Greeley Greeting
August 20, 2024
October
- 10/29 Picture Retake Day
- 10/30 Pumpkin Showcase
- 10/31 Halloween Parties, Ghost Dance in the afternoon (details below)
November
- 11/1 No School, Teacher Institute Day
- 11/4 Mascot Election Day
- 11/5 No School, Election Day
- 11/6 Mascot Election Results Announced
- 11/8 Spiritwear Day
- 11/14 No School-Parent Teacher Conferences
- 11/15 No School-Parent Teacher Conferences
- 11/22 Bonus Spiritwear Day!
- 11/25-11/29 Thanksgiving Break
December
- 12/3-12/5 Greeley PTO Bookfair
- 12/18 Winter Sharing Concerts (see Greeley Public Calendar for times based on last name)
- 12/23-1/3 Winter Break
Leader Round Table Follow-Up
Thank you to those families who were able to join our leader round tables, hosted at all five buildings. We’ve included a link to the slides as well as a link to a feedback form including questions that were asked at the event. Feedback will be synthesized and shared out in an upcoming principal newsletter. We will then follow-up leading up to Fall Conferences in a subsequent newsletter with ways we are being responsive to the feedback.
Crow Island Slides and Google Form
Greeley Slides and Google Form
Hubbard Woods Slides and Google Form
Skokie Slides and Google Form
Washburne Slides and Google Form
Practice Remote Learning Activity on November 7, 2024
To ensure our students are prepared for any potential shift to remote learning due to multiple days of inclement weather, we have planned a proactive practice activity. This practice session is an important step in ensuring that our students remain connected and ready for learning should inclement weather occur.
Date for Device Take-Home: On Thursday, November 7, all students will bring their school-issued iPads home.
Objective: The goal is for each student to connect their device to their home Wi-Fi network and ensure they have access to the necessary tools and platforms.
Return of Devices: Please ensure that the devices are returned to school with your child on Friday, November 8.
Communication: Additional communication and reminders, as well as a form to record any issues your student experiences, will be sent closer to this practice event.
Inclement Weather Information
As we approach the winter months, it is important to review our district's inclement weather policy. Our top priority is always the safety of our students and staff. We take a comprehensive and thoughtful approach when faced with weather-related decisions such as heavy snow or extreme cold, and work closely with our township and Village partners to plan accordingly.
Deciding When to Close School:
When determining whether to close schools due to inclement weather, we consider several factors:
Safety First: The well-being of our students and staff is paramount.
Travel Conditions: We evaluate the state of area roads and the potential for hazardous conditions that could develop during the day.
Extreme Cold: During periods of severe cold, we consult weather reports and liaise with our transportation providers about the feasibility of running bus routes.
Collaborative Decision Making: We coordinate with New Trier Township superintendents for a unified approach to school closures.
Communication with Families:
In the event of a closure, we will communicate with you through our Blackboard system. This includes:
Phone Call, Email, and Text: Please ensure you've opted-in for text notifications.
Website Updates: Visit our website at www.winnetka36.org for up-to-date information regarding school closures.
Regional Closures: Check the Emergency Closing Center for a comprehensive list of school closures in our region.
Communication Timing: Our goal is to finalize and communicate any closure decision prior to 6 a.m. on that day.
Handling School Closure Days:
First Inclement Weather Day: The first closure day will be treated as a traditional “snow day,” and will require adding an extra day to the school year in June.
Subsequent Days: For any additional inclement weather days, we will shift to remote learning in order to ensure that we do not need to extend the school year further into June.
Remote Learning Details:
Teacher Communication: Email as well as postings in our Learning Management Systems (Grades 5-8 - Schoology, Grades K-4 - Seesaw) will be utilized. Parents can expect communication from their homeroom or advisory teacher by 8:00 a.m.
Student Experience: Remote learning will follow the typical school schedule, combining synchronous and asynchronous methods. For our K-4 students, related arts teachers will now join their homeroom teacher’s Zoom so that our younger students do not need to manage leaving and joining different Zoom sessions.
