Carleton Washburne

We wanted to kick off the newsletter this week with a big thank you to our hardworking staff as we begin teacher appreciation week. They take great pride in providing a safe, engaging environment for our students, and work tirelessly to make that happen. Ben and I continue to be amazed each week as we walk through our halls and in our classrooms and see all the amazing learning and collaboration that is happening each day at Washburne. A huge thank you in advance to our Washburne PTO that has organized a number of special ways to say thank you to our staff.

Take Care and Be Well,

Andrew Fenton & Ben Horwitz

Washburne Principal & Assistant Principal

At the April 25th Board of Education meeting we shared an update on the schedule task force progress and key features of a new schedule. This presentation provided the Board with an overview of how the current schedule will be improved to better serve the students. A new schedule will be piloted in May and launched in September 2023. If you were not able to view the meeting, we have included a recording of the presentation and the slide deck.

Video Presentation

Slide Deck

Now is the time for 7th grade students and families to choose electives for next year. All requests should be entered by Monday, May 8th. Please click here for instructions to enter your elective requests.

Welcome to Window to Washburne! Each week, we will be highlighting some of the learning taking place in our classrooms.

8th grade science classes are currently studying physics, learning about gravity, acceleration, and friction. In Mr. Cooper’s class last week, students were completing a lab measuring the speed of a wooden car at different intervals on an inclined ramp. Students were able to see how the car accelerates as it makes its way down the ramp, increasing its speed along the way. There are many different calculations involved as well as graphing their results, so students are definitely exercising their math skills too.

Kudos to Mr. Cooper and our science teachers for helping our students increasing their understanding of physics.

In this section we will be shining the spotlight on our Related Studies program and all the wonderful opportunities available to our Washburne students.

Lots of happy spring activities are happening in the art room! Studio Art 7 created collages using negative and positive shapes - we looked at the work of Matisse for inspiration. They are now in the process of learning Navajo weaving techniques that they will apply to make their own weaving compositions.

Studio Art 8 has finished up their Warhol Soup Cans - they picked some fantastic pop culture and art themes for their flavors. Sculpture class just finished glazing their first 3 projects: a plate, a bowl, and an abstracted animal that they created using sgraffito- a process of removing glaze to let clay show through.

Calling all volunteers! The 76th annual Winnetka Children's Fair is taking place on Fri, June 9 and Sat June 10 at the Winnetka Village Green and volunteer shifts are now open! Anyone age 13+ (or accompanied by an adult) is invited to volunteer for a 2.5 or 4-hour shift. Volunteer letters to validate service hours are available, plus group volunteering is open for friends and families looking to volunteer together. Click here to sign up today or see the attached flyer for more information. Questions? Email Fair Volunteer Chair Kristina Baker at kristina.davis2@gmail.com for sign up support.

The Fair would not be possible without the support of our volunteers --- we hope to see you at the Village Green!

Parents can see the monthly menus in our cafeteria by clicking HERE. Please feel free to use this menu to plan out your child’s meals.

We are approaching our final testing window for the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test, which will take place between May 8 - 19, 2023. Your child’s school or teacher will inform you of his or her specific testing dates.

Similar to the winter, all students in Grades 3 - 8 will take one reading test and one math test. The MAP Assessment is designed to measure a student’s achievement level at different times of the school year and compute growth over time. MAP is a computer-adaptive test, which means every student receives a unique set of test questions based on responses to previous questions. This provides a personalized assessment experience by adapting to each student’s learning level.

The purpose of the third testing session is to provide an overview of a student’s growth and achievement for the school year. Spring Student Progress Reports will be mailed home on Friday, June 2nd with fall to spring growth measures. Additional information on the MAP Assessment may be found on our district website in the Assessment Section of ITL. If you need further information on your child’s testing session please contact your building principal

Adventures in Learning 2023 runs from June 14th-July 19th, 2023.

No camp on June 19th or July 4th.

A decades-long tradition, this summer program includes classes as varied as Athlete's Club, Razzle Dazzle Science Magic, Recyclable Art,Basket Weaving, Camping Adventures, Make Your Own Music Video, Adventures in STEAM, Archery, Computer Animation, Greek Mythology Drama, Coding, Yoga for Kids, AIL Action News (New for 2023), Animal Care,and Spa-Liscious to name a few!

Students in grades 2-8 may choose up to four classes from over 60 options. Younger children (pre-Kindergarten through grade 1) will explore our progressive educational concepts through guided play and outdoor activities.

This year's program will again be held at Washburne for the 2nd-8th graders and Crow Island for the Pre-K (4 years old by June 1st, 2023)and K Primary program (5 years old by September 1st, 2023).

2023 Fees

General (base cost*) and Primary Program

$675 Winnetka residents

$725 Non-residents

*Some General Program classes have an additional supply fee (will be noted in the catalog).

Registration is now open for Winnetka residents.

www.winnetka36.org/adventures

The Winnetka Police Department is increasing efforts to encourage bike riders to walk their bikes while riding in the business districts. As such, residents can expect a focus on educational and enforcement shifts by Community Service Officers and Police Officers in the business districts for random periods throughout the day, on a daily basis, as the weather gets warmer and bike/pedestrian traffic increases. This initiative is underway and will continue through the summer months. Signs have already been placed throughout business districts, indicating the need to walk bicycles. In partnership with local businesses, we will continue the opportunities for Community Service Officers and Police Officers to recognize children who are complying with the ordinance and are observed walking their bikes and following the rules with a small reward. This same message is being shared in schools and principal newsletters this spring, as it will take everyone’s cooperation to make this a safer summer.

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

Tuesday & Wednesday, May 9th and 10th: Spring MAP Testing

Tuesday, May 23rd: Board of Education Meeting 7:15pm @ Washburne School

Tuesday, June 6th: 8th Grade Graduation 7:00pm @ Gaffney Auditorium

Learn about the results of the Winnetka Parent Communication Survey and how the District plans to be responsive to the feedback.

Hubbard Woods: May 3, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Greeley: May 8, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Crow Island: May 17, 9:15-10:15 a.m.

Skokie/Washburne (Hosted at Washburne): May 17, 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.

Episode #6: Cultivating a Culture of Belonging

Dr. Kelly Tess speaks to Denise Matthews, Director of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion and Erick Taft, District alum, parent, and a leader of a community organization “Winnetka for Belonging.” The episode centers on how fostering an environment where high-quality teaching and learning is accessible to all starts with supporting the fundamental need for belonging. A few Washburne students also share their thoughts on belonging. As Ms. Matthews shares, “We can all play a part in making sure that our peers and our colleagues feel like they belong.”

Listen here:

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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.