January 24, 2025
Dear Winnetka Families, Staff & Community Members,
Happy New Year! Even on these bitter cold January days, our classrooms remain warm, engaging places for our students to flourish. Thank you to our educators for fostering learning experiences that lead to comments like this:
"I'm done! This is the best art I have ever made. I am so happy. Ugh. I don't want to be done because I am having so much fun. Hmmm. I guess I'll do a happy dance instead." (Crow Island first grader);
“It is OKAY to make mistakes!” (Greeley first grader);
“We’re learning about wild and endangered animals…and my teacher tells me about snakes!” (Hubbard Woods first grader).
As we look ahead, 2025 is a momentous year in The Winnetka Public Schools. We will conclude referendum-funded construction that has occurred at all five campuses, a significant investment by the Winnetka community. This spring, we will launch a new Strategic Plan to help guide and prioritize our work on behalf of students for the next five years. Please take a few minutes to view this brief video to learn more about what to expect this year:
Season 3, Episode #6: Open-Mindedness, Consistency & Embracing Change: Best Practices in Safety, Security & Communications
Dr. Kelly Tess chats with Department of Communications, Safety & Security leaders, Mr. Ray Finnerty (Director of Safety & Security in his first year in the District) and Ms. Kate Hughes (Director of Communications in her tenth year in the District). A retired police officer and former publicist seem to be an unlikely team–and what purpose does this Department serve? Mr. Finnerty shares how he has enhanced safety and security practices with the support of the Winnetka Police and Fire Departments. Ms. Hughes shares how the District’s communication strategies have evolved to align with current best practices, serving as a model for other Districts, as well as garnering six awards from the National School Public Relations Association between 2023-2024 and a record 65 awards from the Illinois School Public Relations Association since 2015.
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:
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. View the entire 2024/2025 schedule here.
Up Next:
From Washburne to New Trier: A D36 Parent's Guide to the New Trier Transition
February 12, 2025
9:30 A.M.
Location: Carleton Washburne School RC
Join Paul Waechtler, Principal at the New Trier High School Freshman Campus, who will discuss the New Trier freshman placement process and the efforts made to ensure a smooth transition to high school. A Q & A will provide an opportunity for parents to learn more about how to best support their child(ren) as they prepare for their New Trier experience.
View videos from past sessions:
- Insights on K-8 Literacy Programming in The Winnetka Public Schools
- What to Know About the Otus Parent Portal
- AI Literacy Lessons for Grades 5-8
- Understanding the IEP and 504 Processes: From Referral to Eligibility and Services (with Ms. Denise Matthews, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion, and Ms. Jackie Schwartz, Director of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion)
- Acceleration Applications Overview with Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning Dr. Becky Mathison
- Preschool/Kindergarten Family Information Night (with Winnetka Administration and Sue Stolzer, Early Childhood Assessment Team Lead from TrueNorth)
