Carleton Washburne

Spring is here. At Washburne this means that we have our yearly visit of ducklings in the courtyard. We are excited about all the activities that lie ahead for our students in the upcoming weeks, and want to thank our families for their continued support and partnership.

Take Care and Be Well,

Andrew Fenton & Ben Horwitz

Carleton Washburne Principal & Assistant Principal

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 14-15, 2024. This shift from October provides an opportunity to redefine how fall conferences are utilized. Conferences should serve as an opportunity to provide information about how a student is learning and what is next to support continued growth. Please complete this brief survey by May 3.

The results will be used to structure the November 2024 conferences.

Welcome to Window to Washburne! Each week, we will be highlighting some of the learning taking place in our classrooms.

Starting last year, students across the district were introduced to RULER, a framework for social-emotional learning. While much of the social-emotional learning at Washburne takes place in our advisory program, there are natural opportunities to apply RULER tools in our core classes as well. In Ms. Etter’s English class, students have been using one of these tools, the Mood Meter, as they read science fiction stories. As they read these stories, students are identifying how the author feels about the future using the emotional vocabulary of the Mood Meter and using textual evidence to support their claims. Additionally, students have been learning about historical events that provide context for these science fiction stories.

The Winnetka Public Schools will be celebrating and participating in Earth Day activities the week of April 22-26. This year’s theme is around the three R’s of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Students will participate in activities and learning around this theme during the week and we encourage everyone to participate in the following ways:

• Tuesday - REDUCE - Aim for a waste-free lunch

• Wednesday - REUSE - What can you reuse or repurpose rather than throwing it away?

• Thursday - RECYCLE - Can what you throw away be recycled or composted instead?

Additional Resources:
30 Easy Ways To Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Students are not allowed to use their cell phones during school hours (8:30am-2:30pm on Mondays, 8:30am-3:30pm Tuesday-Friday). We understand that it is challenging for students to avoid checking their phones throughout the day--the technology is literally addicting. However, we want school to be a break from this technology--7 hours a day where they do not need to think about their phones. Please help us with this policy by talking to your child and avoiding texting your child during school hours. If there is ever a need to contact your child during school hours, please reach out to our main office.

8th grade families should have received an informational packet from the Washburne Graduation Committee. This packet contains important information on all things graduation, including tickets, graduation party, and other upcoming events for our 8th graders. Click Here to view the packet.

Graduation tickets are available. Click Here for more information on graduation tickets.

The student designed Washburne 2023-24 Yearbooks are still available for purchase.

Order your Washburne Yearbooks via the district web store by clicking this link.

Online ordering will be available until June 3rd. Check and cash only after June 3rd.

Yearbooks will be delivered to students the final week of school.

Please reach out to Margie Karabas: margiekarabas@winnetka36.org with any questions.

Washburne has again partnered with 1st Day School Supplies so that families have the option of ordering a school supply kit for the next school year. The supplies included the kit have been chosen by Washburne teachers and administration for each grade and should provide your student with everything they need for the upcoming year. The final deadline for ordering school supplies through 1st Day is July 1st. Supply kits will be sent to your home and teachers will let students when to bring supplies into school at the start of the new school year.

Please click here to order your school supplies through 1st Day.

Tuesday, April 23rd: D36 School Board Meeting - 7:15pm @ Washburne School

Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent of Schools, invites you to our third “Coffee with Kelly,” a community conversation hosted at our schools! Staff, families and community members are welcome to join Dr. Tess, Mr. Patrick Dawson (Director of Innovation, Teaching & Learning) and Mr. Matt Boyer (Technology Integration Specialist at Skokie) for a co-facilitated discussion on the growing world of Artificial Intelligence, what we are learning about it and how parents can stay informed. We hope to provide an opportunity to learn more about how it intersects with the world of education, as well as offer participants a first-hand, guided experience with AI and offer ways parents can talk about this with their children.

“Coffee with Kelly” in April

April 30, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.

The Skokie Community Room

Please RSVP by April 26

All staff, caregivers, and parents (including grandparents!) are welcome. You do not need to be a Skokie School family or staff member to attend. Coffee will be served!

The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics.

Click here for the Spring 2024 schedule.

Up next:

What Do These Reports Mean? (Greeley Staff Members and Principal Joshua Swanner)

May 15, 2024

9:30 A.M.

Location: Washburne Cafeteria

Families receive important information regarding their child’s growth and achievement at three distinct times in the school year. This includes progress reports, benchmarking reports, MAP assessment reports, and IEP trimester updates. This informational session is available to families of elementary students enrolled in the Winnetka Public Schools and will provide an overview of how to read and interpret the triannual data provided to families. Join staff members from Greeley School as they detail the purpose of these reports and how they are used to inform instruction.

Interested:

RSVP for this event here

Feedback Link

If you missed our spring sessions, watch the videos here:

From Washburne to New Trier: (with Paul Waechtler, Principal)

A D36 Parent's Guide to the New Trier Transition

Not Quite Little Kid, Not Quite Teenager: The Developmental Progression of the Middle School Child

Digital Citizenship in Winnetka (with SEL Coaches and Technology Integration Specialists)

This is a friendly reminder that all medical forms required by the State of Illinois are due before the first day of school. 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 use the links on the district’s health page to upload your child’s completed forms.

It’s time for Teacher Tributes!

For over 20 years the Alliance for Early Childhood has honored teachers of young children and the work they do supporting their healthy growth and development. To honor The Winnetka Public Schools teachers, support staff, and leaders, please follow this link.

Let's Play! At The Farm

Saturday, April 27, 10am-noon

Historic Wagner Farm

1510 Wagner Rd, Glenview

Pre-Registration link

Join The Alliance for Early Childhood in partnership with Historic Wagner Farm for a morning of exploration at the farm in spring. Families can explore the 1920’s historic Wagner farmhouse, barter in the Farm Stand, enjoy the Farm Adventure Area playground, and visit the Heritage Center, which includes a 1930s recreated grocery store.

Let's Play! Sandcastles and Seagulls

Saturday, May 11, 10am - noon

Gillson Park and Beach, Wilmette, IL

Pre-Registration link

Build sandcastles, explore the bird sanctuary, and play in nature with The Alliance for Early Childhood in partnership with Wilmette Park District and BackYard Nature Center. Bring your sandcastle building tools and sense of adventure and enjoy a morning of play and exploration at The Beach!

Families may now access the calendar for the upcoming school year, also available on our District website.