News and information from our district and schools
MEYER. MIDDLETON. McCRACKEN. Games. Meal Menu.
DECEMBER 8, 2023
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DISTRICT NEWS
REPORT CARD DELIVERY INFORMATION
Trimester 1 report cards will be released electronically through the PowerSchool Parent Portal on Wednesday, December 13th. At that time, parents and guardians will receive an email with instructions for how to view their student's report card.
In the meantime, please log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal website at sd735.powerschool.com to make sure your username and password are working. If you need assistance with your account access, please contact the Skokie73.5 Data Office at 847-676-8326.
The video here shows the PowerSchool Parent Portal login screen and how to enter your username and password.
CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION & ASSESSMENT
Over the next month, we will begin the second administration of our benchmark assessments at Meyer, Middleton, and McCracken. You may recall that the first administration took place in September. These assessments capture a clearer picture of our students' skills growth, namely in reading and math. We use the results of these assessments to identify students’ needs, modify our instruction to best meet students’ needs, and connect students with additional supports when needed. At the end of January and into early February, we will mail home summaries of your student’s growth shown on these assessments.
Each school will provide specific information about the assessments used in their classrooms. If you are curious about the different assessments we use in Skokie73.5, why we use them, and what we do with the results, visit the Assessments section of our website at sd735.org/cia/assessments.
STUDENT SERVICES
MEDICAID RENEWAL. If you or your family receive Medicaid benefits, watch your mail for the annual Medicaid renewal letter and follow the instructions to make sure you stay covered. Visit the Illinois Medicaid Frequently Asked Questions page for more information. Skokie73.5 DCFS Liaison Angela DeMay is also available to answer your questions by email at [email protected].
(Click or tap the flyer to make it bigger.)
There are many ways that multilingual families can support language and literacy at home! Check these 8 reading tips from colorincolorado.org available in 16 languages.
Winter weather is on the way! Skokie73.5 follows the Child Care Weather Watch chart to determine whether the temperature and wind chill are safe for outdoor recess. If the temperature with wind chill feels like 15 degrees or warmer, students will go outside.
All students should come to school with appropriate winter outerwear such as a zippered coat, hat, gloves or mittens, scarf, and snow boots. Snow pants are optional, but recommended for warmth and required for younger students when there is snow on the ground. Students should also pack extra clothing layers and socks in case either get wet during outdoor play. Families in need of outerwear for their child can contact the school office for assistance.
Additionally…
- At MEYER, recess will be outdoors if it is not raining or snowing. Students must wear snow boots AND snow pants if they wish to play in the snow. Students who are not dressed for snow must stay on the paved areas of the playground.
- At MIDDLETON, students must wear snow boots to play in the field. Snow pants are recommended for warmth. See also: Bulldog Winter/Snow Guidelines.
Thank you for helping our students stay warm and dry during outdoor play!
DISTRICT DATES
Visit district735pto.org and get to know your PTO!
Questions about this calendar or events? Please email [email protected].
AROUND TOWN
Check the SkokieNews for information and updates from the Village of Skokie.
MEYER IS COLLECTING COINS FOR KINDNESS, through Tuesday, December 12th, to benefit Skokie73.5 families who need extra kindness and support this holiday season. Our Meyer Shining Stars may bring loose change or coins to school for our collection. Meyer Parent Leaders will use the money collected to purchase gifts for our "adopted" families based on their wishlists. Kindergarten classes will "shop" for gifts for our families at the Meyer Mart on Tuesday, December 19th to learn about "needs" and "wants," and our preschool classes will wrap the presents and create cards for the families. We hope our students will also learn that small acts of kindness can add up to a whole lot when we work together!
PRESCHOOL COMMUNITY HELPERS UNIT. Meyer preschoolers have been learning about various community helpers, what their role is, and what tools they use to do their roles. Last week, we had a mechanic and a florist visit our preschool classrooms to talk about their roles, responsibilities, and the tools they use.
MEYER PARENT LEADERS MEETING
Meyer Parent Leaders (MPL), a committee of the PTO, is a group of Meyer parents and guardians dedicated to supporting the school and community, by providing opportunities for Meyer families to connect and socialize.
