News and information from our district and schools
Scroll to view District updates and news from Meyer, Middleton, McCracken, the PTO, and around town!
May 1, 2026
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HEALTH FAIR HIGHLIGHT
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Community Health Fair last Saturday, April 25th! More than 130 people gathered at McCracken Middle School for safety preparedness and mental health workshops, a blood drive, hands-only CPR training, fitness activities, bicycle and helmet checks, the Kona Ice truck, and more. Tap a photo to view the gallery!
ASSESSMENT UPDATE
Next week, we will begin administering our third and final round of MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing at both Middleton and McCracken. At Middleton, 2nd-5th grade students will take the MAP assessment, and at McCracken, all students will take the assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to measure students' growth with literacy and mathematics skills over time. Students have previously taken the MAP assessment two times this year–in the winter and fall.
Next week, we will also begin administering our third and final round of the FastBridge (FB) reading and math assessments to our kindergarten through 6th grade students. We also administer the FastBridge CBMreading assessment to 7th and 8th grade students who continue to score below the 30th percentile on the assessment. Students have previously taken the FastBridge assessments two times this year–in the winter and fall.
In all cases, we use the results of these assessments to modify our instruction, and to plan interventions for groups of students or individual students, so we can best support them in their learning and growth.
If you are curious about the different assessments we use in District 73.5, why we use them, and what we do with the results, visit our informational site to learn more: SD735.org/cia/assessments.
NOTE TO FAMILIES OF CURRENT 7th/RISING 8th GRADERS: We recently were informed by Niles Township High School District 219 that beginning with current 7th grade students (Class of 2031), District 219 will no longer administer the PreACT to rising 9th graders or use it as part of their course recommendation process. Instead, they will begin including students’ 7th grade spring NWEA MAP Reading and Math assessments in their 9th grade course recommendation criteria. Please refer to forthcoming communication from District 219 for more information about this change and about which District 219 personnel to contact with specific questions about your child’s course recommendations.
A HUGE THANK YOU to Odessa Molina, Sally Alvarado, Dr. Kyle, and all of our TASTE of 73.5 volunteers for an amazing time at this year’s TASTE event on April 26th. Thank you for the wonderful food, performances, and your generosity!
Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
The next regular PTO meeting is MONDAY, MAY 18th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
(rescheduled from May 4th). Click HERE to join via Google Meet.
Board member elections will occur; contact [email protected] if you are interested in becoming a PTO Board member.
TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK ACTIVITIES
MAY 3rd - MAY 8th
See below for opportunities to participate and show our hard-working teachers and staff some love! Check these flyers for school events: MEYER • MIDDLETON • McCRACKEN
CHALK THE WALKS — SUNDAY, MAY 3rd from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Leave a message or drawing thanking staff on the sidewalks around the schools! The PTO will provide chalk at entrances around the schools (weather permitting).
BUILDING SNACK BARS — Bring snacks/drinks for staff at each school. Please sign up below to bring something in:
- TUESDAY, MAY 5th: McCracken snack bar — sign up HERE!
- WEDNESDAY, MAY 6th: Middleton snack bar — sign up HERE!
- THURSDAY, MAY 7th: Meyer snack bar — sign up HERE!
SOCIAL SHOUT-OUTS — Submit a shout-out/words of appreciation HERE for a teacher, staff member, District team, custodial staff, etc.! The PTO will share the shout-outs on Facebook on MAY 7th / MAY 8th.
DONATE to PTO for staff appreciation and other events using Zelle ([email protected]). If you wish to donate with cash or check, contact Margaret Page at [email protected].
5th GRADE FAREWELL AT MIDDLETON
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27th at 6:00 p.m.
The 5th GRADE TEAM is arranging an event and cultural feast to celebrate our 5th graders moving from Middleton to McCracken. We need supplies (utensils, heavy-duty plates, etc.) and some volunteers to make this celebration a success. Sign up HERE — THANK YOU!
CHICAGO STARS GAME
Join the PTO on SUNDAY, MAY 31st for the SKOKIE 73.5 x CHICAGO STARS FC OUTING! Watch the Chicago Stars soccer team take on the San Diego Wave at Evanston's Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium — right on the lake! Game time is 12:00 p.m. and all Skokie 73.5 students and families are invited. We will have our own seating section to cheer on the Chicago Stars. Purchase tickets HERE! Parking in the garages surrounding the stadium is $25; the North garage is the closest option. Parking can be purchased on the day of the game or in advance HERE. See you there!
SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR
The PTO partners with 1st Place Spiritwear for print-on-demand merchandise. Click a button below to shop the spiritwear stores and watch for sales! Every purchase supports the PTO and our schools!
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].
AROUND TOWN
SPACE REGISTRATION UPDATE
Skokie Park District will no longer offer a priority registration date for the SPACE program.
Registration for ALL FAMILIES for the 2026-2027 School Year will open on WEDNESDAY, MAY 6th at 12:00 p.m.
Families will need to create a Skokie Park District Household on the WebTrac website to register. Families will have until JULY 31st to submit their SPACE registration. Any registrations made on or after SATURDAY, AUGUST 1st will be placed on a waitlist that will be assessed in late September.
DISTRICT DATES
Use THIS LINK to purchase your tickets to the Middleton Musical!
ELL CENTER PROGRAMS
ELL PARENT CENTER
ELL CENTER CLASSES
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Kindergartners celebrated ARBOR DAY on Friday, April 24th with Mayor Ann Tennes. Mayor Tennes read aloud to kindergartners the book, If I Were a Tree by Andrea Zimmerman and illustrated by Jing Jing Tsong, in the Meyer Library. Everyone then headed outside for a short ceremony, where each student added a handful of woodchips to protect our new tree on the Meyer playground.
Thank you to Mayor Tennes, Village Forester Cathy Stevens, Meyer parent Lucas Reczek, and members of the Beautification & Improvement Commission, the Skokie Public Works Department, and the Skokie Park District for celebrating Arbor Day with us!
View the Skokie Parks Instagram post HERE and the Village of Skokie photos HERE!
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? Being tardy also means students miss the start of the day and their Circle Time or Morning Meeting. Let’s end the school year strong, so that students can better transition to next year smoothly!
See this FLYER for information on the importance of showing up for school on time, for preschoolers and kindergartners.
Please remember the drop-off times for students are:
- AM & Full-day Preschool: 8:25-8:30 a.m.
- PM Preschool: 11:55 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- Kindergarten: 8:30-8:40 a.m.
SPRING BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS
Every spring, we use formal assessments to gauge kindergartners’ progress in early reading and math skills. This information helps teachers plan lessons and monitor student growth. Assessments are given one-on-one with a teacher. We will continue with our FastBridge assessments for kindergarten students next week. For more information on the assessments we use in the District for each grade level, please visit SD735.org/cia/assessments. If you have questions about these assessments, please contact your child’s teacher or our school psychologist, Dr. Kristen McCann, at [email protected]. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
SCHOLASTIC ONLINE BOOK FAIR
THANK YOU to all the families who came to the Meyer Showcase and Scholastic Book Fair on Thursday night! If you missed the book fair, you can still shop online at bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/elizabethmeyerschool through MAY 10th and receive 25% off your online purchase. All purchases through the Book Fair will benefit our school. Thanks for your support! Happy reading!
FAMILY CONNECTION: Flexible Thinking
At Meyer, we learn about being flexible, as part of having a growth mindset. Flexible thinking is when children can think about things in a new way and adapt to change. This helps them deal with disappointment, shifts in routines, and big feelings.
At home, you can model working through disappointment for your child, and talk out loud about your feelings and how you are dealing with them. When your child encounters uncertainty, you can also help them brainstorm different ways to deal with possible changes. For example, if it rains and you can’t go to the park like you had planned, talk about other fun activities you can do instead.
To learn more about flexible thinking, you can also watch these videos with your child:
MEYER DATES
Use THIS LINK to purchase your tickets to the Middleton Musical!
KINDER SUPERSTARS
PRESCHOOL SUPERSTARS
SPIRIT WEAR
CLICK A BADGE TO ORDER!
THE MIDDLETON MUSICAL IS THIS WEEKEND! We are THRILLED to welcome the community to our 4th and 5th Grade presentation of Frozen, Jr. this weekend! Performances are FRIDAY, MAY 1st at 7:00 p.m. and SATURDAY, MAY 2nd at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are not sold at the door. All tickets must be ordered in advance using THIS LINK. Enjoy the performance!
Use THIS LINK to purchase your tickets to the Middleton Musical!
