McCracken Hornet Highlights

Students participated in our special All School Read Refugee best-selling author livestream event with Alan Gratz on Thursday, September 24th. McCracken students across all grade levels were able to connect with the author via livestream in multiple learning spaces around the school. The author shared his life experiences as an author as well as effective character development, research, and writing strategies. Students were also able to ask Alan Gratz meaningful questions during this event. Thank you to our librarian, Tori Gammeri for arranging this special author visit for all of our students and to our Hornets for being respectful audience members!

As you know, the goal of All School Read in reading Refugee is not only to strengthen student literacy skills, but also to encourage empathy, global awareness, and thoughtful discussion about historical and current world events. With that in mind, we are reaching out to our community for you to share your accounts of your journeys to Skokie through the creation of videos at McCracken! Our amazingly diverse community contains multitudes of stories of journeys from faraway locations to Skokie. We want to hear these stories!

During both of our Parent-Teacher conferences on Thursday, October 8th and Friday, October 9th, we will set up a “studio” in our Health Room directly next to our Learning Center on the second floor. Simply stop up and record your "story" with Ms. Gammeri. The recording of these stories should take no more than just a few minutes. Our goal is to create videos that tell the stories of our families to share with students during our advisory periods and then, collectively, at our end of the year Taste of 73.5 celebration.

The Refugee Miles Challenge is also an extension of the All School Read and creates an

interdisciplinary connection between literacy and physical education by having students connect

their reading of Refugee, by Alan Gratz, to their own experiences. Please check out the flyer below! Can McCracken students, staff & community members come together to reach a total of 13,390 physical miles by the end of the school year?

The 8th graders at McCracken participated in an an advisory paper chain challenge for a community team building activity at the beginning of the school year. Students were given a limited supply of materials and were instructed to make the longest paper chain they could with the given materials. The group with the longest paper chain came from Ms. Slefo's advisory! Congratulations to Matthew P., Dorothea V., and Elijah R-G!

Our 8th graders recently faced off in an epic, grade level Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament! This high-energy event brought students together for some friendly competition, strategy, and a lot of laughter as they battled round by round to crown the ultimate 8th grade champion. It was a fantastic way to build community, boost school spirit, and give our 8th graders a memorable experience. Congratulations to the champion - Ava J.!

Online registration for parent teacher conferences opened on Thursday, September 24th at 7:00 a.m. and runs through Wednesday, October 7th at 10:00 a.m. Conference times are available on a first come, first served basis and have been scheduled to allow as many families as possible to meet with their child’s teacher(s) during the conference window.

Due to the number of students served by McCracken teachers and the number of available conference appointments, McCracken uses a staggered registration process to provide families with more equitable access to teachers.

• Families may schedule up to three appointments with McCracken teachers when registration opens at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 24.
• The appointment limit will be removed by 7:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28. Families may sign up for additional conferences with available teachers until registration closes at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7

Teachers will be available for conferences on Thursday, October 8th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, October 9th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Families must have an appointment in order to meet with a teacher on these days.

Families can reach out to individual teachers throughout the school year regarding academic and behavioral progress. Please use PowerSchool for updated classroom assignments and grades.

Visit the Parent-Teacher Conferences page on the SD735.org website or Quick Start Guide for Parents for conference details, answers to frequently asked questions, and technical support.

McCracken students and staff recognized Start With Hello Week through school spirit days focusing on making new social connections and creating a sense of belonging. The goal is to prevent social isolation by fostering inclusion. Thank you to our Student Support Team for planning this school wide event and to our student council members for making morning announcements.

You’re invited to join Superintendent Dr. Kyle for Coffee with the Superintendent—a series of casual, open conversations about our schools, district updates, and vision for the future.

Whether you have a specific question, feedback to share, or just want to connect over a warm cup of coffee, we’d love to see you there!

Please note: The McCracken Middle School date has been revised, and the updated date is reflected in the schedule below and on the attached flyer.

Upcoming Schedule:

• Meyer Elementary: Friday, Oct 16 | 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM

• Middleton Elementary: Friday, Oct 23 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

• McCracken Middle School (NEW DATE): Friday, Nov 6 | 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Check out the attached flyer for full details, and please scan the QR code on the flyer (or click HERE) so we can get an accurate head count for coffee and refreshments.

We look forward to seeing you!

—Dr. Kyle

Please see below for a list of important school dates and events:

Important Upcoming Dates:

• PT Conference Registration Opens ~ September 24th (10:00 a.m.)

• MC families can select up to three(3) appointments to support increased access to conferences
• Registration limits will be removed on 9/26 - families can sign up for additional conferences if available

• School Evacuation Drill ~ Friday, September 25th

• School Fire Drill ~ Monday, September 28th

• Fall Picture Day ~ Thursday, October 1st

• Student Council Elections ~ Friday, October 2nd

• Symphonic & Concert Band Concert ~ October 6th at 7p.m.

