DISTRICT NEWS
It’s cold outside and winter weather is on the way! Skokie73.5 follows the Child Care Weather Watch chart to determine whether the temperature and wind chill are safe for outdoor recess. If the temperature with wind chill feels like 15 degrees or warmer, students will go outside.
All students should come to school with appropriate winter outerwear such as a zippered coat, hat, gloves or mittens, scarf, and snow boots. Snow pants are optional, but recommended for warmth and required for younger students when there is snow on the ground. Students should also pack extra clothing layers and socks in case either get wet during outdoor play. Families in need of outerwear for their child can contact the school office for assistance.
Additionally…
- At MEYER, recess will be outdoors if it is not raining or snowing. Students must wear snow boots AND snow pants if they wish to play in the snow. Students who are not dressed for snow must stay on the paved areas of the playground.
- At MIDDLETON, students must wear snow boots to play in the field. Snow pants are recommended for warmth. See also: Bulldog Winter/Snow Guidelines.
Thank you for helping our students stay warm and dry during outdoor play!
COFFEE WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. Hightower's next Coffee & Conversation with the Superintendent is scheduled for Monday, December 4, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the McCracken Multipurpose Room. Click or tap the flyer and then the RSVP link to let us know you're coming.
If your schedule allows, please stay after coffee and join the PTO meeting at 7:00 p.m.
RSVPs for additional dates will open individually in advance of each date. We look forward to seeing you!
STUDENT SERVICES
The North Cook Regional Office of Education (ROE) is the liaison between the Illinois State Board of Education and local schools in north suburban Cook County. They are also the recipient of a grant to assist with homeless students' educational needs. The ROE is currently seeking donations for families experiencing homelessness to help with emergency needs and expenses that are not covered by the grant. Learn more about the Education Fund for Homeless & At-Risk Youth on the ROE website. An online donation form is available if you are able and wish to offer support.
If you are experiencing housing insecurities/homelessness, please contact Angela DeMay at [email protected]. Additional information is available on our website at sd735.org/registration/mv to help families better understand their rights.
There are many resources available to families experiencing hardships in our community. Please see this list of Community Resources for District 73.5 Families on our website.
Join Illinois STAR NET for some NEW events! Check their newsletter for information about upcoming programs, webinars, and workshops happening in December through March.
END OF TRIMESTER INFORMATION
Friday, November 17th was the last day of Trimester 1. Report cards will be prepared over the next few weeks and released electronically through the PowerSchool Parent Portal on Wednesday, December 13th. At that time, parents and guardians will receive an email from Skokie73.5 with instructions for how to view their student's report card.
In the meantime, please log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal website at sd735.powerschool.com to make sure your username and password are working. If you need assistance with your account access, please contact the Skokie73.5 Data Office at 847-676-8326.
The video here shows the PowerSchool Parent Portal login screen and how to enter your username and password.
PTO NEWS
Thank you to all who joined the PTO for the November 16th Parent Meetup at Sketchbook!
The next PTO Regular Meeting is Monday, December 4th at 7:00 p.m. in person in the McCracken MPR and online at Google Meet.
Join the online meeting: meet.google.com/huz-ahvv-bpv
View the Agenda: district735pto.org/meetings
DISTRICT DATES
Visit district735pto.org and get to know your PTO!
Questions about this calendar or events? Please email [email protected].
AROUND TOWN
Check the SkokieNews for information and updates from the Village of Skokie.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6th IS MEYER'S PAJAMA DAY. Meyer Shining Stars may show their school spirit by wearing pajamas to school and being extra comfy all day!
MEYER IS COLLECTING COINS FOR KINDNESS, through Tuesday, December 12th, to benefit Skokie73.5 families who need extra kindness and support this holiday season. Our Meyer Shining Stars may bring loose change or coins to school for our collection. Meyer Parent Leaders will use the money collected to purchase gifts for our "adopted" families based on their wishlists. Kindergarten classes will "shop" for gifts for our families at the Meyer Mart on Tuesday, December 19th to learn about "needs" and "wants," and our preschool classes will wrap the presents and create cards for the families. We hope our students will also learn that small acts of kindness can add up to a whole lot when we work together!
