Dear Skokie Families,

I write to you this week with the thoughts of those families in Parkland, Florida heavy on my heart and mind.  As a school community of students, teachers, administrators and parents, we certainly feel the impact of another school community's tragedy, and cannot help but take on some of the deep emotions that follow.  It is important, at a time like this, to remind ourselves of the practices and protocols we have put in place to ensure the safety of our students and staff.  We are fortunate to enjoy a supportive partnership with our Winnetka Police Department, and benefit from the feedback, practice and presence they provide us throughout a school year in our shared commitment to keeping children safe in their schools.  Please take a moment to read this jointly crafted letter from Dr. Kocanda and Chief Hornstein.

It is not unusual to respond to news like the shooting in Florida with a range of emotions:  fear, anger, anxiety.  As adults who care as deeply about our children and schools as this community does, there will never be sense made of this event.  It is at times like these when our children's eyes are watching us the most closely.  They seek cues for how they should react, how they should feel, how they should respond.  This is the time to show kindness, patience, strength in our vibrant community.  This is the time to come together in support of what we care most about, what pulls us all together:  our schools.  We will continue to work together to keep our schools a safe and sacred place of learning.  At the same time, let's work together to support those that need it most, lift up those who may need a hand, listen to those who struggle to find a voice, and make time for patience (which can be so very hard in this fast-paced world).  

I am proud to serve this school community, and know you share with me a sense of grief and compassion for those families in Florida.  Enjoy the long weekend together with your family, and we look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday.

Most Sincerely,

In preparation for our 2nd Trimester Inquiry Period, the Architecture, Engineering, and Lego building group is searching for unwanted Legos.  If your family is no longer using their Legos and is willing to donate, please contact:

                                                       Thank you!

 

Skokie Memory Book
Order Deadline Quickly Approaching

The deadline to order for your child is

February 28, 2018 .

The Memory Book Club, comprised of twelve fifth and sixth graders, has been hard at work gathering photos and laying out a 2017-2018 keepsake for each Skokie School student.  

The Skokie Memory Book is purchased separately from the school or PTO.  

Orders are made online at jostens.com 

The cost is $20.00 per Memory Book.

Please direct questions to Tip Walker - Memory Book Advisor.

 

District News

 

 

Future Ready D36 Update

The Future Ready D36 Core Team will use the data collected from the recent community and staff surveys in order to develop initial Future Ready D36 concepts for community review at a Special Board Meeting on Monday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. This meeting will launch a highly iterative process that will engage the community in an effort to continuously refine the Future Ready D36 Educational Master Facility Plan over the course of March through June, 2018.   

Is Your Child Starting Kindergarten in 2018?

To pre-register your child for the 2018-2019 school year, please contact the District office at 847-446-9400 to begin the process. This early pre-registration process helps ensure that The Winnetka Public Schools have proper staffing and most accurate school assignments.  Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2018, are eligible to enroll. Click here  for documents required for new students.  Registration packets are available at the District Office ( 1235 Oak St .). Children will not be considered enrolled until residency documentation is verified and all forms are submitted. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at

847-446-9400.

Adventures in Learning 2018

Adventures in Learning 2018 runs from June 18th-July 20th, 2018. (There is no camp on July 4th.) A decades-long tradition, this summer program includes classes as varied as Drone Flight School, Camping Adventures, Make Your Own Music Video, Adventures in STEAM, Archery, The Wacky World of Water, Kitchen Magicians, Tennis, Computer Animation, Improvisation, Yoga for Kids, Animal Care, and Spa-Liscious. Students in grades 2-8 may choose up to four classes from over 100 options. Younger children (pre-K through grade 1) will explore educational concepts through guided play and outdoor activities.

This year's program will be held at The Skokie School for the 2-8th graders and Hubbard Woods School for the Pre-K (4 years old by June 1, 2018) and K-grade 1 Primary program (5 years old by September 1, 2018).

Registration begins March 1 for Winnetka residents and is open to the general public on March 8 at www.winnetka36.org/adventures .

 

From The Alliance for Early Childhood:

AMERICAN RED CROSS BABYSITTER'S COURSE

Monday, February 19, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Note: This course is for junior high school students who are at least 11 years old or who have completed 5th grade.

$125 per student (includes lunch and snacks)

Visit this link to register: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0845adad2ca64-american1

                            

Would your child know what to do if a child choked when he or she was babysitting?  Would he or she know how to call 911 or how to handle a nosebleed?  American Red Cross teaches all these things...and more!  The ARC Certification course is designed to provide students who are planning to babysit with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly care for children and infants.  This training will help participants develop leadership skills, learn how to develop a babysitting business, keep themselves and others safe, and help children behave.  In addition, participants will learn about basic child care and basic first aid.