• PT Conference Registration Closes ~ October 7th

• Parent Teacher Conferences ~ Oct 8th (5pm-8pm) & October 9th (8am-12pm) No School for students on October 9th

• Indigenous Peoples Day ~ Monday, October 12th - No School

• Coffee with the Superintendent ~ Friday, Oct 16th (8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.) at Meyer

• MC Fall Choir Concert ~ Tuesday, October 20th
• 6th/7th Grade ~ 6:45 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• 8th Grade ~ 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

• Coffee with the Superintendent ~ Friday, Oct 23rd (8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.) at Middleton

• MC Hornet Hangout ~ Friday, October 23rd (5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
• Staff Institute Day ~ Friday, October 30th - No School for students
• Election Day ~ No School
• Coffee with the Superintendent ~ Friday, November 6th (8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.) at McCracken

ACCESS The Skokie 73.5 Public Calendar HERE for ALL upcoming events/athletic games!

• 8th Grade End of the Year Celebration
• McCracken Middle School
• Friday, May 21st (6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)
• This event is sponsored by the PTO & 8th Grade Parent Group. They will be seeking volunteers to help with this event.
• 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony
• Niles North High School
• Thursday, May 27th (6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.)

*Additional incoming freshman activities/events will be shared throughout the year by Niles North High School

The Parents still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) is a monthly publication by The Parent Institute designed to give families practical ideas and strategies to support their middle schoolers.

October Edition Core Focus Areas:

• Sparking STEM Interest

• Boosting Achievement with Movement

• Reading Comprehension & Writing Process

• Academic Honesty

• Managing Schoolwork & Study Skills

• Peer Relationships

Click HERE to access the October Family Issue

Click HERE to access the September Family Issue

Niles North Orchestra students under the direction of Jennifer Page and Eliza Stubbs performed for McCracken students and staff on Thursday, September 10th. It was a beautiful performance that included former McCracken graduates. Students can be involved in multiple activities throughout the year. Families interested in registering for orchestra should use the QR code below and contact Eliza Stubbs, Director of Orchestra at elistu@d219.org.

Please check emails from Mr. De Stefano and Mr. Mendoza regularly for band updates throughout the year.

The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families is of the utmost importance. In order to maintain a safe environment for our children to study and learn, it is necessary that we practice our emergency and crisis response plan by having drills designed to practice our procedures. These plans are reviewed yearly with the Skokie Police and Fire Departments and are in

accordance with the State of Illinois School Safety Drill Act. We will be conducting various drills throughout the school year. Teachers will discuss and prepare students for the drills.

Helping Our Schools Stay Prepared

A safe school community is a prepared school community. Throughout the year, our students and staff practice safety drills so they know what to do in the event of an emergency.

Families can visit our School Safety webpage to learn about the different drills conducted in our schools, how we prepare students, what to expect throughout the year, and how families can help reinforce emergency preparedness at home.

View More Information About Upcoming School Drills

We are so excited to once again be able to offer a full array of after-school programming for our students this fall. Our staff has put together a wide variety of engaging options for our students to choose from. Students and parents are encouraged to review our McCracken Extracurricular Presentation and consult the McCracken After-School Program Brochure for more class information and payment options (when applicable). Our athletic teams are both off to great starts, too, with 6th grade, JV, and varsity squads for girls volleyball and JV and varsity teams for boys soccer.

If you’re a parent or guardian, make sure to review the Parent-Student Agreement for MC Athletic Teams form with your student-athlete. If your child is selected for an athletic team, this agreement must be signed and returned to the coach.

Also, all students participating in athletic and extracurricular activities need to complete our dismissal form procedures. This provides our coaches and sponsors with accurate information about transportation needs after the activity has ended. Students requiring supervision for parent/guardian pickup must arrive on time.

We love our fans, too! For students interested in attending McCracken athletic events to cheer on their classmates, please review the Little Nine Conference Spectator Expectations. We're excited to see your students get involved here at McCracken!

McCracken Activity Bus

McCracken offers an activity bus for our students who participate in our after-school activities. Some important notes about our activity bus:

• The activity bus runs after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

• The activity bus boards at 3:55 p.m. in the bus alley.

• The activity bus runs a limited route that will differ from the routes and stops that our morning and afternoon buses run. Families can view the route stops HERE. All students riding the activity bus need to know what stop is the closest and best stop for them. Students should review this route plan with their families before riding the activity bus.

• You do not need to be registered for the regular bus to ride the activity bus.

• Many of our clubs/ activities end at 3:55 p.m. Some of our activities run beyond 3:55 p.m. and students participating in these activities should not plan to take the activity bus home. Please help your student arrange for alternate transportation home for any activities that run after 4:00 p.m.

• Activity Bus Fees: there is an annual $25 fee for all students to ride the optional activity bus. Payment is due no later than October 16th. Payments can be made through RevTrak. Once the payment has been received, students will receive an activity bus pass.

Please help us to keep our students, staff, families and visitors safe by following our arrival and dismissal procedures. Parents and guardians who drive their student(s) to or from school must use the Circle Drive off of East Prairie Road.

