McCracken Hornet Highlights
August 28th, 2026
First Week of School Highlights
During our first week of school, McCracken students participated in:
Welcome Assembly highlighting the importance of our school community, creating a welcoming and safe school environment, academic goal setting, and taking advantage of the many extracurricular and athletic programming to maximize growth and achievement.
Advisory programming that included orientation to our new school year, advisory team building activities, and a review of our student handbook.
Comprehensive review of social and emotional support services and resources available to students at McCracken.
PBIS learning stations to practice the “Buzz Behavior” expectations we have throughout our building allowing students to be successful this year! This included a rotation facilitated by administration focused on student behavior, anti-bullying and anti-hate speech outlining the importance of respect, tolerance, and inclusion as well as providing a clear understanding of the consequences of engaging in unexpected behaviors.
Important Dates and Events
Important Dates
Please see below for a list of important school dates and events:
Important Upcoming Dates:
Musical Auditions ~ Monday, 8/31 & Wednesday, 9/2 (individual appointment times)
Musical Callbacks ~ Thursday, 9/3 (If invited - 3pm - 5pm)
School & Family Shared Success Team Meeting ~ Tuesday, September 1st
- (6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Middleton)
Labor Day (No School) ~ Monday, September 7th
McCracken Back to School Night ~ Wednesday, September 9th (6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
School Evacuation Drill ~ Friday, September 25th
School Fire Drill ~ Monday, September 28th
Fall Picture Day ~ Thursday, October 1st
Symphonic & Concert Band Concert ~ October 6th at 7p.m.
Parent Teacher Conferences ~ Oct 8th (5pm-8pm) & October 9th (8am-12pm)
ACCESS The Skokie 73.5 Public Calendar HERE for ALL upcoming events/athletic games!
Caregivers Roundtable
Join fellow community members for a parent-to-parent conversation for families with children who have a disability, 504 plan, IEP, or other special needs.
- When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Where: Skokie Public Library (Radmacher Room)
- Contact: 735spedparents@gmail.com
McCracken Musical Information
Come audition for the 2026 McCracken Musical, Seussical! An audition workshop will take place Thursday, August 27 from 3-4:30 in Ms. Keipert room.
Auditions will be on Monday, August 31, and Wednesday, September 2. Students can sign up for an audition day and time outside Ms. Keipert's room after the workshop.
Callback will be held on Thursday, September 3 from 3-5 for students who are contacted directly.
Questions? Reach out to Ms. Keipert and Ms. Stanley at musical@sd735.org. Come join in for a season of imagination, truffula trees, and whatchamacallits!
School Emergency Drill Information
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.
Athletic Extracurricular Program Reminders
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!
After School Activity Bus Registration
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.
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 students to ride the 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.
Important School Reminders
Arrival/Dismissal Safety
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.
Before and After School
- 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.
After School Communication
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.
Student Cell Phones and Headphones
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.
Student Absences
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.
e-Bikes and e-Scooters
E-Bikes and E-Scooters are not allowed on school property due to safety concerns. Students may ride their bicycle to school and use the bike rack located near Door 12. The Village of Skokie Park District has amended the district conduct ordinance regulating the use of the parks and property owned or controlled by the Skokie Park District and now prohibits electric/motorized devices from Skokie Park District parks. (Skokie Park District. (2026, July 24). Ordinance amended regarding e-bike usage. Skokie Park District)
Family Resources
Middle School Parents Monthly Publication ~ September Issue
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.
September Edition Core Focus Areas:
Daily Attendance & Routine
Student Independence & Learning Habits
School Counselor Support
Effective Math Study Habits
Social Media Risk Management
Sustaining Parental Involvement
Student Motivation & Future Goals
Click HERE to access the September Family Issue
Important Links:
