McCracken Author Visit Writer’s Workshop

This week, popular middle grade author Lindsay Currie held a workshop with McCracken writers in the school library! Students from all three grades who expressed interest in writing workshops were invited to attend. The author guided participants through various creative writing exercises and answered questions about her work. Special thanks to our friends at The Book Stall for partnering with Mrs. Gammeri to make this event possible!

Start With Hello Week

During the week of September 12th, students participated in advisory activities connected with Start With Hello. The Start With Hello prevention program focuses on teaching children and teens how to be more socially inclusive to decrease the likelihood that any students will experience social isolation from peers. Activities included themes such as “getting to know you”, kindness, making connections, notes of gratitude, and identifying trusted adults. Special thanks to our Student Support Team, Moriah Bracken, Katie Pellish, Emily Crook, Erin Ellis, Stephanie Boshea, and advisors!

October Picture Day

Get ready to say “cheese” for our fall picture day on Thursday, October 6th! Students will be photographed by Lifetouch. Please see the attached digital flyer for more information on how to purchase student photo packages. Photos must be purchased online prior to picture day at mylifetouch.com using your child’s Student ID or Picture Day ID (EVT8CH2M8). Paper copies of the form were also passed out to students in their advisory class this week.

Athletic Game Spectator Guidelines

We are excited to be able to host and participate in sporting events in the Little 9 Conference this year without any COVID-19 protocols (though we still encourage mask wearing at our home games). We do have behavioral expectations for attending games at McCracken for both students and parents/guardians:

• Spectators can enter the building and gymnasium only when the supervisor allows. This generally comes after the opposing team has arrived. All spectators will be required to sign in with our supervisors.
• Students are expected to follow all supervisor directions in a respectful manner. 
• Students must stay in the student section and be seated throughout the game. Students cannot hang out in the lobby or make repeated trips to the restroom.
• There is no negative cheering permitted against the other team, nor cheering at times to purposely disrupt the other team (for example, during serves in volleyball, or free throws in basketball). 
• Students cannot be on their cell phones during games. If they need to make a call, they can step out briefly into the lobby.
• Food and drinks are not allowed in the gymnasium.

Failure to follow any of these behaviors could result in students being asked to leave the game and, possibly, miss additional games as well. Good sportsmanship and kindness lead to positive outcomes for all of our student athletes and spectators!

8th Grade PSAT Assessment Information

• The PSAT 8 assessment for our 8th grade students will be administered at Niles North High School on Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (approximate end time)
• All 8th graders planning to enroll at Niles North High School are expected to take the PSAT 8, the first high school level exam in the SAT Suite of Assessments. The PSAT 8 establishes a baseline measurement for college and career readiness as a student enters high school. The exams in the SAT Suite of Assessments measure a student's strength in reading, writing/language, and mathematics. Monitoring these same skills at different grade levels allows students, parents, and educators to monitor a student's progress.
• This assessment is free of charge and given to junior high (middle school) students in the fall of the year prior to high school registration. Results from this test, along with other metrics, will be used for proper 9th grade course placement.
• Please access the Niles North High School PSAT 8/9 - 8th Grade website for additional information.
• If you have any questions, please contact Niles North testing coordinator Marija Markovic at 847-626-2177 or by email at [email protected]. A letter was mailed to families from Niles North High School on August 22, 2022.
• PSAT 8 FAQ Sheet

Lunch

There have been instances where parents call the office to let us know a student was "denied" lunch. Please know that we do not deny students a lunch, even if their lunch card has a negative balance. Fifth grade students can also get a second lunch. ALL students must pay for a second lunch regardless of their free/reduced status. 

5th Grade White Pines Outdoor Education Overnight Trip

We will take our annual overnight trip to Oregon, IL at White Pines Ranch! Students will experience engaging activities such as orienteering with compasses, digging for fossils, hikes, team building, and more! Meals and sleeping accommodations are provided. This year, the trip will be October 19th through 21st. A packet of information was shared with families during the White Pines Information Session before Curriculum Night OR in student backpacks. Please look over the packet and turn in the required forms as soon as possible. All forms and fees are due by October 7th. We look forward to a great trip! If you have any questions, feel free to contact your child’s teacher or Assistant Principal Mrs. Stephanie Larenas, who will also attend the trip.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

We hope to see you at Parent-Teacher Conferences on the evening of October 6th and the morning of October 7th! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers and to discuss academic and social-emotional progress. See above and be on the lookout for more information about how to sign up for a conference in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Conferences are scheduled in October and February both in-person or virtually. 

Middleton Book Fair

The Literati Book Fair is coming to Middleton from October 3rd through 7th in the Library! Students will preview the Book Fair during their library class with Ms. Glaser. Students can make a wish list during this time.

The Book Fair will be open for student purchases daily from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. during homeroom. Students can bring a Literati Gift Card, cash, check, or credit card.

Anyone may shop on the dates and times below. Entrance into school will be either at the front door or by the Gilbert Garden near the SPACE doors.

• Monday, October 3rd from 3:00 to 6:15 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 4th from 2:00 to 6:15 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 5th from 3:00 to 6:15 p.m.
• Thursday, October 6th from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. (during Conferences)
• Friday, October 7th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (during Conferences)

The Book Fair is a parent-run event sponsored by the PTO. We need YOU to support Middleton School by signing up for one or more volunteer slots on this sign-up form.

Social Justice Club

Social Justice Club will meet once or twice a month during lunch and recess with a focused topic. Students will get their lunch from the cafeteria or bring from home and then meet in a designated classroom. There will be three groups: Grades 1-2, Grades 3-4, and Grade 5. Topics will include and build off the following concepts:

• Community Building: getting to know and value each member of the group
• Self Identity: understanding and celebrating the many identities of oneself
• Diversity: exploring and celebrating others, especially those who identify differently from oneself
• History: examining discrimination through history, structures, and current events
• Justice: finding ways to create a more fair and equitable world
• Action: speaking out, creating art, and more to solve issues related to racism, gender discrimination, ableism, Islamophobia, etc.

We will let students and families know the meeting schedule in late September. If your child is interested in participating please fill out the Social Justice Club Permission Form by Monday, September 19th. If you have any questions, please contact Abby Harris-Ridker at [email protected].

From the Drama Room

Here are a few pictures of students enjoying the new stage in the Drama Room!

► STOCK THE STAFF LOUNGE!

Site Evacuation Drill

Meyer School will conduct a Site Evacuation Drill on Thursday, September 22nd. We will practice how to move to another safe location within the community, with the support of the Skokie Police Department. Teachers will share a social story with students before the drill about what to expect during the drill.

PBIS Kick-Off Assembly

At Meyer School, we take a positive and proactive approach to school-wide and classroom behavior. While staff have already begun their classroom systems and routines, we will kick-off our school-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) program at Meyer next week. We will hold our PBIS Kick-off Student Assembly on Tuesday, September 20th in the Meyer Gym at the following times:

9:00 to 9:15 a.m.

Preschool classes: Chen AM, Saibert AM, Sanfilippo AM, Passarella AM

Kindergarten classes: Solomon, Huynh, Nahhas, Douglas

12:30 to 12:45 p.m.

Preschool classes: Chen PM, Saibert PM, Sanfilippo PM, Passarella PM, Silberman, Wienketz

Kindergarten classes: Siegler, LaBarbera

The assembly will last approximately 15 minutes, and we will teach students our school-wide expectations as well as model positive behaviors. All parents/guardians are welcome! Please check in at the main office when you arrive at Meyer.

Meyer Moments

► STOCK THE STAFF LOUNGE!