News and information from our district and schools
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DISTRICT NEWS
EQUITY SURVEY
The Skokie73.5 Equity Committee needs YOU! Please complete a short Equity Committee Survey – eight questions with Google Translate options. Your responses will help guide the Committee's work for the 2024-2025 school year: https://bit.ly/735EquitySurvey
STUDENT OUTSTANDING ARTIST RECOGNITION
CELEBRATE YOUTH ART MONTH! Artwork by students from Meyer, Middleton, and McCracken is on exhibit through Sunday, March 31st at the 2024 Student Outstanding Artist Recognition (SOAR).
- OPENING RECEPTION for artists and their guests: Monday, March 11th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Oakton Community College Skokie Campus (enter through Door 21).
- EXHIBIT HOURS: Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thank you to our fine arts educators for their work with students and the SOAR exhibit: Mrs. Castellini at Meyer, Ms. Beatrice at Middleton, and Mr. MacBeth at McCracken.
Learn more about SOAR on the Village of Skokie website. We hope you can stop by to enjoy the art!
ILLINOIS ASSESSMENT OF READINESS (IAR) TESTING. From Monday, March 11th through Friday, March 22nd, students in 3rd-8th grade will participate in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). The IAR is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards (which include the Common Core Standards). It is designed to provide teachers and families with information about student progress in Mathematics and English Language Arts.
Each year, the Illinois State Board of Education randomly selects schools to participate in IAR field testing. This year, Middleton Elementary was selected. Field testing will increase the length of the English Language Arts portion of the test by 75-90 minutes (depending on student grade level).
To provide flexibility, each school will develop its own testing schedule. School test coordinators are working diligently to prepare, and we anticipate a smooth testing experience. Please see the Middleton and McCracken sections below for school-specific information.
Additional information about IAR testing is available at www.isbe.net/iar.
5Essentials SURVEY. Teachers, families, and students across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the annual 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of our schools.
The Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey will be administered through March 29, 2024. To take the survey please visit survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois and click the "Parent Survey" to begin. There are 21 questions and the survey should take approximately 10 minutes. If you have children in multiple buildings please complete the survey for each school.
Your participation in the 5Essentials survey will help us better understand our schools and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. The State of Illinois now uses the results of the survey to determine the official school designation for Middleton and McCracken, which is reported on the yearly Illinois School Report Card. If at least 20 percent of families complete this survey, a parent supplement will also be generated. This will allow us to access your valuable feedback.
We are excited to learn from your feedback!
SUMMER SCHOOL. Summer is right around the corner, and it is time to begin thinking about summer school! Summer school will run from Tuesday, June 4th to Thursday, June 27th (there will be no summer school on Wednesday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth). Classes will meet Monday through Thursday; there will be no classes on Fridays.
The daily schedule for summer school is as follows:
- 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. — English Language Arts
- 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. — Mathematics
Summer school enrollment is determined by invitation. Families of invited students should expect to receive summer school mailings beginning the week of March 18th. Bus transportation information will be provided at a later date.
STUDENT SERVICES
FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS (FQHC) will see children who have arrived from another country and do not have health insurance. The Centers will provide physicals and vaccines while other details are being sorted out. Below are some local FQHCs:
Illinois Welcoming Centers are listed on the Department of Human Services (DHS) website.
Have you heard about the EARLY CHOICES INITIATIVE? It’s a great resource for parents and educators to find information about inclusive early care and education for children from birth to age 5. Check it out – there are many learning opportunities for parents and guardians!
CARING HEARTS CLASSROOM DONATION DRIVE
The CARING HEARTS CLASSROOM DONATION DRIVE is a program that helps support our incredible Skokie73.5 teachers. Parents and guardians are invited to show their appreciation by fulfilling staff "wish" lists for various classroom items such as markers, pens, books, games, gift cards, and more. Wish lists and more information are available on the SD735.org website and at each school. Donations can be returned by your student to their teacher or school office. The Classroom Donation Drive runs until Friday, March 15th.
GET TO KNOW THE PTO!
The PTO invites us all to TASTE OF 73.5 on Sunday, April 14th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at McCracken Middle School.
