Families should have received student benchmark assessment results in the mail this week. Teachers use these assessments as one piece of information to help us understand your children as learners. They come with some explanation of how to read them; if you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Outside that is! We love to play, and we want to play outside. Recess takes place for 30 minutes each day in all different weather conditions. As fall settles in, please make sure your children are dressed for the weather. We also strongly encourage leaving a change of clothes at school in case they get wet or extra dirty while playing outside. Clothes should be labeled with your child’s name in case clothing is lost, and should be kept in a large ziploc or other type of bag for storage at school.

School pictures are ready! To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number. All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card. More about the Smilesafe program HERE.

We want to recognize the amazing fall performance by our Symphonic and Concert Band students, who performed under the direction of Mr. Chip De Stefano and Mr. Cesar Mendoza Monday evening! Students were well prepared and provided families and guests with an energetic and captivating production. We are looking forward to future concerts this school year!

Teachers enjoyed connecting with families about their child’s learning and growth during Parent-Teacher Conferences this week! Families had the opportunity to conference with teachers over Zoom or in person on October 9th and 10th. Due to the number of students that McCracken teachers serve, the conference time constraints do not allow enough appointment slots to schedule every family for all classes. Families are encouraged to use PowerSchool as a resource to check academic progress and prioritize the specific classes they are most interested in connecting with a teacher to discuss. It is not mandatory to connect with each teacher during conferences in middle school. Conferences are held twice a year in October and February. Families are encouraged to reach out throughout the school year with any questions related to their child’s performance.

We appreciate all of the support our families provide to our McCracken student-athletes, coaching staff, and referees throughout the school year. Participation in a variety of extracurricular programming fosters improved academic and social skills such as time management, leadership, and teamwork.  In order to run a productive, positive, and safe athletic program, our families must follow the Little 9 Township parent/guardian expectations. Those guidelines are outlined below.

• SUPPORT: Encourage positive behavior and sportsmanship both at home and during games/practices. When attending a game both at McCracken and away, parents and guardians are expected to follow Little 9 Conference spectator guidelines.
• COMMUNICATION: Address any concerns or issues with the coach or school administration in a respectful and timely manner.
• MODEL BEHAVIOR: Demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect for all involved in the sport. Negative interactions with referees, supervisors, coaches, players, and spectators will not be tolerated.
• ATTENDANCE: Ensure that your child attends practices and games as scheduled. Inform the coach in advance if your child will be absent from a practice or game.
• ENCOURAGE: Support your child’s efforts to balance academics and athletics. Please remember that middle school athletics are for development of skills and social interaction with their peers.