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 24, 2026
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SPRING HEALTH FAIR
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU TOMORROW!
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.
Meet 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.
- Health Fair RSVP Form
- Blood Drive Registration Form (or scan the code in THIS FLYER)
CPR Training Sign-up FormCPR TRAINING IS FULL
A HUGE THANK YOU to volunteers Annie Widlicka, Shoua Xiong-Natareno, and Alan Sage for running our popcorn and drink tables at Middleton’s Fitness night! We could not have done it without your help. Thank you to the Middleton P.E. Team for organizing such a fun event, and to Middleton staff for your support!
Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK
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 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!
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
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 THIS LINK and receive 25% off your online purchase.
All purchases through the Book Fair will benefit Meyer school. Thanks for supporting our kids! Happy reading!
PRESCHOOL SCIENCE
During their unit on Animal Habitats, preschool students explored how whales stay warm in the cold Arctic Ocean water. They learned that whales have a special layer under their skin called “blubber”—a thick, squishy fat that works like a built-in winter coat. To test this out, preschoolers completed an experiment, with one hand going into icy water without the “blubber” and the other hand with the “blubber.” The results were amazing! The “blubber hand” stayed much warmer, helping them understand how whales survive in such cold environments. Our preschoolers had so much fun pretending to be whales and thinking like real scientists!
FAMILY CONNECTION: Growth Mindset
At Meyer, we learn about having a growth mindset. A growth mindset can help children become more persistent, more resilient, and better learners. A child with a growth mindset is able to work through things that are challenging or hard, instead of giving up.
The educational psychologist, Carol Dweck, was the first to talk about a growth mindset, comparing it with a fixed mindset. People with a fixed mindset believe that people are just born being good at some things and bad at other things. It has little to do with practice and perseverance.
A growth mindset is the belief that a person’s brain is always growing, and that people can learn new things and improve at them. People grow their brains with practice and effort, and through learning from their mistakes.
We can help our children develop a growth mindset by talking about it, modeling it, and practicing it. You can also praise them for their hard work and encourage them to try again and again until they get better at something. When they make a mistake, we can tell them, “It’s okay,” and talk about what they learned from the mistake.
Below are some things we can say to our children to encourage a growth mindset:
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
For more information, please visit RANGER BUDDIES "Say This, Not That: Words to Foster a Growth Mindset in Kids."
You can also watch a VIDEO with them to talk about growth mindset!
MEYER DATES
Use THIS LINK to purchase your tickets to the Middleton Musical!
KINDER SUPERSTARS
PRESCHOOL SUPERSTARS
SPIRIT WEAR
CLICK A BADGE TO ORDER!
Family Fitness Night was a blast! We had so much fun playing some of Middleton’s favorite games, like Dodgeball, 13 Pin Knockdown, Nuk’em, DrumFit, and Cosmic Bowling. This year, we also had an awesome opportunity to partner with the Niles North football athletes, many of whom are Middleton alumni, to run a station. We loved having them back!
And of course, we can’t forget our AMAZING partnerships with PTO, who supplied the popcorn; Kaleidoscope, who brought the dance party; and Kona Ice with their delicious shaved ice!
We can’t wait to do it all again next year! Thank you again to all who attended, participated, and worked the event!
SPRING MUSICAL
Use THIS LINK to purchase your tickets to the Middleton Musical!
TARDIES
State Law requires daily attendance. Late arrivals are disruptive and do not teach our students responsible behaviors. It is the parents’/guardians’ responsibility to ensure that their child attends school on a regular basis and arrives on time. Students who arrive after 8:30 a.m. must be checked into the main office by a parent or guardian.
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.
MIDDLETON DATES
SPIRIT WEAR
CLICK A BADGE TO ORDER!
CAMP MACLEAN REGISTRATION: There's Still Time!
If you haven't already completed all of your Camp MacLean registration, it's not too late! Please complete the registration form linked HERE and reach out to Marty Behm at [email protected] as soon as possible. Students who are not attending the Camp MacLean field trip are required to attend school on these days and will follow a special schedule that mixes academic and team-building activities. If you have any questions regarding financial assistance, please contact Gay Kanda at [email protected] or 847-676-8459. For the families of students who are attending, we'll be reaching out with more trip information!
McCRACKEN APRIL SHOW-ERS
THANK YOU to all students and families who attended our McCracken April Show-ers Community Open House event on Thursday, April 23rd. Our teams planned engaging student and community-centered sessions.
The purpose of April Show-ers was to share our students’ learning and make meaningful connections with our school community members. Families were given a “Passport” with a menu of available activities to attend sessions with their student and collect stamps along the way. We selected one student and family from each grade level from the submitted passports who earned fun prizes. Winners were announced on Friday!
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.
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.
8th GRADE NILES NORTH VISIT
Our 8th grade students recently had the valuable opportunity to welcome representatives from Niles North High School. McCracken Middle School administrators and staff continue to collaborate closely with Niles North to ensure a smooth and successful transition to high school for our students and families.
During the visit, Niles North administrators partnered with members of their Multicultural Student Achievement Network (MSAN), a student group eager to connect with our middle school community. Two of the representatives were McCracken alumni. The high school students delivered an engaging and interactive presentation that included personal testimonials, practical advice, and insights into the high school experience. The session also provided time for meaningful questions and dialogue with our 8th graders.
We are grateful for this continued partnership and look forward to building on these connections in the future to support our students’ success.
HORNET HARMONY HIGHLIGHT
Hornet Harmony performed as guest artists at the Niles North 35th Anniversary Vocal Jazz Night on Friday, April 17th. They got to perform on microphones with a jazz instrumental combo. It was also great to see so many McCracken alumni performing with the high school groups, as well as older alumni who came back for the special reunion event!
(Fun fact: Well over half of the Niles North vocal jazz performers are former McCracken kids, including all ten of the singers in their top competitive group, Take One!)
Thank you to Jen Russell for capturing and sharing video!
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 COMMUNICATION
The McCracken 8th grade Class of 2026 families recently received communication regarding graduation activities and events. Below you will see a copy of the letter we sent home in April and January and upcoming 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 in APRIL and upcoming events.
► 8th GRADE GRADUATION PARENT/GUARDIAN LETTER APRIL 2026
Upcoming 8th Grade Important Dates
- 8th Grade End-of-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
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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