Dear Skokie Families,

This was the week to be at Skokie! Our school (and Washburne) hosted a number of exciting events, making our building an especially active place from early in the morning through the evening hours.  I want to take a moment to highlight each of this week's events as they are truly a shining example of the quality of programming we are able to offer thanks to our dedicated and talented staff, incredibly supportive parent community and the enthusiasm and energy that comes from our students.  

Orchestra and Band Concerts

Parents and Community members were treated to two concert events this weekend by our Orchestra, Concert and Symphonic Bands:  Orchestra on Tuesday evening and Band on Thursday evening.  These two holiday events are a highlight this time of year, and it is always a treat to see the pride on the faces of our students as they perform in what is the culmination of weeks of hard work and practice with their teachers.  The work done by our talented instrumental teachers (Thank you, Ms. Nussbaum, Ms. Parisoli, Mr. Rzeszutko and Mr. Vowles!) is one of dedication, and ultimately showcases itself in the form of music.  I am always so impressed by what our young musicians are capable of producing, and even more proud that we offer this valuable learning opportunity to our children.  

Skokie's First MakerNight

This Wednesday evening, our three Maker Classrooms were opened up to Skokie families to experience the many engaging resources we have available to our students.  Thanks to generous donations from our PTO and Winnetka Public Schools Foundation, (and the incredible dedication of our teachers-Mr. Weir, Ms. Wild and Ms. McDonough!) we have been able to expand to three separate Maker Classrooms:  the MakerStudio, MakerLab and MakerSpace.  Each offers its own unique spin on the STEAM movement, and engages students in all elements of design thinking.  

The MakerStudio is home to a large green screen and a padcaster system which functions much like a television studio.  Student iPads can be popped into a frame that turns the iPad into a high-level camera on a tripod.  Our MakerStudio also provides lighting, sound, and editing features so students are able to see through a project from recording to the editing phase.  This Wednesday, students interviewed parents and will have the opportunity to edit and insert a background using the green screen, to later be shared with their parents digitally.  

The MakerLab is our tech-focused space with everything from a virtually reality learning board to robotics, coding, 3-D printing, 3-D cutting (materials can be mechanically cut to make an object), and more.  

Finally, the MakerSpace (our original space and the birthplace of where our school's excitement around the Maker Movement began) is home to a woodworking wall, a cardboard/styrofoam cutter, welding materials, sewing machines, circuitry, a variety of crafting materials, and so much more. 

 

Thank you to those that were able to attend these events this week.  Our school community thrives when parents, teachers, and students come together.  I hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend with your families.  Stay warm and safe in the predicted snow that is headed our way!

Most Sincerely,

Kelly Tess

Now open to both 5th and 6th graders!

all Skokie students!  Whether your child can't get enough of all things math or wants to build math confidence and skill, this club is the perfect fit!  Each week, engaging new games are introduced that grow perseverance, logic, strategic thinking, and computational fluency.  Our club provides a relaxed environment for building both friendships and mathematical thinking! We have tons of great games like: Blockus, Krypto, Chess, Math Dice, Blink, Swish, Battleship, 24, Quirkle, Set and many, many more!  Club meets 7:30 - 8:25 a.m., October 27 - May 18