Skokie Home Scoop
February 12, 2024
February 12, 2024
Dear Families:
Thank you for joining us last week for conferences. It was a wonderful week as we connected about students’ growth and goals for the upcoming months of the school year!
As a reminder, this Friday, February 16th, is a half day of attendance for students. Monday, February 19th is a full day for all students.
Exploring Skokie
5th & 6th Grade Music: In the past few weeks, both 5th and 6th graders have been exploring music and technology through a program called Soundtrap. Fifth graders are crafting musical stories by writing stories, narrating them, and setting them to music. They are exploring how the music helps to enhance and elevate the action. Sixth grade students recently wrote simple melodies on the piano, added chords/bass, and recorded them into the program. They then utilized the program to arrange and remix their original compositions.
Creative Dramatics and Movement: We have been working on improvisation. The first rule of improv, "Yes, and..." challenges participants to accept any scenario their partner throws at them and then build on it to advance the scene. We discussed how this can be a good rule in improv and in life! Here are some fun scenes from our Improv Olympics.
Visual Art: Students learned how to use patterns to create value, contrast, pattern, and texture. We then used that knowledge to explore symbolism while creating animal “self-portraits”.
Clubs
Climbing Club: The next two sessions are live on the District Web Store. Registration opens at 9am tomorrow morning.
2024/2025 Calendar Now Available
Families may now access the calendar for the upcoming school year, also available on our District website.
Single-Subject and Grade Level Acceleration
The Accelerated Placement Act requires Illinois public school districts to adopt and implement policies on acceleration that provide opportunities for single subject and grade level acceleration. To learn more about District 36’s acceleration policy implementation, click here to view an infographic and click here to visit our updated webpage. Note that the acceleration request form will be open February 26-March 22. If you have questions about the policy, please contact the Asst Supt of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, Dr. Becky Mathison, at beckymathison@winnetka36.org.
Winnetka Parents Institute
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics.
Click here for the Winter/Spring 2024 schedule.
Videos of the Fall 2023 sessions are available here:
The Winnetka Experience: Portrait of a Graduate, Portrait of an Educator, and Progressive Education
The Middle School Experience, AKA “Why is my child acting like this?” Please help.
Literacy Pilot: How District 36 Educators are Testing Literacy Programs and Practices
From our Partners at New Trier:
The tradition continues – fun for the whole family at Winter Carnival!
On Friday, February 23 from 5-8:30 p.m., the New Trier Senior Class is hosting its annual Winter Carnival, during which the entire Class of 2024 will work with their adviser rooms to transform the Winnetka Campus into various carnival attractions for children. Carnival-goers can expect everything from the classics, like Pop-A-Shot and Putt Putt Golf, to more unique activity booths, such as Glitter World Salon and Human Bowling. Admission at the North main entrance (along Trevian Way) is free and activity tickets are $1 each. Parking is free, and is available in the lots on the east side of the school as well as in any space marked "New Trier High School" in the Indian Hill lot adjacent to the Metra lot at Winnetka Avenue and Green Bay Road.
This year’s carnival will also feature an optional Magic Show, raffle, and more! Purchase tickets for the Liam the Magic Man Magic Show from 5-5:30 ($10 per family) here: https://newtrier.revtr
ak.net/fundraising/fundraising-senior-class/liam-the-magic-man-s-magic-show/
All proceeds benefit the 2024 Senior Class Service Project, Embarc Chicago, which provides “real-world experiential learning accompanied by a state of the art in-class curriculum to change the trajectories of students’ lives.”
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