News and information from our district and schools
Scroll to view District updates and news from Meyer, Middleton, McCracken, the PTO, and around town!
April 10, 2026
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SPRING ASSESSMENTS
ILLINOIS ASSESSMENT OF READINESS (IAR) TESTING
Our 3rd-8th grade students will continue the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) through April 13th. IAR is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards (which include the Common Core Standards). It is designed to provide teachers and families with information about student progress in Mathematics and English Language Arts. To provide flexibility, each school has developed its own testing schedule.
Additional information about IAR testing is available at www.isbe.net/iar.
ILLINOIS SCIENCE ASSESSMENT (ISA)
From April 20th through April 22nd, 5th and 8th grade students will participate in the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). The ISA is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science (which include the Next Generation Science Standards). It is designed to provide teachers and families with information about student progress in their learning of science concepts and skills.
Additional information about ISA testing is available on the Illinois State Board of Education website.
To provide flexibility, each school will develop its own testing schedule. Our test coordinators are working diligently in preparation, and we anticipate a smooth testing experience. Please keep an eye on the Middleton and McCracken sections of The Weekly over the coming weeks for school-specific information.
SPRING HEALTH FAIR
Skokie 73.5 is partnering with the Evanston-North Shore Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for a Be Well & Be Ready Community Health Fair on SATURDAY, APRIL 25th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Join us 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.
RSVP is requested for the Health Fair to help us plan for space and supplies. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for the blood drive and CPR training. Please follow the links below to RSVP for the Health Fair. If you wish to donate blood or sign up for CPR Training, please complete those forms, too.
- Health Fair RSVP Form
- Blood Drive Registration Form (or scan the code in THIS FLYER)
- CPR Training Sign-up Form
The next regular PTO meeting is MONDAY, APRIL 13th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Click HERE to join via Google Meet.
FITNESS NIGHT AT MIDDLETON on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22nd from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The PTO will be serving popcorn, selling drinks, and needs a couple of volunteers to help us make the popcorn and sell the drinks. Sign up HERE. Proceeds will go to the PTO to help fund events for the District. Thank you!
TASTE of 73.5
SUNDAY, APRIL 26th
2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at McCracken Middle School
The PTO welcomes the community to TASTE OF 73.5! Cultural groups are invited to fill out this Google Form to register for a booth to showcase displays and/or food samples that represent their cultural backgrounds.
TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK
MAY 3rd - MAY 8th
See below for opportunities to participate and show our hard-working teachers and staff some love!
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.
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!
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 5:00 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!
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
DISTRICT DATES
Click or tap the flyer to register
ELL CENTER PROGRAMS
ELL PARENT CENTER
ELL CENTER CLASSES
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
THANK YOU to all the Meyer families who were able to join us last night for MEYER STORY NIGHT! We had fun cozying up together to hear stories that took place in “The Great Outdoors.” Thank you to our Meyer and District 73.5 staff members who helped out at the event.
FIRE DRILL
Meyer School will conduct our third and final fire drill for all Meyer classrooms during the week of APRIL 13th. Teachers will review fire drill procedures with students, and we will practice exiting the building safely and calmly when the fire alarm sounds.
PreK ANIMAL HABITAT UNIT: Labeling Parts
SAVE THE DATE: Meyer Showcase
We are excited to invite Meyer families to the MEYER SHOWCASE on THURSDAY, APRIL 30th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Meyer School. Students will share their hard work and learning with their families in their classrooms. Feel free to come by anytime between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. Please use the main entrance OR Door 6 by the parking lot. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
SPRING SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
The SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR will be open MONDAY, APRIL 27th through THURSDAY, APRIL 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Meyer Library. Please bring a photo ID to check in at the Meyer Office by Door #1.
The book fair will also be open in the evening during the Meyer Showcase on THURSDAY, APRIL 30th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
You can also shop the book fair online from APRIL 27th through MAY 10th at bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/elizabethmeyerschool and receive 25% off your online purchase.
All purchases through the Book Fair will benefit Meyer school. Thanks for supporting our kids! Happy reading!
PBIS FAMILY CONNECTION: Expected and Unexpected Behaviors
At Meyer, we learn about expected and unexpected behaviors. Expected behaviors are good choices, like having a calm body and listening ears. When we show expected behaviors, it makes others feel happy. Unexpected behaviors are not good choices, like being unkind and not following directions. Unexpected behaviors make other people feel uncomfortable, sad, scared, or mad.
At home, you can discuss what expected behaviors are for different situations and tasks at home. For example, what are expected and unexpected behaviors at the dinner table? Or, when they are going to bed at night?
When children have big feelings at home, they can still make a good choice by picking a calm down strategy to help them get back to the green zone. We teach students that all feelings are okay! When we feel mad, sad, or silly, we can still make good choices and show expected behaviors.
KINDER SUPERSTARS
PRESCHOOL SUPERSTARS
MEYER DATES
Click or tap the flyer to register
SPIRIT WEAR
CLICK A BADGE TO ORDER!
Thank you to the students in Mrs. Domingo's class for sharing their presentation about Assyrian New Year.
FAMILY FITNESS NIGHT
HEY MIDDLETON FAMILIES! Please join us on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22nd from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at MIDDLETON FAMILY FITNESS NIGHT! We’ll have some of our all-time favorite P.E. games, popcorn from the PTO, a Kona Ice truck (available for purchase), and Kaleidoscope Dance leading an epic dance party in the cafeteria!
