The Skokie Home Scoop
November 13, 2023
November 13, 2023
Dear Families:
Upcoming Events:
Monday, November 27th: 1st day, Skills Cycle 2
Friday, December 1st: End of Trimester One
Wednesday, December 6th: WPI: Literacy Pilot, 9:30 am at Skokie School
Friday, December 8th: 6th grade Weekend Warm-Up, 3:30-4:30 pm in the lunchroom
We are tremendously thankful for our students, educators and families in the Skokie community. We hope you have a wonderful week ahead, celebrating with family and friends.
Thank you to our PTO and parent volunteers for supporting the 5th grade Weekend Warm-Up on Friday. Students had a blast with the raffle, dance party, hot chocolate and churros! We are looking forward to our next Weekend Warm-Up for our 6th graders on Friday, December 8th.
As a reminder, we will conclude our first cycle of Skills as we go into Thanksgiving break and will begin cycle two on Monday, November 27th. You will receive a note from your child’s advisor to indicate the area of focus for the upcoming cycle.
Monthly Observances: Native American Heritage
November is Native American Heritage Month and the official designation of November as National Native American Heritage month was signed into law in 1990. This month, we celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
Exploring Skokie
Music: In the past few weeks 5th graders shared Halloween related stories that they wrote, recorded, and set to music as well as started a drumming unit. Sixth graders recently completed a Beatles cover performance project and started to work on their end of trimester choice projects. In the last weeks of the trimester both grades will review basic skills on the ukulele/guitar and perform holiday music.
Online Pre-Registration for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2024/2025 School Year opens November 13, 2023
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2024/2025 will open on November 13, 2023. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2024, are eligible to enroll. Questions related to School Admissions and age requirements are addressed in School Board Policy 7:50 School Admissions and student Transfers to and from Non-District Schools.
Please note: There are two steps to completing new student registration. Step 1: Complete the online pre-registration form; Step 2: Visit the District Office (1235 Oak Street) to provide the following:
Proof of residency. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements. For your convenience residency documents may be uploaded during online registration.
Original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID.
Completing both steps (online and in-person) is required for your child(ren) to be enrolled as new students.
Why are both steps necessary? In January of each year, the District begins preparing its budget and staffing plan for the upcoming school year. For grades, other than Kindergarten/1st grade, the staffing plan is based on the assumption that all current students will return and matriculate to the next grade level. For kindergarten and first grade students, the District forecasts enrollment based on those students that have both the in-person and online forms submitted. These early enrollments impact the staffing plan by determining the number of kindergarten/1st grade sections and student services needed. For this reason, we ask that parent(s)/guardian(s) complete BOTH steps of pre-registration BEFORE January 12, 2024. As an added incentive new students that have completed the two step pre-registration process by January 12, 2024, will receive a credit of $40.00 toward student fees for the 2024/2025 school year.
Thank you for doing your part to ensure that the District is able to retain and/or attract the best educators for our students.
------
Fall 2023 Biannual Report
Please take approximately 12 minutes to view or listen to the District’s Fall 2023 Biannual Report. The message provides an update progress made toward the goals outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan, Annual Goals for the 23/24 school year, District and School Improvement Plan for 23/24, and the implementation of our Portrait of an Educator. Additionally, here is an infographic highlighting areas of progress toward our Strategic Plan and Annual Goals.
From the Superintendent: SURVEY OPEN THROUGH NOVEMBER 18
Please take approximately five minutes to provide your feedback by Friday, November 18. Last year’s survey findings led to numerous improvements in the areas of curriculum & instruction, communications and human resources. It is my hope that our responsiveness will continue to be witnessed in our efforts to provide the very best educational experience for the students of The Winnetka Public Schools and excellence for the community-at-large.
Literacy Pilot Underway
Last year the District strategic plan goal to realign the K-1 literacy program was updated to entail a full curriculum review of literacy programming K-8. The goal of the curriculum review is to ensure there is a guaranteed and viable literacy curriculum based upon current research and the science of reading which builds from Kindergarten through Grade 8. Throughout the 2022/2023 school year the School Board received regular communication regarding the process for curriculum review, including the selection of materials. To review the background information about how the process resulted in the current pilot, please click here.
Winnetka Parents Institute
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. Please view the fall schedule here.
Literacy Pilot: How District 36 Educators are Testing Literacy Programs and Practices
December 6, 2023
9:30 A.M.
Location: Skokie Community Room
As a part of the current literacy curriculum review cycle, approximately 59 teachers across the district representing each grade level are piloting a variety of evidence-based literacy programs and practices. The pilot allows teachers to apply current understanding of literacy instruction through the test of items vetted by the Literacy Leadership Committee.
Interested:
Following the event a link will be provided to the recorded presentation on the website.
Recordings of previous sessions:
Reminder of Covid-19 Guidance for Students/Staff:
Per the Illinois Department of Public Health, it is recommended that a person isolates for at least 5 days from symptom onset if symptoms are present or 5 days from positive test date if no symptoms. Day 1 starts the day after symptom onset/positive test date. They can return on day 6 if fever, vomiting, and diarrhea cease for 24 hours and have improvement of symptoms. It is recommended to mask day 6-10.
2023/2024 Calendar
To view the calendar for the 2023/2024 school year, please click 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,
Michelle Cooney and Larry Joynt
Principal and Assistant Principal
The Skokie School