Chute

6th Grade Field Trip slips and $ due to LLA Teachers. Trip slip can be accessed here: Bowling Trip Slip!

Attention 6th and 7th grade students:

Missed the yearbook pre-order?

We have a limited amount of yearbooks left for purchase, on a first come first served basis. Students can bring in a yearbook order form and $25 to Mrs. Kushner to secure a copy! Students will receive yearbooks the last week of school!

Your Chute mental health team would like to share some community resources this month. This week we are featuring The Family Institute, a local mental health provider that accepts many insurances, has a sliding scale, and a free community clinic. From their website:

• Your Mental Health Matters. Book an Appointment Today. If you are looking for support facing the challenges of life including relationship struggles, sexual or gender identity exploration, anxiety, depression or another issue, call us at 847-733-4300 to book an appointment or visit our website to learn more.

TFI has a number of upcoming events of interest, including:

• “Navigating the Unknown from Loss to Connection,” a free, virtual workshop for parents of LGBTQIA+ kids. Join Remington Mitchell, M.A., LCPC and Mili Kuriakose, M.A., LPC for an intimate discussion specifically crafted for parents who are trying to understand their kids' coming out process or gender transition. Thursday, May 29, 2025, 11:30am-1pm, virtual, via zoom, register here: https://www.family-institute.org/behavioral-health-resources/join-us-navigating-unknown-loss-connection

• “The Importance of Play in Child Development and Emotional Wellbeing,” Play is essential for a child's development, but it's not always easy for parents-especially when play feels stressful or kids struggle with independent play. Join Emily Perepa, LCSW, ICST and Chanelle Ramos-Doucette, Psy.D. for a live, virtual discussion exploring the benefits of play, practical strategies to increase connection and confidence, and when and how to encourage kids to play independently. Part of our Mental Health Awareness Month programming, this free webinar has been rescheduled for Monday, June 9 from 6-7 p.m. CT. Register here: https://www.family-institute.org/behavioral-health-resources/join-us-importance-play-child-development-and-emotional-wellbeing

Additionally, the Family institute also has free, on-demand webinars and articles, such as:

• “Supporting Teens' Healthy Social Media Use: Promoting Wellness in the Digital Age”

• “Mindful Parenting: Finding Calm in Communication”

• “From Exhausted to Energized: Mastering Family Sleep Hygiene”

• And articles such as “How to work through a Panic Attack.”

We hope you find this information helpful!

-Chute Mental Health Team

Per 105 ILCS5/26-8.1 (1.5), all children in Grade 6 are required to have an oral health exam. Examinations must be performed by a licensed dentist, and he/she must sign the Proof of School Dental Examination form. This exam must be dated on or after November 15, 2023 and was due to the school health office no later than May 15, 2025.

Please reach out to the school nurse, Ana Escobar, with any questions at 847-859-8608

The Skokie Public Library is providing meals for kids from June until August. See the attached flyer for more information.

Google Takeout for 8th Graders

• Students can preserve their digital work using Google Takeout (bit.ly/d65googletakeout)
• Important deadline: 8th graders lose access to Google Drive on June 5, 2025

Summer Device Policies

• 6th-7th grade students will take devices home for summer
• Students will have access to all instructional technology tools through July 31, 2025
• Summer program participants may have different access depending on their enrolled program
• Optional device collection form available upon request for families who prefer not to have devices at home during summer (bit.ly/optionaldevicecollect)

Device Protection & Replacement

• Device Protection Plan (bit.ly/d65deviceprotectionplan)
• Spanish version: bit.ly/d65plandeprotecciondedispositivos
• Annual insurance fee covers devices through summer

Summer Support

• For damaged devices or help with platforms like Clever, families can email: summersupport@district65.net
• Note: Support limited to district-issued devices only

We are excited to announce the launch of a new and improved Digital Backpack 65! On this platform, families can find all of Evanston’s programming in one place, including after-school programs and summer camps.

How Digital Backpack 65 Can Help You

• Find programs near you – Digital Backpack 65’s explore page allows you to filter opportunities based on your school and ward, making it easier than ever to find programming in your own backyard.

