McCracken Weekly

Aug 31 - Sept 4, 2015

Everyone, Everyday is Respectful, Responsible & Ready!

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Athletic Team Tryouts

Current Athletic Forms must be on file in the nurse’s office in order to try out.

Varsity Girls Volleyball

• Monday, August 31 (3:00-5:00 p.m.)
• Tuesday, September 1 (3:45-5:00 p.m.)

Jr. Varsity Girls Volleyball

• Thursday. August 27 (3:00-4:00 p.m.)
• Friday, August 28 (3:00-4:00 p.m.)

Boys’ Soccer Tryouts

• Thursday, August 27 (3:00-4:30 p.m.)Friday, August 28 (3:00-4:30 p.m.)

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Curriculum Night 

We hope you are looking forward to McCracken’s Curriculum Night event scheduled for Thursday, September 3rd at 7:00 p.m. Please arrive early so that you may pick up your child’s schedule and report to your child’s advisory class by 7:00 p.m. Our schedule includes periods of about 7 minutes in length so that you may have an opportunity to meet and greet each of your child’s teachers. They are looking forward to connecting with you!

Student Handbook

Each family will receive a District 73.5 Student Handbook. Please read through the handbook with your child, and then sign and return the corresponding confirmation form by Friday, September 11. Thank you!

Middle School Parents Still Make The Difference 

Visit our website to access a monthly parent Newsletter titled, “Middle School Parents Still Make a Difference!” This resource provides tips for helping your student succeed in school, and suggestions for communicating with your young adolescent. Each edition also includes a monthly calendar of ideas for you and your middle school student. Enjoy!

Musical Auditions

Auditions for this year’s musical are after school on Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9. Interested students are asked to sign up for a specific audition time outside of the choir room door. Audition packets with songs and scenes are also available outside of the choir room. Athletes and other students with conflicts should schedule an alternate audition time with Ms. Keipert. The title of this year’s musical was announced to all students during our Welcome Assembly. Ask your student about this year’s selection!

Student Council Elections

McCracken Student Council elections will take place on Friday, September 11. Please join us that morning at 8:00 a.m. to hear from our officer candidates. If you or your student is interested in learning more about our Student Council, please contact our staff sponsors, Mrs. Stacy Gaspar and Ms. Sarah Hain.

MAP Testing

Fall MAP testing in the areas of reading and math is scheduled from August 31 through September 3. The MAP test is a measure of mastery used to set goals, monitor growth, and identify areas where support is needed. Please be sure your child arrives to school well rested and on time. If you know your child will be absent on one or more of these days, please contact the nurse.

Reminder: Arrival and Dismissal Safety Guidelines

Ensuring the safety of all students during arrival and dismissal is a collective effort. Please review the Skokie Police ordinances, McCracken Middle School regulations, and safety reminders outlined on the website and distributed to all students on Schedule Pick Up Day so that we may work together toward improved student safety. Please also remember not to block the driveways of homes on East Prairie to ensure that our neighbors may enter and exit safely. Thank you!

Free and Reduced Lunch Information

In order to be eligible for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program for 2015-2016, you must complete an application. Applications are available in the school office and on our website. Families who were approved for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program last year must apply again this year. If you do not apply by September 30, 2015, you will be charged for lunches. If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Elle Karagianes in the District Office at 847.676.8317.

Learning Center

The Learning Center will open for students at 7:30 a.m. every day before school, and remain open until 4:00 p.m. after school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. (After 7:40 a.m. students must wait to enter the building until the bell rings at 7:50 a.m.) The Learning Center is closed after school on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Cafeteria

The cafeteria is open at 7:30 a.m. for students to purchase breakfast. (After 7:40 a.m. students must wait to enter the building until the bell rings at 7:50 a.m.)  The Learning Center is closed after school on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Early Dismissal

Every Tuesday students are dismissed at 2:00 p.m. so that teachers may participate in professional development and collaborative planning sessions.

Late Bus

We offer late bus service again this year. If your child is a current bus rider and has paid for service, there is no extra cost and he/she may use our regular bus pass to ride the late bus. If your child is not a current bus rider, you may pay a $70 fee in the McCracken office to secure a late bus pass. Students must show the driver their late bus pass to ride this bus. The late bus runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and leaves McCracken at 4:00 p.m.. If you have questions, please call the office.

Access to Information Regarding Sex Offenders

Under existing law, the state police must identify sex offenders in a statewide sex offender database. Any parent who wishes to access the database should visit www.isp.state.il.us/sor to search for sex offenders by name, city, county, zip code, or compliance status.

Student/Parent Email Registration:

To receive alerts via email, please register your email address with the district via PowerSchool.