Skokie Home Scoop
September 23, 2024
September 23, 2024
Dear Families:
Upcoming Events
Skokie Picture Day - Thursday Morning, Sept. 26
5th Grade: 8:40 - 9:50 am
6th Grade 10:10 - 11:00 am
Weather permitting, individual photos of Skokie students/staff will be held outdoors on the Northside of the building.
Go To School Night
Thank you for joining us last Thursday for our Skokie Go to School Night! Below you will find information that was shared during our full-school presentation.
Principal Coffee
The PTO is hosting a Skokie/Washburne Principal Coffee for any Skokie/Washburne families to attend on Tuesday, September 24th from 9:00-10:00 am in Elm Park. In case of rain, we will host the event in the Skokie lunchroom.
Library Cards
A Winnetka Northfield Public Library card offers children valuable resources that enhance their access through the Skokie School Library. With this card, kids can explore a vast collection of books, e-books, and audiobooks, fostering a love for reading and supporting their academic growth. Additionally, they gain access to educational programs, STEM workshops, and cultural events, enriching their learning experience. Unique features like The Studio provide hands-on opportunities in technology and art, while programs like Museum Adventure Pass offer free or discounted admissions to local attractions. A library card can unlock a wealth of resources that complement their education, and promote independence, and lifelong learning.
We already have over thirty families who have signed up for a card! I would love to double that!
Please complete this form if you would like your child to have a library card. I will then share this data with the Winnetka Northfield Public Library. When the cards are ready, I will distribute them to the students.
If your child already has a library card, or you would prefer not to get one, please disregard this form.
Thank you,
Todd Burleson
3D Design Club
Do you love to create and design in 3D? Are you interested in 3D software and how 3D printers work? Join the 3D Design Club where we will use 3D pens, software and our imaginations to create and explore 3D printing. No experience necessary, just bring your ideas and curiosity! The club will run for 8 sessions on Wednesday mornings, beginning October 2nd, from 7:30-8:15 am.
Registration goes live at 9am on Tuesday, September 24th.
Taylor's Version - Taylor Swift Club
"Calling all Swifties! Are you ready for it? Our Taylor Swift Club is the place where we can all be fearless together! We meet on the 13th of each month (or as close to it as we can-dates listed below) to celebrate all things Taylor.
From discussing her latest songs to sharing our favorite lyrics, we're creating our own love story with fellow fans. Don't be the anti-hero - come shake it off with us! We promise you'll be enchanted.
Meeting Dates from 3:30-5:00 pm on: Friday, October 11th; Wednesday, November 13th; Friday, December 13th; Tuesday, January 14th; Thursday, February 13th; Thursday, March 13th; Friday, April 11th; Tuesday, May 13th; Friday, June 13th
Registration goes live at 9am on Tuesday, September 24th.
Lions of Leadership
If you are interested in building leadership and communication skills, volunteering, planning and leading service projects, and collaborating with classmates to support all students and staff at The Skokie School, then this club is for you!
We meet on Friday mornings at 7:45 am in the Skokie Community Room!
Registration goes live at 9am on Tuesday, October 2nd.
Memory Book Club Sign-up
5th and 6th graders create the annual yearbook in The Skokie School Memory Book Club. As a club, the participants create the overall design, take and collect photographs, create layouts, promote contests, and distribute the annual yearbook to their classmates. This club is supported by a Skokie School teacher but is largely a reflection of the creative efforts and interests of Skokie students. It runs from October to March before school on Mondays.
Registration is open here.
Chess Enrichment Program
Classes beginning Monday 10/10 through 12/12/2024, 7:45-8:15am weekly.
Register at: https://www.2024-2025skokiewashburnechess.eventbee.com
Chess-Ed will continue to provide this unique, exciting, and dynamic chess instruction
which lifts each student to a new level of expertise. Studies confirm that the student who plays chess does better academically and throughout life in general. Chess increases IQ performance, uses analytical and critical thinking skills, teaches problem solving, responsibility, decision making, good sportsmanship, social skills and more.
This 8-week program will be offered: 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, (no class 11/14-parent conferences), 11/21, (no class 11/28-Thanksgiving), 12/5, and 12/12/2024.
Early fee savings is $120 now and thru 10/5 for the 8-week session. (LATE fee $150 begins 10/6-10/24/24.)
Register TODAY!
https://www.2024-2025skokiewashburnechess.eventbee.com
Chess is the “SPORT OF THE MIND”
TCD
In Technology Communication Design students are focusing on visual communication and how graphic design elements including color, arrangement, and style of images can convey information. Students designed visual nameplates by combining images and graphics that illustrate their interests. Also, students are exploring a variety of effects with fonts including type, style, shadows, reflections, and how those changes can impact a message.
LIT
Literacy Integrated Technology exploratory class for 5th-grade students incorporates Library Science skills as well as Digital Citizenship and overall technology literacy. Students engaged in an interactive scavenger hunt to learn all the parts of the library while also deciphering a secret phrase in Latin. The phrase was “Carpe Librum Now!” Be sure to ask your student what that means! We also dug into our library management program called Destiny Engage. Click the link for a quick overview. This is a powerful tool to help students discover, find, and document the amazing books that they are reading. We will continue to add new features throughout the year to help students utilize this tool!
