The Skokie Home Scoop
December 19, 2022
December 19, 2022
Dear Skokie Families:
Important Dates:
Wednesday, December 21, 2:30pm: Winter Assembly in Skokie auditorium
Friday, December 23: No School - Winter Break begins
Monday, January 9: School reopen from Winter Break
We wish you and your families a wonderful and restorative winter break! Thank you for your ongoing partnership.
Winter Assembly
We will be having our annual winter assembly on Wednesday, December 21st, and will be running a Monday schedule to allow for the assembly at the end of the day.
The purpose of this assembly is for the students and staff to have fun, connect with each other, and celebrate as we head into winter break.
This assembly will include:
Performances by our Band, Orchestra, and Chorus students
These will be video recorded by students involved in our Skokie News Network and shared with families
Updates from students involved with our Lions of Leadership Pop Tab Collection and the Dance Marathon
The Memory Book cover reveal
A staff video to students
A presentation from a student and parent about the Pickles Group
Skills Period: Math
Skills is a time in each students’ day when educators and students are able to focus on specific skill areas in a differentiated way, providing challenge and support for our learners. If you have a child in one of the elementary schools, this is a similar model to the WIN period. We are looking to further develop this period and gather informative data that can lead us to a more dynamic use of Skills. As a starting point we would like to collect information around offering additional Math Intervention for high readiness learners during the Skills period. As we implement this, we will reflect on the implementation as we plan for continued alignment between our elementary school WIN period and Skokie Skills period.
Exploring Skokie
Band, Orchestra and Chorus
We have enjoyed three inspiring performances over the past two weeks. Congratulations to our students who have performed in our Band, Orchestra and Chorus. We would also like to extend a huge thank you to Stephen Vowles, Andy Chester, Sheryl Nussbaum and Betsy Balkin for the phenomenal instruction, encouragement and coordination that goes into each performance.
Band: The 6th Grade Concert Band recently gave a performance at the 2022 Winter Band Concert. Students performed "Coldwater Creek" (Sheldon) and "Blue Note Rock" (Feldstein/O'Reilly) and combined with the 7th and 8th Grade Symphonic Band for "Secret Agent Sugar Plum" (Watson) and "Holiday Assembly Music" (Traditional). Thank you to all students for contributing towards a memorable performance, and to all parents for supporting their young musicians! Next, the Concert Band will begin preparing for the 2023 March "Music In Our Schools Month" Concert to perform alongside students from the Glencoe School District 35 Band Program.
The 5th Grade Cadet Band will perform at the 2022 Premier Cadet Band Concert on January 12th, 2023. All 5th Grade Band students are required to attend before-school Band (7:30 AM) on Tuesday 1/10 and Thursday 1/12. These rehearsals will serve as our dress rehearsals leading up to the concert. Please note that this concert will occur during the week immediately following Winter Break, so students will have to spend some time during Winter Break practicing their instruments to make sure they are ready for the performance. You should have received an email from Mr. Chester detailing the concert protocols, dress rehearsals, and concert dress. If your child participates in 5th Grade Band and you have not received that email, please contact Mr. Chester immediately. We are looking forward to continuing our musical journey in 2023!
Orchestra: The 6th Grade Skokie Concert Orchestra and the 5th grade Elementary Orchestra had their 2022 Winter Festival Concert on 12/6 in the Skokie Auditorium. The 6th grade Concert Orchestra performed "Hocus Pocus" (Owens), "Falconer" (Spata), and "Enigma" (Snoek). The 5th grade Elementary Orchestra performed "Simple Square Dance" (Straub), "Fiddlin' Farmers" (Gruselle) and "Velocity" (Balmages). Both ensembles were thrilled to be able to play in the grand finale with the Washburne 7th/8th grade String Ensemble! They performed "Orpheus in the Underworld" (Offenbach/Dackow). I am proud of each and every performer for their efforts in preparation for and performance at the Winter Festival Concert! Much appreciation goes to all of the families for their support of the program and their children's music education!!
