News and information from our district and schools
McCRACKEN. MIDDLETON. MEYER. Dates to Know. Meal Menu.
DECEMBER 16, 2022
DISTRICT NEWS
Strategic Planning Survey
Skokie School District 73.5 is in the process of developing our 5-year strategic plan. As a valued member of our school community, we would like you to be part of the process by completing the Strategic Plan Survey. Your feedback will be helpful to assist us with developing goals for school years 2024-2029. Please watch your home mailbox for a postcard from the district or click the postcard image here for more information. The survey is open now through January 6, 2023.
Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Update on Concurrent Instruction for Students Testing Positive for COVID-19
At the end of October, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released new guidelines to provide students with concurrent instruction while absent from school because of COVID-19. Our District has made the decision to follow these new guidelines. Beginning Monday, December 12th, the District will NOT provide concurrent instruction to individual students who are absent due to COVID-19. We will continue to monitor our COVID-19 infection rates throughout the year. Should the district need to quarantine a classroom of students OR move to an Adaptive Pause, we will offer remote instruction to the affected students. These decisions will be made in consultation with the Skokie Health Department.
Department of Student Services
We are still looking for parents interested in participating on the SD73.5 Early Childhood Inclusion Team. If you are interested, please contact Angela DeMay at [email protected]. This team will work to ensure that our early learners with identified disabilities are included with their general education peers to the greatest degree possible.
► The executive functioning strategy/skill highlighted this week is SUSTAINING ATTENTION. Below are some strategies from thepathway2success.com that parents can use at home to help their child(ren) build this skill.
Attention is being able to focus on a person or activity for a period of time. It also involves being able to shift focus and ignore distractions. Some strategies for working on attention skills at home include:
- Hold a conversation. Choose any topic to discuss, free of distractions for a period of time.
- Make a distraction list. Make a list of your biggest distractors. Then, come up with strategies to reduce or avoid them.
- Work focused. Use a timer to set a period of time (such as 10 minutes) and do chores or other activities during that time. Try to stay focused and not get distracted while the timer is running.
- Take a brain break. Practice spending time doing something calming, like deep breathing or mindful coloring to give yourself a break.
EL Enrichment Class at Middleton
Starting in January, Enrichment at Middleton will include an EL homework help session. This class offers your child the opportunity to work alongside EL-certified teachers to develop their skills related to listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will work collaboratively on group activities, and they will also have access to homework assistance if needed. Please complete this permission form. Reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions, or EL Coordinator Lyla Nissan at [email protected].
► If your family is experiencing financial hardship, including homelessness, please contact Angela DeMay at [email protected]; the District may be able to provide resources and/or support. If you would like to explore resources on your own, please visit our Student Services web page.
Fee Waiver Information
Skokie School District 73.5 waives school fees for eligible families. A "waiver" means that students will not be charged registration fees, school activity/club fees, or field trip fees. A fee waiver application must be completed to receive a waiver, and only one application is required per year. If you have any questions concerning fee waiver eligibility or the application process please contact Karen Hayes in the Business Office at [email protected] or by phone at 847-676-8317.
SD73.5 Priorities
Welcoming Environment. All students, staff, parents, and community members will feel welcome in our District.
Hiring and Retention. Our community's diversity will be represented in our staff and we will create systems to ensure we retain our staff.
Instruction. We will accelerate learning for all students through a strengths-based approach to grow each student from where they are.
Get the (TEXT) Message!
PARENTS, GUARDIANS & STAFF! Snap the QR code or text Y or YES to 67587 to authorize SMS text messages from SD73.5 to your mobile device! You will receive future SMS text messages if you are a registered parent, guardian, or staff member and your mobile number is already on file in PowerSchool.
PTO News
McCracken 8th grade parents and families, the PTO is looking for leaders and volunteers for the 8th Grade Graduation Event. Contact Karen Hayes at [email protected] to help with this annual event that celebrates the students’ accomplishments!
Are you a DJ? Do you know a DJ? Contact Karen Hayes to help the PTO provide a DJ at some upcoming events!