• Students being dropped off or picked up by vehicle before or after school use the McCracken Circle Drive located on East Prairie Road by the main entrance (Door 1) at the front of the building. (6th grade students enter at Door 12 near the bike racks)

• Drivers must enter the Circle Drive traveling south on East Prairie Road.

• Drivers may NOT turn left into the Circle Drive from East Prairie Road heading north. Please enter turning right traveling south only!

• The Drive-Thru is right lane only for pick up and drop off. Do not park in the Drive-Thru lane. The left lane is not for pick up or drop off.

• Students are NOT permitted to cross the street to meet a parent or family member unless crossing at Warren Street with a crossing guard. The driver must enter the Circle Drive and pick up the student from the front entrance to ensure safety.

*Please be aware of upcoming construction on Oakton Street from East Prairie Road to McCormick Boulevard scheduled to begin on or around August 17th. We recommend avoiding Oakton ST during arrival and dismissal.

• In the morning, students have the option to enter the building between 7:30 and 7:40 a.m. through the main entrance (Door 1) to purchase breakfast in the cafeteria or report to the Learning Center to work quietly on assignments.
• Students are discouraged from arriving prior to 7:30 a.m. unless they have a scheduled activity to attend. Outside student supervision begins at 7:30 a.m.
• At 7:50 a.m., the first bell rings and all students may enter the building and go to their lockers and proceed to their Advisory class.
• School starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students are expected to be in their advisory class by 8:00 a.m. Students entering after this time will be marked tardy.
• In the afternoon, students are dismissed at 2:57 p.m. except for Tuesdays, when they are dismissed at 1:57 p.m.
• The Learning Center is open after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00 until 3:55 p.m. for students who want to work quietly on assignments.

Please remind your student to check in with you after school about any extracurricular activities they are planning to participate in at McCracken. We have a wide variety of clubs and activities for students to choose from throughout the school year. Middle School students are expected to communicate their plans with families and caregivers and arrange for their specific transportation plan. Students have the option to walk, ride the Activity Bus, and/or get picked up depending on the timing of the activity and comfort level of our families. Please communicate and confirm this plan with your child to arrange for safe passage home after school.

Students are NOT permitted to use their cell phone or other personal electronic devices during the school day. Phones must be away for the day stored in lockers or bookbags and kept out of sight and silent until the end of the school day. Students who are observed violating this policy will turn in their phone to staff to be held in the school office until the end of the school day. After the second incident, the cell phone will need to be picked up by a parent/guardian. Three or more violations may result in an individualized cell phone plan including cell phones kept in the office all day for a specified period of time. Students are allowed to use wired headphones or earbuds only when directed by staff in the classroom. Wireless Airpods are NOT permitted during the school day. The school is not responsible for personal items. We discourage students from bringing these items to school.

Regular attendance and on-time arrival to class are important to student academic and social emotional success in school! Please continue to support your child in attending each class on-time throughout the school day. This will lead to continued increases in student growth and learning throughout the year. In the event that your child is ill and needs to be absent, please remember to call our absence line by 8:00 a.m. at 847-676-8235 or enter absence in PowerSchool. Families may sign in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal account to record their child’s absence! There is more information about this process in the Attendance Monitor Parent/Guardian Guide on the website. Families are discouraged from taking extended vacations on scheduled school days as these are considered unexcused absences and will have a negative impact on learning. Families must contact the nurse and administration to discuss any planned extended absences. Attendance is mandatory and is reported to the State of Illinois. Please access the website for Health Services information and contact the school nurse with any questions. Thank you for your partnership!

• Early Dismissals

• Parents or guardians that need to pick up their student early from school for an appointment should contact the school office or nurse to provide the day and time of the early dismissal. This will help us to plan for the student’s departure in an organized manner. Please contact the school office by calling (847) 673-1220. Parents/guardians or emergency contacts only must enter the school building office to sign out the student for any early dismissals.

On September 8, 2026, the Board of Education approved an amendment to the Student Handbook addressing the use of electric personal transportation devices at all Skokie School District 73.5 buildings.

To support the safety of all students and pedestrians on and around our campuses, please note the following guidelines:

• Students must walk their bikes on school property and park and lock them in designated bike racks.
• The school is not responsible for lost or damaged bicycles.
• Students must follow all bicycle safety rules and are required by Skokie ordinance to wear helmets.
• Students may not bring electric-powered personal transportation devices (e.g., E-Bikes, E-Scooters, etc.) on school property.

Please note the following items are not permitted to be ridden on school property during school hours:

• Bicycles
• Skateboards
• Scooters (manual or electric)
• Roller skates
• Heelys (shoes with wheels)
• In-line skates
• Other electric-powered personal transportation devices (e.g., E-Bikes, E-Scooters).

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and respectful environment for all students during arrival, dismissal, and throughout the school day.

Important Links:

• McCracken Daily Bell Schedule

• McCracken Parent/Guardian Information Packet

• McCracken Back to School Events Flyer

• Supply Lists

• Attendance Reminders/Technology Tips

• 6th Grade Transition FAQ

• McCracken Middle School Website

• Student/Family Handbook

• PowerSchool Parent Portal

• McCracken Safe Walking Route