Please join this month's Zoom meeting. MPL will discuss Coins for Kindness, Meyer Mart, and Movie Night.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Zoom link will be sent through Seesaw to Meyer families the day before the meeting.
All parents/guardians are welcome to join the meeting!
MEYER SUPERSTARS
Ms. Saibert's Preschool Superstars
Ms. Mpistolaridis's & Ms. Zaccone's Kindergarten Superstars
WINTER WEATHER
Please see Dressing for Winter Weather to help all students be warm and dry for outdoor play. Thank you!
MEYER DATES
MIDDLETON HAS A VERY FULL LOST AND FOUND. All items not claimed by winter break will be donated to the Niles Township Community Clothing Closet during winter break. If you or your child are missing an item, please feel free to stop by the hallway near the front office and take a look!
Click or tap the photo to make it bigger and zoom in to see if you recognize anything that might belong to you or a friend.
Middleton 4th and 5th graders created Smile Stones for themselves and others as an act of kindness. This project, which is coordinated by Middleton Art Educator Michelle Beatrice, was inspired by Seeds of Happiness.
The Smile Stones are located at the table in the Middleton main entrance. Grab a smile if you need a smile!
IT'S TIME TO ORDER YOUR 2023-2024 MIDDLETON YEARBOOK! What better way to remember this unique school year? The yearbook costs $20 and is now available for pre-order. Orders may be placed online through the Lifetouch website at ybpay.lifetouch.com. The Yearbook ID Code is 13556524. Tap the flyer for more information!
MIDDLETON COMMUNITY WEEK
The Middleton Student Services Team has planned a Community Week and Clothing Drive leading into winter break. Check the flyers to see what's happening beginning Monday, December 18th through Friday, December 22nd.
WINTER WEATHER
Please see Dressing for Winter Weather to help all students be warm and dry for outdoor play. Thank you!
See also: Middleton Bulldog Winter/Snow Guidelines.
GARDEN NEWSLETTER
Learn about Middleton's Pollinator and Gilbert Gardens in the GARDEN NEWSLETTER!
MIDDLETON DATES
The McCracken Concert Band and Skokie73.5 Intermediate Band participated in the 2023 Center Cass District 66 Winter Invitational last Saturday, December 2nd. Congratulations to both bands for their performances and hard work.
PURPLE PRIDE WEEK. McCracken students participate in benchmark assessments three times per year (fall, winter, and spring). This year we will be testing before the winter break and your student(s) will have the opportunity to show us what they know by doing their best on a variety of assessments.
Students will complete the MAP test for Reading and Math on Wednesday, December 13th and Thursday, December 14th. They will also be taking the R-CBMmath assessment in an extended advisory on Monday, December 11th and some students will take the R-CBMreading assessment on Friday, December 15th. Students will follow special schedules on these testing days.
Thank you for encouraging and supporting your student(s) by making sure they get a good night’s rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at McCracken on time with a charged Chromebook during Purple Pride Week. Students who are absent on testing days will participate in make-up testing sessions the following week. If you have any questions about assessments, feel free to connect with Mr. Marty Behm, Assistant Principal, at 847-676-8234. Thanks, as always, for your support of Purple Pride Week!
CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS are open to ALL students in 7th and 8th grade. Students must have a current physical form on file with the nurse in order to attend clinics and tryouts. Students should wear comfortable clothes and gym shoes.
Cheerleading Clinics (students must attend at least one clinic)
- Dates: Monday, December 11th and Wednesday, December 13th
- Time: 3:10 to 4:00 p.m.
- Room: MPR
Cheerleading Tryouts (students must be present to be included in the team selection process)
- Date: Thursday, December 14th
- Time: 3:10 to 4:00 p.m.
- Room: MPR
The final cheerleading roster is determined by specific skills displayed by students during tryouts. We recognize your child may not be selected for this team as we have limited spots and encourage students to be involved in a variety of athletic and/or clubs and activities throughout the year which are both tryout and non-tryout based. If you have any specific questions about tryouts, please email our cheerleading coach, Ms. Magnuson, at [email protected].
