News and information from our district and schools
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DISTRICT NEWS
COFFEE+BPAC POTLUCK WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
The next Coffee & Conversation will be co-hosted by Dr. Hightower and the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC).
Please join us on Wednesday, March 6th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Middleton Media Center for coffee and a potluck meal to celebrate and practice literacy skills in our native languages.
RSVP is requested. Click or tap the flyer and then the RSVP link to let us know you're coming.
e-LEARNING SURVEY
ATTENTION ALL FAMILIES! Please take a few minutes to complete the e-Learning Family Survey to help us learn more about your family's experiences during our January e-learning days. Your perspective will help us to better understand, plan for, and continually improve such experiences in the future. Responses are requested by Thursday, March 7th. We appreciate any feedback you choose to share with us through this survey: forms.gle/hk5ANkaqwYRLjCda9.
CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION & ASSESSMENT
SUMMER SCHOOL. Summer is right around the corner, and it is time to begin thinking about summer school! Summer school will run from June 4th to June 27th (there will be no summer school on June 19th in observance of Juneteenth). Classes will meet Monday through Thursday; there will be no classes on Fridays.
The daily schedule for summer school is as follows:
- 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. — English Language Arts
- 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. — Mathematics
Summer school enrollment is determined by invitation. Families of invited students should expect to receive summer school mailings beginning the week of March 19th. Bus transportation information will be provided at a later date.
ILLINOIS ASSESSMENT OF READINESS (IAR) TESTING. From March 4th-22nd, students in 3rd-8th grade will participate in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). The IAR is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards (which include the Common Core Standards). It is designed to provide teachers and families with information about student progress in Mathematics and English Language Arts.
Each year, the Illinois State Board of Education randomly selects schools to participate in IAR field testing. This year, Middleton Elementary was selected. Field testing will increase the length of the English Language Arts portion of the test by 75-90 minutes (depending on student grade level).
To provide flexibility, each school will develop its own testing schedule. School test coordinators are working diligently to prepare, and we anticipate a smooth testing experience.
Additional information about IAR testing is available at www.isbe.net/iar.
5Essentials SURVEY. Teachers, families, and students across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the annual 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of our schools.
The Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey will be administered through March 29, 2024. To take the survey please visit survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois and click the "Parent Survey" to begin. There are 21 questions and the survey should take approximately 10 minutes. If you have children in multiple buildings please complete the survey for each school.
Your participation in the 5Essentials survey will help us better understand our schools and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. The State of Illinois now uses the results of the survey to determine the official school designation for Middleton and McCracken, which is reported on the yearly Illinois School Report Card. If at least 20 percent of families complete this survey, a parent supplement will also be generated. This will allow us to access your valuable feedback.
We are excited to learn from your feedback!
STUDENT SERVICES
Check the MARCH NTDSE PARENT EVENTS flyer to see what's happening this month. Of note:
- March 5th from 3:45 to 7:45 p.m.
CPR - March 12th from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.
Parent Group
Click through to the flyer for complete details and a link to registration.
FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS (FQHC) will see children who have arrived from another country and do not have health insurance. The Centers will provide physicals and vaccines while other details are being sorted out. Below are some local FQHCs:
Illinois Welcoming Centers are listed on the Department of Human Services (DHS) website.
Have you heard about the EARLY CHOICES INITIATIVE? It’s a great resource for parents and educators to find information about inclusive early care and education for children from birth to age 5. Check it out – there are many learning opportunities for parents and guardians!
LOOK WHAT'S NEW!
STUDENT ART IN DISTRICT LOGO! This week we began placement of student artwork in the center of the Skokie73.5 logo. The art that is currently embedded was designed and drawn by Cat S. during her 5th grade year. Learn more about our logo HERE.
THE SIGN ON THE CORNER! Earlier this year a digital sign was installed at the intersection of Oakton Street and Crawford Avenue. The sign displays public announcements from and about Skokie73.5, our schools, and the PTO.
For more information about announcements you might see on the sign as you pass it, click the I SAW IT ON THE SIGN! button on the front page of our district and school websites!
CARING HEARTS CLASSROOM DONATION DRIVE
The CARING HEARTS CLASSROOM DONATION DRIVE is a program that helps support our incredible Skokie73.5 teachers. Parents and guardians are invited to show their appreciation by fulfilling staff "wish" lists for various classroom items such as markers, pens, books, games, gift cards, and more. Wish lists and more information are available on the SD735.org website and at each school. Donations can be returned by your student to their teacher or school office. The Classroom Donation Drive runs until Friday, March 15th.
