Skokie Home Scoop
January 22, 2024
January 22, 2024
Dear Families:
We hope you had a wonderful weekend. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in a few weeks for conferences. Please see below for updates for this week and beyond!
Upcoming Events:
February 8th and 9th: Conferences (no student attendance either day)
February 8th: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
February 9th: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
February 16th: Half day student attendance (dismissal at 11:50 am)
Monthly Observance Assembly
On Friday, we had the opportunity to come together as a school to learn about the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our school assembly was led by students from Ms. Goldberg’s advisory. Following the assembly, students were able to engage in activities and discussions within their advisories.
Arrival
We seem to be on the other side of our cold weather snap, with warmer temperatures ahead for the next two weeks. We know that cold dates can lead to more students arriving by car, which can have an impact on our on-time arrivals. We would like to encourage everyone to arrive at Skokie by 8:15 am each morning. When the weather is cold, we do invite students into the auditorium as they arrive.
As drop off does continue through the arrival window, we ask that cars do not idle in front of the school as it causes a second row of cars. This can lead to unsafe crossing for students between cars. This also slows down drop-off, leading to traffic being backed up, and as a result, sometimes causing cars to go around one another. We know that arrival and drop off can be a busy time for everyone. Our goal is to ensure that students arrive safely and on time.
On time arrival supports our community in so many ways, from students’ connections to peers to their organization and executive functioning as they begin their day on time. This also supports teachers’ instruction as they lead Advisory lessons. We were off to a great start, and the cold weather seems to have interrupted this a bit. Thank you for your partnership on this effort!
Lions of Leadership Cold Weather Gear Donation Drive
The Skokie Lions of Leadership has decided to host a 1 week donation drive this week to collect cold weather gear that will be delivered to migrants in Texas via the Winnetka Police Department.
Donation boxes will be in the Skokie front lobby through Friday and will be delivered to the Winnetka Police Department on Friday. Please see this video and consider donating if you can.
Reminder: Practice Remote Learning Activity on January 25, 2023
As we may experience additional inclement weather this winter, we want to ensure our students are prepared for potential remote learning. With this in mind, we have planned a proactive practice activity for students. This practice session is an important step in ensuring that our students remain connected and ready for learning should multiple days of inclement weather occur.
Remote Learning Practice Activity:
Date for Device Take-Home: On Thursday, January 25, all K-8 students will bring their school-issued iPads home.
Objective: To connect their device to home Wi-Fi and access educational tools (How-to guide can be found here). This is purely for preparedness and will not be graded.
Help/Support: If you run into any issues with connecting your student’s device or in accessing materials, please complete this Google Form so that we can follow up with you.
Device Return: Please return the devices to school on Friday, January 26.
This practice activity is a crucial step in ensuring our students can seamlessly transition to remote learning if required.
Brief on Inclement Weather Policy:
In the event of school closures, communication will be made through Blackboard (phone, email, text), our website, and the Emergency Closing Center.
The first inclement weather closure will be a traditional snow day, with subsequent closures moving to remote learning.
For more information on our full inclement weather policy, please refer to our previous Principal newsletter communications. We appreciate your support in these preparations.
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 8th through this link. Please note that the registration period ends January 31, 2024 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.
Online Pre-Registration for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2024/2025 School Year has begun.
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2024/2025 is now open. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2024, are eligible to enroll. Questions related to School Admissions and age requirements are addressed in School Board Policy 7:50 School Admissions and student Transfers to and from Non-District Schools.
Please note: There are two steps to completing new student registration. We ask that parent(s)/guardian(s) complete BOTH steps of pre-registration BEFORE January 12, 2024.
Step 1: Complete the online pre-registration form; Step 2: Visit the District Office (1235 Oak Street) to provide the following:
Proof of residency. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements. For your convenience residency documents may be uploaded during online registration.
Original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID.
Completing both steps (online and in-person) is required for your child(ren) to be enrolled as new students. Click here to begin the online segment.
Save-the-Date for the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Carlson Event
January 30, 2024
6:30-8:30 P.M.
Location: Skokie School
Join WPSF at their free annual event to learn about findings from the literacy pilot and to see a showcase of recently funded grants in D36. Teachers will be participating in a panel discussion on reading education. Don't miss this opportunity to learn firsthand from faculty and district leaders and to see #grantsinaction.
2023/2024 Calendar
To view the calendar for the 2023/2024 school year, please click 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