Skokie Home Scoop

Dear Families:

Upcoming Events:

October 11th: 5th grade Skokie Social; 3:30-4:30 pm (sign up and event details came from the PTO)

October 25th: 6th grade Skokie Social; 3:30-4:30 pm (sign up and event details came from the PTO)

October 31st: Halloween Parties in Advisories; 2:30-3:30 pm

November 1st: Staff Institute Day; No Student Attendance

November 5th: No School: Election Day

The routine of the school is in full swing. Thank you for your support in prioritizing on time school arrival with doors opening each day at 8:15, and in working with your children to have their lunch plan ready to go at the start of the day. Prioritizing both aspects has supported a strong start to the day, and a reduction in classroom interruptions letting students know that their lunch has arrived. We know that these moments happen occasionally, and we are excited to be trending in a positive direction.

Safety Week

Last week ended with High Five Friday as the Winnetka Police and Fire Departments were at Skokie during morning arrival. During the course of the week, we held our fire drill, shelter severe weather and lockdown drills. We appreciated the support and presence of the fire and police departments throughout the week. Having practiced last week helped students and staff know what to do when the fire alarm went off this morning. We will have one more fire drill during the course of the school year.

October Dimension of Belonging: Invited

Definition: The way people are invited signals their value and fosters a sense of belonging.

Essential Question: How are we pursuing all staff and students’ presence and actively extending new invitations?

Unity Week

As we engage in our work throughout the month of October, we will engage in the dimension of invited through our discussions during Advisory and in our work as a school community throughout our school day. Next week we will hold Unity Week, with a spirit week and activities for students promoting unity. Below, you will find a video that students will watch next week.

Unity Day Video

On October 28th and 30th we will host a group from Educating Outside the Lines as they lead our students in workshops focused on belonging through invitation and inclusion.

6th Grade Workshop - October 28th

Inclusive Playground Design - Students working in groups of four to research and design inclusive playgrounds for children with varying disabilities.

5th Grade Workshop - October 30th

Innovation and Helping Tools for people with disabilities, focusing hands-on in rotations with braille, ASL, and prosthetic design.

Arrival and Dismissal Parking and Pick Up

We have placed an emphasis on safe and calm routines throughout Skokie this year, including arrival and dismissal. Students are doing a great job of walking their bike across the street at crosswalks, and following the prompts of crossing guards. Below, you will find a video that our students helped create, emphasizing the importance of crossing safely. You will also find a digital copy of the pick up and drop off safety tips that were shared with families at Go to School Night. We encourage you to watch the short video at home and talk about the steps in place to support safe arrival and dismissal.

Video: Transportation Tips for Keeping Skokie Safe

Pick Up and Drop Off Safety Tips

Buses pick up each day on Oak St. You will notice that the signs indicate this as a ‘No Parking’ area during the school day, through pick up. If you do plan to pick up on Oak, please plan to do so east of Glendale. Parking on Oak displaces the buses which impacts our important access to ramps and cut-outs. Please help us to ensure that pick up is safe for all students and families by being mindful of signage on Oak St.

Exploring Skokie

French: Sixth grade French students have been working hard and having fun in class learning and practicing “Greeting, Salutations and Leave-Taking” conversations.

Spanish: Sixth grade Spanish students have been setting the foundation for our journey using the past tense in class. As a transition between 5th and 6th grade vocabulary, students started the year with a 3-day lesson about Juan, a popular petless boy who steals a cat and ends up without friends. They then learned some new and some familiar verbs, and quickly acted and read a story about a crocodile in a lagoon. They have been completing different warmups, working on comprehension, and listened to a song. You may ask your child about our catchy tune!

Fifth grade students have been acclimating to our routines nicely, and come to class each day eager to learn. We have established some new vocabulary, reviewed some familiar vocabulary, and are working on acting out a story about a person who loves ice cream and who goes to several places looking for it. Each class is modifying the story with their own details, so ask your child what ice cream their class has the main character searching for! One of the most exciting things about this transition to Skokie is that each student brings their own flavor to class from their elementary classroom. When put together in the same room, the class culture is truly unique.

Attention: Sixth Grade Parents

We need your sixth grade health and dental forms!

If you have not turned these in yet, please send Mrs. Siegel an update with the date of your child’s appointment or the completed forms. Your prompt response is greatly appreciated! Her email address is: mariannesiegel@winnetka36.org

Winnetka Parents Institute

The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. View the entire 2024/2025 schedule here.

Up Next:

What to Know About the Otus Parent Portal (Virtual only!)

October 9, 2024

9:30 A.M.

Location: Virtual

Zoom Link:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://winnetka36.zoom.us/j/89140902359?pwd=CkiZde9cij4R65VWd5jMpDaW5wkTlo.1

Meeting ID: 891 4090 2359

Passcode: 740131

Patrick Dawson (Director of Innovation, Teaching and Learning) and Dr. Zach Fodor from Otus will present on how parents can access their student’s assessment data (i.e. NWEA MAP, aimswebPlus, mClass DIBELS, IAR, etc) in one platform, Otus. Come and learn how you can use this powerful tool to review and stay up-to-date on your student’s performance.

Interested:

RSVP for this event here

If you missed it, view videos from past sessions:

Insights on K-8 Literacy Programming in The Winnetka Public Schools

K-8 Literacy Program

The District webpage dedicated to literacy is updated with information about this year’s new programming. Click here to view what is available.

Monthly Observances and Celebrations - October 2024

Click here to find October’s edition of the newsletter Belonging Means…

Sincerely,

Michelle Cooney and Larry Joynt

Principal and Assistant Principal

The Skokie School