BUILDING 73.5
News and information from our district and schools
Scroll to view District updates and news from Meyer, Middleton, and McCracken!
APRIL 18, 2025
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SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
Representatives from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) presented the Superintendent Search Leadership Profile and survey results to the Board of Education in open session on Tuesday, April 15.
The HYA presentation was livestreamed and is available for viewing HERE (presentation begins at 15:30).
The presentation included the following:
Building 73.5
We want to know what you think!
Your voice will help guide the future of the Skokie 73.5 facilities. Join us at our upcoming Building 73.5 Community Engagement Sessions to learn about and provide input on challenges facing the district, including:
- Safety and security updates
- Aging and deteriorating buildings
- Outdated classrooms
- Changing learning needs of today’s students
Our first two sessions will take place on Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, May 20.
April 21: Our School Buildings’ Strengths, Challenges, and Needs
John Middleton Elementary
8300 St. Louis Avenue, Skokie, IL 60076
7-9 p.m.
May 20: Understanding Educational Needs: Priorities for Our School Facilities
Oliver McCracken Middle School
8000 East Prairie Road, Skokie, IL 60076
7-9 p.m.
Learn more and RSVP today at SD735.org/Building735.
STUDENT SERVICES
For children residing in school districts 67, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73, 73.5 & 74....
Parents who are concerned about their preschool-aged (ages 3-5) child’s development can make an appointment to attend a developmental screening on Monday, May 5, 2025.
To make an appointment, please contact Connie Gusek at NTDSE: 847-965-9040 ext 841.
ILLINOIS SCIENCE ASSESSMENT
ILLINOIS SCIENCE ASSESSMENT (ISA). Students in 5th and 8th grade began the the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) on Monday, April 14. The ISA is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science (which include the Next Generation Science Standards). It is designed to provide teachers and families with information about student progress in their learning of science concepts and skills. Additional information about ISA testing is available on the Illinois State Board of Education website.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Skokie 73.5 Families: Please keep an eye on your inboxes next week! Information will be sent to families of students who are recommended for Summer School.
Summer School runs from Wednesday, June 4 to Tuesday, July 1 for those who are recommended!
PTO NEWS
STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK IS COMING!
Staff Appreciation Events: May 4-9
Chalk the Walks on Sunday, May 4 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Leave a message or drawing thanking staff on the sidewalks around the schools! The PTO will provide chalk at school entrances.
Building Snack Bars
Bring snacks/drinks for staff at each school. Please sign up below to bring something in.
 TUE, May 6 McCracken Sign up HERE! |
 WED, May 7 Middleton Sign up HERE! |
 THU, May 8 Meyer Sign up HERE! |
Complete this form to give a social shout out to staff during Appreciation Week (see example).
Donate to PTO for staff appreciation and other events using Zelle [email protected]. If you want to donate with cash or check, contact Margaret Page at [email protected].
The Middleton P.E. team has partnered with the Chicago Bears to bring a “Mini Monsters Clinic” to school for 2nd-5th graders on Friday, May 23. This will be a fun event with non-contact football drills. A current or former Chicago Bears player will be there! The PTO needs 12 adult volunteers to help run the event at Middleton from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Volunteers do not need football knowledge or skills. Sign up HERE!
Content posted on the PTO website is managed by the PTO
Visit district735pto.org and get to know your PTO!
Questions about this calendar or events? Please email [email protected].
Thank you to all the Meyer families who were able to join us for Meyer Story Night last Thursday evening! We had fun cozying up together to hear stories that were “Out of This World!” Thank you to the Meyer Parent Leaders for providing the snacks, and to our Meyer and District 73.5 staff members who helped out at the event!
MEYER SHOWCASE
We are excited to invite Meyer Families to the Meyer Showcase on Thursday, May 1 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Meyer School. Students will share their hard work and learning with their families in their classrooms. Feel free to come by anytime between 6:00 through 7:00 p.m. Please use the main entrance. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
The Spring Scholastic Book Fair will be open Monday, April 28 through Thursday, May 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Meyer Library. Please bring a photo ID to check in at the Meyer Office at Door #1.
The book fair will be open in the evening during the Meyer Showcase on Thursday, May 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. You can also shop the book fair online at bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/meyer from April 28 through May 11 and receive 25% off your online purchase.
All purchases through the Book Fair will benefit our school. Thanks for supporting our kids! Happy reading!
FAMILY CONNECTION
At Meyer, we learn about the SIZE OF THE PROBLEM. A problem can be something that we might need to fix or something that bothers us. Being able to identify the size of the problem will help us determine the size of our reaction.