The last day of MIDDLETON ENRICHMENT is THURSDAY, MAY 7th.
SPRING BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS
Every spring, we use formal assessments to gauge student progress in early reading and math skills. This information helps teachers plan lessons and monitor student growth. The Spring MAP Assessment for grades 2–5 will be next week on MAY 6th (reading) and MAY 7th (math).
FastBridge assessments are administered 1-on-1 for reading and in class for math later in May. If you have questions about these assessments, please contact your child’s teacher. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
STEAM CLASS
Over the last three weeks in STEAM class, 5th graders have been working on an experiment in which they looked for bacteria in samples of soil. Over the three-week period, students studied the diversity of bacteria they found on their sample and grew colonies of bacteria in their Petri dishes. This experiment was done as part of a more global project in which scientists are looking for new bacteria that produce chemicals that can be used for future antibiotics.
On Thursday, Middleton 5th graders were joined by Dr. Zach Pratt and some of his students from Janesville, Wisconsin to look at their results and learn a little more about the impact this experiment can make on the global community. Dr. Pratt and his students did a great job of engaging the students and teaching them about how cool bacteria can be, but also about the impact we can make on our world by using our STEAM skills!
ON TO 6th GRADE PARENT-GUARDIAN EVENT
Current 5th grade parents and guardians are invited to attend an informational event to learn more about the transition to McCracken Middle School on THURSDAY, MAY 7th from 6:00–7:00 p.m. "On to 6th Grade" is your first opportunity to meet members of the 6th grade team and learn more about middle school programs and procedures. Parents are welcome to participate in an optional tour at the end of the event. This event is for parents and guardians only. Child care is available at McCracken upon request. Please fill out this form if you need childcare. We look forward to welcoming you to McCracken Middle School.
2025-2026 YEARBOOKS
The 2025-2026 MIDDLETON YEARBOOKS have arrived! Preordered copies have been distributed to students at school. A limited number of extra copies are now available. If interested, please send a payment of $20 with your student's name, grade, and classroom teacher to the Middleton Office.
MIDDLETON DATES
SPIRIT WEAR
CLICK A BADGE TO ORDER!
STATE CONTEST HONORS!
We are very proud of our 7th and 8th Grade Singers, Hornet Harmony, and Symphonic Band for earning SUPERIOR ratings at the Illinois State Festival last Saturday. In addition, our Hornet Harmony and Symphonic Band earned the HIGH HONORS designation for their outstanding performances. Great job, Hornets!
PURPLE PRIDE ASSESSMENT WEEK
Purple Pride Week is next week with NWEA MAP reading and math assessments on WEDNESDAY, MAY 6th and THURSDAY, MAY 7th, respectively. The purpose of this assessment is to measure students' growth with literacy and mathematics skills over time. Students will be taking the CBMmath AUTO assessment in their math classes over the course of the next week. Finally, some students will take the CBMreading assessment on FRIDAY, MAY 8th. In all cases, we use the results of these assessments to modify our instruction, and to plan interventions for groups of students or individual students, so we can best support your students in their learning and growth. As with all assessments, we encourage students to get a good night’s rest on the nights before testing, eat a healthy breakfast, arrive at McCracken on time with charged Chromebooks, and take their time and do their best. Purple Pride Student Pump Up! activities and incentives help to support our students in showing their full potential and growth from fall to spring.
NOTE TO FAMILIES OF CURRENT 7th GRADERS: We recently were informed by Niles Township High School District 219 that beginning with current seventh grade students (Class of 2031), District 219 will no longer administer the PreACT to rising ninth graders or use it as part of their course recommendation process. Instead, they will begin including students’ seventh grade spring NWEA MAP Reading and Math assessments in their ninth grade course recommendation criteria. Please refer to forthcoming communication from District 219 for more information about this change and about which District 219 personnel to contact with specific questions about your child’s course recommendations.
ON TO 6th GRADE PARENT-GUARDIAN EVENT
Current 5th grade parents and guardians are invited to attend an informational event to learn more about the transition to McCracken Middle School on THURSDAY, MAY 7th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. "On to 6th Grade" is your first opportunity to meet members of the 6th grade team and learn more about middle school programs and procedures. Parents are welcome to participate in an optional tour at the end of the event. This event is for parents and guardians only. Child care is available at McCracken upon request. Please fill out this form if you need childcare. We look forward to welcoming you to McCracken Middle School.
