Skokie Home Scoop

Dear Families:

We hope you are having a great start to your week. We are looking forward to our 6th grade Skokie Social on Friday afternoon and Halloween next week!

Orchestra: The Skokie 6th Grade Concert Orchestra and Skokie 5th Grade Strings are off to a great start this year! Rehearsals and lessons are in full swing for both groups and we are enjoying playing together!!

The focus of both groups is, of course, to learn orchestral repertoire and the basic skills of playing together in an ensemble. For many 5th graders, this is their first orchestral experience. So, learning to hear other parts being played at the same time is a new listening and playing experience for them!! Some of the pieces they are beginning to explore include: Frog in a Tree, Fiddles at Shady Gulch and Desert Sands!

6th grade orchestra has enjoyed a fast start to the year! They are playing fun songs including Oompa Loompa, Kraken and Falconer!

Both groups will be learning Canon by Pachelbel for the Winter Concert Finale!

October Dimension of Belonging: Invited

Definition: The way people are invited signals their value and fosters a sense of belonging.

Essential Question: How are we pursuing all staff and students’ presence and actively extending new invitations?

Adoption Support Group

Skokie will be offering an adoption support group for students. The group will be led by the school social workers, Lori Barsztaitis and Kelly Anderson. The group will be starting in November 2024 and sessions will be held every other week. We will run the group for ten sessions with the possibility for more sessions. Students who have experienced adoption personally, or who may have a sibling who has been adopted, are welcome to participate in this group. Please reach out to kellyanderson@winnetka36.org if you would like more information.

Clubs

There are two sessions of Climbing Club with open slots still available. The dates are listed below and the registration link is here.

Climbing Club: Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18

Climbing Club: Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20

Leader Round Table Follow-Up

Thank you to those families who were able to join our leader round tables, hosted at all five buildings. We’ve included a link to the slides as well as a link to a feedback form including questions that were asked at the event. Feedback will be synthesized and shared out in an upcoming principal newsletter. We will then follow-up leading up to Fall Conferences in a subsequent newsletter with ways we are being responsive to the feedback.

Crow Island Slides and Google Form

Greeley Slides and Google Form

Hubbard Woods Slides and Google Form

Skokie Slides and Google Form

Washburne Slides and Google Form

Message from the School Nurses

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.

Remote Learning Practice Day

Practice Remote Learning Activity on November 7, 2024:

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.

Deciding When to Close School:
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.

Communication with Families:
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.

Handling School Closure Days:

• First Inclement Weather Day: The first closure day will be treated as a traditional “snow day,” and will require adding an extra day to the school year in June.

• 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.

Remote Learning Details:

• 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.

Sincerely,

Michelle Cooney and Larry Joynt

Principal and Assistant Principal

The Skokie School