Chute

Attention 7th grade students interested in trying out for an Advanced Fine Arts class for next year:

Here are the tryout dates-

Drama- May 12 or May 13

Music- May 12 or May 13

Visual Arts- May 21 or May 22

Media Arts- May 19 or May 21

Tryouts will be after school from 3:10-4:10. If students cannot make the tryout dates they should email or speak with the teacher of that class. Students only need to attend one tryout day for each class. Students will rank their preferences for classes they try out for and find out if they made an Advanced class when they get their schedule for 8th grade in August. Students can try out for as many as they’d like, but can only be chosen for one Advanced class.

Sign up is here:

https://forms.gle/DyA79Kdpj1rBo1Y6A

No more choir rehearsals for the remainder of the year. Choir will start back up in the fall and will look different next year. Rehearsals will be 2-3 days a week and there will be a concert at Chute in the fall and ETHS choral day occurring in the Fall/Winter, times TBD. Detailed information will be shared at the start of next school year.

For all families who are planning on volunteering for any of the upcoming field trips. Please make sure you bring your driver's license to be scanned in the main office on the day of the field trip. You don't need to be fingerprinted to be a volunteer.

Chute alumni, parents and the entire community are proud to establish a named scholarship in honor of Jim "Mr. Mac" McHolland, in partnership with the Chessmen Club. This scholarship celebrates Mr. Mac's unmatched dedication to generations of D65 children and his lifelong commitment to building a village that supports our kids through high school and college.

Help us create a meaningful scholarship that honors Mr. Mac's legacy and provides funds and mentorship to as many students as possible. Thank you for helping us carry forward Mr. Mac's remarkable legacy. Learn more here: Story

D65 Acceleration via Grade Skipping process

Important Timeline:

• May 19, 2025 – Families who submit by April 11 can expect a decision by this date
• 2026-2027 Requests – Will open at the start of the 2025-2026 school year

For specific questions about the district’s acceleration process, you can reach out to alternateplacement@district65.net. If you have individual questions about your child’s placement, please contact David Wartowski, Director of Mathematics, at wartowskid@district65.net.

Advanced Music Spring Showcase

• Thursday, May 22nd

• 5:30 PM Call time

• 6:00 PM Showcase

Choir:

• Congratulations to the Chute Choir on their winter concert and Evanston Sings Event at ETHS

• There is no spring concert for choir.

• Open Sing, will be happening Mondays after spring break. We will sing karaoke and learn music for next Fall’s concert.

Google Takeout for 8th Graders

• Students can preserve their digital work using Google Takeout (bit.ly/d65googletakeout)
• Important deadline: 8th graders lose access to Google Drive on June 5, 2025

Summer Device Policies

• 6th-7th grade students will take devices home for summer
• Students will have access to all instructional technology tools through July 31, 2025
• Summer program participants may have different access depending on their enrolled program
• Optional device collection form available upon request for families who prefer not to have devices at home during summer (bit.ly/optionaldevicecollect)

Device Protection & Replacement

• Device Protection Plan (bit.ly/d65deviceprotectionplan)
• Spanish version: bit.ly/d65plandeprotecciondedispositivos
• Annual insurance fee covers devices through summer

Summer Support

• For damaged devices or help with platforms like Clever, families can email: summersupport@district65.net
• Note: Support limited to district-issued devices only

We are excited to announce the launch of a new and improved Digital Backpack 65! On this platform, families can find all of Evanston’s programming in one place, including after-school programs and summer camps.

How Digital Backpack 65 Can Help You

• Find programs near you – Digital Backpack 65’s explore page allows you to filter opportunities based on your school and ward, making it easier than ever to find programming in your own backyard.

• Explore programs that match interests – With Digital Backpack 65, you can search for programs based on a number of themes, such as “Sports & Wellness” or “Community Engagement & Action.”

• Learn about new programs – The team at Digital Backpack 65 is actively working to find new programming in Evanston so that you don’t have to! On the platform, you can find new programs and those that you may be familiar with all in the same place.

Digital Backpack 65 is a collaboration between District 65 and Northwestern University’s Office of Community Education Partnerships.

The City of Evanston's Health & Human Services Department is offering free Mental Health First Aid trainings designed to help you recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. These sessions will teach you how to approach a mental health crisis with compassion and confidence. Trainings are planned throughout June, July, and August. Register to attend today:

https://www.cityofevanston.org/Home/Components/News/News/6606/17

Your Chute mental health team would like to share some community resources this month. The first one is from NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI shared these tips for the week:

Listening to Your Body: Mental Health Signals & Simple Ways to Respond

Our bodies give us information about our health every day. The symptoms we feel—whether emotional or physical—are like signals, and these cues can tell us a lot.

What Are These Signals?

Emotional Signals:
"I’m feeling worried and a little agitated."

Physical Signals:
"My heart is beating fast, and my shoulders feel tense."

When we start to notice and connect these signals, it becomes easier to recognize what we’re really feeling—and why.

Taking Action: Simple Tips for Common Feelings

Feeling worried?
Write down the negative thoughts you’re experiencing. Then try rewriting them into more positive or realistic thoughts.

