
January 2024
A Message from the Superintendent
Dear Families, Staff, and Community Members,
I hope this message finds you amidst a happy and healthy start to the new year. Below you’ll find a two minute video with several important updates as we begin the year, including construction and renovation work which will occur at all five schools this summer, when to expect an update on our 2024/2025 Annual Goals and Strategic Plan, and a reminder to please register for 2024/2025 in order to help us best prepare for our staffing needs.
I look forward to all that we will accomplish together as a school community in the year ahead!
Most Sincerely,
Dr. Kelly Tess
Superintendent of Schools
End-of-School Date Change
Note that the last day of our school year will now fall on Friday, June 14, 2024. This is due to the emergency day taken when we experienced a winter storm last week.
Board Meeting Preview
The next School Board meeting will be held at Carleton Washburne School on January 23, 2024. The Regular Meeting is at 7:15 p.m.
The following presentations are on the agenda:
- Fiscal Year 2023 Auditors’ Report
In-person seating for the public is on a first-come, first-served basis.
To observe via Zoom:
https://winnetka36.zoom.us/j/88090707037?pwd=NG5odzg5ejhac3Frb05HK0lYQmZTUT09
Meeting ID: 880 9070 7037
Passcode: 353337
The meeting will include an opportunity for in-person public comment. Please note, the Board will be following policy 2:230 and limit public comment to three minutes - however, if there is a high volume of public comment, the Board may need to limit the amount of time dedicated to public comment in order to efficiently conduct business. Community members can send communications to board members at board@winnetka36.org which will be individually reviewed by each board member prior to the meeting.
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
Online Pre-Registration for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2024/2025 School Year: PLEASE COMPLETE AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE!
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2024/2025 is 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. 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.
Please Join us 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. Register here!
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.
Listen here:
2023/2024 Calendar
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
Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):
For upcoming events (& videos of past events) with an array of highly-regarded authors, educators, and more, access FAN’s website here.