November 15, 2024
Dear Winnetka Families, Staff, and Community Members,
Our educators have been hard at work (as always) this fall! They have designed and delivered many innovative learning experiences for students & colleagues along with meaningful opportunities for connection across our school communities.
The past three months of school have included special experiences like:
Lessons about democracy and the contributions of our Veterans with Veterans Day (see more on this in the newsletter below) and Election-related activities (congratulations to the newly elected Greeley mascot, the Gorilla!);
The Skokie School Lion Lattes barista program, a new inclusive learning opportunity;
The beloved Kindergarten butterfly migration;
"High Five Fridays" events with Winnetka First Responders at all schools;
Crow Island students contributing their input on a new playground design;
Washburne Students planning and hosting Autumnfest, raising over $3,300 toward hurricane relief efforts;
Halloween traditions and celebrations.
We’ve enjoyed welcoming many parents to our campuses for celebratory events this autumn, and most recently for parent/teacher conferences. Thank you to our families for your investment in our students and involvement in our school community.
To ensure you are aware of the impact of that investment, we invite you to take a few minutes to watch our Fall 2024 Biannual Message. This brief video provides an overview on our upcoming Strategic Planning process and Annual Goals, as well as an update on the implementation of our Literacy Curriculum.
Additionally, the infographic below is an at-a-glance report on progress toward our Annual Goals and other District highlights.
I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Most Sincerely,
Dr. Kelly Tess
Superintendent
A special thank you to those Veterans within our school community: whether you are a teacher (shout out to Mr. Burleson and Mr. Martinsen), family member (thank you Major David Tess, Dr. Tess’ husband) or alum (West Point grad Austin Welch), we are inspired by your dedication and humbled by the sacrifices you have made on our behalf. Several the Village of Winnetka First Responders are also Veterans:
Sergeant Jeff Tyson
Officer Charles Janes
Community Service Officer Arlene Walsh
A few highlights from Veterans Day celebrations at our schools:
- As part of a Project Based Learning initiative, Washburne students interviewed Veterans and subsequently wrote essays and created works of art to tell their stories, now on display at the Cantigny Park First Division Museum.
- Crow Island first graders enjoyed reading a story about Veterans Day with District parent, Captain Brittany Kim, a West Point alum and Iraq War veteran.
- Greeley students Jack and Stella Brainerd welcomed their father, Evan Brainerd, a 9-year veteran of the U.S. Army, who joined an all-school celebration of Veteran’s Day including a performance by the Navy Band Great Lakes Woodwind Quintet.
A gallery wall dedicated to military heroes included a students’ artwork inscribed with the following: “I get to do this because of you!” Thank you, Veterans!
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2025/2026 will begin November 18, 2024. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2025, are eligible to enroll. Questions related to School Admissions and age requirements are addressed in School Board Policy 7:50 School Admissions and student Transfers to and from Non-District Schools.
To highlight the the contributions of our building Administrators, the first five episodes of Season Three of the District’s podcast Winnetka Voices, feature Ms. Ivory Ajavon (Principal of Hubbard Woods School), Ms. Lindsay Kopinski (Principal of Greeley School), Ms. Michelle Cooney and Mr. Larry Joynt (Principal and Assistant Principal of The Skokie School), Dr. Andrew Fenton and Mr. Ben Horwitz (Principal and Assistant Principal of Carleton Washburne School) and Dr. Luke Livingston (Principal of Crow Island School).
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.
Listen here:
