The Winnetka Wire
Monthly News from The Winnetka Public Schools
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Dear Parents, Staff, and Community Members,
Happy New Year! 2018 promises to be an exciting year in our school community, particularly because we are in the midst of
Future Ready D36
, our first Educational Master Facility Plan in over 20 years. Thanks to the hundreds of staff and community members who have been engaged in
Future Ready D36.
Here is a brief recap of work that has been accomplished since
Future Ready D36
initiated in spring 2017:
- DLR Group, an educational architecture firm, was hired to guide the District through Future Ready D36
- A Future Ready D36 webpage was launched to provide access to important dates, presentations, and materials
- A Core Team, comprised of parents, community members, teachers, and D36 administrators, was assembled to advise the Superintendent and Board throughout Future Ready D36
- Assessments on all District facilities were completed by DLR Group and a thorough overview of the needs of all school environments was shared with our school community
- The Core Team embarked on tours both regionally and nationally to further understand best practices in top "Future Ready" school environments
- Seven community engagement sessions specifically dedicated to Future Ready D36 were held.
We understand that
the community is most interested in learning about the concepts under consideration to address our aging infrastructure,  imbalanced enrollment, and vision for teaching and learning. This opportunity will come in mid-March. The Core Team will present at a special Board Meeting, open to all community members. This meeting will launch a highly iterative process that will engage the community in an effort to continuously refine the Educational Master Facility Plan over the course of March through June, 2018.
As the Core Team works to determine the initial models for consideration, it is important to understand the community's priorities. Therefore, D36 is in the midst of gathering input from our school community via a brief survey (closing tonight at midnight!):
We are committed to ensuring that we continue to collaborate thoughtfully to determine a long-term plan that meets the needs of current and future students. Together, we are upholding our tradition of advocating for what is best for children so excellence will continue to thrive in Winnetka.
Sinc
erely,
Dr. Trisha Kocanda
Superintendent
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The next School Board Regular Meeting will be held at Carleton Washburne School on Tuesday, January 30. There is a 5:00 p.m. Work Session on the proposed Village of Winnetka TIF (Tax Increment Financing). The Regular Meeting begins at 7:15 p.m. The following presentations are on the agenda:
- FY2017 Audit
- Reaching all Learners: Experiential Learning (STEAM)
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We are in the midst of Future Ready D36, our District's first Educational Master Facility Plan in over 20 years. Thank you to all who have been engaged in this process as we formulate a long-term plan to address our imbalanced enrollment, facilities needs, and educational environments.
Feedback from our school community will help us prioritize our values as our Core Team and DLR Group (the District's educational architectural firm) formulates initial Future Ready D36 concepts for community review in March 2018.
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Parenting Resolutions 2018: Unplug and Yell Less
Wednesday January 31
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Hubbard Woods School Resource Center
Enough with the unrealistic resolutions that pile on more stress, let's keep it simple. Join Hubbard Woods school psychologist, Molly Pope, in shedding old habits and starting the new year off on the right foot.
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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 we 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.
Check out this video for a glimpse into Kindergarten in District 36:
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Kids love to consume media. Whether it's YouTube, PBS Kids, or Khan Academy, they are mostly consuming content. Studies show that with a little guidance, kids are able to take their consumption and instead use it for building creative skills while sharing their stories, opinions, and ideas.
Here's an
article from Common Sense Media
(one of our favorite resources) with good strategies to get your kids to use the 4C's--Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking.
For some additional motivation, here are two students creating their own content and sharing it with the world. Washburne student and STEAM ambassador, Jack Immesberger (view Jack's YouTube Channel here), and one of our neighbors, Nate Butkus of Wilmette, on the Ellen DeGeneres Show (link to show). Nate has been podcasting since he was six-years-old. Here is a link to Nate's Show About Science.
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Early Childhood Screenings
The Department of Student Services will be holding early childhood screenings on March 13, with registration on February 13. If you are a Winnetka resident and have any concerns about your child's development in the areas of speech, language, coordination, hearing, vision, learning readiness, or emotional maturity, you are encouraged to register your child for an early childhood screening.
The intent of the screening is to identify children who may have delays in their development and may require specific supports to address these delays. To be eligible for this screening, your child must be at least three years old. Click here for more information about the screening.
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Please plan to join the Winnetka Public School Foundation (WPSF) Board and District 36 Leadership for the annual Carlson Event. This year's event will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2018, from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at an elegant private home in Winnetka.
The annual Carlson Event is a great opportunity for community members to see Foundation grants in action as well as enjoy conversation and delicious hors d'oeuvres in a beautiful setting. We are pleased to have the following presentations this year:
- The Skokie School will share their Padcaster system which allows students to transform their iPads into a mobile production studio.
- Carleton Washburne School is excited to introduce their new STEAM ambassador, the NAO humanoid robot.
Please email Sarah Alshouse ([email protected]) to RSVP or with any questions.
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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-Kindergarten 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 2nd-8th graders and Hubbard Woods School for the Pre-K (4 years old by June 1, 2018) and K 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.
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For photos, news and more, follow The Winnetka Public Schools on social media. Connect with us by clicking on the icons at the bottom
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Important Dates
Board Meeting
January 30, 2018
7:15 p.m.
Carleton Washburne School
No School
Presidents Day
February 19, 2018
Board Meeting
February 27, 2018
7:15 p.m.
Carleton Washburne School
2017-2018
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Winter in District 36
A group of 25 Washburne students attended the Futures Unlimited conference, designed to
allow 8th grade girls an opportunity to become familiar with a variety of professions in Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics.
Hubbard Woods
students performed
"Musicians of
the Sun," inspired by Aztec culture
and artwork. Students helped bring the story to life with song selection, colorful paintings, and original choreography.
Greeley students tinkered with Lux Blox.
Crow Island students presented a festive
Winter Sing.
Señora Pesa's sixth grade World Language students enjoyed reading around an annual "campfire" at Skokie.
District 36 teachers engaged in a day of learning together during Institute Day.
Skokie students collaborated on a math activity.
Greeley students have been exploring astronomy
and mythology during
visits to the Star Lab--t
hanks to the
Winnetka Public
Schools Foundation
for this opportunity!
Wintry student art adorns the entryway of
Crow Island.
A Crow Island student reads in this
historic photo.
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For a glimpse into The Winnetka Experience
and more information on the purpose of the
Future Ready D36
initiative
, please enjoy this video.
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For a list of upcoming FAN speaker
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The TREX Plastic Film Challenge runs
Each year all schools participate in this program to collect
plastic bags and wrap, which are recycled
Please use these bins ONLY for recyclable materials.
School communities that collect the most plastic will be announced on Earth Day.
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