• Explore programs that match interests – With Digital Backpack 65, you can search for programs based on a number of themes, such as “Sports & Wellness” or “Community Engagement & Action.”

• Learn about new programs – The team at Digital Backpack 65 is actively working to find new programming in Evanston so that you don’t have to! On the platform, you can find new programs and those that you may be familiar with all in the same place.

Digital Backpack 65 is a collaboration between District 65 and Northwestern University’s Office of Community Education Partnerships.

The Howard & Evanston Community Center is conducting a community needs assessment to better understand the priorities and challenges facing our neighbors in Evanston, Rogers Park, West Ridge, and surrounding communities. We want to hear from you about the most important issues in your community. After finishing the survey, you can enter a raffle for $25!

A few things about the survey:

The survey is short - it should only take you about ten minutes to fill out.
The survey is anonymous. We will only ask for your name if you want to be entered in the raffle for a gift card. Your name will not be connected to your responses

The Howard & Evanston Community Center will use information from this survey to improve their services.

Thank you for taking the time to share your opinion!

The online survey is available here: Community Needs Assessment Survey and can be completed in English or nine other languages.

We want to make you aware of a growing trend among middle and high school students known as the “Splash Game,” “Senior Assassin,” or “Paranoia.” This off-campus activity involves students using water guns to “tag” others, often in public spaces. While often viewed as a lighthearted tradition, some of these water guns closely resemble real weapons, which can cause serious safety concerns and fear within the community.

While not on District property, it is our understanding that some Evanston/Skokie students are engaging in this "game". We encourage you to speak with your student about making safe and responsible choices. Also, as a reminder, any look-alike weapons or items that can be used as weapons are not allowed on school property. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us keep our school and community safe.

The City of Evanston's Health & Human Services Department is offering free Mental Health First Aid trainings designed to help you recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. These sessions will teach you how to approach a mental health crisis with compassion and confidence. Trainings are planned throughout June, July, and August. Register to attend today:

https://www.cityofevanston.org/Home/Components/News/News/6606/17

Evanston, IL – Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.) is excited to expand its Summer Program for 2025, offering youth in Evanston a summer full of learning, creativity, and fun. The program will run from June 16 to July 25, with a Special Field Trip Week from July 28 – August 1. Youth entering grades 2–8 this fall are welcome to join, with free and paid options available based on household income. Registration opens to the community on March 29, with priority given to Y.O.U. families, and early registration is encouraged due to limited space.

This year’s program features creative workshops in art, music, and writing, STEM projects that foster curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math, and weekly field trips to exciting locations around Evanston. Participants will also engage in sports, games, mindfulness activities, and other recreation and wellness options designed to keep them active and engaged. The program fosters community building by providing youth with opportunities to connect with peers and caring mentors in a safe, supportive environment.

Program Details:
Dates: June 16 – July 25 (Field Trip Week: July 28 – August 1)
Location: Oakton Elementary School (Elementary), Chute Middle School (Middle School)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Registration: Opens March 29, closes May 1.
For more information about Y.O.U. or to learn how to support our programs, please visit www.youthopportunity.org.

The final 6th grade Pokemon lunch club will meet Friday, May 30. Students should see Ms. Haleen in 308 for a pass. Students should bring a lunch, and they may bring their own cards or borrow a deck to play.

No remaining Stage Crew meetings for this school year. Good luck to our graduating 8th graders! For returning students, please be on the lookout for the start of Crew in October of next school year. Please email Ms. McGuire if you have any questions (mcguirej@district65.net)

Attention students and families!

Chute Middle School's first Star Wars Club meeting will be held on select Thursdays for the rest of the year in room 324. If you're a fan of the galaxy far, far away, this club is for you! To sign up for more information and stay updated, join our Google Classroom using the code "tvlbrlr." We look forward to seeing you there!

Come join Green STEAM Wednesdays 3:15-4:15pm in Room 313! Green STEAM connects Chute's garden with science, technology, engineering, art and math. We do sustainability projects, garden, cook delicious recipes with food we grew, do experiments, and create art. This school year we will be designing and making a mural for our butterfly garden next to the parking lot!