The Skokie Home Scoop
April 17, 2023
April 17, 2023
Dear Families:
We hope you had a wonderful weekend. While it feels a bit like winter today, the busy nature of spring is underway. Below, please find important dates and deadlines for the upcoming weeks.
Important Dates:
April 19: 7th grade Parent Night at Washburne
April 21: 6th grade Shadow Day at Washburne
May 17(evening): 4th grade Parent Night at Skokie
May 26: 4th grade Shadow Day at Skokie; half day for students
Parent Input Form: Class Placement for Current 5th grade Students
The thoughtful placement of students in learning communities is an important process. In order to form cohesive learning environments, we rely on feedback from parents and teachers. As we create classroom placement, our goal is to balance the needs of individuals and groups of learners. Additionally, we consider the academic and social-emotional profile of the students.
If you would like to provide us with information to consider regarding your child's placement, please complete this form by Monday, April 24th. Your input will be reviewed and considered by Skokie administrators as we work on class placement for 6th grade. While we are unable to accommodate specific teacher requests, we value your input and are interested in hearing about a learning environment that is a best fit for your child.
Lunch Account Information for Current 6th Grade Families: Shadow Day
On Friday, April 21st, all 6th graders will visit Washburne to learn more about elective options for next year. Students will return to Skokie at 1:00 pm. One of the highlights of the day is that our students are able to eat lunch in the Washburne cafeteria, either bringing a lunch from home or purchasing a lunch from Washburne's food service provider. If you set up a lunch account for the day, a good guide would be to add $7-$12 before Friday. If you add money for your students to purchase lunch, please let your child know that they will receive a temporary lunch card for the day.
If your child is planning to purchase a lunch, we recommend setting up a lunch account now through mymealtime.com. All 6th grade families received an individual email last Tuesday with specific directions to set up a lunch account for your child. If you set up a lunch account, your child can use it to buy lunch on April 21st, and any unused funds will carry over to 7th grade. This will also help the process move efficiently on the 21st. You also will not need to set up the account again over the summer.
Students are able to use cash to purchase food as well, but we have found that using the mealtime system is more convenient for students and parents. In order to purchase food using the account, Washburne will distribute temporary id cards to students on April 21st.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ben Horwitz, Assistant Principal at Washburne.
Health Information for Current 5th grade Families:
Dear 5th Grade Parent:
We look forward to seeing your students in the fall as our new sixth graders! Please note that we have an important health requirement for all entering 6th grade students. Please submit a recent physical exam with vaccinations for your student on our “State of IL Certificate of Child Health Examination” form. This may be uploaded at any time from now until school starts in the Fall. A recent dental exam is also needed. Please make your appointments now, before slots become unavailable! Our district website provides instructions using the link below.
Link: https://www.winnetka36.org/district/departments/health
Please contact Marianne Siegel, RN with any questions at mariannesiegel@winnetka36.org .
Thank you for your support of this state health forms requirement!
Sincerely,
Marianne Siegel, RN
Winnetka Park District: One Camp
The Winnetka Park District is excited to partner with Perspectives Charter Schools for the 2023 offering of One Camp to be held June 12th – June 16th. The purpose of One Camp is to connect children from different communities and build relationships through shared experiences. One Camp will include 40 students from Winnetka (a mix of rising 6th and rising 7th graders), 40 students from the Perspectives community (Chicago) (a mix of rising 6th and rising 7th graders), a group of New Trier student athlete leaders, a group of Perspectives student athlete leaders, and an assortment of support staff. The camp is entirely free of charge and all meals, transportation, and activities will be provided through the support of the Winnetka Parks Foundation. Registration for One Camp will open on April 18, 2023 @ 8:30am and all information/registration information can be found here: Link
Winnetka Parent Communication Survey: Closes April 28
Please take a moment to participate in this survey to provide us with your feedback around district communication with parents. Extended through April 28, 2023!
Spring 2023 Superintendent Parent Sessions
Learn about the results of the Winnetka Parent Communication Survey and how the District plans to be responsive to the feedback.
Crow Island: May 17, 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Greeley: May 8, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Hubbard Woods: May 3, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Skokie/Washburne (Hosted at Washburne): May 17, 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Safety Procedure for Building Visitors
For anyone visiting our school buildings during school hours, we will now be requiring a driver’s license or state ID to be left at the front desk until your guest lanyard is returned. This decision was made in accordance with other safety procedures we are enhancing for the security of our students and staff.
Earth Week Activities
In recognition of Earth Day, the District’s Green Team has planned themed days the week of April 17-21 to help raise awareness of the ways that the Winnetka community can positively impact the environment and Earth with some small intentional acts. To view more information on each themed day, click here.
Winnetka Parents Institute
Differentiation: What is it? What does it look like in D36?
Dr. Becky Mathison (Director of Innovation, Teaching and Learning)
April 19, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: SK Community Room
During this session Dr. Becky Mathison, Director of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, alongside a team of educators from the District will provide an overview of what differentiation is, how it is implemented in D36 classrooms, explain how the approach aligns to progressive education and the portrait of a graduate, and ways to support your student at home. This session will feature a panel of D36 educators.
Interested:
For Incoming Kindergarten Families
Please save the dates listed below and review this communication for further details . We look forward to welcoming you and your children to our school community!
Kindergarten Open House
Thursday, May 25, 2023
6:15 p.m.- 7:15 pm
This presentation is intended for adults only.
District Office staff will be present to collect any remaining paperwork, proof of residency, original/certified copy of child’s birth certificate and parent drivers license (copied and returned to you).
Kindergarten Connection
Monday, August 21, 2023
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Times will vary by signup
Kindergarten Bus Roundup
Friday, August 25, 2023
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Kindergarten Meet & Greet:
Thursday, August 31st, 2023
10:45a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
First Day of School:
Tuesday, September 5th, 2023 (11:20 a.m. dismissal)
If you did not receive this information from the District, please call our office at 847-446-9400.
Winnetka Voices Podcast Episodes
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 #5
Progressive Education: 100+ Years Strong in Winnetka
Listen here:
Adventures in Learning 2023
Adventures in Learning 2023 runs from June 14th-July 19th, 2023.
No camp on June 19th or July 4th.
A decades-long tradition, this summer program includes classes as varied as Athlete's Club, Razzle Dazzle Science Magic, Recyclable Art,Basket Weaving, Camping Adventures, Make Your Own Music Video, Adventures in STEAM, Archery, Computer Animation, Greek Mythology Drama, Coding, Yoga for Kids, AIL Action News (New for 2023), Animal Care, and Spa-Liscious to name a few!
Students in grades 2-8 may choose up to four classes from over 60 options. Younger children (pre-Kindergarten through grade 1) will explore our progressive educational concepts through guided play and outdoor activities.
This year's program will again be held at Washburne for the 2nd-8th graders and Crow Island for the Pre-K (4 years old by June 1st, 2023)and K Primary program (5 years old by September 1st, 2023).
2023 Fees
General (base cost*) and Primary Program
$675 Winnetka residents
$725 Non-residents
*Some General Program classes have an additional supply fee (will be noted in the catalog).
Registration is now open for Winnetka residents.
Adventures in Learning: Animal Care Opportunity
ATTENTION all rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, reptiles, birds and other small animals! Winnetka's Adventures in Learning - Animal Care Class is looking for small animal volunteers to help our students learn about their care. If your child's small animal is due for a brief break this summer, please email Anna at animal.care.adventures@gmail.com. If it is time to pass your pet on to another loving family, we can also try to arrange adoptions.
Sincerely,
Michelle Cooney and Larry Joynt
Principal and Assistant Principal
The Skokie School