Meyer Star Spotlight!
August 28, 2026
A FANTASTIC FIRST WEEK AT MEYER!
Dear Meyer Families,
We are officially underway! It has been so much fun welcoming our students back to Meyer and seeing our school come to life this week. There is nothing better than seeing our hallways filled with little backpacks, hearing laughter coming from classrooms, watching new friendships begin, and seeing our students become more comfortable and confident every day.
For some of our students, this week marked their very first experience with school, while others returned ready to jump right back in. No matter where they started, we are incredibly proud of them! These first days are all about building relationships, learning routines, exploring new spaces, and beginning to feel like Meyer is their school.
I also want to say a huge THANK YOU to our families. Thank you for trusting us with your children, for your patience as we work through the beginning-of-the-year routines, and for the smiles, waves, and kind words at arrival and dismissal. We are so grateful to partner with you this year.
I am also very appreciative of your patience as we work through transportation at the beginning of the school year. There are always a few bumps in the road, and you have been so understanding and flexible as we work to smooth everything out. Thank you for your patience and partnership!
We have had a great start, and I cannot wait to see where this year takes us. There is already so much joy throughout Meyer, and we are just getting started!
Please take a look through this week's Meyer Star Spotlight for updates, reminders, and everything you need to know about what is happening at Meyer.
We are so excited for the year ahead!
Marty Heffner
SCHOOL AND FAMILY SHARED SUCCESS TEAM
Families are invited to join our School and Family Shared Success Team, an opportunity to come together, connect, and discuss topics that help our students thrive both at school and at home. Throughout the year, conversations may include play, screen time, social interactions, learning opportunities, and other topics based on family interests.
Our first meeting is Tuesday, September 1st from 6:30–7:30 PM in the Middleton Library! The first conversation will focus on setting your school year up for success.
We hope you will join us for an evening of learning, conversation, and partnership as we work together to support our students!
SCHOOL SAFETY AND DRILL INFORMATION
Keeping our Meyer Shining Stars safe is always our top priority. Throughout the school year, students and staff will participate in required safety drills so that everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency. Our staff works hard to make these experiences developmentally appropriate for our youngest learners while helping students feel safe, supported, and prepared.
Families can learn more about the District’s safety procedures, required drills, and how we approach school safety by visiting the School Safety & Drills webpage.
Additional information about school safety and drills is also included in the latest District Updates newsletter.
Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to keep Meyer a safe and welcoming place for every student!
Upcoming Meyer Safety Drill Dates
September 10 and 11, 2026: Bus Evacuation Drills throughout the school day
September 30, 2026: Fire Drill #1 during the school day
We will preview each drill with our students in an age-appropriate and supportive manner ahead of time. Our goal is to help students understand what to expect so they feel safe, comfortable, and prepared when participating in each drill.
CAREGIVERS ROUNDTABLE
- When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Where: Skokie Public Library (Radmacher Room)
- Contact: 735spedparents@gmail.com
Please see the flyer for additional information, including ways to RSVP and connect with the group.
WELCOME PACKETS: GRADE LEVEL INFORMATION
Please review the Grade Level Welcome Packets below. These packets include important information to help your family prepare for the start of the school year.
ARRIVAL/DROP-OFF
KINDERGARTEN
ARRIVAL/DROP-OFF
- BUS: Students arriving on the school bus will be escorted directly to their classrooms by staff.
- CAR (DRIVE-THRU LANE): You may use the Drive-Thru lane for drop-off, 8:30-8:40 AM. Have your child seated on the passenger side of the car, for safe exiting. Please have your child independently unbuckle themselves. A staff member will help them open the car door and direct them to enter at Door #7 to go directly to their classroom.
- CAR (PARKING & WALKING): You may park on the streets around the school or in the parking lot. Please DO NOT park on the east side of Tripp Avenue, the west side of Kildare, or in the slanted parking spots on Kildare Avenue (reserved for preschool parents). Walk your child to Door #7 by the parking lot, 8:30-8:40 AM.