Special Education Services: Students receiving services will have these services provided to the greatest extent possible, coordinated by the case manager or service provider.
Remote Learning Schedule: The schedules that will be used for remote learning can be viewed here.
Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we prepare for the possibility of inclement weather. Thank you for your continued support.
Message from the School Nurses
During this time of year, we are seeing an increase in illnesses including strep, colds, flu, and other viral infections. Additionally, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), pneumonia, and strep are prevalent in the community right now.
Here are some steps we can take together to help keep our school community healthy:
Stay Home When Sick: If your child is experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, or difficulty breathing, please keep them home and consult a healthcare provider. This helps prevent the spread of illness to other students and staff. You can reference our district Health Guidelines here.
Encourage Good Hygiene: Remind your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, especially before meals and after using the restroom. Using hand sanitizer can also be effective when soap and water are not available.
Promote Cough Etiquette: Teach your children to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly and wash hands afterward.
Your support in reinforcing these practices at home is invaluable. Together, we can help ensure a healthier school environment for everyone.
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:
AI Literacy Lessons for Grades 5-8
November 13, 2024
9:30 A.M.
Location: Carleton Washburne School RC
UNESCO, in their 2021 report entitled AI and education: Guidance for policy-makers stated that:
“AI is said to be a key enabler of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0)…A recent global estimate suggests that 30% of work activities could be automated by 2030. Up to 375 million workers worldwide could be affected...Meanwhile, however, AI and other frontier technologies are increasing the range of high-skill jobs that require unique creative and analytical abilities and human interactions. In short, many workers’ jobs might disappear, and they will need to develop new skill sets – upskilling or reskilling – to enable them to enter the new occupations made possible by AI. Education ministries and training providers need to anticipate these changes, equipping today’s workers and preparing new generations with the necessary technical and social job skills, to smooth the transition to a world dominated by AI, while ensuring social sustainability.”
Artificial Intelligence is “out of the toothpaste tube” and is not going back in. In response, we’ll share with parents the steps we’re taking to increase the literacy of our students of Artificial Intelligence and how we’re preparing them to be responsible users of this tool.
Interested:
If you missed it, view videos from past sessions:
Insights on K-8 Literacy Programming in The Winnetka Public Schools
Halloween Costumes
Students are invited to bring their costumes to school on Halloween Day, Thursday, October 31st. In order to maintain a positive learning environment throughout the day, all costumes will be put on after lunch (exceptions with kindergarten may apply).
The following expectations are in place for costumes:
Masks that cover most of a student's face are prohibited
Any weapons, including facsimiles, must be left at home. In the event that these are brought to school, the teacher will hold onto them for the duration of the school day
All costumes should be age-appropriate for elementary school (per school board policy)
Please consider your child's mobility when selecting a costume; we encourage students to wear articles of clothing that are not overly cumbersome
Ghost Dance
Students have been working hard in KW classes to prepare for our Annual Ghost Dance, Weather permitting, our Ghost Dance will be performed by first- through fourth-grade students on Halloween, Tuesday, October 31st. Families are invited to attend and watch our students' performances, which will begin at 1:00pm.
Please note the following:
We recommend arriving at 12:45pm to get situated
Families line up on the sidewalks surrounding the playground
The playground area itself is for students and staff only-please do not enter the playground area
Students will promptly return to their classrooms following the performance
An email will be sent to families should the Ghost Dance be canceled due to inclement weather
From Winnetka’s Volunteer Center
Celebrate Make a Difference Day on October 26th by donating new and gently used baby and toddler items to Share Our Spare. Drop off items at the Indian Hill Train Station in Winnetka on 10/26 from 9am-12pm. Check out www.shareourspare.org/donate-items/ for more details. Please contact laurenswift10@gmail.com with any questions.
Contact Us
Office Email: gordonschreiber@winnetka36.org
Location: 275 Fairview Avenue Winnetka, IL 60093
Phone: (847)-446-6060