
February 2024
A Message from the Superintendent
Dear Families, Staff, and Community Members,
I want to thank you for prioritizing the time to meet with our teachers last week during Parent/Teacher conferences. This is time that our teachers dedicate their planning to with the intent to make the most of the time with you and share updates on your student’s growth. We hope you found your visit to be informative and an extension of the relationship we work so hard to cultivate with you.
As we continue to prioritize opportunities for connection, I’d also like to invite you to please join me for “Coffee with Kelly” on Wednesday, February 28 at noon. This is a new opportunity to join a casual, facilitated discussion on topics that impact our community. RSVP here and check out the details below. I hope to see many of you in a couple weeks. In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend.
Most Sincerely,
Dr. Kelly Tess
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent of Schools, invites you to the first “Coffee with Kelly,” a community conversation that will be hosted at our schools over the remaining months of the school year. Staff, families and community members are welcome to join Dr. Tess and a special guest for co-facilitated discussions on topics of interest, providing an opportunity to gather together, listen to each other’s perspectives and enhance our partnership to educate the students of Winnetka.
The first “Coffee with Kelly” will center on the topic of Gathering. Dr. Tess will be joined by Ms. Carly Andrews, Executive Director of The Alliance for Early Childhood for a conversation on:
fostering social connections for our students,
supporting community members craving connection,
learning about how staff and families feel linked or out of synch with each other,
and reflecting on how caring for others can be both nourishing and depleting.
This is an opportunity to converse, connect, learn, and grow together!
Guests are invited to:
Read an excerpt from Nourished: Connection, Food, and Caring for Our Kids (And Everyone Else We Love) by Deborah MacNamara PhD
and/or watch this interview with the author
and/or come as you are, excited to engage with your childrens’ teachers, your neighbors, and your school leaders!
Wednesday, February 28 from 12 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Greeley School Resource Center,
275 Fairview Ave., Winnetka
Please RSVP by February 25, 2024.
All staff and parents (including grandparents and caregivers!) are welcome. You do not need to be a Greeley family or staff member to attend. Coffee will be served!
Board Meeting Preview
The next School Board meeting will be held at Carleton Washburne School on February 20, 2024. The Regular Meeting is at 7:15 p.m.
The following presentations are on the agenda:
- Mid-Year Annual Goal and School Improvement Report
In-person seating for the public is on a first-come, first-served basis.
To observe via Zoom:
https://winnetka36.zoom.us/j/88090707037?pwd=NG5odzg5ejhac3Frb05HK0lYQmZTUT09
Meeting ID: 880 9070 7037
Passcode: 353337
The meeting will include an opportunity for in-person public comment. Please note, the Board will be following policy 2:230 and limit public comment to three minutes - however, if there is a high volume of public comment, the Board may need to limit the amount of time dedicated to public comment in order to efficiently conduct business. Community members can send communications to board members at board@winnetka36.org which will be individually reviewed by each board member prior to the meeting.
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.
Season 2, Episode #4: What is Project Based Learning?
Think back to a favorite project you experienced when you were a student. Was there something about it that was highly engaging, unique, and allowed you freedom to discover and explore your own interests? Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, has a conversation with Carleton Washburne School students, Ms. Tip Walker (The Skokie School), and Ms. Jennifer Bertacchi (Carleton Washburne School) reflecting on the profound impact of Project Based Learning on education. This episode provides a window into how Project Based Learning is designed by teachers, experienced by students and connects to learning standards. As stated by a student interviewed about a recent Project Based Learning activity, “This really prepared me for what I may be able to do in the future.” To see the website built by these students as one of their public products visit this link.
Listen here:
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics.
Click here for the Winter/Spring 2024 schedule.
Up next:
From Washburne to New Trier: (Paul Waechtler, Principal)
A D36 Parent's Guide to the New Trier Transition
March 6, 2024
10:00-11:00 A.M.
Washburne RC
Carleton Washburne School
Click here for the Winter/Spring 2024 schedule.
Videos of the Fall 2023 sessions are available here:
Online Pre-Registration for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2024/2025 School Year: PLEASE COMPLETE AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE!
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2024/2025 is open. 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. Click here to begin the online segment.
End-of-School Date Change
Note that the last day of our school year will now fall on Friday, June 14, 2024. This is due to the emergency day taken when we experienced a winter storm in January 2024. Per the Illinois State Board of Education, the District is obligated to have a certain number of instructional days in a year. If it is necessary to take any additional emergency days, they will be remote learning days and not result in any additional days added to the end of the school year.
WPSF Phone-A-Thon Fundraiser Is Here!
On March 10, Winnetka Public Schools Foundation board members will be reaching out to D36 parents and community members by phone, text and email to secure donations for the coming year. The goal is to raise $85,000 during Phone-A-Thon so that WPSF can continue to fund grants to promote teaching innovation. Every donation makes a difference in our schools! Donate online by March 9, to “Beat the Call.” With your support, WPSF can continue to invest in our students, teachers, schools and community and fund grants to enhance the learning experience for every Winnetka D36 student. Learn more here.
2023/2024 Calendar
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
Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):
For upcoming events (& videos of past events) with an array of highly-regarded authors, educators, and more, access FAN’s website here.