Hubbard Woods Update

Hubbard Woods Families,

I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend. It looks like we have a mild weather week ahead!

As we move into Thanksgiving break, we will spend extra time thinking about kindness and gratitude. We have our school-only assembly in the auditorium on Friday where we will sing and celebrate each other. I am so grateful to be able to work with amazing families and staff!

This month we are paying tribute to the rich ancestry of Native Americans. According to our Village website, Winnetka was named after a Native American phrase that means, "beautiful land." New Trier High Schools' website reports that the land it sits on was previously occupied by Peoria, Potawatomi, Chippewa, and Miami tribes.

Here are resources to support learning about the diverse experiences of Native Americans:

*PBS link to documentaries

*Winnetka Historical Society articles

*The Wilmette Historical Museum’s current exhibit Native Americans on the North Shore explores the history of Native American communities in our area.

*Field Museum: Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories exhibit

I have recently found myself in conversations with parents about social media usage. The Family Action Network, FAN, had two Zoom events last week in this area. The recordings can be found here.

In partnership,

Beth Carmody

Online Pre-Registration for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2024/2025 School Year opens November 13, 2023

Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2024/2025 will open on November 13, 2023. 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. 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.

Why are both steps necessary? In January of each year, the District begins preparing its budget and staffing plan for the upcoming school year. For grades, other than Kindergarten/1st grade, the staffing plan is based on the assumption that all current students will return and matriculate to the next grade level. For kindergarten and first grade students, the District forecasts enrollment based on those students that have both the in-person and online forms submitted. These early enrollments impact the staffing plan by determining the number of kindergarten/1st grade sections and student services needed. For this reason, 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.

Thank you for doing your part to ensure that the District is able to retain and/or attract the best educators for our students.

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Fall 2023 Biannual Report

Please take approximately 12 minutes to view or listen to the District’s Fall 2023 Biannual Report. The message provides an update progress made toward the goals outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan, Annual Goals for the 23/24 school year, District and School Improvement Plan for 23/24, and the implementation of our Portrait of an Educator. Additionally, here is an infographic highlighting areas of progress toward our Strategic Plan and Annual Goals.

From the Superintendent: SURVEY OPEN THROUGH NOVEMBER 18

Please take approximately five minutes to provide your feedback by Friday, November 18. Last year’s survey findings led to numerous improvements in the areas of curriculum & instruction, communications and human resources. It is my hope that our responsiveness will continue to be witnessed in our efforts to provide the very best educational experience for the students of The Winnetka Public Schools and excellence for the community-at-large.

Literacy Pilot Underway

Last year the District strategic plan goal to realign the K-1 literacy program was updated to entail a full curriculum review of literacy programming K-8. The goal of the curriculum review is to ensure there is a guaranteed and viable literacy curriculum based upon current research and the science of reading which builds from Kindergarten through Grade 8. Throughout the 2022/2023 school year the School Board received regular communication regarding the process for curriculum review, including the selection of materials. To review the background information about how the process resulted in the current pilot, please click here.

Winnetka Parents Institute

The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. Please view the fall schedule here.

Literacy Pilot: How District 36 Educators are Testing Literacy Programs and Practices

December 6, 2023

9:30 A.M.

Location: Skokie Community Room

As a part of the current literacy curriculum review cycle, approximately 59 teachers across the district representing each grade level are piloting a variety of evidence-based literacy programs and practices. The pilot allows teachers to apply current understanding of literacy instruction through the test of items vetted by the Literacy Leadership Committee.

Interested:

RSVP for this event here

Following the event a link will be provided to the recorded presentation on the website.

Feedback Link

F

Recordings of previous sessions:

• The Winnetka Experience: Portrait of a Graduate, Portrait of an Educator, and Progressive Education

• District 36: Benchmark Assessments

• The Middle School Experience

Reminder of Covid-19 Guidance for Students/Staff:

Per the Illinois Department of Public Health, it is recommended that a person isolates for at least 5 days from symptom onset if symptoms are present or 5 days from positive test date if no symptoms. Day 1 starts the day after symptom onset/positive test date. They can return on day 6 if fever, vomiting, and diarrhea cease for 24 hours and have improvement of symptoms. It is recommended to mask day 6-10.

2023/2024 Calendar

To view the calendar for the 2023/2024 school year, please click here.

Follow us on Social Media!

Please follow the District via the following social media platforms in order to see day-to-day happenings and more.

Facebook and Twitter: @Winnetka36

Instagram: @WinnetkaPublicSchools

Wednesday, November 15-Thursday, November 16 Book Fair

Monday-Friday November 20-24- Thanksgiving Holiday (No school)

Wednesday, December 20- Winter Sing- Times TBD

8:30am | Doors open

8:37am | School promptly begins

11:30am-12:20pm | Lunch

2:10pm | Kindergarten dismissal

2:45pm | Early Release (MONDAYS ONLY)- Kindergarten Stay and Play/Bridge Care and all 1st-4th students

3:15pm | Tuesdays through Fridays Grades 1-4 & Stay and Play/Bridge Care Dismissal

Email: jenniferhartlett@winnetka36.org
Website: https://www.winnetka36.org/hubbardwoods
Location: 1110 Chatfield Road, Winnetka, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 446-0920