McCRACKEN MARKET FUNDRAISER
Thanks to our wonderful volunteers, the Social Justice Club's McCracken Market was an amazing success! The group was able to raise over $800 to support our partnerships with Safe Passage Mutual Aid, Connections for the Homeless, and the Niles Township Food Pantry. By selling used books and handmade crafts, students funded service projects to create Birthday Kits for the food pantry and pack lunches for distribution through local shelters, as well as offering a monetary donation to assist our neighbors through Safe Passage Mutual Aid. The dedication, talent, and leadership of our students is making a positive impact on the broader community. We are so proud!
7th GRADE CAMP MacLEAN TRIP: It's Almost Time!
Camp MacLean is officially less than two weeks away! Some reminders for parents:
- Student Drop Off on MAY 13th: Students can be dropped off with their luggage as early as 7:15 a.m. on WEDNESDAY, MAY 13th.
- Students should have all of their belongings packed in one carry-on suitcase or duffle bag. Sleeping bags and/or blankets and pillows should be separate.
- HERE is the packing list we’ve shared with students!
- Please note that cell phones and Apple watches are not allowed. Digital cameras are allowed, however.
- All medication that students take at camp and the required paperwork (including over-the-counter medication) should be dropped off with our nurse, Marryann Warda, by MAY 4th.
- Transportation Home on MAY 15th: Buses arrive back at McCracken at approximately 2:00 p.m. on FRIDAY, MAY 15th and students should have their transportation arriving at that time to pick them up (unless parents are consenting to students walking home). Students cannot wait to ride the 3:00 p.m. bus home with their luggage.
FUTURES UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITY
Oakton Community College is sponsoring a STEM career exploration conference for 7th grade students who identify as female on THURSDAY, MAY 21st from 9:00 to 2:00 p.m. This is an all-day program that exposes students to career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Mr. Gormley will be reviewing the trip with students in 7th grade science classes and interested students should complete a form shared in advisory classes as soon as possible as space is limited.
McCRACKEN SYMPHONIC BAND
We are thrilled to announce our McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band was selected to perform at the prestigious Illinois SuperState Band Festival in May. They are one of only seven middle school bands to be selected for the festival this year. Recorded applications are evaluated by panels of renowned conductors and educators. Congratulations to Chip De Stefano and all symphonic band students for their hard work and dedication to our band program. The festival will take place on FRIDAY, MAY 8th at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. Please access this website for more information.
8th GRADE END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATION PTO FUNDRAISER
The Skokie 73.5 PTO and 8th Grade Parent Committee will be hosting an 8th Grade End-of-Year Celebration on FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McCracken.
To make the end-of-year festivities memorable for every student, we’re inviting our parent community to partner with the Skokie 73.5 PTO and 8th Grade Parent Committee in one (or more!) of the following ways. See this letter from the PTO for more details!
8th GRADE GRADUATION INFORMATION
We are getting closer to celebrating our McCracken Class of 2026. Our 8th grade families recently received updated communication regarding graduation activities and events. Below you will see a copy of the letter we sent home in April.
► 8th GRADE GRADUATION PARENT/GUARDIAN LETTER APRIL 2026
Upcoming 8th Grade Important Dates
- Graduation items distributed to students ~ THURSDAY, MAY 21st
- 8th Grade End-of-Year Celebration ~ FRIDAY, MAY 22nd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Complete and return the End of Year Celebration Permission Form by MAY 4th
- 8th Grade End of Year Celebration Starry Night Flyer
- 8th Grade Class Clap-Out ~ WEDNESDAY, MAY 27th
- Graduation Rehearsal ~ THURSDAY, MAY 28th (Students attend school for 1/2 day and travel to Niles North High School to practice the ceremony and speeches)
- McCracken 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony ~ THURSDAY, MAY 28th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Niles North High School. We expect the ceremony to start promptly at 6:00 p.m. and last approximately 1–1 1/2 hours.
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Students must arrive at Niles North High School no later than 5:30 p.m.
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McCRACKEN DATES
Use THIS LINK to purchase your tickets to the Middleton Musical!
McCRACKEN GAMES
SPIRIT WEAR
CLICK A BADGE TO ORDER!
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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