The Skokie Home Scoop  - September 8, 2017 


 Dear Skokie Families,

It was a pleasure to see so many of you at this year's Go To School Night on Wednesday evening.  Your partnership with our staff is one of the most important factors in supporting our students to have successful fifth and sixth grade years.  Over the last five years, we have worked to create more opportunities for parents to spend meaningful time in our building, learning from and connecting with our staff as well as being exposed to some of the hands-on learning experiences we provide for our students.  While we are often referred to as a middle school, 5th grade is truly an elementary year, and with our district's separation from the 7th and 8th grade, we are gifted with the ability to provide an upper elementary environment for both our 5th and 6th graders.  Likewise, our dedicated team of teachers are uniquely equipped with the experience and passion for working with early adolescent children.  This is a calling that requires a deep understanding of the developmental needs at this age, the challenges that will likely come with those needs, and the open windows for learning through the natural mistakes that children will experience.  I invite you to work together with your children's teachers early on as they enter into adolescence.  You are fortunate to be met with talented, knowledgeable teachers who are eager to partner with you in supporting your child.

Having said that, I would also encourage you to mark the following dates on your calendar:

  • Friday, October 13th : SK/CW Parent's Night Out
  • Saturday, November 4 :  Skokie Shuffle, 5k Run/Walk
  • October 9-20 :  Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • Thursday, September 28--9:30am  "Not Quite Little Kid, Not Quite Teenager: The Developmental Progression of the Middle School Child"--Skokie School Community Room--Join Principal Tess and Principal Kanne for an informational morning session focusing on the ins and outs of the growing middle school child.  We will spend time exploring both the academic and social-emotional needs appropriate to 5th-8th grade children, how they change over that four year span, as well as the neurological changes that contribute to these needs.  Parents with current middle schoolers, or soon-to-be middle schoolers, are encouraged to join us for an engaging, encouraging and educational hour together. To RSVP visit https://goo.gl/GWVFi
  • Friday, October 6--9:30am  "Zones of Regulation" --Skokie School Community Room-- Join the Social Workers at The Skokie School and Kelly Tess, Principal, to learn more about The Zones of Regulation, a Socio-Emotional strategy that helps students identify their readiness for learning based on their physical and emotional help. This is a strategy we are using building-wide, and is a great resource for parents to utilize at home as well.

 I hope you enjoy this fall weekend together with your families. I look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday for our first five day week together!

Most Sincerely,

Kelly Tess
Principal
_______________________________________________________________
Skokie After School Activities       
We are pleased and excited to be offering, for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year, our After School Sports Club for fifth and sixth graders, Skokie Climbing Club, and Washburne Cross Country Team for 6th graders. The links below will provide you with information on how to register.

Kinetic Wellness Message for 6th Grade Students    
 
We understand that some of the 6th grade gym uniforms are still on back order.  Please continue to bring in clothes from home to use in KW class until the uniforms arrive.  Also, as our weather turns cooler it is important for 6th grade students to bring in a sweatshirt, sweatpants, or leggings that can be worn specifically for KW class and kept at school in the gym lockers.  (Street or school clothes are not allowed to be worn in KW). We will continue to go outside for class and want students to be dressed warmly for the cooler weather.

 
     
Attention all 5th and 6th Grade Singers
The Skokie Chorus will have its first rehearsal on
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 from 7:30 - 8:10 a.m.
in the Skokie School Auditorium.
All singers are welcome to join us. If your son/daughter was
not able to sign up yet, do not worry!
We will get him/her signed up at the first rehearsal or
you can return the attached chorus sign-up form to the school.
If you have any questions or concerns,
feel free to contact Mrs. Balkin:
betsybalkin@winnetka36.org 
Skokie Chorus Sign-up Form

Looking forward to a great year of singing and music making!  

