Meyer Star Spotlight!
September 25, 2026
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Meyer Families,
It is hard to believe we are already getting ready to turn the calendar to October! Our students are settling into their routines, growing more comfortable and confident each day, and we are finally starting to enjoy some fall weather outside!
We also had Picture Day today, and our Meyer Stars came dressed to impress! Everyone looked so dapper, and it was so much fun seeing all of the smiles and excitement throughout the building.
As we head into next week, we will continue practicing our school safety routines with two evacuation drills. We will prepare students ahead of time in an age-appropriate way so they know what to expect and can practice safely and calmly.
It is amazing to see how much our students have grown in just the first several weeks of school. They are building friendships, becoming more independent, learning our routines, and continuing to make Meyer their school!
Please take a look through this week’s Meyer Star Spotlight for updates, reminders, and everything happening at Meyer.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Marty Heffner
SOCKTOBER
Starting October 1, we will be collecting new socks to be donated to the Niles Township Clothing Closet. Children can bring in new socks of any size, which will be donated at the end of the month.
Last year, we donated over 1,000 pairs of socks! Help us break our record this year!
Why socks?
Every night in the United States, an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets. We want to prove that even the smallest acts of love, like donating a pair of socks, can make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors who are homeless.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Online registration is open from 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.
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.
In preparation for online conference registration, please log in to www.powerptc.net with your email address and last-known PowerPTC password. If you do not remember your password, click the “Forgot Password” link on the PowerPTC home page and follow the instructions.
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.
DRIVE-THRU SAFETY REMINDERS
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). PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS. IF YOU TURN LEFT, IT CAUSES CONGESTION, AND MAKES IT TOUGH FOR WALKERS.
- If the line is long, please do NOT idle on the sidewalk. Stay in the street and allow for the sidewalk to be clear for the safety of our walkers.
- 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.
SCHOOL SAFETY AND DRILL INFORMATION
Thank you to the students for being such good listeners and learning the routines that help make everyone safe during our bus evacuation drill.
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.
Upcoming Meyer Safety Drill Dates
September 30, 2026: Fire Drill #1 during the school day
October 1, 2026: Evacuation Drill 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.
PTO Updates
Please see updates from the PTO below!
- Next PTO Meeting: October 5, 2026, 7pm-8pm October PTO Meeting (Online Only via Google Meets: https://meet.google.com/wcm-ovmq-owf)
- PTO Trunk-or-Treat 2026: The PTO will be hosting our annual Trunk-or-Treat on October 17, 2026 from 1pm-2:30pm. All District families are welcome to this free family-friendly event, held at the Elizabeth Meyer parking lot. Please see flyer attached. If you are interested in decorating your car and handing out candy, please fill out the Google form HERE.
- District 73.5 Family Night with the Chicago Wolves: November 15, 2026 at 3pm, Allstate Arena -Everyone is welcome to come cheer on the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena. We will have our own section - same as last year - lower level, center ice. Buy your tickets HERE before noon on November 13th. A portion of the proceeds will go towards future PTO events. See you there!
- Join the PTO email list: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSciFlbThXOrwnh1_-WX9JvLqn4hfDWSeqw5VBd5xg5oat959w/viewform
- Purchase Spirit Wear and Support the PTO! From shirts to hats to mugs and totes, we have many options! The PTO receives a portion of these sales.
THANK YOU!
Parents in Schools Program
The Parents in Schools Program, offered through the ELL Center from October through March, provides bilingual and multilingual parents with an opportunity to volunteer in classrooms while learning more about our school system and ways to support their children. Participating parents receive a stipend, and teachers have the opportunity to build meaningful connections with families, learn from parents’ experiences, and strengthen home-school partnerships.
For Parents/Guardians:
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.
COFFEE WITH DR. KYLE
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.
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:
- October 1, 2026: Socktober Begins
- October 5, 2026: PTO Meeting (see link above)
October 8, 2026: Parent Teacher Conferences (5 PM - 8PM)
October 9, 2026: Parent Teacher Conferences (8 AM - 12 PM)
October 12, 2026: Indigenous Peoples' Day (No Student Attendance)
October 16, 2026: Coffee with the Principal (8:45 AM - 9:30 AM in Meyer Conference Room)
October 17, 2026: PTO Trunk-or-Treat
October 27, 2026: School and Family Shared Success Team Meeting
October 29, 2026: Socktober Fest
October 30, 2026: Institute Day (No Student Attendance)
November 2, 2026: PTO Meeting
November 3, 2026: Election Day (No Student Attendance)
November 13, 2026: Picture Retake Day
November 13, 2026: Coffee with the Principal (8:45 AM - 9:30 AM in Meyer Conference Room)
November 15, 2026: PTO Family Night with the Chicago Wolves
November 23-27, 2026: Thanksgiving Break (No Student Attendance)
