December 2021

Dear Parents, Staff, and Community Members,

As we began our school year, we announced our Portrait of a Graduate, which was designed to communicate the unique characteristics, skill sets, and mindsets we strive to develop in every learner in The Winnetka Public Schools:

The Portrait of a Graduate has served as a powerful catalyst for new ideas, influencing many projects, events, and activities in our schools. A few examples of our Portrait of a Graduate in action this fall are as follows:

• The Hubbard Woods fourth grade student leadership team brainstorming with a playground designer to ensure that our new playground is accessible for all students (Global Citizenship, Collaboration and Creative Problem Solving)

• Crow Island students serving others during a Sack Supper event, including preparing food for delivery to people in need over the holiday (Empathy, Global Citizenship)

• The Greeley School community dedicating a Pollinator Garden, an initiative led by a Washburne student to support the local bee and butterfly population (Creative Problem Solving, Global Citizenship, A Lifelong Learner)

• Skokie students writing a new school song for the building’s 100th anniversary, meeting weekly after school to develop lyrics and melodies that bring the spirit of Skokie to life (Collaboration, Effective Communication)

• Washburne students collecting food as part of a District-wide effort that will benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository (Empathy, Collaboration)

• Hubbard Woods students developing a new interactive Hubbard Woods Winter Showcase centered around the theme, “What Does it Mean to Feel Welcomed?” (Collaboration, Effective Communication, Empathy)

• A Greeley fourth grade class collecting used books to resell, the proceeds of which will be benefiting a local charity (Empathy, Collaboration)

We look forward to continually updating our school community on our ongoing efforts toward fostering the competencies outlined within the Portrait of a Graduate. Thank you for your partnership in supporting a successful school year so far. I wish you and your families a restful and healthy holiday season!

Sincerely,

Dr. Trisha Kocanda

Superintendent

The next School Board meeting will be held at the Carleton Washburne School Band Room on December 14, 2021. Those attending can enter the meeting through the Band Room entrance door accessible from the Hibbard Rd. parking lot. There will be a Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. on the 2021 Final Levy. The Regular Meeting is scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m. There are no presentations scheduled for this month’s meeting.

Seating for the public is on a first-come, first-served basis. All guests must wear a face mask* and social distance inside the meeting room. Any individuals who arrive after the room is full will need to join remotely.

To participate via Zoom:

https://winnetka36.zoom.us/j/88090707037?pwd=NG5odzg5ejhac3Frb05HK0lYQmZTUT09

Passcode: 353337

Or Telephone: 312 626 6799

Webinar ID: 880 9070 7037

Passcode: 353337

Public comment for the meeting will occur both in person and also by email. Those joining remotely and wishing to make public comments should email board@winnetka36.org prior to 6:45 p.m. on November 16 and note if they want the email message read at the meeting. The Board may need to limit the amount of time dedicated to public comment (maximum of 30 minutes) in order to efficiently conduct business; this is in accordance with temporary rules adopted by the School Board.

*A mask mandate for Illinois schools is law. Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order, the wearing of a mask in school buildings is now legally required for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors who are two years of age or older and medically able to tolerate a mask, regardless of vaccination status.

Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2022-2023 is now open on the District website and via https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=30658&culture=en. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2022, are eligible to enroll.

The new student registration process is completed in three steps:

1. Complete new student pre-registration forms online beginning November 18, 2021.

2. Provide the original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID. Scanned copies or snapshots of these documents may be uploaded during online registration or can be submitted in-person at the District Office, by appointment.

3. Provide proof of residency and paper registration forms. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements. For your convenience, all required documents may be uploaded during online registration.

Children will not be considered enrolled until both the online and paper portion of registration has been completed and residency documentation is verified. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 847-446-9400.

For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.

We are excited to share with you The Alliance's Fall/Winter 2021 Newsletter to learn more about the organization’s offerings to families.