The Skokie Home Scoop
September 18, 2023
September 18, 2023
Dear Families:
We have had a wonderful start to the school year. Thank you again for your engagement during last week’s Go to School Night. We are looking forward to a wonderful year!
Monthly Observances: Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States each year. This tradition began in 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988 the time was extended to a month and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The dates for Hispanic Heritage Month were chosen to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of many Latin American nations when they declared their independence from Spain.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the countless contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to our nation. We also take this time to recognize the trailblazing individuals who fought for progress and equity for their communities. Throughout this month, teachers will incorporate this into their classrooms with age and grade appropriate materials. In addition, our library will be sharing some resources for families at home.
Families can learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month here.
Destiny Discover (Skokie connection)
Picture Day
Please mark your calendars for picture day. Stuart Rodgers will be here on Thursday, September 21st. Please note: Your student(s) primary contact email will be provided to Stuart Rodgers to expedite review/selection of photographs taken.
Clubs
First rehearsal is after school on Wednesday, September 20th.
Rainbow Club
The Skokie School’s Rainbow Club works to create a school community where all students feel welcome, safe and supported, regardless of their identity. We will provide a safe and welcoming space for any student who wants to talk about issues related to their identity and expression. We will play games, do team-building activities, watch age appropriate videos (Common Sense media or other child approved YouTube Clips) on specific topics, and talk about what’s going on in our lives. Everyone is welcome to come, regardless of identity.
This club will occur on Wednesdays at 7:45 am, starting on October 4th.
Registration Opens Tuesday, September 19 at 9:00 am
Lions of Leadership
If you are interested in building leadership skills, as well as planning, promoting, and leading school wide events and efforts related to service, please consider joining Lions of Leadership (LOL)! This is an opportunity for students to use their voice to impact the Skokie School community in a positive way.
This club will occur on Fridays at 7:45 am, starting on September 22nd.
Registration Opens Tuesday, September 19 at 9:00 am
After School Sports
5th Grade: Tuesdays 10/3- 11/28
6th Grade: Wednesdays 10/4-12/6 (no class 11/1)
*Both sessions meet 8 times
Registration Opens Tuesday, September 19 at 9:00 am
Climbing Club
Wednesday sessions: 10/4-10/18
Thursday sessions: 10/5-10/26 (will not meet 10/12)
*Both sessions meet 3 times
Registration Opens Tuesday, September 19 at 9:00 am
ORDER YOUR MEMORY BOOK TODAY!
5th and 6th graders create the annual yearbook in The Skokie School Memory Book Club distributed at the end of the school year. From now until February, Memory Book orders are open. The Skokie Memory Book can be ordered directly through jostensyearbook.com -- it was not included in school or PTO fees. As a bonus, we are running a back-to-school special with free icons included with your purchase of the book and personalization!! This offer lasts until October 6th. Order your child’s Memory Book today!
Thursdays before school, starting September 28th.
Vision and Hearing Screenings
Dear Parents,
Vision and hearing screenings will be conducted at The Skokie School starting on Wed., September. 27th this year. The following student groups will be screened as mandated by the State of Illinois:
Required Annual Screenings by Grade/Group
Special Education – Vision and Hearing Screenings
Teacher Referral – Vision and Hearing Screenings
Transfer Students – Vision and Hearing Screenings
Before a vision screening is conducted, the State of Illinois requires written notification that states: "Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not required to undergo this vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months." (Section 27-8.1 of the School Code)
You will be notified if your child did not pass a screening test after two attempts. If your child wears glasses, please make sure that they have the glasses with them on the day of the screening test.
If you need further information, please contact me in the school health office at 847-501-5520. Thank you for your cooperation in support of our commitment to excellence in education.
Sincerely,
Marianne Siegel, RN
The Skokie School Nurse
Transportation Safety
In order to prevent traffic-related incidents from occurring in our community, it is important to be vigilant as a bike rider, pedestrian, or driver when traveling through town. Our principals review bike and pedestrian safety practices with students at the start of the school year. We ask that you also take a moment to review the following information with your family:
Illinois law prohibits the use of cell phones or other electronic devices while driving in a school zone, even if it's hands free. It is dangerous and is enforced as a moving violation by the police.