WINTER BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS. Every winter, we use formal assessments to gauge student progress in early reading and math skills. This information helps teachers plan lessons and monitor student growth. Assessments are given one-on-one with a teacher. We will begin assessing our Kindergarten students next week, and we will continue with assessments for both PreK-4 and Kindergarten students after winter break. For more information on assessments we use in Skokie73.5 for each grade level, please visit sd735.org/cia/assessments. If you have questions about these assessments, please contact your child’s teacher or our school psychologist, Dr. Kristen McCann, at [email protected]. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
CAR SEAT REMINDER: By Illinois law, children aged 3-6 years old should still be in forward-facing car seats or booster seats. Children also must ride in the back seat of the car at least through age 12. Please help keep our Shining Stars safe by having them buckle up in a car or booster seat, in the back seat, when riding in a vehicle. Click or tap the age-specific Car Seat Recommendations for Children chart for important information about choosing the proper car seat for your child.
The Skokie Health Department offers a short-term car seat loaner program for Skokie residents. The "TOTS" (Travel seats Offer Travel Safety) program loans seats at no cost. A $10 deposit is required and will be returned less a $5 cleaning fee when the seat is brought back in good condition. Borrowers are instructed on the proper installation and usage of the seats. Seats can be reserved by calling the Health Department at 847-933-8252.
KINDERGARTEN STEAM ACTIVITY
WINTER WEATHER
Please see Dressing for Winter Weather to help all students be warm and dry for outdoor play. Thank you!
MEYER SUPERSTARS
Ms. Moshi's Preschool Superstars
Mrs. Solomon's Kindergarten Superstars
MEYER DATES
STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO PURCHASE BREAKFAST FROM THE CAFETERIA between 8:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. each morning. Immediately upon arrival, students should ask a staff member in the Madison Av. or Drake Alley pickup area to allow them into the building to get breakfast. Students then stay in the cafeteria until 8:35 a.m. to finish their breakfast. Breakfast will not be served after 8:30 a.m. and students cannot take their breakfast to class.
BULLDOG BENCHMARK ASSESSMENT WEEKS are from Thursday, December 7th through Monday, January 15th. Students will take the following assessments:
- MAP (grades 2-5). MAP testing will take place first thing each morning on December 13th and December 14th.
- Math Auto (grades 1-5)
- F&P (grades 1-5)
- CBMr (grades 1-5)
These assessments provide us with some data around student growth and progress.
TRIMESTER 2 BEGAN THIS WEEK! Now is a good opportunity to talk to your child about the importance of being on time for school in order to be prepared for learning. You might also review your morning plans and routines with your child to make sure they are still working to support them with on-time arrival each day.
Students line up outside beginning at 8:15 a.m. and are welcomed into the building at 8:25 a.m. Our classes begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. If you know your child will be absent, please call the nurse absence line at 847-676-8020. If you need any support helping your child arrive to school, or to arrive on time, please reach out to your child’s teacher or to a school social worker so that we can partner with you to create a plan that works for you and your child.
IT'S TIME TO ORDER YOUR 2023-2024 MIDDLETON YEARBOOK! What better way to remember this unique school year? The yearbook costs $20 and is now available for pre-order. Orders may be placed online through the Lifetouch website at ybpay.lifetouch.com. The Yearbook ID Code is 13556524. Tap the flyer for more information!
SNAPSHOTS & SMILES
The Middleton Garden Enrichment Club has been working hard and enjoying the results of their labor!
Middleton Buddy Classrooms gathered for a visit!
Superintendent Hightower read aloud to Mrs. Domingo's class...
Mrs. Clark's class celebrated their book publishing project...
WINTER WEATHER
Please see Dressing for Winter Weather to help all students be warm and dry for outdoor play. Thank you!
