News and information from our district and schools
MEYER. MIDDLETON. McCRACKEN. Meal Menu.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2023
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DISTRICT NEWS
STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK
The 2023-2024 Student/Parent Handbook was sent home with students this week. Please snap the QR code printed on the inside back cover of the Handbook to submit the Student/Parent Handbook Acknowledgment form for all students in the household. Please view the Handbook cover letter for more information about new features added to the Student/Parent Handbook.
HEALTH SERVICES REMINDER
The State of Illinois and the Illinois School Code require all students to have health forms on file at school.
Tap the chart to download the forms required for each grade level. Visit our website at sd735.org/health-services to meet our school nurses and to contact them with any questions!
CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION & ASSESSMENT
As you may recall, last week we shared that we would begin administering certain formal benchmark assessments at our schools. We would like to share information about four of them: NWEA MAP assessment, Fountas & Pinnell (F&P), CBMreading, and FastBridge (FB).
This past week, we began administering the MAP testing at both Middleton and McCracken. At Middleton, 1st through 5th grade students began taking the MAP assessment, and at McCracken, all students began taking the assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to measure students' growth in literacy and mathematics skills over time. Students in the 1st through 8th grades will take the MAP assessment two additional times this year—in the winter and spring—for a total of three times.
In addition to the MAP assessment, we began administering the Fountas & Pinnell (F&P) assessment to our kindergarten through 2nd grade students; for students in the 3rd through 5th grades, we administer the F&P assessment only when a student continues to show foundational literacy skills growth that is below their grade level. Like the MAP assessment, we administer the F&P assessment three times per year—fall, winter, and spring. The purpose of the F&P assessment is to measure students’ growth in foundational literacy skills.
Finally, we began administering the CBMreading assessment to our 1st through 6th grade students. We also administer the CBMreading assessment to 7th and 8th grade students who continue to score below the 30th percentile on the assessment.
Looking ahead to the next few weeks, we will begin administering the FastBridge (FB) assessment to our pre-K and kindergarten students. The purpose of the FB assessment is to conduct a quick screening of our students' literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional competencies. We administer this assessment three times per year—fall, winter, and spring.
In all cases, we use the results of these assessments to modify our instruction, and to plan interventions for groups of students or individual students, so we can best support your students in their learning and growth.
If you are curious about the different assessments we use at Skokie73.5, why we use them, and what we do with the results, visit our informational site to learn more: sd735.org/cia/assessments.
AROUND TOWN
VILLAGE SEAL INITIATIVE & SURVEY. The Village of Skokie is conducting a Village Seal Community Survey to gather residents' input on the characteristics and attributes that represent Skokie’s past, present, and future. The survey will be open through September 15, 2023. Responses wil be shared with the artist(s) selected to design the new seal. Visit the Village Seal Initiative website for more information. PHOTO: skokie.org/seal
DISTRICT DATES
View meeting agenda and livestream on BoardDocs:https://go.boarddocs.com/il/sd735/Board...
The Advocate Children’s Hospital Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will make a return visit t...
McCracken will hold a food drive to benefit the Niles Township Food Pantry. Donations o...
Thank you to all the Meyer families who were able to join us for Meyer’s CURRICULUM NIGHT on August 30th. Please see the PRESENTATION SLIDES if you were unable to attend the Principal’s session. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or the Meyer principal, Dr. Helen Wei, at [email protected].
The MEYER PARENT LEADERS (MPL) is a committee of the District 73.5 PTO. This inclusive group of Meyer parents and guardians are dedicated to supporting the Meyer School community. The MPL provides opportunities for Meyer families to connect and socialize by organizing volunteer, service, and fundraising events for the school. Past events include Socktoberfest, Movie Night, and the End-of-the-Year Bash. Please see the FLYER for more details.
We can continue to have these fun family events only with your help! If you would like to volunteer and be added to the MPL email list, please email [email protected].
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Mark your calendars! Meyer’s SCHOOL PICTURE DAY is scheduled for Friday, September 22nd, during the school day. Flyers with more details will be sent home in folders next Friday.
SEESAW is a great way to stay connected to Meyer School and your child’s teacher. Teachers can send messages, share student work, and post photos through this website and app. If you have not signed up for Seesaw yet and would like to set up your account, please contact your child’s teacher.
MEYER MOMENTS
PLAYGROUND UPDATE!
Work has begun on the Meyer playground to remove dirt and stones, replace the tree, and "plant" some artificial grass!
MEYER DATES
Thank you for your support to get students to school on time these first two weeks! The students are doing a great job following Middleton expectations and we celebrated their success with our first all school assembly. Students competed against the staff in a "Minute-to-Win-It" competition and the students won the Champ's Golden Dog Dish Trophy! Until Trimester 2… when we compete again!
PBIS AND BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS. Students have been learning behavior expectations in all parts of the building. Ms. Tammaru reviewed cafeteria expectations with all students; Mrs. Larenas, recess supervisors, and staff supported students through recess rotations this week; and teachers reviewed bathroom, hallway, and classroom expectations. Ms. Tammaru and Mrs. Larenas also went to all classrooms to talk through building expectations from the handbook including attendance, bus expectations, dress code, teasing/bullying, and electronic devices. Students have done a phenomenal job being kind and respectful this week! Ask your child how they were kind to someone this week!
RESTORATIVE STRATEGIES OF THE WEEK. Students and staff are starting off the school year by engaging in the use of restorative strategies to support student learning and engagement. Students have participated in a number of Restorative Circles to talk about what makes them feel like part of a classroom community. Students are learning to talk to each other and use affective statements (“I statements” - i.e. “It makes me frustrated when you take the ball I’m using. Can I please have it back?”) to communicate their needs and their feelings. Please feel free to use these strategies at home, too!