Click or tap the flyer for more information on the PTO website!
The Skokie73.5 community is invited to ► register for a booth to share their heritage, culinary expertise, and celebrate our diversity.
Email [email protected] if you would like to help plan the event. Meetings will be held on Zoom.
Visit district735pto.org and get to know your PTO!
Questions about this calendar or events? Please email [email protected].
DISTRICT DATES
AROUND TOWN
Check the SkokieNews for information and updates from the Village of Skokie.
Scroll the Skokie Public Library Newsletter for information about library events and services for all ages and abilities.
PARKING REMINDERS
For safety reasons, please observe the following parking reminders when dropping off and picking up students. If you have questions, concerns, or need immediate assistance please call the Meyer Office at 847-673-1223.
PRESCHOOL
- If space is available, park in the diagonal parking spots adjacent to the playground on Kildare Avenue. These spots are reserved especially for preschool drop-off and pick-up at Doors 2 and 3.
- If a parking spot is not available and you must park on the street:
- Do not block our neighbors’ driveways, even if it is for a few minutes.
- Do not double park or block in other parked cars, even if it is for a few minutes.
- Parking is not allowed on the east side of Tripp Avenue, across from the school. Cars may be ticketed.
Please see our Preschool Arrival & Dismissal Procedures for more information.
KINDERGARTEN
- Use the Kindergarten Drive-Thru for a convenient way to drop off or pick up your child.
- If you would like to park your car and then drop off or pick up your child, you may park in any designated spot in the school parking lot. Please do not double park.
- If you park on the street:
- Do not block our neighbors’ driveways, even if it is for a few minutes.
- Do not double park or block in other parked cars, even if it is for a few minutes.
- Do not park in the diagonal parking spots adjacent to the playground on Kildare Avenue. These spots are reserved especially for preschool drop-off and pick-up.
- Parking is not allowed on the east side of Tripp Avenue, across from the school. Cars may be ticketed.
Please see below for more information:
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US KEEP OUR SHINING STARS SAFE!
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION & SCREENING 2024-2025. Preschool registration for the 2024-2025 school year has begun! For more information about our program, please see our PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE SLIDESHOW.
We are offering preschool developmental screenings for the 2024-2025 school year on Monday, April 15th and Tuesday, April 16th for Skokie73.5 families only. If you are interested in having your child considered for the Discount Preschool Tuition Program, or if you have concerns about your preschool-aged child’s development, please click HERE or scan the QR code to sign up for a screening appointment.
The parent-run CARING HEARTS CLASSROOM DONATION DRIVE is back to help the incredible Skokie73.5 teachers. Show your appreciation and support by fulfilling our teachers’ wish lists for various classroom items such as markers, glue sticks, pens, books, games, gift cards, and more. The drive runs through Friday, March 15th. Please see Meyer’s wish lists HERE. Thank you for your support!
MEYER SUPERSTARS
Ms. LaBarbera's Kindergarten Superstars
Ms. Saibert's Preschool Superstars
MEYER MOMENTS
IAR TESTING. Middleton students in grades 3-5 will take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) beginning next week. Testing at Middleton will take place during the mornings on Monday, March 11th through Friday, March 15th and Monday, March 18th. Students will follow a modified schedule on these days. Parents should ensure that students are getting a good night's rest and eating a healthy breakfast. Students should be sure to bring a charged Chromebook, wired earbuds/headphones, and arrive to school on time every testing day.
Please see the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment section above for more information about the IAR.
CALLING ALL 1st AND 2nd GRADERS! There's still time to join RUNNING CLUB! Running Club will meet on Mondays from 3:00 to 3:50 p.m. starting on Monday, April 1st and will go until Monday, May 6th. Our final event will be a MINI 5K at McCracken on Saturday, May 11th at 9:00 a.m. If you are interested in signing up your child, please click HERE to complete the sign-up form. Sign-up closes on Friday, May 22nd. NOTE: Payment is NOT due yet. A payment link will be sent after your child is signed up. Please reach out to the coaches with any questions: Sarah Hampton, Diane McWherter, and Katie Chalmers.
