Hubbard Woods Update

Hubbard Woods Families,

April Porterfield, former HW parent and creator of The Backyard Flower Lab https://backyardflowerlab.org/, spoke to our students for Earth Day. She brought seeds to share with us. Many of our students planted- some are being grown at school and some were sent home.

Please see below for the form to submit information for student placement for next school year. TODAY is the deadline to complete this form as we are beginning the process this week. Please do not reach out to teachers with specific requests.

Below is a reminder of the days for our Spirit Week which started today with PJ Day!

Monday- PJ day- pay attention to the weather when you are choosing

Tuesday- Wear as many colors as you can- or your favorite color

Wednesday-Just dress wacky- hair, clothes, etc.- or not- your choice

Thursday-Dress in whatever you like to do- sports, dance, book character, etc

Friday- Spirit Day! Blue is our school color- or any HW spirit wear

Some of our staff continued our service with Cradles to Crayons on Saturday afternoon. It is always wonderful to serve together. Thank you, Ms. Bulan for organizing this for us!

Our schools will soon be engaging in the class placement process for the 2023-24 school year. As always, our staff wishes to review parent reflections as part of our larger placement process. Please click here to access the electronic Parent Reflection Form that invites you to share your thoughts about your child and their school/home experiences. This form must be completed by TODAY- Monday, April 24th in order to be considered during placement.

For students entering the fifth grade at the Skokie School, please click here for information on Skokie’s placement process.

Both teachers and families have valuable input regarding a child’s placement. Each member of our school community understands a child’s educational needs, often in different ways. A considerable amount of thought and time goes into forming positive, balanced classroom learning communities. Teachers approach these conversations with a deep understanding of their students as learners and class members. This thorough process is outlined below.

1. We invite families to fill out the above form and share insights about their children. This can include anything that would be important for us to consider. You may write about a particularly significant experience that is happening in your family, give a description of social dynamics that are top of mind, highlight the strengths and needs of your child, and/or describe the type of environment in which you feel your child thrives. Given the many needs that must be balanced and our goal of fair and equitable treatment of all families, these reflections do not guarantee placement with certain teachers or friends.

2. As a next step, our student support team reviews the needs of individual or small groups of students across the learning and social-emotional continuum that may impact placement. With this information, grade-level teams meet to begin forming groups of students. As we group students into heterogeneous classes, we consider the following factors:

• Social dynamics

• Behavioral and social-emotional needs

• Academic strengths and needs

• Student Services and Special Education programming

• Communication styles and attributes

• Balanced class sizes and needs

• Variety of classmates in regards to previous years’ groupings

3. Based on our knowledge of our classroom teachers, we determine the best teacher match for each group of learners.

4. Class lists are then shared and reviewed with staff. Adjustments may be made throughout the summer and any new students added to our classes. Lists are finalized by the building principal in mid-August.

Additionally, there are a few questions that seem to come up each year around placement. Please click this link to see some FAQs. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions that may arise.

In Partnership,

Beth Carmody, Principal, Hubbard Woods School

Luke Livingston, Principal, Crow Island School

Joshua Swanner, Principal, Greeley

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:

Apple Podcast

Amazon

Spotify

Google

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.

www.winnetka36.org/adventures

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.

Further information is here.

• Spirit Week- April 24th-28th
• Wednesday, May 15th- Strings Concert 6:30 PM student arrival for 7:00 PM concert, HW Auditorium
• Tuesday, May 23- 1st and 2nd Grade Spring Sing
• Wednesday, May 24-3rd and 4th Grade Spring Sing
• Friday, May 26th- Half Day AM ( Reporting Day)
  
• Monday, May 29th - No School ( Memorial Day)
• Wednesday, May 31st- Kindergarten Spring Sing 9:30-10:00 AM
• Friday, June 9th- Last Day of School ( Half Day AM)

8:30am | Doors open

8:37am | School promptly begins

11:30am-12:20pm | Lunch

2:10pm | Kindergarten dismissal

2:45pm | Early Release (MONDAYS ONLY)- Kindergarten Stay and Play/Bridge Care and all 1st-4th students

3:15pm | Tuesdays through Fridays Grades 1-4 & Stay and Play/Bridge Care Dismissal

Email: jenniferhartlett@winnetka36.org
Website: https://www.winnetka36.org/hubbardwoods
Location: 1110 Chatfield Road, Winnetka, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 446-0920