- A small problem is something I can fix all by myself. Small problems can be fixed quickly and easily.
- A medium problem is something I need some help to fix. Medium problems might take a little bit longer to solve.
- A big problem is when I need a grown up’s help right away. Big problems might take a long time to solve or could be an emergency.
When you have a problem, our reaction (the way we act) should match the size of the problem.
- Small problems should have small reactions. When I have a small problem, I can talk to the friend, walk away, get a drink of water, or take deep breaths.
- Medium problems should have medium reactions. When I have a medium problem, I can keep trying to do it on my own, get help from a grown up or friend, or take a break in the calm down corner.
- Big problems can have big reactions. When I have a big problem, I can walk away quickly, quietly listen to a grown up’s directions, or tell a grown up.
At home, you can help your child identify the size of the problem when something comes up, and talk about what reaction matches the size of the problem and how to ask for help if they need it.
PRESCHOOL VISIT TO EMILY OAKS
MEYER DATES
MEYER SUPERSTARS
Ms. Solomon & Hallerduff's Kindergarten Superstars
Ms. Moshi's AM Preschool Superstars
Mark your calendar and save the dates for THREE upcoming events at Middleton Elementary:
- ALL SCHOOL MUSICAL PREVIEW: Friday, May 1
The Middleton Musical is quickly approaching, and it is a Middleton tradition to take a walking field trip together to McCracken to preview the first part of the musical together after tech week before weekend performances. Watch for a field trip permission slip to come home soon!
- ON TO 1st GRADE: Wednesday, May 7
This evening event is for parents only. Meet the 1st Grade Team, see a few 1st Grade classrooms, and learn about some of the exciting things our Middleton Bulldogs do each day! Child care is available on request. Please fill out this form.
- MIDDLETON FITNESS NIGHT: Thursday, May 15
Middleton will host our annual Fitness Night on Thursday, May 15 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. We look forward to spending the evening together; watch for an informational flyer to come home soon!
McNALLY PARK REMINDERS
When students are outside at McNally Park for recess and P.E. during the school day, supervisors are directed to monitor students within the boundaries of the play space, and not to allow students to interact with any adults who are not staff members or who have not checked in through the main office. Please help our staff by refraining from interacting with students outside during the school day. Thank you!
Thank you to families who attended our new and improved McCracken April Show-ers Community Open House Event on Thursday, April 17 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Our staff enjoyed connecting with students and families in a variety of creative ways to share our students’ learning across content areas. We hope you enjoyed your time and appreciate your participation and any book donations you made to Bernie’s Book Drive!
ON TO 6th GRADE
SAVE THE DATE for "On to 6th Grade"! We are excited to welcome your student and family to McCracken Middle School during the 2025-2026 school year. In preparation for that transition, we invite 5th grade parents and guardians to join us at McCracken on Thursday, May 8 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. to participate in our “On to 6th Grade” Parent/Guardian Information Night. This event is for parents and guardians only. Child care is available at McCracken during this event upon request. Please fill out this form.
8th GRADE UPDATES
GRADUATION AND STAFFING UPDATES were shared with 8th grade families this month via email and print copies of the information were mailed home. The links to those documents are below. Please read through the graduation letter carefully as there are deadlines for the submission of graduation ticket orders, permission forms, and optional graduation t-shirt orders. Please reach out to the McCracken office or administration with any questions at 847-673-1220.
CAMP MacLEAN
We’re getting excited for Camp MacLean! The Camp Teaching Team has begun planning for the May 14-16 trip to Burlington, Wisconsin. Seventh grade families, remember to complete the Participation/Medication Form and submit the $195 fee via RevTrak by Monday, April 21. Families in need of financial assistance or fee waiver information should contact Karen Hayes at 847-676-8317 or [email protected].
ILLINOIS SCIENCE ASSESSMENT
McCracken will administer the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) to our 8th graders from April 21-23. The ISA is a federally mandated assessment for students in grades 5 and 8 who attend public school. The 8th grade ISA is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and measures student growth and learning of science concepts learned during 6th-8th grade. Students will take the assessment in their science classes and will follow a normal schedule on these testing days. We are urging students to bring a fully charged Chromebook to school everyday to help reduce distractions during testing.
McCRACKEN GARDEN NEWS
The McCracken Garden needs your expertise! Learn how you can help our 6th graders create a NEW International Garden. If you are interested in being a community expert, please complete this form.
McCRACKEN DATES
McCRACKEN GAMES
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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