GET TO KNOW THE PTO!
The PTO invites us all to TASTE OF 73.5 on Sunday, April 14th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at McCracken Middle School.
Click or tap the flyer for more information on the PTO website!
The Skokie73.5 community is invited to ► register for a booth to share their heritage, culinary expertise, and celebrate our diversity.
Email [email protected] if you would like to help plan the event. Meetings will be held on Zoom.
Visit district735pto.org and get to know your PTO!
Questions about this calendar or events? Please email [email protected].
DISTRICT DATES
AROUND TOWN
Check the SkokieNews for information and updates from the Village of Skokie.
Scroll the Skokie Public Library Newsletter for information about library events and services for all ages and abilities.
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION & SCREENING 2024-2025. Preschool registration for the 2024-2025 school year has begun! For more information about our program, please see our PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE SLIDESHOW.
We are offering preschool developmental screenings for the 2024-2025 school year on Monday, April 15th and Tuesday, April 16th for Skokie73.5 families only. If you are interested in having your child considered for the Discount Preschool Tuition Program, or if you have concerns about your preschool-aged child’s development, please click HERE or scan the QR code to sign up for a screening appointment.
The parent-run CARING HEARTS CLASSROOM DONATION DRIVE is back to help the incredible Skokie73.5 teachers. Show your appreciation and support by fulfilling our teachers’ wish lists for various classroom items such as markers, glue sticks, pens, books, games, gift cards, and more. The drive runs through Friday, March 15th. Please see Meyer’s wish lists HERE. Thank you for your support!
SAVE THE DAY IN MAY for KINDERGARTEN MUSIC "INFORMANCES."
What is an Informance? An informance is a way to inform parents of what a typical music class is like. It is similar to a performance in that there is an audience, but instead of rehearsing set pieces, the students demonstrate what they do during music class. The setting is smaller and more intimate than a larger performance. Parents see first-hand how their child experiences music at Meyer School!
WHEN:
- Ms. Huynh’s class: Monday, May 13th at 11:00 a.m.
- Ms. Solomon’s class: Monday, May 13th at 12:00 p.m.
- Ms. Mpistolarides and Ms. Zaccone’s class: Monday May 13th at 1:00 p.m.
- Ms. Lancioni’s class: Tuesday, May 14th at 9:30 a.m.
- Ms. LaBarbera’s class: Tuesday, May 14th at 10:30 a.m.
Each Informance will last approximately 25 minutes. Seating is limited so we ask that each child invites a maximum of 2 adults. We hope to see you there!
Please see this FLYER for information. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Castellini at [email protected].
MEYER SUPERSTARS
Kindergarten Superstars
Preschool Superstars
MEYER MOMENTS
MEYER DATES
EnrichMD classes are off to a great start! As a reminder, there are a few spots left in two Monday classes:
- American Sign Language (ASL): 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Middleton beginning Monday, April 1st through Monday, May 20th
- Emily Oaks Afterschool Nature program: 3:00 to 5:15 p.m. beginning Monday, April 1st through Monday, May 20th. Families must register their children through the park district. Students will be bused by Emily Oaks to their site and parents/guardians must be able to pick up students from Emily Oaks at 5:15 p.m.
The ZUZU Acrobats stopped by Middleton to help students celebrate their Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) reward. Check the photos!
On a recent trip to Emily Oaks Nature Center, 2nd grade students brought "snow people" back to school and painted them in the classroom. The snow people then went on display at the Emily Oaks Chilly Fest in February. Mrs. Domingo went to see them and snapped some photos!
FROM THE MIDDLETON HEALTH OFFICE
This week the Middleton Health Office started using automated phone calls ("robocalls") from the district to contact families each morning about attendance. Families will receive this call if they do not notify school to report that a student will be absent. If you receive an automated attendance call, please press 1 to leave a message explaining the reason for your student's absence.
Please reach out to Middleton School Nurse Kim Durband at 847-676-8020 if you have any questions or concerns.
YEARBOOK ORDERS
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. Click or tap the flyer for more information!
SEL NEWSLETTER
The February issue of the Middleton SEL NEWSLETTER provides information and tips for helping children develop self awareness.
