The Skokie Home Scoop
September 6, 2022
September 6, 2022
Dear Skokie Community:
We hope that everyone enjoyed the long weekend. Thank you for joining us last week for Go to School Night. It was a great opportunity to connect as a school community as we look ahead to the 2022-23 school year! Please find our presentation here for your reference.
We hope that you are able to join us next week, on September 14th at 9:00 for a principal coffee at Elm Park. This will be a casual opportunity to meet and connect. As we shared last week, we will host principal coffees each month. Please share any questions or topics that you would like to see integrated into our coffee discussions. We will use these ideas as we plan ahead!
Clubs
Memory Book Club registration will open on Tuesday, September 13th at 9am.
Do you like taking pictures? Do you like graphic design? Do you want to be a part of all school assemblies and contests? Do you like creating something that will last forever? Do you want to be a part of something that helps every student in the school? Then the Memory Book Club is for you. As a club, the participants design, take and collect photographs, create layouts, promote, and distribute the annual yearbook to their classmates. Open to all 5th and 6th graders, we will meet before school on Mondays from October - March.
Chorus meets weekly on Wednesdays after school until 4:05pm in the auditorium. We will start rehearsals on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
Picture Day
Picture Day will be on Thursday, September 22nd. You will receive an email with a digital order form following Picture Day. No paper forms will go home ahead of pictures being taken.
Fall MAP Testing
District 36 has established a robust suite of assessments utilizing multiple measures to provide information on student performance. One of those tools is the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test. Fall testing will occur between September 12 - 23, 2022 with all students in Grades 3 - 8 taking one Reading Test and one Math test.
Skokie students will be taking Reading MAP on Wednesday, September 14th and Math MAP on Wednesday, September 21st.
The MAP Assessment is designed to measure a student’s achievement level at different times of the school year and compute growth over time. MAP is a computer-adaptive test, which means every student receives a unique set of test questions based on responses to previous questions. This provides a personalized assessment experience by adapting to each student’s learning level. Fall MAP results will be sent to families on October 8th. Additional information on the MAP Assessment may be found on our district website in the Assessment Section of ITL.
6th gr. Health Forms: We have a few forms outstanding. Please review the information below and submit any needed forms to Ms. Siegel. Here is a link to more information:
6th Grade Health Forms Instructions
We appreciate your support in meeting this state requirement. For any questions, please email our school nurse, Marianne Siegel, at mariannesiegel@winnetka36.org
2022 Downsized Capital Improvement Plan: Referendum
At the August 16 Meeting, the School Board approved a resolution to move forward with placing a $59.4MM referendum on the November 8, 2022 ballot. If this referendum should pass, it would help to fund $82.6MM in necessary projects at all 5 schools:
Updated safety components, including secure entry vestibules
Upgraded HVAC systems to improve air quality, air flow, temperature control and energy efficiency
Accessibility for all students, staff and visitors that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Electrical wiring and panel upgrades to support technology and improve energy efficiency
Plumbing replacements to address fixtures that have reached the end of their useful life
The addition of a multipurpose room/cafeteria at Hubbard Woods
Removal of the temporary trailers at Crow Island and the subsequent addition of three permanent classrooms
Repurposing of the current gym to serve as a multipurpose room/cafeteria and the subsequent addition of a gym at Crow Island
Extension of the useful life of existing facilities and proactive reduction of costly emergency repairs
This letter from the Board and Superintendent was shared on Wednesday, August 17 with the community.
To view the presentation video, please click here.
To view the presentation slides, please click here.
In an effort to ensure that our community is well-informed, we look forward to hosting Informational Sessions on the following dates (all are welcome):
Virtual:
Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Please click the link below to join the Zoom webinar:
https://winnetka36.zoom.us/j/86171947365?pwd=Z0YxQ0E5SkZvSklSWUE4UldxcjcyZz09
Passcode: 738688
In person:
Weds., Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. (Crow Island--followed by tour)
Sat., Oct. 8 from 9-10 a.m. (Hubbard Woods--followed by tour)
Monday, October 17 at 9:30 a.m. (Crow Island)
Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. (Hubbard--followed by tour)
Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. (Crow)
Virtual:
Tuesday, Nov. 1 at noon
Please click the link below to join the Zoom webinar:
https://winnetka36.zoom.us/j/88014741432?pwd=UGkrRzRvVG5pQlJMR2RJOHZvSHB3QT09
Passcode: 164472
REGISTRATION REMINDERS
Please note the following deadlines that are fast approaching:
The deadline for signing up for milk in the K-4 elementary schools and Skokie is 9/9/22.
The deadline for registering for Kindergarten Stay and Play is on 9/30/22.
If you would like to sign up for either please follow this link and log into your Revtrak account.
The Winnetka Public Schools Excessive Heat Procedures
Excessive Heat Procedures (Day 1)
If the heat index (combination of heat + humidity; also known as “Real Feel” on accuweather.com) is between 95-103༠ as reported on accuweather.com for the hours between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. on a given school day, the following Excessive Heat Procedures will be put into place for the District’s buildings
Keep overhead lights to a minimum if possible.
Teachers will limit all physical activity in the classroom.
School nurses and staff will watch for any warning signs of heat distress.
Outdoor, shaded areas will be utilized for learning as much as possible.
Please refer to chart from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)
Excessive Heat Procedures (Day 2)
If the predicted heat index is between 95-103༠ for the hours of 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. the day immediately following the first day of a heat index between 95-103༠, a Remote Learning Day will be implemented for that second day.
Parents, students and staff will be notified via Blackboard and the district website of the Remote Learning Day by 9:00 p.m. the previous evening.
Excessive Heat Procedures (Day 3 and subsequent consecutive days predicted heat index between 95-103༠)
Remote Learning Days will be implemented.
Parents, students and staff will be notified via Blackboard and the district website of the Remote Learning Day by 9:00 p.m. the previous evening.
For any day a heat index is predicted to be 103༠ or above, a remote learning day will be called, meaning protocols for Day 2 action will be followed.
Bus Registration Re-Opens on September 6:
If you have not registered and paid for the bus yet for this school year there is still time to do so. Registration for bus service will reopen on Tuesday, September 6th. An email will be sent with the link to register your child along with the bus routes and stops.
New Website Launched
The District launched a new website on September 1.. Our goal is to improve both the user experience and design of the site for families, staff, prospective employees and prospective residents. We will continue to refine and add additional features this fall. If you are experiencing any challenges or need help navigating the website, please contact help@winnetka36.org.
Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):
For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.
Follow us on Social Media!
Please follow the District via the following social media platforms in order to see day-to-day happenings and more.
Facebook and Twitter: @Winnetka36
Instagram: @WinnetkaPublicSchools
Sincerely,
Michelle Cooney and Larry Joynt
Principal and Assistant Principal
The Skokie School
