The Skokie Home Scoop

October 24, 2022

Dear Skokie Families:

We hope that you enjoyed the beautiful weekend and are enjoying the beautiful start to the week. We know that the weather is changing and our days are starting (and sometimes staying) quite cold, we’re encouraging all students to dress for the weather, as we’re still going outside for breaks and recesses. We’re also encouraging students who typically arrive early to arrive closer to 8:15 so they’re not waiting outside before we open the doors. We certainly understand that students who get dropped off by car may not have flexibility in timing, but for those who can arrive later and dress warmer, we ask that they do so.

Important Dates:

Thursday, October 27: Vision and Hearing Rescreening
Monday, October 31: Classroom Halloween Celebrations, 1:30-2:30 pm
Tuesday, November 1: No School for Students - Institute Day
Thursday, November 3: Picture Retake Day
Tuesday, November 8: No School - Election Day

Exploring Skokie

Art: Visual Arts students started the year learning about various ways to create depth and dimension in their work. Please enjoy a few examples below including our Halloween pumpkin transformations!

Literacy Integrated with Technology (LIT): We started the year with orientation and a setup process on the variety of platforms students access throughout the school year. Library science skills were introduced, and Digital Citizenship topics were applied to those skill practice.

This past week students were launched into our next unit of study, Mars. Students began the research process to learn how to provide essentials such as food, water, and oxygen while on Mars. During this unit, students will experience VR environments as well as rover programming and problem-solving. Activities throughout this class will help students with research strategies, and technical, and problem-solving skills.

Halloween Details

We are looking forward to celebrating with our students and having parties from 1:30-2:30pm on Monday, October 31st. Thank you to the PTO and our room parents for coordinating and planning the parties. Just an additional reminder that we are not able to have food at the parties per the district policy due to potential allergens. Thank you for your cooperation with that policy. Our guidance on costumes is below. We’re excited to see the creative costume ideas our students come up with!

Costume Guidance

Students can bring costumes to school, not wear them to school.
Students can put on their costumes over their school clothes in the classroom at 1:30pm. They can use the bathroom if they need to, but students should not be changing out of their school clothes to put on their costume.
Costumes should not include masks that cover a student’s entire face.
Costumes can not include anything resembling a weapon.

2022 Downsized Capital Improvement Plan: Referendum

As a member of The Winnetka Public School community, we want to ensure you remain informed about the improvements to all five schools as part of the 2022 Downsized Capital Improvement Plan: Referendum, which was adopted as a resolution by the School Board on August 16th and will be on the ballot November 8th. You are invited to attend any of our remaining informational sessions, in person or via Zoom. Please see the image below for details, or visit our website at www.winnetka36.org. If you are unable to participate in an informational session, you may also view the screencast of the presentation here. A final mailing with additional information will be sent to the entire community later this month as well.

Fall Winnetka Parents Institute Schedule

The District is offering an array of upcoming educational sessions for families and community members. Click here for a complete list of session dates and more information. Fall sessions include SEL-related topics and technology tips for parents regarding maneuvering the ever-changing landscape of technology, social media, and phones. Up next:

Emotions Matter and an Introduction to RULER

Sachiko Kawata-Burke and Allison Szczecinski(District 36 SEL Coaches)

This overview presentation for parents will provide a more in-depth understanding of the emotions matter mindset and the RULER skills and tools. We will also share how RULER will be integrated into the classroom and applies to life at home. This presentation is geared for parents and caregivers of Winnetka 36 students. You can learn more about the RULER framework here.

October 26, 2022

9:00-10:00 A.M.

The Community Room; Skokie School

Interested:

RSVP for this event here

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

Technology Survival Skills for Parents

Patrick Dawson, Instructional Technology Coordinator

Maneuvering the ever-changing landscape of technology, social media, and phones for students is a daunting task for any parents. This session will increase parent awareness and provide basic skills of how to maneuver through platforms, identify warning signs to look for, and hopefully reduce the stress of parenting students online in addition to in-person.

November 14, 2022

1:00 PM-2:00 PM

Resource Center at Washburne School

Interested:

RSVP here.

Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):

For upcoming events, access FAN’s website 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

Sincerely,