News and information from our district and schools
McCRACKEN. MIDDLETON. MEYER. Dates to Know. Meal Menu.
APRIL 14, 2023
Updated January 26, 2023
DISTRICT NEWS
Coffee with the Superintendent
Save the dates and join Dr. Hightower for coffee and conversation in the McCracken Board Room!
- Tuesday, April 18th from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. – RSVP closes on April 17th at 3:00 p.m.
OR
Monday, April 24th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tap the attached flyer and snap the code or jump to https://forms.gle/xHHS8HXQVV3jmSE4A to let us know you're coming. - Tuesday, May 9th from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m., followed immediately by the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting. RSVP information coming soon!
Watch your email and our website for more information.
2023-2024 School Registration for Returning Students
Parents and guardians! Check your inbox for an email sent on Thursday afternoon about renewing student enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year. The email includes a link to the Re-Enrollment for Returning Students 2023-2024 form. If you haven't already done so, please complete the form as soon as possible to let us know if your child(ren) currently in grades PK4-7 will be returning to a Skokie 73.5 school for the 2023-2024 school year.
Summer School will be in session from Wednesday, June 7th through Thursday, June 30th at Middleton Elementary School, 8300 St. Louis Avenue. The program is from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Monday through Thursday (no classes on Fridays). The ELA/Reading class runs from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. and the Math class runs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Tuition for this year’s summer school will be free. If you are the parent or guardian of a student who has been recommended for summer school and is entering grades 1-8 in the fall, you have received an email with registration information. Please reach out to one of our Summer School contacts with any questions:
- Marty Behm at 847-676-8234 or [email protected]
- Stephanie Larenas at 847-676-8085 or [email protected]
All registrations are due no later than May 12th.
Department of Student Services
Caregiver Resource Library
The Caregiver Resource Library is a new addition to John Middleton Elementary School. The library includes books on many topics related to parenting and disabilities. To check out a book, please contact Middleton Social Worker Jenny Walsh at [email protected].
New & Prospective Families
Please visit our New & Prospective Families page on the District website! The page welcomes new neighbors with links to information about our schools, registration and enrollment, services and programs, and leadership staff. A link to the page is always available from the SCHOOLS link in the menu bar at the top of our website home pages.
April is Earth Month
Celebrate with these activities and check the Village of Skokie News Flash for more!
Earth Day Celebration
Sunday, April 23rd from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Emily Oaks Nature Center
Celebrate Earth Day along the Nature Center trails. Native plants and earth-friendly foods will be available for sale. FREE for all ages. Visit the Skokie Park District website for more information.
Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony
Friday, April 28th at 10:00 a.m.
Elizabeth Meyer School
The entire community is invited to the annual Arbor Day tree planting ceremony!
Taste of 73.5
School District 73.5 PTO Invites You to the Taste of 73.5
Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Oliver McCracken Middle School
If you would like to help plan for the Taste of 73.5, please email Lyla Nissan at [email protected] or Odessa Molina at [email protected]. Meetings will be held on Zoom at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 19th
- Wednesday, April 26th
- Wednesday, May 3rd
- Wednesday, May 10th
SD73.5 Priorities
Welcoming Environment. All students, staff, parents, and community members will feel welcome in our District.
Hiring & Retention. Our community's diversity will be represented in our staff and we will create systems to ensure we retain our staff.
Instruction. We will accelerate learning for all students through a strengths-based approach to grow each student from where they are.
Get the (TEXT) Message!
PARENTS, GUARDIANS & STAFF! Snap the QR code or text Y or YES to 67587 to authorize SMS text messages from SD73.5 to your mobile device!
PTO News
PTO SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, April 17th
7:00 p.m.
McCracken MPR
The PTO has called a special meeting to review and amend bylaws, discuss open board positions, and conduct business.
Fee Waivers
Skokie School District 73.5 waives school fees for eligible families. A "waiver" means that students will not be charged registration fees, school activity/club fees, or field trip fees. A fee waiver application must be completed to receive a waiver, and only one application is required per year. If you have any questions concerning fee waiver eligibility or the application process please contact Karen Hayes in the Business Office at [email protected] or by phone at 847-676-8317.
Around Town
Tap the banner for complete information and course list
Illinois Assessment of Readiness
The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) testing for Math and English Language Arts began on April 10th and continued daily through April 13th. Make-up assessments will continue next week for any student absences.
