonstrate what they do during music class. The setting is smaller and more intimate than a larger performance. Parents/guardians see first-hand how their child experiences music at Meyer School! Each student may invite up to 2 guests to attend, as seating is limited.

Middleton Enrichment classes began this week! Students have been enjoying all sorts of extracurricular activities, including sports, cooking, engineering, and puzzles! Check out some photos from our first week!

At Middleton Elementary, students have worked all year on Being Respectful, Being Responsible, and Being Ready. An important part of being a member of a community is recognizing our own emotions. This week, students may notice two helpful tools posted throughout the halls at Middleton: the Zones of Regulation and an Emotion Wheel. These visuals help children recognize what they’re feeling, find the words to name emotions, and choose strategies to manage big feelings in a safe, respectful way.

Our 8th GRADE CLASS took a field trip this week to Niles North High School to view their new musical performance of “The Wizard of Oz.” Our students and staff were very excited to visit Niles North and experience a high-quality musical community performance featuring many of our amazing McCracken alumni. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to partner with the fine arts program at Niles North!

McCracken 7th graders presented their final 7th GRADE HISTORY FAIR projects to our volunteer judges on Thursday, February 26th. We are proud of their hard work and effort in researching important historical events. Families are invited to view all student projects during our April Show-ers community engagement event on THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd in the Multipurpose Room. Special thanks to Bethany Fagan, Melissa Brander, Tori Gammeri, paraprofessionals, Cesar Mendoza, and families for their preparation and support of the event!

The Social Justice Club is busy planning their upcoming McCracken Market fundraiser! Students will hold two sales in the coming months: a used book sale in March and a handmade craft sale in April. Proceeds from this fundraiser will help the club support our community through partnerships with three local organizations: The Niles Township Food Pantry, District 73.5 Community Safe Passage & Mutual Aid, and Connections for the Homeless. Any students who would like to be involved are encouraged to connect with Mrs. Gammeri. We are also accepting donations of gently used books. Stay tuned for more McCracken Market updates!

The SD73.5 PTO and 8th Grade Parent Committee will be hosting an 8th Grade End of the Year Celebration on FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McCracken.

To make the end-of-year festivities memorable for every student, we’re inviting our parent community to partner with the SD73.5 PTO and 8th Grade Parent Committee in one (or more!) meaningful ways. See this letter from the PTO for more details!

The McCracken 8th grade Class of 2026 families recently received communication regarding graduation activities and events. We hope families and students were able to attend the Niles North Curriculum Night event. Please watch for further communication from both McCracken Middle School and Niles North High School throughout the school year. Below you will see a link to a copy of the letter we sent home and some important dates and events.

REMINDER: Please submit the required information and orders for your child's graduation this year. If you have already completed the registration, you may disregard. This information was due by FEBRUARY 26, 2026. (Click here to submit).

► 8th GRADE GRADUATION PARENT/GUARDIAN LETTER JANUARY 2026

Upcoming 8th Grade Important Dates

• 8th Grade Graduation Picture Retakes ~ THURSDAY, MARCH 12th
• PTO Portillo’s 8th Grade Fundraiser ~ THURSDAY, MARCH 19th
• PTO Panera 8th Grade Fundraiser ~ THURSDAY, APRIL 16th
• 8th Grade End of the Year Celebration ~ FRIDAY, MAY 22nd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• McCracken 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony ~ THURSDAY, MAY 28th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Niles North High School. We expect the ceremony to start promptly at 6:00 p.m. and last approximately 1–1 1/2 hours.

Consistent attendance to school is directly linked to higher academic achievement and high school graduation rates. Students can begin to struggle academically when they miss several days of school. Learning continues within the classroom across content areas. Although teachers do their best to help support students catch up when they return, there is no substitute for instruction and learning experiences inside the classroom. Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful, and on track to graduation. We understand students and families experience illness as well as unexpected emergencies, which qualify as excused absences. Please review the difference between excused and unexcused absences and do your best to promote the importance of showing up to school on time each school day with your child.

What can families do to support good attendance?

Promote healthy student behaviors

• Maintain a regular bedtime and morning routine throughout the week.
• Ensure students eat a good breakfast every morning. McCracken serves breakfast for students beginning at 7:30 a.m.
• Ensure your children get regular check-ups with their medical provider.
• Practice thorough handwashing, particularly before and after eating, and after using the restroom.
• Reinforce the importance of avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick, and not sharing cups and/or utensils with others.
• If your children seem anxious about going to school, ask teachers or administration, the school nurse, a member of the Student Support Team (SST), and/or your medical provider for advice.

See additional McCracken Attendance Reminders HERE!