The Skokie Home Scoop
April 24, 2023
April 24, 2023
Dear Families:
We hope you are having a nice start to the week. We are looking forward to Health and Wellness Day this Friday. We would like to extend a huge thank you to our KW team and to our community for the work and collaboration that is bringing this day to our students.
Important Dates:
April 24th (today): Parent Input Form Due for Current 5th grade Students
April 28th: Health and Wellness Day, modified lunch schedule (below)
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.
Skills and Differentiation: 2023-24
During last week’s WPI, Dr. Becky Mathison presented alongside K-8 D36 educators on the topic of differentiation. Dr. Mathison shared the key tenets of differentiation as:
A responsive approach to teaching
Includes instruction designed for the student using a variety of strategies
Based upon data; quantitative and qualitative
During the 2023-24 school year, we will be making adjustments to our schedule to expand our blocks. By expanding our blocks, we will increase the opportunity for students to access differentiated instruction with their teacher during the block each day and across the week.
We will be refining our structures during our Skills periods to continue to strengthen our opportunities to differentiate our instruction to support and challenge our learners in their next edges of growth. Additionally, we will be adjusting our Skills period to focus on instruction designed for the student with a low student to teacher ratio, prioritizing student growth and engagement.
Similar to WIN (What I Need) in our elementary buildings, Skills is a structured period focused on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) structures and practices across all classes for all students. MTSS is a process designed to maximize student achievement and deliver effective interventions earlier and in an efficient manner.
During Skills, we will differentiate support for students through small group instruction. This time can be used to provide students with challenges to support their next edges of growth when they are demonstrating a high level of proficiency, or can be used to support an area of unfinished learning. As educators review student data and observation of students’ goal areas and student work, they will plan for students’ upcoming cycles focused on areas of extension, intervention, goals and competencies through small group work and projects.
Clubs
The additional spring sessions of Climbing Club are live on the District Web Store. Registration opens at 9am on Tuesday, April 25th.
Health and Wellness Lunch Times
New Winnetka Voices Episode
Episode #6: Cultivating a Culture of Belonging
Dr. Kelly Tess speaks to Denise Matthews, Director of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion and Erick Taft, District alum, parent, and a leader of a community organization “Winnetka for Belonging.” The episode centers on how fostering an environment where high-quality teaching and learning is accessible to all starts with supporting the fundamental need for belonging. A few Washburne students also share their thoughts on belonging. As Ms. Matthews shares, “We can all play a part in making sure that our peers and our colleagues feel like they belong.”
Listen 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.
Winnetka Parent Communication Survey: Open Through 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.
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.
Panorama SEL Survey
The Panorama Student SEL Survey will be administered in grades K-8 between April 17-28, 2023 as part of our District-wide strategic plan goal to support SEL which is explained below:
Positive Culture & Well Being:
A culture of positive well-being amongst students, staff and community serves as a catalyst for continual growth. Relationships and understanding of others are prioritized to promote educational excellence, equity, and resilience. Understanding personal identities and self-awareness is used to facilitate better connections in an increasingly complex world.
Similar to the fall survey window, surveys will provide data to help inform our efforts to support the well-being of all students, teachers and staff.
Teachers in K-2 will complete the Teacher’s Perceptions of Student’s SEL for each of their students. Based on this year’s goals, the survey focuses on four areas: Grit, Self Management, Emotional Regulation, and Engagement.
Students in grades 3-8 will complete the two survey modules during their advisory/meeting time. We are administering this survey as part of our District-wide goal to support SEL for all students. Based on this year's goals, the survey focuses on seven areas: Emotional Regulation, Self Management, Grit, Sense of Belonging, Engagement, School Climate and School Safety.
All staff will take the Panorama Teacher and Staff Survey. The staff and teacher survey focuses on five areas: Wellbeing, Belonging, SEL Professional Learning, School Climate, and Efficacy.
From The Winnetka Police Department: Please Walk Your Bike in Town
The Winnetka Police Department is increasing efforts to encourage bike riders to walk their bikes while riding in the business districts. As such, residents can expect a focus on educational and enforcement shifts by Community Service Officers and Police Officers in the business districts for random periods throughout the day, on a daily basis, as the weather gets warmer and bike/pedestrian traffic increases. This initiative is underway and will continue through the summer months. Signs have already been placed throughout business districts, indicating the need to walk bicycles. In partnership with local businesses, we will continue the opportunities for Community Service Officers and Police Officers to recognize children who are complying with the ordinance and are observed walking their bikes and following the rules with a small reward. This same message is being shared in schools and principal newsletters this spring, as it will take everyone’s cooperation to make this a safer summer.
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.
From Our Partners at Alliance for Early Childhood:
Let’s Play! At the Farm,
Saturday, April 29, 10:00am-12:00pm, Historic Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Road, Glenview
Join The Alliance for Early Childhood in partnership with Historic Wagner Farm for a morning of exploration at the farm in spring. Families can explore the 1920’s historic Wagner farmhouse, barter in the Farm Stand, enjoy the Farm Adventure Area playground, and visit the Heritage Center, which includes a 1930s recreated grocery store.
Note on Parking: Located on the east side of Wagner Road (across from the farmhouse). Additional parking is available in the Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church parking lot on just south of the Historic Wagner Farm parking lot.
Sincerely,
Michelle Cooney and Larry Joynt
Principal and Assistant Principal
The Skokie School