Hubbard Woods Family Newsletter
August 20th, 2024
Dear Hubbard Woods Families,
I hope you are continuing to enjoy a wonderful summer with your loved ones. As we approach the beginning of a new school year, I wanted to take a moment to share my excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead at Hubbard Woods.
We have been working diligently to prepare for the arrival of our students, and I am thrilled to welcome back our returning families as well as welcome those who are joining us for the first time. Our school is the heart of the neighborhood, and together, we will continue to create a supportive and enriching environment for all our children to flourish academically as well as socially and emotionally. I look forward to partnering with you through the course of this year.
Progressive Education and New Curriculum Adoption:
I want to assure you that Hubbard Woods is committed to maintaining strong Progressive Education practices and values. We are working to ensure that we are exemplifying the tenants of the district: Whole Child Approach, Experiential and Meaningful Learning Experiences, and Collaborative Community. This year, we will focus on ensuring that these tenets are present in our new literacy curriculums for grades K-4 that the district has adopted. We are committed to meeting the needs of every child through supporting and challenging every child with an engaging curriculum.
Below, you will find some useful information as we prepare to start the school year.
All the best,
Ivory Ajavon
Principal
Start/ End & Lunch Times:
Kindergarten: Monday - Friday: 8:37am - 2:10pm
1st - 4th Grades:
Monday: 8:37am - 2:45pm
Tuesday - Friday: 8:37am - 3:15pm
Lunch for K-4: 11:30am - 12:20pm
Arrival and Departure
For students arriving between 8:20-8:30, supervision will be provided on the playground. Students are welcome to play until 8:27, at which point staff members will guide them as to where to line up. Students arriving at 8:30 will enter the front door on Chatfield.
Parents of students in grades 1st-4th dropping off or picking up their children by car are requested to utilize the designated drop-off areas by last names:
A-L at the front of the school on Chatfield. A-L should enter via Chatfield at Green Bay Road. Turns from Vine or Burr are not permitted.
M-Z on the south side of the school on Laurel. M-Z should enter via Laurel and may not utilize Burr.
Please ensure that driveways are not blocked at any time. Additionally, avoid using "No Outlet" streets such as Hamptondale or Chatfield (west of the school) for pick-up, as turning around in our neighbors' driveways is inconsiderate and disruptive to the Hubbard Woods community. Please refer to the map provided below for guidance. Students arriving on the south side will need to walk around to the front of the school to access the blacktop/ (playground in October) before 8:30 AM. After 8:30 AM, they will be allowed entry through the ramped door on Burr.
For families wishing to drive and physically escort children to school, we recommend street parking in the neighboring areas. If you are in the carpool line, please remain in your vehicle out of respect for others behind you.
Bus service will begin on the first day of school.
Kindergarten Pick-up/Drop-off (We will send additional information.) Kindergarten students will use the Kindergarten Circle. Please enter on Gordon Terrace. The queue should form on the west side of Gordon Terrace once the circle is full. Teachers/associates will greet your children when they are dropped off. You may drop off your kindergartener where and when you drop off older siblings. They will be supervised on the playground by classroom associates
Construction Updates
The multipurpose room has been created and the final touches are being completed.
Security enhancements to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Air conditioning is in all spaces within our building.
The expansion of the playground is in progress. Here is some communication from our superintendent, Dr. Tess from July 19th:
“While asphalt and concrete installation is taking place during this summer phase of work, the District has been made aware that the synthetic surfaces and equipment installation for the playground will need to continue through September, making it possible for students and staff to safely use the space in its entirety in early October. In the interim, students will continue to utilize Mann Park and have access to a portion of the asphalt on the west side of the building during recess. Students will have access to portable play equipment to ensure that recess is still a fun opportunity to remain active outside during the school day in these first few weeks of the school year. We appreciate your patience as we manage this unexpected delay.”
Homeroom Teacher Notification:
Homeroom teacher notification will go live to all families on Friday, August 23rd at 10am via the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Our staff carefully considered the classrooms that were formed and parent feedback and input was thoroughly reviewed by our team. Please note that specific teacher requests will not be honored. Thank you for trusting our professional judgment as we create meaningful learning experiences for every student.
You can access the PowerSchool Parent Portal using this link.
If you are a new district family, you will receive a specific email from our district office with directions to access the parent portal.
If you have any trouble accessing your account, please reach out to parentportal@winnetka36.org.
Meet and Greets
Teacher Meet and Greets will take place on Thursday, August 29th from:
10:45-11:30 for Kindergarten.
1:00-1:45 for 1st-4th Grade
This is an opportunity to visit your child's classroom, meet the teacher, and see classmates before the start of school. Please come in the main entrance and we will point you in the right direction! Please just visit your current teacher so that you and your child can start developing relationships with your child’s new teacher and their new classmates. Visits should last approximately 15 minutes
Hot Lunch Program
Hubbard Woods has a hot lunch program run through a third party collaboration with our PTO called Marla's Lunch. You can register and sign-up here: Marla's Hot Lunch. Hot lunch will start September 4.
School Supplies
This year the PTO ordered bulk school supplies. On Sunday, August 25, you will receive the ‘kick-off’ edition of The Item e-newsletter from the PTO. In that communication, you will be directed on how to make back-to-school payments for school supplies, teacher gifts, etc.
Save the Dates
Wednesday, August 21st - Kinder Connect at Winnetka Presbyterian Church
Thursday, August 22nd - Kinder Connect at Winnetka Presbyterian Church
Friday, August 23rd- Class Placement Notifications Go Live
Sunday, August 25th - New Families Popsicle Date (PTO Sponsored at 3:30 pm)
Thursday, August 29th Kindergarten Meet and Greet (10:45-11:30 am)
Thursday, August 29th - 1st - 4th Grade Meet and Greet (1:00-1:45 pm)
Tuesday, September 3rd 8:37-11:20 am- 1st Day of School
Wednesday, September 4th - 1st Full Day of School
Parent Welcome Coffee (PTO Sponsored 8:30-9:30 am)
Thursday, September 26th - Back to School Night (6:00-7:30 pm)