All of the Skokie Orchestra students will receive a selection of holiday music to play over break. Please encourage your children to play for the family and perhaps have a family sing-a-long!!
Many of the 5th and 6th grade musicians are now preparing music for the IGMSA (Illinois Grade School Music Association) Solo/Ensemble Contest which will be on Feb. 11 at Attea Middle School in Glenview.
It has been an outstanding fall of music making and I am looking forward to playing more exciting and challenging music in 2023!
Happy, Healthy Holidays to All!!
Clubs
REGISTRATION FOR THE FOLLOWING OPENS AT 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 on the District Web Store (https://winnetka.revtrak.net/)
Climbing Club
The Climbing Club is for students who would like to climb the Skokie High Ropes Course after school. This is a great way to spend some time climbing in an extended session. All 6th, 7th and 8th graders are allowed to enroll during the January session of Climbing Club. 5th-8th grader students are allowed to enroll during the February sessions of Climbing Club. 5th grade students may ONLY enroll if they have participated in climbing during Adventures in Learning in the summer 2022. Sign up with a friend or come to meet new friends!
OPEN TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED CLIMBING INSTRUCTION DURING KW CLASS AT THE SKOKIE SCHOOL OR DURING ADVENTURES IN LEARNING.
Climbing Club is conducted and supervised by the Skokie KW teachers.
3:35-4:30pm. Personal nut-free snacks are allowed.
Students are expected to stay until 4:30pm and will assist with clean up.
Each session is limited to ten climbers.
6th and 5th graders are allowed to sign up for no more than 2 sessions at a time.
Parents are invited to watch their children climb!
We must have a minimum of 4 participants in order to hold a climbing club session. A confirmation email will give notification of involvement and will list your child's climbing club sessions.
Skokie After School Sports
The after school sports program will be a coeducational experience with fifth graders participating on Thursdays, while sixth grade students participate on Wednesdays. After School Sports will meet from 3:35 to 4:30 PM. Parents are responsible for transportation home from after school sports. Students will participate in a selection of favorite KW games and activities.
Skokie Swifties
Are you enamored with all things Taylor Swift? Join the Skokie Swifties every Wednesday from 3:30-4:00 in room 171 at Skokie to listen to her music, karaoke to her songs, learn the latest Swifty dances, do Taylor Swift trivia and so much more! Join and be surrounded by others who love Taylor's music as much as you do.
Winnetka Parents Institute
Introduction to Kindergarten in The Winnetka Public Schools
Tuesday, January 10 at 6:00 p.m.
Greeley School
275 Fairview Avenue
Winnetka
This informational session is intended for Winnetka parents of preschool students who will be attending The Winnetka Public Schools. Parents will learn more about the support and services that the District provides to current preschool students attending local preschool programming. Additionally, families will receive a preview of:
The transition-to-Kindergarten process by Crow Island, Greeley and Hubbard Woods Principals,
The resources available to families from the Department of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion
Details on Kindergarten Connection that will occur in summer 2023
Highlights of a typical kindergarten day in The Winnetka Public Schools
We look forward to meeting new families at this event!
Not Quite Little Kid, Not Quite Teenager: The Developmental Progression of the Middle School Child
January 12, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
The Skokie School Community Room
Join Principal Cooney and Assistant Principal Joynt (The Skokie School) and Principal Fenton and Assistant Principal Horwitz (Carleton Washburne School) for an informational session focusing on the ins and outs of the growing middle school child. We will spend time exploring both the academic and social-emotional needs appropriate to 5th-8th grade children, how they change over that four year span, as well as the neurological changes that contribute to these needs. Parents with current middle schoolers, or soon-to-be middle schoolers, are encouraged to join us for an engaging, encouraging and educational hour together.
