The Bulldog Bulletin
School and Home Connection | September 25, 2026
Dear Middleton Families,
This week, our school successfully completed a routine emergency evacuation drill, with students and staff exiting the building safely and efficiently to McCracken, which is our reunification site. While we always hope we never have to use these procedures in a real emergency, regular practice is vital to build muscle memory, reduce anxiety, and ensure our young learners can act quickly and calmly. These drills also allow our staff to test our exit routes and safety communication systems, keeping our ultimate priority, your child's safety, at the forefront. Our Middleton students did a fantastic job following instructions and staying engaged!
Next will be our fire drills on September 29th and October 20th, and a lockdown drill on October 15th.
Thank you for your continued partnership and have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Dr. Danielle Moran, Principal
The next Bulldog Bulletin will be sent on October 9th.
Middleton Garden
The Middleton Gardens are growing and so is the joy that they bring to student learning. Ms. Harris-Ridker, 5th grade teacher, recently utilized that Gilbert Garden as an integral part of a science lesson as they were studying what plants need to grow. The class had a wonderful time together learning in this space. Here are some photos that captured their excitement.
Parent Teacher Conferences
October Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner!
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.
Online registration opens 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.
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 for conference details, answers to frequently asked questions, and technical support.
District Updates
Assessment Scores
Parents will receive assessment scores for their child via email on October 2nd. Paper copies will not be sent home but rather emailed to parents. Thank you!
Coffee with the Superintendent
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 flyers below 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
PTO Updates
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 below.
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.
Repeat Information
Picture Day is September 30th
Picture Day is on Wednesday, September 30. You can place your order at mylifetouch.com using the Picture Day ID: EVTQPQ6RM. Order forms have been sent home. Your child can also bring their completed order form with cash or a check on Picture Day.
Picking Up Your Child Early
Please inform your student’s homeroom teacher of any early dismissal arrangements the night before a planned early dismissal. Teachers may not have access to their email during the school day. Students will not be sent to the office for pick-up until their authorized adult arrives at the front office. Please plan and allow enough time for this process.
Important Dates & Information
Dates
Sept. 29: Fire Drill
Sept. 30: Picture Day (retakes will be on November 4)
Oct. 2: Parents receive assessment scores through email
Oct. 5: PTO meeting at 7:00-8:00pm
Oct. 8-9: Parent Teacher Conferences
- Oct. 8: Students attend school and conferences are after school
- Oct. 9: No student attendance and conferences are in the morning
Oct. 12: No school (Indigenous People' Day)
Oct. 15: Lockdown drill
Oct. 17: PTO Trunk or Treat at 1:00-2:30pm at Meyer
Oct. 20: Fire drill
Oct. 21-23: 5th grade White Pines trip
Oct. 23: Coffee with the Superintendent at MD, at 8:30-9:30am
Oct. 25: Middleton 3rd-5th grade running club 5K
Oct. 27: Parent Education Series meeting #3
Oct. 30: No school (Teacher Institute Day)
Nov. 3: No school (Election Day)
Nov. 4: Picture re-takes
Nov. 15: PTO Chicago Wolves Game
Links
October Menu
🔔 SCHOOL HOURS & BELL SCHEDULE
🎒 MORNING ARRIVAL
- 8:15 AM • Grades 1–2 Soft Start
Early entry for primary classrooms. - 8:20 AM • General Arrival
Doors open for all other grades. - 8:30 AM • Late Bell & Morning Tardy
All doors close. Check in at front office.
🚌 AFTERNOON DISMISSAL
- 3:00 PM • Standard Dismissal
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. - 2:00 PM • Early Release Tuesday
Weekly staff professional development days.
📝 IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- Be on time. Late arrivals after 8:30am must be signed in by a parent in the front office.
- Safety first. Follow designated drop-off and pick-up lanes.
Important Contacts
Click here for an all Staff Directory.
School Office: (847) 673-1222 or mdoffice@sd735.org
Dr. Danielle Moran, Principal: dmoran@sd735.org
Dr. Perry Finch, Asst. Principal: pfinch@sd735.org
Mr. Trevor Dykes, Asst. Principal: tdykes@sd735.org
Sarah Cardenas, Administrative Assistant: scardenas@sd735.org
Heather Rubio, Administrative Assistant: hrubio@sd735.org
Kim Durband, Nurse: kdurband@sd735.org
Sara Shapiro, Enrichment Coordinator: sshapiro@sd735.org
SPACE: (312) 982-1487 or middletonspace@skokieparks.org
IEP/504 contacts:
- For questions related to your child's IEP, please contact your child's case manager.
- For 504 plan related questions, please contact our school psychologist, Marcella Gonzalez: mgonzalez@sd735.org.
- Dr. Kristen Moore, Director of Student Services: kmoore@sd735.org