 
Please remember to bring in your  Grand Food Center receipts  that you saved over the summer. Collecting  Grand receipts  is an easy and no-cost way for you to support the Skokie-Washburne PTO (so ultimately our schools!) and also support The  Grand , a fabulous local grocery store. 
It's simple, too.  Just collect and drop off your 
Grand receipts in the colorfully wrapped boxes labeled " Grand  receipts " located in Washburne's office and Skokie's lobby.  In fact, your 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grader can easily get involved in the process and drop off the  receipts themselves.  The  Grand  generously donates 3% of the pre-tax amount to the PTO on each  receipt  collected from their Winnetka or Glencoe stores. 
 
District News

Fall MAP Testing
District 36 has established a robust suite of assessments utilizing multiple measures to provide information on student performance. One of those tools is the  Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test. Fall testing will occur between September 11 - 22 with all students in Grades 3 - 8 taking one Reading Test and one Math test.   Your child's building or teacher will inform you of his or her specific testing dates.

The MAP assessment is designed to measure a student's achievement level at different times of the school year and compute growth over time.  MAP is a computer-adaptive test, which means every student receives a unique set of test questions based on responses to previous questions.  This provides a personalized assessment experience by adapting to each student's learning level.   Fall MAP results will be sent to families by October 6th.  Additional information on the MAP assessment may be found on our district website at www.winnetka36.org/map .

Winnetka Parents Institute Event

Not Quite Little Kid, Not Quite Teenager: The Developmental Progression of the Middle School Child
Thursday, September 28 at 9:30 a.m.
The Skokie School Community Room
Join Principal Tess and Principal Kanne for an informational morning session focusing on the ins and outs of the growing middle school child.  We will spend time exploring both the academic and social-emotional needs appropriate to 5th-8th grade children, how they change over that four year span, as well as the neurological changes that contribute to these needs.  Parents with current middle schoolers, or soon-to-be middle schoolers, are encouraged to join us for an engaging, encouraging and educational hour together. To RSVP visit https://goo.gl/GWVFip .

Safety Reminder
Student safety is our highest priority. Please use caution when driving and encourage your children to be on the lookout for cars, whether they are walking, riding their bikes, skating, or scootering. Bike helmets are recommended at all times to keep our students safe. Please encourage your children to cross at appropriate crosswalks, rather in the middle of the road. This is especially pertinent to students crossing major intersections, such as Tower and Hibbard Roads.

Typing Club Keyboarding Program
The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 subscribes to a typing program, Typing Club . Our subscription is for students in grades K- 6.  Students can login with their District email address and password via the Typing Clu b link listed under "Students" on each school's website.  The Resource Center Directors will be introducing students to Typing Club and teaching students to login.  Typing Club is available at school and home. We are encouraging students to practice at home as keyboarding success requires regular practice.  Students can also access Typing Club via this link: https://winnetka.typingclub.com/ 

Mobile Learning Initiative (MLI) Device Coverage for accidental damage or loss  
We encourage parents to purchase device coverage for student iPads $25/year. If you missed purchasing Device Coverage at registration, you may still purchase coverage through September 30th.  Cash/check payments can be dropped off with your school secretary or at the District Office.  

New Keyboarding Program  at The Skokie School
The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 subscribes to a typing program, Typing Club . Our subscription is for students in grades K- 6.  Students can login with their District email address and password via the Typing Clu b link  listed under "Students" on each school's website. T yping Club is available at school and home. We are encouraging students to practice at home as keyboarding success requires regular practice.  Students can also access Typing Club via this link: https://winnetka.typingclub.com/ 
 

 

 
Dates to Note  
*************************** 
Thursday, Sept. 14
     Student Picture Day
Thursday, Sept. 21
     NO SCHOOL        

Skokie Picture Day
Thursday Sept. 14th 
Replies to this email will be sent directly to Kelly Tess.
 
If you would like other family members to receive The Skokie School Home Scoop please hit reply.

Please note that by adding names to the The Skokie School Home Scoop  mailing list you are not updating any other mailing lists including your child's emergency contact information.  
 
If you unsubscribe from this email you will not receive important school information and your address will be deleted from all District electronic newsletter lists.

Please contact School Secretary, Rachel Owen, at 847-441-1750 to make changes to your child's records 
or if you have questions about other email lists.
 Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   View on Instagram   View our videos on YouTube   Find us on Google+