The IAR is the state assessment and accountability measure for Illinois students enrolled in a public school district. IAR assesses the New Illinois Learning Standards incorporating the Common Core and is administered in English Language Arts and Mathematics to all SD73.5 students in grades 3-8.
As with all testing days, students are encouraged to get a good night's rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive to McCracken on time with both a charged Chromebook and, if possible, earbuds.
7th Grade Camp MacLean Information
The deadline to submit forms and payment for the 7th grade trip to Camp MacLean on May 17-19th is fast approaching! Please have the completed permission form and medical forms from the Family Packet turned in no later than Monday, April 24th, along with the $211 camp fee. If you have questions about whether you qualify for a fee waiver, or wish to set up a payment plan, please contact Karen Hayes at [email protected]. Students, parents, or guardians can also pick up hard copies of all of the forms in the McCracken main office. Please reach out to Marty Behm at [email protected] with any questions about the camp, packet, or payment. Please reach out to Marryann Warda, R.N. at [email protected] with any questions about the medical form and medication.
8th Grade Graduation Parent/Guardian Information
The 2023 McCracken Middle School Graduation Ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 25th at 7:00 p.m. at Niles North High School. Each graduate is given up to five (5) tickets for family members/guests to attend the graduation ceremony. In addition, each graduate can request up to two (2) additional tickets using a lottery system. You will be asked to identify the number of tickets you need and any additional tickets you are requesting. There is no guarantee additional ticket requests will be granted. Please complete this form by Friday, May 5th. Tickets will be distributed to students at school on Wednesday, May 24th. More information will be shared with 8th grade families next week by mail and email and will be available on our school website.
A letter was shared with families this week which includes important graduation information. Please review this letter with your graduate to plan for the many ways in which we are celebrating our Class of 2023! Students are expected to follow all academic and behavioral expectations through the end of the year to fully participate in events. You can also access this letter by visiting the McCracken Graduation Information page on our website.
Social Justice Club
Students joined Social Justice Club to work toward a Clean Green Skokie! Protecting our planet for future generations is a crucial part of social justice! Thank you for showing respect for the earth by cleaning trash around the school property as part of the Clean Green Skokie movement.
McCracken Seedling Sale
Thinking of planting a garden this year? The 6th graders and McCracken Garden Club have been raising seedlings to sell at our annual plant sale. They are the smartest seedlings on the market (having spent their formative weeks in the 6th grade science classroom).
Stop by the McCracken School Garden on Saturday, May 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to see what's sprouting. If it rains, we'll be under the awning at the front door. Click or tap the attached flyer for details!
Student Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
- Please drive slowly and carefully when picking up or dropping off students.
- 6th Grade parents dropping off by Door 12 should pull all the way over to the curb on the right and quickly and safely allow their child to exit the vehicle so other cars can continue to Circle Drive. Please use your hazards to alert cars behind you.
- Please do not make U-turns on East Prairie. Use the McCracken Circle Drive to turn around.
- Students cannot cross the Circle Drive in front of cars to get into a vehicle parked on the street. Drivers must pull into the Circle Drive to maintain safety and drop off in the right lane only.
- Students must cross the intersection of Crawford and Oakton assisted by our crossing guards for their safety. Students are not allowed to cross East Prairie and Oakton without an adult before or after school.
- Please be sure to communicate with your child about their after-school plans before school. Are they walking home, taking the bus, or staying after school for sports or a club?
Extracurricular Programming
Here at McCracken, we are proud to offer a variety of student athletic and enrichment programs. These programs allow students to exercise their strengths, tackle areas of growth, and socialize with peers. Be sure to sign up your student for one of our great extracurricular activities clubs or activities! Review the 2022 Extracurricular Slideshow (with videos and important links) and Brochure for information, registration links, and the payment link (for a small number of activities).
More from McCracken
TAP THE SUN FOR SUMMER SCHOOL INFO
Dates to Remember
April 17th
ADL Changemaker Series
3:05 to 3:55 p.m.
April 20th
Crafternoon Activity during recess
and
Poetry Craft
3:05 to 3:55 p.m.
April 27th
"What Every 8th Grade Parent Needs to Know"
6:30 p.m.