Around Town
MLK Jr. Day of Service and Food Drive
On Monday, January 16th, McCracken will hold the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Food Drive. This is an opportunity for students to honor the legacy of Dr. King by volunteering their time to help our school and community. Participants will complete various service projects in the school as well as facilitate a food drive to benefit the Niles Township Food Pantry. Donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries, and cleaning products can be dropped off in the circle drive in front of McCracken on January 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Students who are volunteering need to complete a permission slip which they can pick up outside room 222. There will not be bus service.
Student Council Spirit Week December 19th - 25th
MONDAY: PJ Day... stay comfortable!
TUESDAY: Formal Day/Dress Like a Teacher Day!
WEDNESDAY: Ugly Sweater Day!
THURSDAY: Anything But a Backpack. Bring a bucket, a shopping bag, a small suitcase… as long as it is smaller than a carry-on bag.
FRIDAY: Hat Day!
8th Grade Baby Pictures
It has been a tradition at McCracken Middle School to include 8th grade baby pictures in the yearbook. We need YOUR help securing these pictures for the yearbook. If you and your 8th grade student are interested in having their baby picture included in the yearbook please submit your student’s digital baby photo to [email protected]. Students can also bring a physical picture to school and give it to their advisory teacher. We need all the pictures by January 13th!
Lost and Found
Our McCracken Middle School lost and found section in the front lobby hallway is growing with multiple coats, sweaters, water bottles, and more! We have reminded students to look through the lost and found to locate any personal belongings on their way to and from classes and lunch and recess. We are planning to donate lost and found items to a local charity organization after winter break so any personal student items must be claimed by December 23rd. Please remind your child to claim and take home any of their personal belongings in the lost and found by December 23rd.
Social Justice Club Changemaker Series
The "Meet a Changemaker!" series came about as a result of feedback from last year's Social Justice Club students who absolutely loved it when we had special visitors and expressed a desire to connect with more people. With that in mind, the goal of these sessions is to show students that there are a variety of different ways to have a positive impact in your community, whether through a career choice, volunteer work, activism or other civic engagement. So far, we have welcomed a social entrepreneur and founder of Camp Indigo Point (Shira Berkowitz); a senior policy advisor who worked on the national suicide hotline (John Lee); a juvenile justice reform activist and spoken word poet (Trey Baker); and our very own teacher Laura Williams, who is the president of a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about gun violence. We look forward to hosting more Changemakers throughout the year!
District 219 New Assyrian Course 2023-2024
In September 2021, an Assyrian Language & Culture course proposal was submitted to the District 219 Curriculum & Instruction Committee by Assyrian staff to advocate for students to study Assyrian during the academic school year in order to fulfill World Language credit requirements for graduation. Families who self identify as Assyrian make up approximately 30% of the D219 school district. For details on the timeline of the course proposal, please read this letter.
At the November 2022 District 219 Board of Education meeting, approval was given to offer this course as a world language for the 2023-2024 school year. Feeder schools are helping to communicate this new Assyrian course information to middle school families as they make decisions about high school classes for their students. Eighth grade teachers will be distributing an interest survey to students in the near future. Please reference this FAQ, which provides some guidance on the questions that may surface as well as the next steps in the process. Please contact Niles North High School with any questions about this new course.
Outdoor Recess Weather Reminders
Students participate in outdoor recess throughout the school year, unless there is a significant weather-related or other external factor that necessitates an indoor program. Here at McCracken, we use the Child Care Weather Watch system to determine students’ participation in outdoor recess. This guide uses a combination of temperature and wind speed to calculate year-round weather safety for our students. Thank you, in advance, for helping to ensure that your child is prepared with appropriate outerwear for recess so that they are comfortable during our outdoor programming! Families in need of outerwear for their child should contact administration for additional resources.
Student Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
- Please drive slowly and carefully when picking up or dropping off students.
- 6th Grade parents dropping off by Door 12 should pull all the way over to the curb on the right and quickly and safely allow their child to exit the vehicle so other cars can continue to Circle Drive. Please use your hazards to alert cars behind you.
- Please do not make U-turns on East Prairie. Use the McCracken Circle Drive to turn around.
- Students cannot cross the Circle Drive in front of cars to get into a vehicle parked on the street. Drivers must pull into the Circle Drive to maintain safety and drop off in the right lane only.
- Students must cross the intersection of Crawford and Oakton assisted by our crossing guards for their safety. Students are not allowed to cross East Prairie and Oakton without an adult before or after school.
