Hubbard Woods Family Newsletter

We will be holding our annual Ghost Walk Thursday, October 31st. Kindergarten students walk will occur at 9am. 1st-4th grade will occur at 1:15pm. Attached is the route that we will be taking. We kindly ask that 1st-3rd grade parents line up on the perimeter of the building and that we give our 4th grade parents the opportunity to be on the blacktop first so that they can see their child perform. If you are planning to attend your child's classroom party, please follow the instructions of the classroom teacher as to how that information should be shared.

During this time of year, we are seeing an increase in illnesses including strep, colds, flu, and other viral infections. Additionally, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), pneumonia, and strep are prevalent in the community right now.

Here are some steps we can take together to help keep our school community healthy:

1. Stay Home When Sick: If your child is experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, or difficulty breathing, please keep them home and consult a healthcare provider. This helps prevent the spread of illness to other students and staff. You can reference our district Health Guidelines here.

2. Encourage Good Hygiene: Remind your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, especially before meals and after using the restroom. Using hand sanitizer can also be effective when soap and water are not available.

3. Promote Cough Etiquette: Teach your children to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly and wash hands afterward.

Your support in reinforcing these practices at home is invaluable. Together, we can help ensure a healthier school environment for everyone.

To ensure our students are prepared for any potential shift to remote learning due to multiple days of inclement weather, we have planned a proactive practice activity. This practice session is an important step in ensuring that our students remain connected and ready for learning should inclement weather occur.

• Date for Device Take-Home: On Thursday, November 7, all students will bring their school-issued iPads home.

• Objective: The goal is for each student to connect their device to their home Wi-Fi network and ensure they have access to the necessary tools and platforms.

• Return of Devices: Please ensure that the devices are returned to school with your child on Friday, November 8.

• Communication: Additional communication and reminders, as well as a form to record any issues your student experiences, will be sent closer to this practice event.

As we approach the winter months, it is important to review our district's inclement weather policy. Our top priority is always the safety of our students and staff. We take a comprehensive and thoughtful approach when faced with weather-related decisions such as heavy snow or extreme cold, and work closely with our township and Village partners to plan accordingly.

When determining whether to close schools due to inclement weather, we consider several factors:

• Safety First: The well-being of our students and staff is paramount.

• Travel Conditions: We evaluate the state of area roads and the potential for hazardous conditions that could develop during the day.

• Extreme Cold: During periods of severe cold, we consult weather reports and liaise with our transportation providers about the feasibility of running bus routes.\

Collaborative Decision Making: We coordinate with New Trier Township superintendents for a unified approach to school closures.

In the event of a closure, we will communicate with you through our Blackboard system. This includes:

• Phone Call, Email, and Text: Please ensure you've opted-in for text notifications.

• Website Updates: Visit our website at www.winnetka36.org for up-to-date information regarding school closures.

• Regional Closures: Check the Emergency Closing Center for a comprehensive list of school closures in our region.

Communication Timing: Our goal is to finalize and communicate any closure decision prior to 6 a.m. on that day.

Subsequent Days: For any additional inclement weather days, we will shift to remote learning in order to ensure that we do not need to extend the school year further into June.

The week of October 21st to October 25th, Hubbard Woods will be practicing Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter protocols. Winnetka Public Schools will be utilizing the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) based on the “I Love U Guys” Standard Response Protocol.

For the lockdown drill, staff are encouraged to discuss with students that this is a practice drill in the event that someone doesn’t follow our procedures when entering the building at the front doors. Sometimes, people may walk in without checking in, and we want to ensure that we communicate with that individual. Until we do so, the school will lock the classroom doors and ask the students to remain quiet, so that we can locate the person.

• Monday, October 21st Lockdown Drill (Police Present)
• Tuesday, October 22nd Fire Evacuation Drill (Fire Department Present)
• Wednesday, October 23rd Shelter in Place

More information to come from our Director of Safety and Security, Ray Finnerty.

• Teacher Communication: Email as well as postings in our Learning Management Systems (Grades 5-8 - Schoology, Grades K-4 - Seesaw) will be utilized. Parents can expect communication from their homeroom or advisory teacher by 8:00 a.m.

• Student Experience: Remote learning will follow the typical school schedule, combining synchronous and asynchronous methods. For our K-4 students, related arts teachers will now join their homeroom teacher’s Zoom so that our younger students do not need to manage leaving and joining different Zoom sessions.

• Special Education Services: Students receiving services will have these services provided to the greatest extent possible, coordinated by the case manager or service provider.

• Remote Learning Schedule: The schedules that will be used for remote learning can be viewed here.

Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we prepare for the possibility of inclement weather. Thank you for your continued support.

Please join us to see our new playground and multipurpose room on Friday, November 8, 2024 from 3:45-5:00pm.

• October 21st - 25th - Safety Week at Hubbard Woods

• Tuesday, October 29th - School Board Meeting at 7:15pm at Washburne

• Thursday, October 31st- Ghost Walk for Kinder at 9am; 1st-4th at 1:15pm

• Friday, November 1st - Institute Day (No School for Students)

• Tuesday, November 5th - Election Day (No School)

• Friday, November 8th - Spirit Day (Wear Hubbard Woods Apparel)