MEYER MOVIE NIGHT IS TONIGHT! Meyer Parent Leaders invite all Meyer families to the MEYER MOVIE NIGHT tonight, Friday, January 19th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Meyer Gym. Get the whole family out of the house and start the weekend with a fun family movie night! Meyer families voted for the movie, Paw Patrol: The Movie (released in 2021). We hope you can join us!

• Bring a sleeping bag or blankets and wear your best PJs!
• Popcorn will be served
• Bring a water bottle
• Students must be accompanied by an adult
• Please use Door #6 (by the parking lot) to enter the event

We hope to see you there!

Please help us keep the Drive-Thru running smoothly with these KINDERGARTEN DRIVE-THRU REMINDERS...

• Enter the Drive-Thru going north on Kildare. If you need to, circle around the block to go north on Kildare so that you are taking a right turn into the Drive-Thru (and not a left turn).
• Stay in your cars at all times so we can keep the line moving. There is no parking in the Drive-Thru lane.
• Do not pass other cars in the Drive-Thru unless directed by a staff member to do so. The Drive-Thru is one way (going east) and one lane. 
• Teach your child to buckle and unbuckle themselves on their own. If your child still needs your help, please park your car and walk to the door instead of using the Drive-Thru.
• In the morning, please have your child wait in the car until a staff member comes to open the car door. Do not have students exit the car on their own.

For more information:

• Kindergarten Arrival and Dismissal Information 2023-2024
• Kindergarten Drive-Thru Procedures 2023-2024
• Kindergarten Inclement Weather Arrival 2023-2024

PRESCHOOL ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL REMINDERS

• Please park in the slanted parking spots on Kildare Avenue. These spots are especially reserved for preschool drop-off and pick-up at Doors 2 and 3.
• If you park on the street, do not block any driveways even if it is for a few minutes.
• If you park on the street, do not double park or block in other parked cars even if it is for a few minutes.
• There is no parking on the east side of Tripp Avenue. Cars may be ticketed.

Please see our Preschool Arrival & Dismissal Procedures for more information.

Students in Ms. Maa's and Mrs. Domingo's 2nd grade classes have been very busy since we returned from winter break. They worked as Coastal Engineers in the classroom, testing different structures to prevent beach erosion. Swipe the photos to see their work!

A few students also represented Ms. Maa's class with a morning greeting from the Middleton office with Assistant Principal Larenas. The morning message follows the Pledge of Allegiance and typically includes the student introducing themselves by name, speaking a message in any of many different languages, and then sharing the meaning of the message in English (over the loudspeaker to the whole school!).

The 4th and 5th GRADE GLOW DANCE PARTY is Friday, January 26th. Students, mark your calendars now and plan to join us for snacks, drinks, glow sticks, and fun!

See the Glow Dance Party flyer for details and more information.

The attached permission slip must be completed and is required for entry to the dance.

Our 8th graders have upcoming important events to prepare for their transition to high school in the 2024-2025 school year. Save the dates for these important events and reach out to McCracken or Niles North High School administration with any questions.

8th GRADE GRADUATION PICTURES: Wednesday, January 31st

Our 8th grade students will have their graduation pictures taken on Wednesday, January 31st at McCracken. One photo will be taken in a purple graduation gown (provided by Lifetouch) and the other in their chosen dress clothes. When the photos have been processed, Lifetouch will send the proofs to the school to be distributed to students and families. Parents/guardians will have an opportunity to review the pictures and order any preferred photos from the delivered proof package. There is no money due on Picture Day. Payment will be due to Lifetouch when families select their preferred photos online. Please see this flyer from Lifetouch for more information.

STUDENT REGISTRATION APPOINTMENTS WITH NILES NORTH COUNSELORS: Friday, February 9th

Eighth grade students and at least one parent/guardian will be expected to participate in counselor appointments on Friday, February 9th at Niles North High School. Families will receive their individual counselor appointment times from Niles North High School. Niles North counselors will meet with students and parents/guardians this year to review class placement for the upcoming school year. Placement is based on PSAT scores and teacher recommendations.

• Counselor appointments are in person at Niles North High School.
• Students are expected to attend school at McCracken on the day of counselor appointments before and/or after their appointments at Niles North.
• Parents/guardians will sign out their child at McCracken when picking them up to attend their scheduled counselor appointments.
• Niles North High School will share appointment times with parents and guardians and with McCracken teachers and administration.
• Student information packets will be distributed to families at Curriculum & Activities Night at Niles North on January 18th. Anyone who was not able to attend that event will receive the packet by mail.
• Please email Niles North High School registration questions to Denise French at [email protected].

8th GRADE PARENT/GUARDIAN GRADUATION CEREMONY/EVENTS COMMUNICATION

We currently have our 8th grade graduation date reserved with Niles North High School on Tuesday, May 28th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Students are expected to maintain academic and behavior expectations in order to fully participate in all graduation events. There will be more information regarding graduation events in the upcoming months which will include the process for securing tickets to the ceremony. We are currently collecting diploma names and graduation gown and tassel orders from families. Please review the linked parent/guardian letter below to complete required forms and place online orders. We will continue to communicate information to families through email and in The Weekly Newsletter.

• Graduation Parent/Guardian Letter January 2024
  Submit Diploma Card Names and Gown and Tassel Orders by Monday, February 5th

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.