Hubbard Woods Family Newsletter
October 28, 2024
Dear Hubbard Woods Families,
This past week at Hubbard Woods was filled with memorable moments, starting with our cherished tradition of watching and celebrating our kindergarten students alongside the monarch butterflies. We recognize that this strong tradition dates back many decades.
In addition, we participated in Safety Week, which concluded with a warm welcome from members of our local fire department and police, who greeted students with high fives. This provided an opportunity for our students to begin building relationships with our community’s first responders.
This week, we anticipate a week of learning and enjoyment with the long-held tradition of the Ghost Walk. Please be sure to review the map and directions below.
We look forward to another great week!
All the best,
Ivory Ajavon
Principal
Leader Round Table Follow-Up (Updated Links - Feedback Requested by Friday, November 1)
Thank you to those families who were able to join our leader round tables or tried to access these links last week. 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.
Hubbard Woods Slides and Google Form
Ghost Walk Information
We will be holding our annual Ghost Walk Thursday, October 31st. Kindergarten students walk will occur at 9am. 1st-4th grade will occur at 1:15pm. Attached is the route that we will be taking. We kindly ask that 1st-3rd grade parents line up on the perimeter of the building and that we give our 4th grade parents the opportunity to be on the blacktop first so that they can see their child perform. If you are planning to attend your child's classroom party, please follow the instructions of the classroom teacher as to how that information should be shared.
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.
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:
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.
Season 3 of “Winnetka Voices” Launched!
October is National Principals Month and the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) observes Principal Appreciation Week October 20-26, 2024. 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:
Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting for New Playground
Please join us to see our new playground and multipurpose room on Friday, November 8, 2024 from 3:45-5:00pm.
AI Literacy Lessons for Grades 5-8
November 13, 2024
9:30 A.M.
Location: Carleton Washburne School Cafeteria
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
What to Know About the Otus Parent Portal
Save the Dates
Tuesday, October 29th - School Board Meeting at 7:15pm at Washburne
Wednesday, October 30th - Signup for Fall Parent Teacher Conferences shared by classroom teachers
Thursday, October 31st- Ghost Walk for Kinder at 9am; 1st-4th at 1:15pm
Friday, November 1st - Teacher Institute Day (No School for Students)
Tuesday, November 5th - Election Day (No School)
Friday, November 8th - Spirit Day (Wear Hubbard Woods Apparel)
Thursday, November 14th - Fall Teacher/ Parent Conference Day 1 (8:30am-5:30pm)
Friday, November 15th - Fall Teacher/ Parent Conference Day 2 (8:30am-12:30pm)