MIDDLETON DATES
Student Council is VERY excited to host our second HORNET HANGOUT of the school year next Friday, March 8th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.! The theme is tropical! Admission will be $2 and the first 150 students will receive a free Hawaiian lei. As always, snacks, drinks, and pizza will be available for purchase.
Permission slips will be given to students on Monday, March 4th. Students must have a signed permission slip to attend the event and must be picked up promptly at 8:00 p.m. by a family member or have permission to ride home with a friend.
Next week launches our SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING Week at McCracken and across the district! See Something, Say Something Week is an initiative from Sandy Hook Promise aimed at reducing violence in schools by promoting a positive culture. Next week our students will be talking about becoming upstanders, noticing warning signs, acknowledging their trusted adults, and supporting each other. Students will have the opportunity to participate in themed spirit days and daily challenges with the support of our Student Council and Student Support Team. Students can win prizes and recognition for engaging in these activities and being a part of the change. The goal is to strengthen our school culture and to remember: if you See Something, Say Something! Learn more about the Sandy Hook Say Something Week program on the Sandy Hook website.
Choir students from all grade levels performed for families and friends this week during our February CHOIR CONCERT. They sang beautifully and were able to keep their composure during some very active storms. We sincerely appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation as we sheltered in place during the tornado warnings and then ended a bit early to get all of our families and performers home safely. Thank you to Ms. Amy Keipert for her continued leadership as the McCracken Director of Choirs and good luck to our 7th grade Singers, 8th grade Singers, and Hornet Harmony as they perform at the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) District Organization Contest on Saturday, March 9th. They will sing for a panel of judges and receive clinics with outstanding choral music educators!
Our 7th GRADERS participated in the HISTORY FAIR at McCracken Middle School on Thursday, February 22nd! Niles North High School students supported this event by judging student projects from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., which was followed by a parent/guardian viewing session from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Special thanks to Ms. Bethany Fagan, Ms. Cindy Grossman, and Ms. Melissa Brander, families, and Niles North students for their assistance with planning and preparation. Check out some of our students’ projects!
ATTENDANCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM. McCracken students will have the opportunity to be entered into a monthly attendance raffle recognizing students who are on time to school and those who miss no more than one day per month. Each student who achieves 95% attendance will be entered into this raffle and those who have 100% attendance will be entered twice. There will be three prizes distributed to students in each grade level. We are excited to welcome students to school each day for a full day of learning! PLEASE NOTE that religious holidays will not count toward any absences.
CAMP MacLEAN SAVE THE DATE! McCracken 7th graders will take our annual 3-day trip to Camp MacLean in Burlington, Wisconsin from Wednesday, May 15th through Friday, May 17th. The purpose of the Camp MacLean trip is to provide our students with an outdoor education experience that promotes both team building and independence. It is our goal that all 7th grade students attend this important trip.
Parents and guardians should complete this digital form by Friday, April 5th to indicate their student's interest in attending Camp MacLean OR complete and return the print form passed out in Bethany Fagan’s social studies class for students to bring home. If you have already made the decision for your student to attend, you can make payment online HERE!
We will share additional information with families about this trip soon. Ms. Fagan and Mr. Behm will host an informational night on Wednesday, April 3rd. Get excited for Camp MacLean 2024!
8th GRADE PARENT/GUARDIAN GRADUATION CEREMONY/EVENTS COMMUNICATION. We currently have our 8th grade graduation date reserved with Niles North High School on Tuesday, May 28th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Students are expected to maintain academic and behavior expectations in order to fully participate in all graduation events. There will be more information regarding graduation events in the upcoming months which will include the process for securing tickets to the ceremony. We are currently collecting diploma names and graduation gown and tassel orders from families. Please review the linked parent/guardian letter below to complete required forms and place online orders. We will continue to communicate information to families through email and in The Weekly newsletter.
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.
Arrival & Dismissal
Please help us keep our students, staff, families, and visitors safe by following our arrival and dismissal safety reminders.
McCRACKEN DATES
Spectator Guidelines
We are excited to host and participate in Little 9 Conference sporting events! Please review behavior expectations for students, families, and visitors.
Halal meals available on request: Meatball and Rice Bowl, Cheese Sandwich. Kosher meals available on request: All Beef Hot Dog, Cheese Sandwich. Due to supply chain delays, Halal chicken sandwich is temporarily unavailable. Monthly meal menu at-a-glance is available HERE.
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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