Carleton Washburne

It was a great end to 2023 at Washburne with our annual skating party (see pictures below), and we hope everyone had a restful and relaxing holiday break. As 2024 begins at Washburne, we are eager to welcome back our students as we look forward to a busy next few weeks. Please take a minute to check out the upcoming events:

MAP testing this week

Students will participate in MAP testing this week on Thursday 1/11 and Friday 1/12. Please ensure that your child brings their fully-charged iPad to school each day.

Winter Conferences

Winter Conferences will take place across the district on Thursday, February 8th and Friday, February 9th. At Washburne, parents will be able to schedule individual conferences with each of their child’s trimester two teachers, either in person or remotely via Zoom. Sign-ups for conferences will begin on Thursday, January 25th. Please be on the lookout for more information in our upcoming newsletters for details about how to sign up for conferences.

Please save the date, and see the flyer below, for the Washburne Winter Bash, sponsored by our PTO, on Friday, February 2nd. We will have more specific information in our upcoming newsletters.

Take Care and Be Well,

Andrew Fenton & Ben Horwitz

Carleton Washburne Principal & Assistant Principal

In this section we will be shining the spotlight on our Related Studies program and all the wonderful opportunities available to our Washburne students.

This trimester’s group of creative writers is in the midst of a poetry unit. They are currently writing a poem imitating the style of a professional poet. Some of the choices include greats like Sandra Cisneros and Mary Oliver. Our focus is on using figurative language, sensory descriptions, and alliteration while also having fun!

Students at Washburne do not have to go outside for recess. However, if your child enjoys going outside each day, we ask for your partnership in ensuring that they have proper winter gear for the elements. When the temperature is extremely cold (a feels like temperature of 10 degrees or colder), we will keep all students indoors.

Below are resources we use as guidance for our district to determine if we are outside or staying inside for recess.

• We use the Weather Channel to monitor the weather.

• We use the ISBE windchill guide for “feels like” temperature.
  

DO YOU LOVE MATH???

Do you want to compete with other school and have fun while learning new concepts?

If this is you, join our District 36 MathCounts team!

Practices are on Thursdays from 3:45-4:45 PM

ROOM S204 @ CARLETON WASHBURNE SCHOOL

Register on the District Web Store.

This club is open to 6th - 8th graders and it is posted under Washburne Non-Sports on the Webstore.

Thursday, January 11th & Friday, January 12th: MAP Testing

Monday, January 15th: No School; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Tuesday, January 23rd: School Board Meeting - 7:15pm @ Carleton Washburne School

Benchmark assessments are valuable tools that provide a snapshot of student progress at a point in time. These assessments help teachers to identify areas where students are excelling and where they may need additional support. They can also inform instructional decisions by providing data that can be used to tailor teaching to meet each student's unique needs and strengths. Benchmark assessments are an important component of progressive education, which recognizes that students learn in different ways and at different rates. By using benchmark assessments to inform instruction, teachers can provide a more individualized approach to learning that supports each student's academic growth and personal development.

Academic benchmark assessments for literacy and math will occur three times this year for students in grades K-8. The Winter Benchmark Assessments start on January 8th and conclude on January 19th. There are three platforms the district utilizes to gather student learning information; aimswebPlus, mCLASS, and NWEA MAP. Benchmarking reports will be mailed home on Wednesday, January 31st.

Wednesday, January 10 at 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Greeley School

275 Fairview Avenue

Winnetka

This informational session is intended for Winnetka parents of preschool students who will be attending The Winnetka Public Schools. Parents will learn more about the support and services that the District provides to current preschool students attending local preschool programming as well as what is available within our schools once a student enters kindergarten. Families will receive a preview of:

• The transition-to-Kindergarten process by Crow Island, Greeley and Hubbard Woods Principals,

• The resources available to families of current preschool students from the Department of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion

• Details on “Kindergarten Connection” which will take place in Summer 2024

• Highlights of a typical kindergarten day in The Winnetka Public Schools

We look forward to meeting new families at this event!

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, January 25, 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 all necessary tools and platforms.

• Resources Provided: We will send home resources with your child on December 19 to guide families through this practice activity in order to make the process straightforward and to troubleshoot any common issues that may arise.

• Return of Devices: Please ensure that the devices are returned to school with your child on Friday, January 26.

• 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.

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.

• Student Experience: Remote learning will follow the typical school schedule, combining synchronous and asynchronous methods.

• Special Education Services: Students receiving services will have these services provided to the greatest extent possible, coordinated by the case manager or service provider.

Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we prepare for the possibility of inclement weather. Thank you for your continued support.

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.
  

Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2024/2025 is now open. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2024, 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.

Please note: There are two steps to completing new student registration. We ask that parent(s)/guardian(s) complete BOTH steps of pre-registration BEFORE January 12, 2024. As an added incentive new students that have completed the two step pre-registration process by January 12, 2024, will receive a credit of $40.00 toward student fees for the 2024/2025 school year.

Step 1: Complete the online pre-registration form; Step 2: Visit the District Office (1235 Oak Street) to provide the following:

1. Proof of residency. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements. For your convenience residency documents may be uploaded during online registration.

2. Original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID.

Completing both steps (online and in-person) is required for your child(ren) to be enrolled as new students. Click here to begin the online segment.

January 30, 2024

6:30-8:30 P.M.

Location: Skokie School

Join WPSF at their free annual event to learn about findings from the literacy pilot and to see a showcase of recently funded grants in D36. Teachers will be participating in a panel discussion on reading education. Don't miss this opportunity to learn firsthand from faculty and district leaders and to see #grantsinaction.