The Bulldog Bulletin
School and Home Connection | October 23, 2026
Dear Middleton Families,
Safety is our top priority, and we want to share a quick update regarding our emergency preparedness. These past 2 weeks, our school successfully conducted our second fire drill of the school year and our lockdown drill.
We were fortunate to have members of our local police and fire department present to observe the drills and assist our staff. These scheduled practices are vital to ensuring everyone knows exactly what to do and how to react calmly and efficiently in the event of an emergency.
Our students did a phenomenal job! They listened carefully to instructions, followed our procedures, and lined up quickly in their designated areas. The visiting emergency personnel were impressed by how seriously our students took the exercise and praised their behavior. We are very proud of our students for showing such responsibility and helping us keep our school community safe. Please feel free to use this opportunity to talk with your child at home about the importance of fire safety and emergency planning.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in keeping our school safe.
Warm regards,
Dr. Danielle Moran, Principal
The next Bulldog Bulletin will be sent on November 6th.
Middleton Updates
School Safety Drills
This week we completed our second fire drill and the students did a wonderful job! Below is a list of our safety drills this year. Please visit the Safety Drills & Preparedness website for more information.
Upcoming Drills:
- Severe Weather Drill: Practicing for severe weather helps students be prepared in the case of a tornado or dangerous storm. The state of Illinois requires this once per year. (3/11/27)
- Bus Drill on 8/27/26
- Evacuation Drill on 9/24/26
- Fire Drill #1 on 9/29/26 and #2 on 10/20/26 (one more will be completed in the spring)
- Lockdown Drill on 10/15/26
Ordering School Photos
Order This Year's School Pictures:
ENJOY 10% OFF YOUR ORDER
CODE: F2610OFF
EXPIRES JULY 31, 2027
Picture retake day is on November 4th.
Tardies
We are seeking your support in improving student punctuality. When a student arrives late, it affects the entire school community. Arriving after the school day starts makes it hard for children to prepare and distracts their peers. Late arrivals disrupt classroom instruction, forcing teachers to pause their lessons, which means that all students miss out on valuable learning time. Our goal is to create a positive, disruption-free learning environment for all students. Please ensure your child arrives at school by 8:30 a.m. We believe that by working together, we can improve punctuality and support our students' academic success. If you encounter any barriers that make it difficult for your child to arrive on time, please let us know so that we can assist you. Thank you for your cooperation.
Seen Around Middleton
We had a wonderful week here at Middleton! Our fifth grade students enjoyed an exciting outdoor education field trip to White Pines, making memories and learning in nature. Back in the building, students have been busy getting creative and expressing themselves in art class. It is always great to see our students thriving both indoors and out!
These 3rd graders were having a great time creating hashtag block portraits of one another in art.
Fall Reading Night at Middleton on November 12th
Save the date of November 12th! All Middleton families are welcome to join us for an evening of fun and literacy. When you arrive that night, be sure to grab a passport, visit each station, and turn it in at the end of the night for a chance to win a prize!
District Updates
Families are invited to join our School and Family Shared Success Team, an opportunity to come together, connect, and discuss topics that help our students thrive both at school and at home. Throughout the year, conversations may include play, screen time, social interactions, learning opportunities, and other topics based on family interests.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 27th from 6:30–7:30 PM in the Middleton Library!
We hope you will join us for an evening of learning, conversation, and partnership as we work together to support our students!
Get free books for your child every month!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends free books to kids from birth up to age 5 living in Niles Township. You can choose English or bilingual English/Spanish books. To sign up, scan the QR code on the flyer or visit www.imaginationlibrarynt.org.
PTO Updates
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
Middleton Musical
Calling all 4th & 5th graders interested in joining the musical!
We will be holding an in-person Info Meeting & Sign-up on Tuesday, November 17th, 2026 @ 6:30pm-7:30pm in the Middleton MPR. **note the updated date**
At the meeting, families will learn more about the experience and sign their students up for the workshops. An adult from the household needs to attend to sign up, and students are welcome as well. Please come prepared knowing your schedule and if your student can attend our mandatory dates, listed here: Musical Participation Information 2027.
If your student was in the show last year, this meeting is not mandatory for your family, although you are certainly welcome to join us to learn more about this year's show, characters, and troupes.
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
Oct. 25: Middleton 3rd-5th grade running club 5K
Oct. 26: Representative Kevin Olickal visits Middleton in the afternoon
Oct. 27: Parent Education Series meeting #3 at 6:30pm at Middleton
Oct. 30: No school (Teacher Institute Day)
Nov. 3: No school (Election Day)
Nov. 4: Picture re-takes
Nov. 15: PTO Chicago Wolves Game
Nov. 17: Musical Info Meeting & Sign-up meeting in the MPR at 6:30-7:30
Nov. 23-27: No school for Fall Break
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
