McCracken Weekly

Sept 7-11, 2015

Everyone, Everyday is Respectful, Responsible & Ready!

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Athletics

Girls' Volleyball

• Varsity (4:00 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, September 8: Fairview @ McCracken (4:15 PM)
  • Wednesday, September 9: Old Orchard @ McCracken
     
• Jr. Varsity (5:00 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, September 8: Fairview @ McCracken 
  • Wednesday, September 9: Old Orchard @ McCracken 

Boys Soccer

• Varsity (4:00 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, September 9: McCracken @ Fairview 
    Thursday, September 10: McCracken @ Golf
     
• Jr. Varsity (4:00p.m.)
  • Thursday, September 10: Golf @ McCracken

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Curriculum Night

Thank you to the many parents who attended our Curriculum Night program! It was a pleasure welcoming you to our 2015-2016 school year. If you have any questions or would like to share information about your child, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our McCracken staff members are easily reached by voicemail and email, and we are eager to connect with you. We are looking forward to a successful school year together!

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!

MAP Testing

This week students successfully completed MAP tests in the areas of reading and math. We are proud of our students’ efforts and look forward to using this valuable information to further their learning and growth. Families will receive a copy of their child's individual progress report via mail later this fall. If you have any questions about your student's score or how you can help at home, please contact your student's English language arts or math teacher.

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!

Orchestra

McCracken is pleased to host an after-school orchestra program for students in grades 6-8. Please review the attached flyer for more information.

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.

English Classes

Once again, free English classes are being offered to district parents and grandparents on Saturday mornings, from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Meyer Multi-Purpose room. There is free child-care. Interested parents must complete the registration form at the bottom of the attached flyer (Urdu translation). Slips can be sent to your school office. Classes began on Saturday, September 12.

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!

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.

Annual Asbestos Management Plan Notice

It has been determined by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency that asbestos is a potential health hazard, and precautions should be taken to avoid disturbing any asbestos containing materials. As required, our building(s) were initially inspected for asbestos and a Management Plan completed on May 1989. The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act requires that a visual surveillance of asbestos containing areas be completed every 6 months and a re-inspection conducted every 3 years. Any evidence of disturbance or change in condition is documented in the Management Plan as required. The Management Plan is available for public review at the District Office, 8000 East Prairie Road, Skokie, IL. Should you wish to review the plans, please call to make an appointment between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Any concerns relative to asbestos containing materials should be directed to Ms. Cyndi Cohen at 847.324.0509.

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.