See also: Middleton Bulldog Winter/Snow Guidelines.
GARDEN NEWSLETTER
Learn about Middleton's Pollinator and Gilbert Gardens in the GARDEN NEWSLETTER!
LAST ENRICHMENT DAYS
As a reminder, most Enrichment programming will end on Monday, December 11th. There is no programming from December 12th-15th. Lego Robotics through KidzToPros will meet on Monday, December 18th due to a canceled class.
MIDDLETON DATES
PURPLE PRIDE WEEK. McCracken students participate in benchmark assessments three times per year (fall, winter, and spring). This year we will be testing before the winter break and your student(s) will have the opportunity to show us what they know by doing their best on a variety of assessments.
Students will complete the MAP test for Reading and Math on Wednesday, December 13th and Thursday, December 14th. They will also be taking the R-CBMmath assessment in an extended advisory on Monday, December 11th and some students will take the R-CBMreading assessment on Friday, December 15th. Students will follow special schedules on these testing days.
Thank you for encouraging and supporting your student(s) by making sure they get a good night’s rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at McCracken on time with a charged Chromebook during Purple Pride Week. Students who are absent on testing days will participate in make-up testing sessions the following week. If you have any questions about assessments, feel free to connect with Mr. Marty Behm, Assistant Principal, at 847-676-8234. Thanks, as always, for your support of Purple Pride Week!
CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS are open to ALL students in 7th and 8th grade. Students must have a current physical form on file with the nurse in order to attend clinics and tryouts. Students should wear comfortable clothes and gym shoes.
Cheerleading Clinics (students must attend at least one clinic)
- Dates: Monday, December 11th and Wednesday, December 13th
- Time: 3:10 to 4:00 p.m.
- Room: MPR
Cheerleading Tryouts (students must be present to be included in the team selection process)
- Date: Thursday, December 14th
- Time: 3:10 to 4:00 p.m.
- Room: MPR
The final cheerleading roster is determined by specific skills displayed by students during tryouts. We recognize your child may not be selected for this team as we have limited spots and encourage students to be involved in a variety of athletic and/or clubs and activities throughout the year which are both tryout and non-tryout based. If you have any specific questions about tryouts, please email our cheerleading coach, Ms. Magnuson, at [email protected].
8th GRADE BABY PHOTOS NEEDED! It is a tradition at McCracken to include 8th grade baby pictures in the yearbook. The McCracken yearbook committee is currently collecting those photos for the 2023-2024 yearbook. You can send a digital copy of the baby picture to Mrs. Monak at [email protected] or your child can bring a physical copy of the picture to their advisory teacher (the picture will be returned to you). We would love to have the pictures by Friday, December 22nd.
NILES NORTH CHORAL EXCHANGE CONCERT. Our 8th grade choir students participated in a field trip to Niles North High School on Wednesday, November 29th, and sang in a special choir concert in the evening. McCracken students performed alongside Niles North choir students and township feeder middle schools. We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with Niles North High School and surrounding schools and are proud of our students’ performance. Thank you to Ms. Amy Keipert for directing our choirs and attending this special concert performance.
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS. Did you know that missing two days of school a month, over the course of a school year, can affect a student's academic success? Please help us make school attendance a priority! If you know that your child will be absent for the day, please call our school nurse, Ms. Warda, at 847-676-8235 by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. Please review the McCracken Attendance Reminders for more information about the importance of consistent school attendance and keeping your child engaged in school.
WINTER WEATHER
Please see Dressing for Winter Weather to help all students be warm and dry for outdoor play. Thank you!
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
Please help us keep our students, staff, families, and visitors safe by following our arrival and dismissal safety reminders.
SPECTATOR GUIDELINES
We are excited to host and participate in Little 9 Conference sporting events! Please review behavior expectations for students, families, and visitors.
McCRACKEN DATES
Halal meals available on request: Meatball and Rice Bowl, Chicken Sandwich, Cheese Sandwich. Kosher meals available on request: All Beef Hot Dog, 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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