The Skokie Home Scoop  - January 26, 2018 

 
Dear Skokie Families,

It seems hard to believe, but we are nearing the start of February next week!  This is the time of year when we begin looking ahead to the following school year and begin planning for programming, student and staff needs.  If you are the parent of a 2018/2019 sixth grader, we need your help in this process.  Our sixth graders have the opportunity to make two elective choices given the following choices:  Orchestra, Band, Art/Music/Drama, Spanish or French.  Students with a resource period will utilize one of these elective periods for that purpose, and then select a second choice.  In order to best prepare for the coming year's needs, we ask that you complete this brief survey on elective choices by Friday, February 16th.  Read the detailed instructions carefully to help you and your sixth grader arrive at the chosen electives for the coming year.


If you have not had a chance to sign up for parent/teacher conferences, links are available below.  If you do not see your child's team listed, they will contact you individually to arrange a time.  

Finally, Dave Kanne (Principal of Washburne), and I are pleased to be hosting several opportunities over the next few months for "Coffee and Conversation," in which we invite parents to join us for an informal, themed conversation regarding topics that challenge us as those raising adolescents (and of course, coffee).  During each session, we will focus on several guided questions around a theme, and use the time to discuss what we see as educators and parents, and how to best support our middle schoolers.  Please take a look at the dates and themes below, and plan to join us for an opportunity to learn from and connect with each other.

Friday, February 9   9:30am   The Skokie School Community Room
Theme:  Cell Phones

Friday, April 6   9:30am    Washburne, Curriculum Conference Room
Theme:  Social Media

Friday, May 11    9:30am      The Skokie School Community Room
Theme:  Anxiety



Have a great weekend, and enjoy the time together with your family.

 
Most Sincerely,

Follow us on Twitter: @skokie36
 
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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.
 
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District News

 
 
Thank you to all who participated in the community survey this month. The Core Team will use the data collected in order to develop initial
Future Ready D36 concepts for community review in at a Special Board Meeting in March. This meeting (date coming soon) 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.  

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

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.
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WPSF Carlson Event
 
Please plan to join the Winnetka Public School Foundation (WPSF) Board and District 36 Leadership for our 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.

We hope you will join us! Please email Sarah Alshouse ( sarahalshouse@yahoo.com ) to RSVP or with any questions.


Opportunity for Students
The Students Involved with Technology Conference (SIT), is an annual conference for 3rd through 12th grade students. The event will be held on
February 10, 2018, from 8:30- 2:00 p.m. at Westgate Elementary School in Arlington Heights. What makes the conference unique is that it is completely presented by students for students with adult volunteers from local schools and the community to help the day run smoothly.  

SIT is a great opportunity for your child to learn from their peers or to step into a leadership role by sharing their expertise.  Space is limited and registration is accepted on a first come, first served basis.   For information and registration visit  
https://goo.gl/ApxAP2.


 

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.
 
 
 
Dates to Note 

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Tuesday, January 30
School Board Meeting 
Washburne RC - 7:30 p.m.

February 5 - 16 
Parent/Teacher Conferences 
 


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Science Olympiad
The Skokie School is excited to offer the opportunity for both 5th and 6th graders to join a Division A Science Olympiad Team. This is a non-competitive format of the Science and Engineering based program. Skokie students participating in the program are then primed to participate in the competitive level at Washburne, should they continue to be interested. Registration is limited to the first 30 students to submit the online form.
Science Olympiad meets on Thursdays
February 8 - April 26
7:30 - 8:20 a.m
NO Session: March 29
Skokie Cafeteria

Skokie Climbing Club
Climbing Club is a great opportunity for students who would like to climb the Skokie High Ropes course in an extended session after school. Sign up with a friend or come to meet new friends!
  • Climbing Club is conducted and supervised by the Skokie KW teachers.
  • 3:35-4:30pm. Personal nut free snacks are allowed.
  • Students are expected to stay until 4:30pm and will assist with clean up.
  • Each session is limited to 10 climbers.
  • Parents are invited to watch their children.
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