Hubbard Woods Update
October 23, 2023
Principal Update
Hubbard Woods Families,
I am so grateful for the wonderful notes and treats given to me for Principal Appreciation Week. I am truly touched by the kind sentiments shared and feel so very fortunate to work in the Hubbard Woods community! Thank you!
It is getting chilly. Please help us help your child keep track of their mittens, hats, boots, coats, etc by labeling them with your child's name.
Below you will find a survey from Dr. Tess asking for feedback on our schools. Please take a few minutes to complete.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Beth Carmody
SEL Corner
BOO! Did I scare you? Or does the idea of celebrating Halloween with elementary age children scare you in general? There are a lot of expectations and emotions that are all wrapped up in this month and culminate in one day. These expectations come from our culture, our children, and even our own experience of the holiday. How many of us have experienced tears or tantrums (from adults and children) on Halloween or afterwards because of some unmet expectation? Setting realistic goals for Halloween and creating a family rhythm and ritual can help everyone maintain their equilibrium as we build towards October 31. This article can give you some ideas for how to add these traditions to your family holiday. We hope your holiday is safe and fun!
Susan Johnson, Katie Kalogriopoulos, and Sandie Johnson
School Social Workers at Winnetka 36 K-4 Schools
Halloween Parade
Our Halloween parades will take place on 10/31.
9:00- Kindergarteners will come to school in their costumes and parade around the playground.
1:30- 1st and 2nd Graders
2:00- 3rd and 4th Graders
1st-4th Graders will put on their costumes at school. Please do not send any special accessories as these can get accidentally left at school. No weapons of any kind are permitted at school even if they are a part of the costume. Scary masks and any painted-on fake blood are also not allowed. We want everyone to feel safe and enjoy the day.
Spanish Parent Letter
Dear Hubbard Woods Families,
Our school year is off to a great start!!! We wanted to send some information and share exciting happenings in the Spanish classroom.
During the students’ school week, 1st-4th grade students visit the Spanish room three times per week for 30 minutes each time. During this class period, we sing songs, play games, read stories, and act in plays to begin building a Spanish base. We expose our youngest language learners in the most natural way possible, in accordance with our district’s Comprehensible Input (CI) method of World Language learning. For more on the Comprehensible Input methodology, please visit the District’s World Languages webpage.
During the first weeks of school, we learned about Hispanic Heritage Month through introductions to Spanish-speaking countries, as well as reading books by Hispanic authors and “meeting” famous Disney kids who have Hispanic heritage! We even had some school parents with Hispanic heritage visit our school and met the kids!
First and second graders have been working on the necessary vocabulary to read their first book Dino Quiere Sushi by the Winnetka World Language teachers: (quiere - wants, le gusta - likes, tiene - has, etc.)
Third and fourth graders have been reviewing the vocabulary learned in previous years, as well as working on the necessary vocabulary to read their first graphic novel La Lucha de la Limonada by Sr. Wooly. (dice la verdad - tells the truth, juega un juego - plays a game quien juega - who’s playing, que juega - what’s he/she playing, etc)
If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Saludos,
Rocio Monge, Spiekerman’s 1st grade-4th grade Spanish teacher Marnie Van der Voort, 1st grade Spanish teacher marnievandervoort@winnetka36.org
District Updates
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.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Click here to view a message from Carleton Washburne students.
Bullying affects everyone: those exhibiting bullying behaviors, the bullied, and the bystanders. The District's Bullying Response and Prevention Plan creates awareness of what bullying is with “child-friendly” language that illustrates the difference between mean, rude or bullying behavior; establishes and communicates to students, parents and staff methods for reporting incidents related to bullying behavior; develops communication protocols for investigating, notifying and resolving incidents reported; and, builds an ongoing dialog with students on bullying awareness and prevention.
