This is a reminder that there will be no school on Monday, January 20th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Classes will resume as normal on Tuesday, January 21st. We encourage our students and families to take this opportunity to reflect on Dr. King's legacy and his message of equality, justice, and service to others. Below are some community events from the City of Evanston:

• Enjoy music and art: Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's annual event at noon, on Sat., Jan. 18. Head to the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center to enjoy a program, speeches, and activities.
• Participate in a day of service: The Evanston Public Library is hosting service events for all ages. Help create reusable sanitary pads for the Girls 4 Girls Ghana organization.
• Walk for Warmth: Join Interfaith Action for what has become an Evanston tradition. The two-mile walk will kick off at 11 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church, 516 Church St. Participation is open to anyone.
• More ways to celebrate: Check out additional community events.

Have a wonderful long weekend, and we look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday.

Starting January 27th, we're enhancing our school bus safety system with SMART tag! Your student will receive their SMART tag card between January 20-24, which they'll use to scan when getting on and off the bus.

To stay connected with your student's bus ride:

1. Download the new SMART tag Parent App
2. Create an account and link to your student
3. Get real-time notifications about your child's bus location and ridership

The app lets you view bus routes, receive arrival notifications, and monitor when your student boards and exits the bus. Primary parents must complete registration first before co-parents can link their accounts.

Need help? Visit the Parent App's Help Center or contact our Transportation Office.

This new system will help us ensure safe and efficient transportation for all our students. Please download and set up your account before January 27th.

PLEASE NOTE: RESCHEDULED DATE FOR DENTAL CLINIC

District 65 is hosting a free Dental Clinic on Thursday, January 23 for Chute Middle School students. Preferred Dentistry will perform a dental screening, cleaning, application of fluoride, and placement of sealants.

If you choose to participate in the Dental Clinic, all Dental Permission Slips must be returned to Chute Middle School by Friday, January 17th, if you want your child to receive the dental services.

If your child has not had a 6th grade dental exam, this will complete the requirement. This will also complete the 9th grade requirement for 8th graders.

PLEASE NOTE: If we have less than 40 participants, Preferred Dentistry will cancel the dental clinic at Chute.

Any questions, please contact the school nurse, Ana Rivera-Escobar, at 847-859-8608.

Forms attached

Chute 2024-25 yearbooks are for sale! Pre-order your Chute yearbook now! The cost is $25. Cash is preferred, or make a check out to Chute Middle School. Turn in your order form and payment to Mrs. Kushner in room 109, or to Mrs. Kushner's mailbox in the office. Order forms are due Friday, March 7th. The yearbook includes student portraits, team and club photos, candids, and snapshots from the many wonderful activities and learning experiences we have here at Chute! (form attached)

Congratulations to our Chute Yearbook Cover Design Winners

Shout out to our 2024-25 yearbook cover design winners- Ariya Thomas, 8th grade, front cover, Isaac Larson, 8th grade, back cover, and Audrey Hwang, 6th grade, inside cover. We had many incredible cover entries this year! Thanks to all our amazing Chute artists who participated in the design contest!

D65 is providing comprehensive sexual health instruction in our kindergarten through eighth grade classrooms this year. This instruction is aligned to the National Sex Education standards as required by the State of Illinois in the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act (KYSHA). Comprehensive sexual education is about helping students understand their changing body and build skills for healthy relationships. This is done in a manner that is developmentally and age appropriate, medically accurate, and provides information that fosters healthy physical and emotional development.

Please visit our website to learn more and review lessons at each grade level. Parents and caregivers are also invited to attend a community education session:

Our final Info Session for 5th-8th Grade Families is coming up on February 5th (6-7pm): Zoom Link

It’s Time for My65! Don’t Miss Out—Register Today!

Join us on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 7:00–10:00 PM at Palmhouse on Howard for an unforgettable evening of celebration, connection, and community.

Enjoy great food, drinks, and fun, including an open beer and wine bar and mouthwatering bites from Evanston’s own Soul & Smoke.

• Individual Tickets: $120

• Sponsorship Opportunities: Starting at $565

Foundation 65 invests in our educators, funding innovative programs that address racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps while creating environments where every student can thrive. By attending My65, you directly support the educators who make a difference for our children every day.

Space is limited, so don’t wait—secure your spot now!

Visit www.foundation65.org/my65-25 to register or become a sponsor.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

We're excited to announce that Teen TEE (True Empowerment and Excellence) is now recruiting 7th and 8th grade Black girls for our Spring 2025 cohort! This transformative after-school program creates a supportive space where participants can develop healthy identities, build meaningful friendships, and feel truly seen and valued.

The 10-week program will meet in the school library from 3:15-4:30pm, with snacks provided. We're looking to welcome 10-12 new students who haven't previously participated in the program. Teen TEE will begin mid-February 2025.

Interested families can register their student at https://forms.gle/9s4gwytxqUGpHXNs9. Registration forms are also available in the front office. Space is limited, so we encourage early registration to secure your student's spot in this enriching program.

Gender Sexuality Alliance Club (GSA) meets on Thursday, January 30 in Room 304. Questions? See Cope, Himebaugh or Mesi.

Stage Crew will meet on January 21st after school in the auditorium, 3:15-4:15. See Ms. McGuire or the Google Classroom if you have any questions.

Meets Wednesdays!

Is your student interested in performing or what it takes to put on a show? Drama club is open to all students! Students play theater games, talk about plays, and produce a student-driven show for the Spring! Please contact Ms. Dardai at dardaid@district65.net if you have any questions. Students can just show up or stop by Ms. Dardai's room (110) to find out more information. Late bus is available.

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!