
December 2022
A Message from the Superintendent
December 2022
Dear Families, Staff, and Community Members,
As we look ahead to the holidays and the close of another calendar year, there is truly much to be grateful for in Winnetka! While this is by no means an exhaustive list, I’d like to highlight a few milestones and achievements from this year as a source of gratitude and joy from our schools:
Community approval of the Downsized Capital Improvement Plan & beginning plans for improvements in all five of our schools
Welcoming 193 Kindergarten students to the District, along with many new families, educators and administrators
Progress toward the four goals outlined our Strategic Plan (currently in its second year): Fostering Intellectual Engagement & Motivation to Learn, Positive Culture & Well-Being, Local & National Leader in Progressive Education & Talent Development, and Financial Stewardship & Facility Improvements (see the November 2022 Winnetka Wire for further details on these efforts)
The Launch of a redesigned website as well as “Winnetka Voices,” podcast featuring monthly programming with resources and insight on topics relevant to our families
Students showcasing Project Based Learning at our School Board Meetings, including presentations from Skokie students on the process to create a new school song, Washburne students on their efforts to plan Autumnfest, and Greeley fourth grade students sharing how photography has been infused into their studies.
The kick-off of our Portrait of an Educator design process to establish the competencies essential in a Winnetka educator (mirroring our Portrait of a Graduate for students)
Teachers and administrators presenting and attending national conferences, supporting professional learning on an array of topics for educators and administrators
Breaking ground with the Village on a new stormwater solution involving Duke Childs Field, Crow Island School, and the Park District’s golf course
Receiving an Aaa designation again from Moody’s Investor Service, which allows the District to receive the strongest interest rates on bonds
Earning seven awards from the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association, in the areas of Marketing, Writing, and Financial Reporting
Reinvigorating our Winnetka Parents Institute Program (see below for details on an upcoming session with our SEL coaches on Monday!)
It is impossible to quantify all of the care that goes into ensuring our students’ school experience is meaningful, challenging, and enjoyable: from the families and teachers who support our students daily, to the maintenance teams who ensure our schools are clean, to our technology team who manages systems and devices to support learning and communication, to our nurses who monitor student health needs, and our neighbors and community members who support us each and every day.
Thank you for all you do! Wishing you a joyful, healthy holiday season.
Most Sincerely,
Dr. Kelly Tess
Superintendent
Winnetka Voices: NEW EPISODE!
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:
LEARN MORE AT THIS UPCOMING WINNETKA PARENTS INSTITUTE SESSION ON MONDAY, 12/12!
Developing a Family Charter- District Implementation of RULER
Danielle Klimak (SEL Coach)
In this presentation we will be taking a closer look at one of the 4 RULER anchor tools: The Charter. A Charter is a tool that can be used to help create a positive and supportive social-emotional environment at school or home. A Charter helps to explore how we want to feel and what we can do to ensure that everyone has those feelings more consistently. In this presentation you will learn about the benefits of a Charter and how to create a Charter in the home setting.
December 12, 2022
9:00-10:00 AM
Resource Center at Washburne School (confirmed)
Interested:
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.
Board Meeting Preview
The next School Board meeting will be held at Crow Island School on December 13, 2022. There will be a Work Session at 5:30 p.m. with ECRA Group, the District’s partner for assessment data analysis. There will be a hearing at 7:00 p.m. regarding the District’s Final 2022 Tax Levy. The regular meeting is at 7:15 p.m.
The following presentation is on the agenda:
Fine Arts Curriculum review
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.
Winnetka Parents Institute
Up next:
Developing a Family Charter-District Implementation of RULER
Danielle Klimak (SEL Coach)
In this presentation we will be taking a closer look at one of the 4 RULER anchor tools: The Charter. A Charter is a tool that can be used to help create a positive and supportive social-emotional environment at school or home. A Charter helps to explore how we want to feel and what we can do to ensure that everyone has those feelings more consistently. In this presentation you will learn about the benefits of a Charter and how to create a Charter in the home setting.
December 12, 2022
9:00-10:00 AM
Resource Center at Washburne School (confirmed)
Interested:
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.
A Message from The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation (WPSF)
WPSF is a non-profit volunteer organization that works to enhance the educational mission of Winnetka District 36 beyond the means of conventional public tax funding and PTO contributions. With generous support from our donors, WPSF provided $111,000 in grants to Crow Island, Greeley, Hubbard Woods, Skokie and Washburne in 2021-2022. For more information please check out the WPSF Annual Report.
Donations are always welcome! As the calendar year draws to a close, please consider a year-end, tax-deductible donation to WPSF. Donate 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
Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):
For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.
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 from November 15 - 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/