Please do not use pick up and drop off time to check texts, etc. This potentially endangers others.
Please remind your students that they should not be using cell phones or other electronic devices while biking.
Crossing guards are present at busier intersections near our schools to assist with safety. Please respect the authority of the crossing guards and follow their directions
Please talk to children to ensure that they understand the importance of using caution and following all traffic signals.
Note that there are not stop signs at every intersection, especially on Oak and Elm Streets, which are heavily used thoroughfares to Crow Island, Skokie, and Washburne.
We STRONGLY recommend that all students who bike, skateboard, or scooter to school wear a helmet, regardless of age.
Students should bike on the sidewalk wherever possible, and be respectful to pedestrians. Also, children are expected to walk their bikes through crosswalks and while traveling in Winnetka business districts.
When riding on sidewalks, students should be cautious approaching driveways to be sure there is not a vehicle exiting.
In order to prevent theft or damage, please encourage your child to securely lock their bike to the bike racks available at school.
Each elementary school also has specific traffic procedures and parking restrictions that are enforced by police. We encourage you to review these procedures and contact your building administrator if you are unclear.
The speed limit in our school zones is 20 miles per hour during school days. For the safety of all, please follow the posted speed limit.
Recommended safe routes to each neighborhood school are as follows:
2023/2024 Calendar
To view the calendar for the 2023/2024 school year, please click here.
Go To School Night Schedule
Crow Island, Greeley & Hubbard Woods
Wednesday, September 20 - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Fall 2023 Safety Bulletin
The Winnetka Public Schools, Village, Police, and Fire Departments work to proactively refine safety practices on an ongoing basis. We are grateful for our collaborative partnership, and have worked together to compile a Fall Edition of our Safety Bulletin as we begin the 23/24 school year. You’ll find general information on a variety of safety-related topics and resources to support the safety of our entire community.
Winnetka Parents Institute
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. Please view the fall schedule here, and mark your calendar for this upcoming event in September:
“The Winnetka Experience: Portrait of a Graduate, Portrait of an Educator, and Progressive Education”
September 20, 2023
Time: 9:30AM
Location: Washburne RC
Interested:
Jeff Knapp (Assistant Superintendent of Professional Learning and HR) and Beth Carmody (Principal at Hubbard Woods School) will present on the Portrait of a Graduate, Portrait of an Educator, and the impact that these along with Progressive Education have with students and staff to help drive the Winnetka Public Schools District 36 as a local and national leader in talent development. A panel discussion of Winnetka teachers will bring to life how Progressive Education is displayed across our schools.
Monthly Observances
As part of Winnetka School District 36’s ongoing commitment to equity by fostering connection and belonging, the District will take time each month to recognize the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds. The goal of these monthly observances is to provide resources and support for teachers in order to bring awareness and appreciation to the diverse population of students in our community. Observances will look different at all schools and even at different grade levels. Some activities might include art, music, book studies, research projects, sharing cultural holidays and celebrations, and other school activities. As materials are developed for these observances, we will make them accessible.
September 15- October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
October: Disability Awareness
November: Native American Heritage
December: Human Rights
January: MLK Jr. Day
February: Black History
March - April 15: Women’s History Month
April 15-May 15: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage
May 15 - June 13: Jewish American Heritage
Want to monitor your child's school device at home? Set up the JAMF Parent App!
If your student brings their school device home (grades 4-8), consider setting up the JAMF Parent App! The JAMF Parent app will allow you to allow & restrict apps, enable an app lock, set device and location rules, etc. All you need is the JAMF Parent App on your device (Apple/Android) and your student's iPad in front of you. Follow the instructions in this brief tutorial from JAMF on how to set it up and interact with the platform. Additional resources can be found here.
Bus Registration is Reopening
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 at 8 a.m. on Monday, September 18th at this link.
Elementary Strings at Crow Island and Hubbard Woods
It is NOT too late to sign up for strings. Lessons are offered on Violin, Viola and Cello for all 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders. Please fill out this form as soon as possible for your child to be a part of the program this year at Crow Island and Hubbard Woods.
Introducing The Winnetka Public Schools App
Download the District’s app by searching “The Winnetka Public Schools” on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. The app will serve as a convenient way to report absences, view and manage your school calendars, and see at-a-glance District news.
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