- WALKING: Walk your child to Door #7 by the parking lot, 8:30-8:40 AM.
DRIVE-THRU SPECIFICS
- Enter the Drive-Thru going north on Kildare. If you need to, circle around the block to go north on Kildare, so that you are taking a right turn into the Drive-Thru (and not a left turn).
- Stay in your cars at all times, so we can keep the line moving. There is no parking in the Drive-Thru lane.
- Do not pass other cars in the Drive-Thru unless directed by a staff member to do so. The Drive-Thru is one way (going east) and one lane.
- Teach your child to buckle and unbuckle themselves on their own. If your child still needs your help, please park your car and walk to the door, instead of using the Drive-Thru.
- In the morning, please have your child wait in the car until a staff member comes to open the car door. Do not have students exit the car on their own.
PRESCHOOL
Arrival/Drop-off
- Students should have a good breakfast or lunch before coming to school.
- Arrival times are 8:25-8:30 AM (AM & Full-day classes) or 11:55-12:00 PM (PM classes), every school day.
- Preschool families may temporarily park in the slanted preschool parking spots on Kildare Avenue for Doors #2 and 3. Please do not park on the west side of Kildare and do not block any driveways.
- Preschool families dropping off at Door #8 may park in the Meyer parking lot, just north of the building.
- A parent/guardian or adult caregiver must walk the student to the drop-off door. Please line up and wait at your assigned door:
- Ms. Moshi - Door 2
- Ms. Radziszewski - Door 2
- Mrs. Nahhas - Door 3
- Ms. Saibert - Door 3
- Mrs. Zaccone - Door 8
Reminders: Front Door Drop-Off is for LATE STUDENTS ONLY. Please also remember to follow our bus lane parking rules to help keep arrival and dismissal safe and running smoothly. Thank you for your cooperation!
Thank you for helping us keep our students and families safe!
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Meyer will hold a Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 10th, from 6:00-7:30 PM. This parents-only event will allow families to meet our school staff and learn more about Meyer. Please click HERE for child care (Limited spots available for children ages 1 or older.)
Please see schedule below:
6:00-6:30 PM Preschool Teacher Sessions (classrooms)
6:30-7:00 PM Principal’s Session - PreK and K (Gym)
7:00-7:30 PM Kindergarten Teacher Sessions (classrooms)
SEESAW
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.
FALL ASSESSMENTS
Every year in the fall, we use formal assessments to understand students’ early reading and math skills. This information helps teachers plan lessons, identify students who need extra help, and to monitor student growth. These assessments are conducted one-on-one with a teacher. These early literacy and math assessments will take place September 4–11 and will be used for teaching and learning purposes. For more information on assessments we use in the district for each grade level, please go to 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 kmccann@sd735.org. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please use Attendance Monitor; directions are found here. While using Attendance Monitor is preferred, you may also call 847-673-1223 and follow the prompts to report the absence. We will contact the parent of a child absent from school if the school has not been notified in advance that the child will be absent. Please also use these methods to report late arrivals and early dismissals, as described in the District Handbook. The telephone numbers you provide during e-registration will be used for this purpose. If you have questions for our office staff, you may contact them via email at myoffice@sd735.org.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
We continue to use Google Calendar for your convenience, available on the website here. This calendar is kept up to date throughout the school year. Take some time to review the information on the calendar and refer to it as a helpful resource during the school year.
Meyer Upcoming Events:
- September 1, 2026: School and Family Shared Success Team (6:30 PM - 7:30 PM at Middleton Library)
September 7, 2026: No School - Labor Day
September 8, 2026: Kindergarten Early Dismissal, 1:55 PM
September 10, 2026: Back to School Night (See Information Above)
September 11, 2026: Coffee with the Principal (8:45 AM - 9:30 AM in Meyer Conference Room)
September 25, 2026: Meyer Picture Day