WHITE PINES (5th GRADE ONLY). Our White Pines trip is October 18th-20th this year. This outdoor education trip is one that students often most remember from their time at Middleton! We hope all 5th graders can attend! Information was shared with families during Curriculum Night and through teacher newsletters. Please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher or to Assistant Principal Stephanie Larenas with any questions.
- View the WHITE PINES CURRICULUM NIGHT PRESENTATION
- Watch the WHITE PINES VIDEO RECORDING featuring 5th grade teachers
- Complete the TEACHER SURVEY (two questions)
- Read the PARENT INFORMATION PACKET — All forms and fees are due by October 6th
DISMISSAL PLANS
If you CHANGE your child’s DISMISSAL PLAN in the middle of the day, you MUST call the front office at 847-673-1222 or email [email protected] so that we have the information in the main office. Teachers may not be able check emails or voicemails during the day.
GARDEN NEWSLETTER
Introducing Middleton's GARDEN NEWSLETTER! Take a virtual walk through the Pollinator and Gilbert Gardens and learn more about these special spaces.
MIDDLETON DATES
Our CURRICULUM INFORMATION EVENT is scheduled for Thursday, September 9th. Families will receive video presentations from advisory and content area teachers. Some of the topics reviewed will include team practices, contact information, curriculum guidelines, grading practices, and academic support available for students at McCracken. Teachers and staff are looking forward to sharing important information with families and forming positive partnerships to support their child’s academic and social and emotional learning and growth.
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 for growth, and socialize with peers. Be sure to sign up your student for one of our great extracurricular clubs or activities here at McCracken! Review the McCracken Extracurricular Activities 2023-2024 Slideshow (with videos and important links) and our Programs Brochure for information and links to registration and payment (for a small number of activities).
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL SAFETY REMINDERS
- Parents and guardians who drive their student(s) to or from school must use the Circle Drive off of East Prairie Road.
- Parents and guardians must enter the Circle Drive near the south entrance on East Prairie Road staying on the right side of the drive for pick up or drop off (leave the outside lane open to exiting cars at all times). Do NOT drop off or pick up your student in the left lane.
- The Drive-Thru is for right lane drop off and pick up only. Do not park in the Drive-Thru lane. Please help to keep our students and staff safe at all times!
- Drivers should NOT enter the Circle Drive coming north off East Prairie. Please enter the drop off or pick up line driving south on East Prairie.
- Students may NOT walk through the back parking lot for any reason due to traffic.
- Students must exit school property immediately following dismissal and may not stay to congregate with peers outdoors unless involved in an extracurricular activity.
- Crossing guards are available to assist students crossing Oakton Street and Crawford Avenue and also on East Prairie Road and Warren Street.
- Students may NOT cross the street at East Prairie Road and Oakton Street unless accompanied by a parent/guardian. There is no crosswalk or crossing guards and there is a high volume of traffic.
McCRACKEN BUZZ BUCKS
At McCracken, our core behavior matrix revolves around the motto, "Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready." Students engaged in PBIS rotations at the beginning of the school year outlining student behavior expectations in and around the building to support student success. Students earn Buzz Bucks from staff members for exhibiting positive behaviors. Examples of these positive behaviors can include waiting respectfully to participate in a discussion, being kind to peers, or listening to and following directions in the classroom, hallway, cafeteria, and during recess. Students have the opportunity to "cash-in" their Buzz Bucks for prizes throughout the school year by visiting our Redemption Center during recess periods and after school on scheduled days. Each week, one student from each grade level that has earned Buzz Bucks is selected from the grade level boxes in the lobby. They are invited to spin the wheel to earn a special prize from the main office. Buzz Bucks are also tallied by grade level each trimester and the grade level earning the most Buzz Bucks is rewarded with a special prize after our Hornet Hive Trimester Assembly. Our Buzz Bucks system focuses upon teaching, reinforcing, and rewarding our positive behavior expectations so that a productive learning environment is created for all students. Go Hornets!
McCRACKEN ORCHESTRA PROGRAM. Are you interested in signing up your student to play violin, viola, cello, or bass with the McCracken Orchestra? Jennifer Page will present a demonstration at McCracken during a special grade-level lunch on Wednesday, September 13th. The 2023-2024 Orchestra Registration Night is at Niles North High School on September 20th. See the registration form to sign up and for more information.
ATHLETIC GAME SPECTATOR GUIDELINES
We are excited to be able to host and participate in sporting events in the Little 9 Conference! We do have behavioral expectations for attending games at McCracken for both students and families/visitors:
- 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, make repeated trips to the restroom, or leave and re-enter the building during a game.
- 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 McCracken gymnasium.
- Any student spectator from another school must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and that student must stay with that parent or guardian throughout the game.
Failure to follow any of these behaviors could result in students and/or spectators 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 eighth grade students will be administered at Niles North High School on Saturday, October 28th (specific times will be shared by Niles North in the near future).
- 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. Assessing 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.
- The College Board website has several resources about the PSAT 8. Should you have any questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out to Christine Gonzales, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, at [email protected] or 847-626-3870.
- More information will follow in the near future!
McCRACKEN DATES
Halal meals available on request: Halal Chicken Sandwich, Halal Meatball and Rice Bowl, Halal Cheese Sandwich
Kosher meals available upon request: Kosher All Beef Hot Dog, Kosher Cheese Sandwich
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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