- Please be sure to communicate with your child about their after-school plans before school. Are they walking home, taking the bus, or staying after school for sports or a club?
More from McCracken
STOCK THE STAFF LOUNGE!
Drop off bagged snacks, drinks, K-Cups, tea, hot chocolate packets, candy, mints, and more to the school office throughout the year so we can show staff our support.
EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMMING
Here at McCracken, we are proud to offer a variety of student athletic and enrichment programs. These programs allow students to exercise their strengths, tackle areas of growth, and socialize with peers. Be sure to sign up your student for one of our great extracurricular activities clubs or activities! Review the 2022 Extracurricular Slideshow (with videos and important links) and Brochure for information, registration links, and the payment link (for a small number of activities).
Dates to Remember
December 19th
Winter Orchestra & Choir Concert
Niles North High School
7:00 p.m.
December 23rd
Hornet’s Hive Assembly
December 26th - January 6th
Winter Break
No School
January 9th
Students return from Winter Break
January 17th
8th Grade Niles North High School Curriculum & Activities Night
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
February 9th & 10th
8th Grade Niles North High School Counselor Appointments
Congratulations to the Middleton Robotics Team!
The Raging Bulldogs had an amazing showing at the FLL Robotics Tournament last Saturday, December 10th. The team, led by their wonderful coaches Wendy Maa and Nate Pratt, had to engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering to build and progam a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game. As part of the challenge, the team also participated in a research project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem. They choose to solve the problem of using too much fossil fuels by using renewable energy. They built models to charge Chromebook carts by using solar and wind energy. They wrote a skit in which they all were Google workers presenting their findings to the judges. Way to go Raging Bulldogs!
Student Council Spare Change Fundraiser
Student Council Members have completed their research on various charities, and they have selected Team Seas as this year's recipient of our annual Spare Change Fundraiser. Student Council Members are working on developing morning announcements in order to highlight the mission and purpose of the Team Seas organization, and to share more details about the community fundraiser. Donations will be collected December 19th to December 23rd in students' homeroom classrooms. Every penny counts and makes a difference! Thank you in advance for your support of this philanthropic event!
Winter Music Performances
The 1st through 5th grade students performed in their annual winter concert at McCracken in December. The students all did a fantastic job!
Thank you to Mrs. Merrier for all her work to prepare the students for these performances!
More from Middleton
STOCK THE STAFF LOUNGE!
Drop off bagged snacks, drinks, K-Cups, tea, hot chocolate packets, candy, mints, and more to the school office throughout the year so we can show staff our support.
Meyer Parent Leaders Family Meet-up
Looking to hang out with other Meyer Families? Meet up at the STEAM activities and crafts at the Skokie Public Library!
Saturday, December 17, 2022
10:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Skokie Public Library (South Courtyard)
Coins for Kindness
Thank you to all the families who donated to our district’s Coins for Kindness campaign! We collected $841.79, which will be used to buy gifts for District 73.5 families who need a little support and kindness over the holidays. Thank you again for your generosity!
Kindergarten Drive-Thru Reminders
With colder temperatures here, more families may be using the Meyer Drive-Thru. Please help us keep the Drive-Thru running smoothly with these 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).
- Remain 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 to do so by a staff member. 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.
Thank you for helping us keep our Shining Stars safe!
Meyer Moments
More from Meyer
STOCK THE STAFF LOUNGE!
Drop off bagged snacks, drinks, K-Cups, tea, hot chocolate packets, candy, mints, and more to the school office throughout the year so we can show staff our support.
Dates to Remember
December 17th
Meyer Parent Leaders Family Meet-up
Skokie Public Library
10:30 to 11:00 a.m.
December 20th
Meyer Mart
December 26th - January 6th
Winter Break
January 9th
Students return from Winter Break
January 10th
Board of Education Meeting
McCracken MPR
7:00 p.m.
January 16th
MLK Jr. Day
No School / District Closed
January 19th
Meyer Parent Leaders Meeting
7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
January 20th
Meyer Movie Night
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
January 26th
Parent/Guardian Workshop
6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Save the date!
Registration and details will be shared after Winter Break
February 9th
Meyer Story Night
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
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