Feeling tense?
Call a friend to join you for a walk. Movement and fresh air boost circulation and mood—and connecting with someone can help ease stress.

Feeling agitated?
Exercise is a great way to burn off excess energy. Try a brisk walk a few times a week, or find a physical activity you enjoy.

We hope you find these tips helpful.

To learn more about NAMI Cook County North Suburban and the resources available to our community, visit namiccns.org.

Summer safety found here! Join us for a free community water safety and CPR family day in partnership with Northwestern University, as we further our commitment to social responsibility, diversity and inclusion by breaking down barriers and expanding our footprint in the community to increase swim participation, decrease drowning rates and support knowledgeable, confident community CPR responders - all with the flavor of FUN!

YMCA/Northwestern Water Safety & CPR Family Day

Saturday, May 10 from 1:00-4:00pm

McGaw YMCA, 1000 Grove Street

- Safety Around Water learn-to-swim clinic for ages 6-14

- Family Swim**

- Hands-on CPR workshop for teens/adults (ages 16+)*

- Water safety resources

- Family Fun Gym with sports and bounce houses**

- Movie and board games**

*Childcare is available for CPR Workshop for ages 3-11.

**Siblings ages 3-11 are welcomed.

Exclusive opportunity! Participate in the Water Safety Day learn-to-swim clinic on May 10 and earn FREE enrollment in YMCA Safety Around Water swim lessons, featuring six 30-minute lessons between May 27-June 6, a value up to $180 for FREE!

Space is limited. Register here:

https://themcgawymca.wufoo.com/forms/z1jen89o1w9vdp4/

For more information or assistance, please contact aquatics@mcgawymca.org or 847-475-7400 ext. 272.

Join us for the annual YEA! (Young Evanston Artists) Festival at Raymond Park in Evanston on Saturday, May 17, from 10am-3pm, featuring a dynamic student art exhibition, hands-on art-making opportunities, live music performances, and food trucks. Stop by and visit with Mr. Duncan and Mrs. Kushner and see Chute Visual and Media Arts work on display. You can also check out Chute student makers Sammy Carr and Joy Paed who will be selling their artwork and jewelry! We can't wait to celebrate our Chute artists! All are welcome! See you there!

View this year’s YEA! exhibition map

Evanston, IL – Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.) is excited to expand its Summer Program for 2025, offering youth in Evanston a summer full of learning, creativity, and fun. The program will run from June 16 to July 25, with a Special Field Trip Week from July 28 – August 1. Youth entering grades 2–8 this fall are welcome to join, with free and paid options available based on household income. Registration opens to the community on March 29, with priority given to Y.O.U. families, and early registration is encouraged due to limited space.

This year’s program features creative workshops in art, music, and writing, STEM projects that foster curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math, and weekly field trips to exciting locations around Evanston. Participants will also engage in sports, games, mindfulness activities, and other recreation and wellness options designed to keep them active and engaged. The program fosters community building by providing youth with opportunities to connect with peers and caring mentors in a safe, supportive environment.

Program Details:
Dates: June 16 – July 25 (Field Trip Week: July 28 – August 1)
Location: Oakton Elementary School (Elementary), Chute Middle School (Middle School)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Registration: Opens March 29, closes May 1.
For more information about Y.O.U. or to learn how to support our programs, please visit www.youthopportunity.org.

Pokemon Lunch Club will be held during 6th grade lunch for 6th graders on Fridays in May. Bring a nut-free lunch to 308 at 11:34 and join us to play the Pokemon Trading Card Game and battle your friends for a chance to win Pokemon-themed prizes! You may build and bring your own deck or borrow a battle deck.

Rehearsal Schedule:

• Concert Orchestra (6th Grade)- Tuesdays 3:15-3:50 PM

• Chute Philharmonic (7th/8th Grade) Tuesday/Thursday 7:15-7:50

Performance time: 7:00 pm

Chute Orchestra Spring Concert: featuring the Chute Concert and Philharmonic Orchestras

Tuesday, May 13th

Call time for students: 6:30 pm

Performance time: 7:00 pm

Café Chute French Club meets on Monday, April 21 after school in room 101. You do not need to be in French class to come! Questions? See Prof. Cope!

Please join the Chute Chess Club that runs at 3:15pm-4:15pm every Thursday. If interested, please contact Coach Chris Christmas at chrschess@yahoo.com.

The GSA Field Trip will take place on Thursday, May 8. Please make sure to turn in your permission slips ASAP. Questions? See Cope, Himebaugh or Mesi

Teen TEE at Chute is recruiting a new round of Black girls to join us for the Spring 2025 cohort. Teen TEE is designed for Black girls to nurture healthy identities and supportive relationships. We will work together to build a courageous space where girls feel seen and valued. Teen TEE will meet for 10 consecutive weeks after school in the library from 3:15-4:30pm. Snacks will be provided. We are currently recruiting 10-12 girls to join us for the spring cohort to start mid-February 2025. To register: https://forms.gle/9s4gwytxqUGpHXNs9

If you plan on working backstage during our upcoming concerts, please return your permission slip on or before May 13th. If you need a new copy of the permission slip, please see Ms. McGuire

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!