The District 36 approach to bullying is “pro” solution rather than “anti” problem to foster a change of culture through kindness, compassion, respect, reaching out, and helping others. Every October, students discuss bullying prevention in their classrooms/advisories where they are reminded of methods available to them to speak with an adult about their concerns. Students in grades 5-8 are able to report an incident or indicate that they want to talk to an adult from a form on their ipad. Students K-4 are able to report an incident to any adult in whatever form is most comfortable for them. A reporting form is also accessible from the District’s website, along with information on text4help. Click here for additional information.
Winnetka Parents Institute
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. Please view the fall schedule here.
Coming Soon:
The Middle School Experience, AKA “Why is my child acting like this?” Please help.
November 3, 2023
9:30 - 10:30 A.M.
Washburne Resource Center
Join Principal Cooney and Assistant Principal Joynt (The Skokie School) and Principal Fenton and Assistant Principal Horwitz (Carleton Washburne School) for an informational session focusing on the ins and outs of the growing middle school child. We will share the neuroscience behind the changes that occur in 5th-8th grade children, and offer suggestions on how to support children both academically and socially-emotionally as they navigate the middle grades.
Skokie and Washburne families are encouraged to join us for an engaging, encouraging and educational hour together.
Interested:
Recordings of previous sessions:
Understanding Assessment Results
Fall benchmark assessment results have been mailed home. Information to help parents understand the assessment reports are available on the District website. As a community of learners, we are navigating the way through how to best use this information along with the valuable insight gathered on a day-to-day basis in our schools. Thank you for being our partner in this growth process.
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 that builds from Kindergarten through Grade 8. In the spring a group of educators that comprised the District’s Literacy Leadership Committee identified literacy programs to pilot this year and 60 classroom teachers volunteered to participate in the pilot. Participating in the pilot means that the teacher has been trained in the program and will select one existing unit in the literacy curriculum to replace with the pilot curriculum. Your child’s classroom teacher may have shared this information during the recent Go To School Night events, as well as through their classroom newsletters. While the student learning outcomes in literacy may remain the same this year, the programming, materials and sequence used may be different in classrooms where the pilot is taking place. More information about the pilot will continue to be shared through District communications and regular updates during School Board meetings. A special thank you to the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Board for approving funding that was used for a large majority of the pilot training that occurred during September.
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.
Monthly Observances
As part of Winnetka School District 36’s ongoing commitment to equity by fostering connection and belonging, the District will take time each month to recognize the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds. The goal of these monthly observances is to provide resources and support for teachers in order to bring awareness and appreciation to the diverse population of students in our community. Observances will look different at all schools and even at different grade levels. Some activities might include art, music, book studies, research projects, sharing cultural holidays and celebrations, and other school activities. As materials are developed for these observances, we will make them accessible.
September 15- October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
October: Disability Awareness
November: Native American Heritage
December: Human Rights
January: MLK Jr. Day
February: Black History
March - April 15: Women’s History Month
April 15-May 15: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage
May 15 - June 13: Jewish American Heritage
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
Important Dates to Remember
Tuesday, October 24 - Picture Retake Day
Tuesday, October 31 - Kindergarten Halloween Walk 9:00 (Parents welcome on the playground)
1st-4th Walk -1:45 (Parents welcome to view on the blacktop or sidewalks)
Wednesday, November 1st - Institute Day ( No Student Attendance)
Monday-Friday November 20-24- Thanksgiving Holiday (No school)
Hubbard Woods School
8:30am | Doors open
8:37am | School promptly begins
11:30am-12:20pm | Lunch
2:10pm | Kindergarten dismissal
2:45pm | Early Release (MONDAYS ONLY)- Kindergarten Stay and Play/Bridge Care and all 1st-4th students
3:15pm | Tuesdays through Fridays Grades 1-4 & Stay and Play/Bridge Care Dismissal
Email: jenniferhartlett@winnetka36.org
Website: https://www.winnetka36.org/hubbardwoods
Location: 1110 Chatfield Road, Winnetka, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 446-0920