8th GRADE BABY PHOTOS NEEDED! It is a tradition at McCracken to include 8th grade baby pictures in the yearbook. The McCracken yearbook committee is currently collecting those photos for the 2023-2024 yearbook. You can send a digital copy of the baby picture to Mrs. Monak at [email protected] or your child can bring a physical copy of the picture to their advisory teacher (the picture will be returned to you). We would love to have the pictures by Friday, December 22nd.
CHANGEMAKER SERIES HOSTED BY McCRACKEN SOCIAL JUSTICE CLUB. Chef Jessica Walks First is the Executive Chef and owner of Ketapanen Kitchen, Chicago’s first Native American Pop-Up Kitchen and catering company. She has been featured in numerous articles and news segments and was selected by the Chicago Bears as a Small Business All-Pro. Chef Walks First is an enrolled member of the Menominee Tribe. Her love of food and sharing her culture has led her to be an activist and educator. McCracken students will have the opportunity to hear her story on Thursday, December 21st after school. Thank you to Ms. Gammeri and our Social Justice Club for arranging this visit!
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS. Did you know that missing two days of school a month, over the course of a school year, can affect a student's academic success? Please help us make school attendance a priority! If you know that your child will be absent for the day, please call our school nurse, Ms. Warda, at 847-676-8235 by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. Please review the McCracken Attendance Reminders for more information about the importance of consistent school attendance and keeping your child engaged in school.
WINTER WEATHER
Please see Dressing for Winter Weather to help all students be warm and dry for outdoor play. Thank you!
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
Please help us keep our students, staff, families, and visitors safe by following our arrival and dismissal safety reminders.
SPECTATOR GUIDELINES
We are excited to host and participate in Little 9 Conference sporting events! Please review behavior expectations for students, families, and visitors.
McCRACKEN DATES
Bagel & Cream Cheese, Fresh Fruit & Milk
Breakfast Bar, Fresh Fruit & Milk
Yogurt & Graham Crackers, Fresh Fruit & Milk
Cereal Bowl, Fresh Fruit & Milk
Whole Grain Muffin, Fresh Fruit & Milk
Bagel & Cream Cheese, Fresh Fruit & Milk
Breakfast Bar, Fresh Fruit & Milk
Halal meals available on request: Meatball and Rice Bowl, Chicken Sandwich, Cheese Sandwich. Kosher meals available on request: All Beef Hot Dog, Cheese Sandwich.
District Priorities
WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT. We will welcome and engage staff, students, families and community members in our schools.
HIRING & RETENTION. We will recruit, hire, and retain a diverse workforce and improve our human resource processes, procedures, and materials.
INFRASTRUCTURE & FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. All financial decisions and investments will meet the needs of our diverse learners and staff and promote academic and social growth. We will provide a safe, inclusive, flexible, and innovative space for teaching, learning, and growing.
TEACHING & LEARNING. All students will engage in learning experiences that are cohesive and articulated across PreK-8, flexibly designed to engage all learners and leading to rigorous outcomes for all. We will be a future-focused, real-world learning environment that is responsive, accessible, and meaningful for all. We will become a model district on the use of data for making instructional, curriculum, and programmatic decisions.
Equity Mission Statement
WE BELIEVE that inclusivity and belonging is the foundation for equity.
ALL CHILDREN CAN LEARN, at high achievement levels, when equity is infused into every aspect of education.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE the systemic inequities present in school systems and recognize the impact they continue to have on marginalized communities.
WE COMMIT to teaching, learning, and growing in order to identify and dismantle inequitable systems and to create a community where barriers are removed so that everyone can reach their full potential.
WE BELIEVE that students succeed when they can see themselves represented in our staff, curriculum, opportunities, and our shared environment. We accomplish this through professional development, curriculum revision, community engagement, and systems evaluations.
WE RECOGNIZE the need to teach our students to identify the origins of unjust systems and empower them to use their critical thinking skills and agency to responsibly disrupt the policies and practices that perpetuate inequalities.
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