The BEGINNER and SYMPHONIC BANDS performed in concert this week. Congratulations to the students, Mr. Mendoza, and Mr. De Stefano for a wonderful performance!
Third grade reading intervention students read about the Biblioburros in Columbia, The Story Ship in Norway, and how the Little Libraries were created. They discussed similarities and differences between these traveling libraries. Then, they had a personal visit from the Skokie Public Library Bookmobile! They interviewed Bookmobile staff Carl and Monica to determine how our community’s traveling library is similar and different to the ones they read about!
YEARBOOK ORDERS
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. Click or tap the flyer for more information!
Student Council is VERY excited to host our second HORNET HANGOUT of the school year TONIGHT, Friday, March 8th, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.! The theme is tropical! Admission will be $2 and the first 150 students will receive a free Hawaiian lei. As always, snacks, drinks, and pizza will be available for purchase.
Permission slips were given to students on Monday, March 4th. Students must have a signed permission slip to attend the event and must be picked up promptly at 8:00 p.m. by a family member or have permission to ride home with a trusted friend.
On Monday, March 11th, McCracken students will take part in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) for the current school year. IAR will be administered in English Language Arts and Mathematics during the mornings of Monday, March 11th through Thursday, March 14th. Students will follow a modified schedule on these days. Parents should ensure that students are getting a good night's rest and eating healthy breakfast. Students should remember to bring a charged Chromebook and wired earbuds and arrive to school on time every testing day.
Please see the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment section above for more information about the IAR.
It is time to choose McCracken's 2024 ALL SCHOOL READ! Under the leadership of an active student group, the school community has already participated in several rounds of voting. We are now down to the last round! Join us in the McCracken Library on Monday, March 11th at 6:00 p.m. to learn about the final two books from the students themselves!
McCRACKEN AUTHOR VISIT. McCracken Middle School welcomed New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen for an exciting schoolwide visit on Wednesday, March 6th. All students had the opportunity to learn about Nielsen's writing process and hear about her journey to publishing so many popular books!
McCracken hosted the final LITTLE 9 ROBOTICS competition of the year on Thursday, giving over 100 local middle schoolers from seven of the conference schools the chance to take part in some very exciting and competitive contests. Thank you to coaches Lisa Repp and Anastasia Barrow for organizing this event, which is quickly becoming a highlight of the year. Special thanks also to DeEric and the Buildings & Grounds crew for setting up the competition field.
The 2023-2024 McCRACKEN YEARBOOK is now on sale. The yearbook staff is working so hard to create a fun and unique book for our students. The cost of the yearbook is $20. Students will receive an order form from their advisor during the week of March 4th. Orders can be placed online:
- ybpay.lifetouch.com
- Yearbook ID Code: 13556324
- Orders are due by Monday, April 1st
Order your yearbook TODAY!
CAMP MacLEAN SAVE THE DATE! McCracken 7th graders will take our annual 3-day trip to Camp MacLean in Burlington, Wisconsin from Wednesday, May 15th through Friday, May 17th. The purpose of the Camp MacLean trip is to provide our students with an outdoor education experience that promotes both team building and independence. It is our goal that all 7th grade students attend this important trip.
Parents and guardians should complete this digital form by Friday, April 5th to indicate their student's interest in attending Camp MacLean OR complete and return the print form passed out in Bethany Fagan’s social studies class for students to bring home. If you have already made the decision for your student to attend, you can make payment online HERE!
We will share additional information with families about this trip soon. Ms. Fagan and Mr. Behm will host an informational night on Wednesday, April 3rd. Get excited for Camp MacLean 2024!
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.
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.
Arrival & Dismissal
Please help us keep our students, staff, families, and visitors safe by following our arrival and dismissal safety reminders.
McCRACKEN DATES
Spectator Guidelines
We are excited to host and participate in Little 9 Conference sporting events! Please review behavior expectations for students, families, and visitors.
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, Cheese Sandwich. Kosher meals available on request: All Beef Hot Dog, Cheese Sandwich. Due to supply chain delays, Halal chicken sandwich is temporarily unavailable. Monthly meal menu at-a-glance is available HERE.
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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