Acceleration in Winnetka 36
January 25, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
The Skokie School Community Room
Director of Innovation, Teaching, and Learning Dr. Becky Mathison will host this information session about the acceleration policy. The content will include a review of the purpose of the acceleration policy and a preview of updated procedures this year. Participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback on specific components including the initial request form.
Interested:
January 25, 2023
10:00-11:00 AM
Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):
For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.
Online Registration Open for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2023-2024 School Year
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2023-2024 is now open on the District website and via https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=30658&culture=en. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2023, are eligible to enroll.
The new student registration process is completed in three steps:
Complete new student pre-registration forms online beginning November 16, 2022.
Provide the original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID. The certified copy can be submitted in person at the District Office. If you have the original birth certificate, you may bring it to the District Office to be photocopied. The District Office is at 1235 Oak St., Winnetka.
Provide proof of residency and paper registration forms. For your convenience, all required residency documents may be uploaded during online registration. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements as well as the other forms required for registration (Registration Forms & Information).
Children will not be considered enrolled until both the online and paper portion of registration has been completed and residency documentation is verified. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 847-446-9400.
Winnetka Voices Podcast Premieres!
Winnetka Voices is a podcast hosted by The Winnetka Public Schools, featuring candid conversations on issues relevant to education and shared resources to support our students and families.
NEW! Episode #2:
Prioritizing Social Emotional Learning & RULER in our Schools
Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, is joined by the District’s Social Emotional Learning coaches, Sachiko Kawata-Burke, Jennifer Knudson, Danielle Leitner, and Allison Szczecinski. The SEL coaches discuss the role they play in supporting students and teachers, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. The coaches also share the concept behind RULER, a research-based tool from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, that is currently being implemented in our schools.
Listen here:
Premiere Episode:
Fostering Post-Pandemic Growth & Resilience for our Children
Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, speaks with Ms. Carly Andrews, Executive Director of The Alliance for Early Childhood, on how we can best support our childrens’ social and emotional needs, academic growth, and socialization in the wake of the pandemic.
Listen here:
Click here for resources and events from The Alliance for Early Childhood.
Stay & Play Registration
Kindergarten students who are not currently enrolled in Stay & Play will have the opportunity to register for the 2nd half of the year after 8:00 am January 9th through this link. Please note that the registration period ends January 31, 2023 and will remain closed for the remainder of the year. The rates are prorated below. If you attempt to register before the 9th, you will receive an Item Unavailable message. After purchasing Kindergarten Stay & Play registration, your child will be able to begin their attendance in the program the following Monday so the schools can plan accordingly. Please find the chart below.
Text-for-Help Available to Support Student Safety & Well-Being
Text-for-Help is is intended to provide confidential support to students at school. This resource is available 24/7, 365 days a year, completely anonymous, and staffed by fully-licensed counselors on the other end. Based on the students’ needs and preferences, a counselor will then direct the user to further assistance.
For further details about the tool, please review this recent Winnetka Parents Institute Session.
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
TREX PLASTIC FILM CHALLENGE BEGINS
Time to Gather Up Your Plastic Bags...
The TREX Plastic Film Challenge Starts November 15th! Each year Go Green Winnetka and all District 36 schools participate in this program, which enlists schools to collect plastic bags and wrap, which are then recycled and made into alternate wood products. The Challenge runs through April 15, with winners announced on Earth Day. During this time, bins are placed at D36 schools to collect the *plastics listed below.
Grocery bags
Bread bags
Case overwrap (e.g. water, soda and juice bottles)
Dry cleaning bags
Newspaper sleeves
Ice bags
Wood pellet bags
Ziplock and other reclosable bags
Produce bags
Bubble wrap
Salt bags
Cereal bags
*Please note, all plastics must be clean, dry, and free of food residue.
https://www.trex.com/our-company/news/trex-launches-16th-annual-plastic-film-recycling-challenge/
Contact GoGreenWinnetka@gmail.com with any questions.
Sincerely,
Michelle Cooney and Larry Joynt
Principal and Assistant Principal
The Skokie School