This is a free event, and all students must be accompanied by an adult. It is NOT a drop-off event. We hope to see you there!
3rd GRADE MINI-MUSICAL
Our 3rd GRADE STUDENTS did a beautiful job in their MINI MUSICAL this past Wednesday as BUGS AT A PICNIC! Wonderful job to all the actors, singers, dancers, and soloists! We are so proud of you! Thank you families and community members for joining us and supporting your children’s artistic endeavors. Thank you to all the staff who helped out, and especially to Ms. Anderson and Ms. Sylvester for their incredible hard work and dedication to these special performances.
ILLINOIS ASSESSMENT OF READINESS (IAR)
Our 3rd-8th grade students will continue the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) through April 13th. IAR is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards (which include the Common Core Standards). It is designed to provide teachers and families with information about student progress in Mathematics and English Language Arts. To provide flexibility, each school has developed its own testing schedule.
Additional information about IAR testing is available at www.isbe.net/iar.
ILLINOIS SCIENCE ASSESSMENT (ISA)
From APRIL 20th through APRIL 22nd, 5th and 8th grade students will participate in the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). The ISA is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science (which include the Next Generation Science Standards). It is designed to provide teachers and families with information about student progress in their learning of science concepts and skills.
Additional information about ISA testing is available on the Illinois State Board of Education website. Upon return from Spring Break, we will share more information about what to expect during the testing experience.
MIDDLETON DATES
Click or tap the flyer to register
SPIRIT WEAR
CLICK A BADGE TO ORDER!
CAMP MACLEAN REGISTRATION CLOSES APRIL 17th!
We have just one more week before registration closes for the 7th grade trip to Camp MacLean in Burlington, Wisconsin! If your student is planning on attending the trip from MAY 13th–15th, please complete the registration form linked HERE that includes parent/guardian contact information, medical forms, and payment information for the $236 fee. All registration and payments are due by next Friday! If you have any questions regarding financial assistance, please contact Gay Kanda at [email protected] or 847-676-8459. Also, please join us for our Camp MacLean Virtual Information Night on MONDAY, APRIL 13th from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. by using this link!
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.
ILLINOIS ASSESSMENT OF READINESS
ILLINOIS ASSESSMENT OF READINESS (IAR) testing for math and English language arts will take place at McCracken on the mornings of APRIL 8th-13th.
The IAR is the state assessment and accountability measure for Illinois students enrolled in a public school district. IAR assesses the Illinois Learning Standards incorporating the Common Core and will be administered in English language arts and mathematics to all students in grades 3-8. The IAR helps our middle school students to show what they have learned and identify areas where they can continue to grow as well as showing us, as a school, what curriculum, pacing, and instructional decisions are working and where we need more attention. Students will learn more about their daily schedules and testing locations from their teachers and we will follow modified schedules on all testing days.
Students are encouraged to get a good night’s rest on the nights before testing, eat a healthy breakfast on the mornings of testing, and, very importantly, bring a charged Chromebook to school each day. Teachers will be recognizing and nominating IAR All-Star students who put forth their best effort in being prepared to show us all they have learned!
McCRACKEN APRIL SHOW-ERS
Save the date to attend our McCRACKEN MIDDLE SCHOOL APRIL SHOW-ERS family event on THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Our teams have planned engaging student and community-centered sessions.
The purpose of April Show-ers is to share our students’ learning and connect with our school community members. Our event promotes community engagement and pride! Families will be given a “Passport” with a menu of available activities to attend sessions with their student and collect stamps along the way. Both adult and student partners must be present to earn a stamp! At the end of the night, head to the gym to enjoy a performance by Hornet Harmony and turn in your passport to be entered into raffles for fun prizes! The performance will begin promptly at 7:15 p.m.
McCRACKEN MARKET FUNDRAISER
The McCracken Social Justice Club has been busy with their McCracken Market fundraisers! Students held a used book sale in March and are preparing for a handmade craft sale in APRIL. Proceeds will help the club support our community through partnerships with three local organizations: The Niles Township Food Pantry, District 73.5 Community Safe Passage & Mutual Aid, and Connections for the Homeless. Any students who would like to be involved are encouraged to connect with Mrs. Gammeri. Stay tuned for more McCracken Market updates!
8th GRADE END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATION PTO FUNDRAISER
The SD73.5 PTO and 8th Grade Parent Committee will be hosting an 8th Grade End of the 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 SD73.5 PTO and 8th Grade Parent Committee in one (or more!) meaningful ways. See this letter from the PTO for more details!
8th GRADE GRADUATION COMMUNICATION
The McCracken 8th grade Class of 2026 families recently received communication regarding graduation activities and events. We hope families and students were able to attend the Niles North Curriculum Night event. Please watch for further communication from both McCracken Middle School and Niles North High School throughout the school year. Below you will see a link to a copy of the letter we sent home and some important dates and events.
REMINDER: Please submit the required information and orders for your child's graduation this year. If you have already completed the registration, you may disregard. This information was due by FEBRUARY 26, 2026. (Click here to submit).
Upcoming 8th Grade Important Dates
- PTO Panera 8th Grade Fundraiser ~ THURSDAY, APRIL 16th
- Niles North High School Incoming Freshman Mixer ~ FRIDAY, APRIL 17th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- 8th Grade End of the Year Celebration ~ FRIDAY, MAY 22nd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- THEME: "Starry Night"
- 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.
McCRACKEN DATES
Click or tap the flyer to register
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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