You’re Invited to Leader Round Tables at our Schools
We invite you to engage on important District and school-related topics with Dr. Tess and your building Principal. Please mark your calendar for the session at your home school(s) and kindly RSVP here:
The Skokie School
Tuesday, October 1
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Greeley School
Wednesday, October 2
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Hubbard Woods School
Tuesday, October 8
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Carleton Washburne School
Wednesday, October 9
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Crow Island School
Thursday, October 10
6:30-7:30 p.m.
SSIS SEL Survey
The SSIS Student SEL Survey will be administered in grades K-8 the week of October 7th as part of our District-wide goal to support SEL for all students. The survey is aligned with Illinois state Social-Emotional Learning standards and will provide data to help inform our efforts to support the well-being of all students. The survey focuses on five core SEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Students grades 3-8 will take the survey during their SEL/advisory time. Time will be dedicated during our October 7th staff meeting for teachers grades K-8 to complete the teacher portion of the SSIS survey. Additionally, all staff will be asked to complete the Teacher and Staff survey through Panorama which will focus on: wellbeing, belonging, school climate, and equity and inclusion.
Overview of Our Monthly Observances & the Ten Dimensions of Belonging
The Winnetka Public Schools are committed to the second goal area of our strategic plan focused on creating a culture of positive well-being for students, staff, and community. This includes promoting wellness for our school community and collaborating Districtwide to foster connection and belonging.
We are committed to continuing recognition of monthly observances and celebrations this year; however, we have made some revisions and additions based on feedback from our school community. A link to the official 2024/2025 calendar can be found here. The calendar was created to collectively raise awareness of the important days of commemoration across several events and faith traditions practiced by staff and families in the District. However, it should be noted that this is not a comprehensive list of all religious days or faith traditions observed in the community. If you would like to recommend a change or addition to this calendar for consideration in the future, please let us know via this online form.
September 15 to October 15 is National LatinX Heritage Month. This is a time to celebrate the cultures, achievements and contributions of LatinX, Hispanic and Latino-identified people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
In 2024/2025, we will further explore what it means to have a sense of belonging using the Vanderbilt University research-based Ten Dimensions of Belonging which offers 10 ways schools can foster belonging for all. Districtwide, we will focus on one dimension of belonging each month. September’s dimension is PRESENT. Staff are students are encouraged to reflect and take action regarding the following: Are all students, families, and staff involved in the same spaces and activities as their peers?
New! K-8 Literacy Program Con’t
Last week’s Principal Newsletter featured some highlights about what the new literacy program is designed to do to support student learning and growth. With this change, the units at each grade level have new topics or themes.
The American Reading Company (ARC) begins with the Literacy Lab for grades K-6. This is a time when learning routines are established and teachers are able to get an initial understanding of current student performance in the areas of reading and writing. Following this first unit, each grade level has three units based on a theme.
Kindergarten- Zoology, Ecology, Entomology
1st- Wild & Endangered Animals, Family Stories, Plants
2nd- Bugs, Animal Stories, Join My Community
3rd- Weather & Climate, Traditional Tales, Marine Life
4th- Animal Adaptations, TBD (Mystery or American Historical Fiction), Sports and Society
5th- Ecosystems, Adventure, Civil War
6th- World Mythology, Geology, Fantasy, World Civilizations
CommonLit offers teachers options for which units to implement. The units below include both CommonLit units, as well as those rooted in existing practice of integration with other content areas and Project-Based Learning (PBL). The CommonLit* units are marked with an asterisk.
7th- Community and Belonging*, Adolescence*, The Outsiders*, Memoir, Social Media Risks and Rewards*, Dystopia (PBL)
8th- The Art of Suspense*, Social Justice (PBL), Debate Over School Start Time, Shakespeare*, Not That Different*, World War II (Integrated Unit w/ Social Studies)
Health Forms Due
This is a friendly reminder that all medical forms required by the State of Illinois are overdue. You can find additional copies of the forms on the district website here.
Please see the information below:
State of Illinois Health Examination:
Kindergarten & Grade 6
Eye Examination:
Kindergarten
Dental Examination:
Kindergarten, Grade 2 & Grade 6
Please email all forms to the appropriate school nurse.
Hubbard Woods: ashleyjaskowski@winnetka36.org
Greeley: marykathrynjanda@winnetka36.org
Crow Island: chrissyhahn@winnetka36.org
Skokie School: mariannesiegel@winnetka36.org
Washburne: lisasweeney@winnetka36.org
Deadline to Register for Optional Fees, Programs or Services is September 30th!
These include:
Kindergarten Stay & Play
iPad Insurance
Elementary and Skokie Milk Fees
Central PTO Dues
ALL optional fees, programs or services are accessed via RevTrak https://winnetka.revtrak.net/.
Bus Registration Reopens on Monday, September 16th and will close on September 30th with the rest of the optional fees!
ALL optional fees, programs or services are accessed via RevTrak https://winnetka.revtrak.net/.
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:
If you missed it, view videos from past sessions:
Insights on K-8 Literacy Programming in The Winnetka Public Schools
Sincerely,
Michelle Cooney and Larry Joynt
Principal and Assistant Principal
The Skokie School