Niles North High School
May 8th-12th
Staff Appreciation Week
May 17th-19th
7th Grade Camp MacLean Trip
May 20th
8th Grade Graduation End of the Year Celebration
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
May 24th
8th Grade Graduation Ceremony
7:00 p.m.
Niles North High School
Please check our public calendar on the district website for athletic game times and locations.
Middleton Enrichment Leaders
Are you interested in leading an after-school Enrichment session during the 2023-2024 school year? We look forward to meeting you and providing students with new and different enrichment opportunitites. Please contact Mrs. Tammaru at [email protected] for more information.
Feedback for 2023-2024 Class Placement
I can’t believe it is that time of year again… If you have feedback you would like the administration to consider for your student's 2023-2024 classroom placement, please complete the Parent Feedback Form. You can email it to [email protected] or send it to school with your student in an envelope to my attention.
One Fish, Two Fish, We've Got New Fish!
We're so excited to welcome Middleton's newest addition of an aquarium! Thank you to Mrs. Glaser for donating the tank and to Mrs. Walsh for helping get it up and running. The students found out about the tank today and were excited to see the first fish added! Once the tank is ready, fish will be added slowly and the students will have an opportunity to name them.
Attention Middleton Families!
The Physical Education Department is hosting our annual Family Fitness Night on April 20th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Students must be accompanied by an adult. This is a free event with a chance to win some raffle prizes. There will be many activities to choose from including some Middleton P.E. favorites! ALL family members are encouraged to join in on the fun. Come in your gym shoes and dressed ready to move and play! We hope you can join us!
Middleton STEAM in Action
More from Middleton
TAP THE SUN TO FOR SUMMER SCHOOL INFO
Dates to Remember
April 17th
Little Mermaid Jr. Fundraiser at Herm's Place
April 20th
Family Fitness Night
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
April 24th & 26th
Illinois Science Assessment (5th grade)
May 8th-12th
Staff Appreciation Week
May 17th
4th & 5th Grade Niles North Orchestra Concert
10:50 a.m.
Meyer Parent Leaders Zoom Meeting
Please join us for this month's Meyer Parent Leaders (MPL) Zoom meeting. All parents/guardians are welcome! We will discuss Staff Appreciation Week and the Meyer End-of-Year Bash.
Thursday, April 20, 2023
7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The Zoom link will be sent to Meyer families the day before the meeting.
Meyer Family Sing-Along
Miss Carole of Macaroni Soup! is coming to Meyer School! Bring the whole family to the Meyer Family Sing-Along on Thursday, April 27th from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the Meyer Gym. Please enter through Door #6 by the parking lot. We can’t wait to sing and dance together! Please see the FLYER for details.
Meyer Parent Leaders Green Initiative
The Meyer Parent Leaders have an ongoing GREEN INITIATIVE to help the Earth! The MPL are collecting items to be repurposed for Meyer students.
We are collecting items for our TREASURE BOX COLLECTION. These are UNUSED and NEW "treasures" (pencils, erasers, bubbles, stickers, goody bag leftovers, etc.). The treasure box is filled with fun items that our Meyer staff and educators will use as prizes and rewards for our children.
We are accepting LEGO of all kinds, from Duplo blocks down to the smallest pieces. We will take any LEGO blocks you're looking to get rid of (gently used or new).
Please place your items in a bag and label it "treasure box" or "LEGO." Students can bring the bag to school in their backpacks or families can drop them off at the main office. See the Meyer Parent Leaders Green Initiative flyer for details.
Questions? Please email the Meyer Parent Leaders at [email protected].
Meyer Moments
More from Meyer
TAP THE SUN FOR SUMMER SCHOOL INFO
Dates to Remember
April 20th
Meyer Parent Leaders Meeting
7:00 to 8:00 pm
Zoom
April 27th
Meyer Family Sing-Along with Miss Carole
6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
May 2nd
Board of Education Meeting
7:00 p.m.
McCracken MPR
May 2nd-3rd
Kindergarten Music Informances
May 8th-12th
Staff Appreciation Week
May 13th
PTO Taste of 73.5
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
May 15th-17th
Meyer's Spring Book Fair
May 17th
Meyer Showcase
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
May 24th
On to Kindergarten
(incoming Kindergarten parent/guardians)
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