Dear Skokie Families,

It is not uncommon for a Winnetka parent to remark to me in conversation how happy they are to raise their children in such a nice community.  There is much about our children's lives here that is idyllic, not only in that they are afforded the opportunity to attend some of the best schools in the country,  but that they are safe and welcome to play their own active role in the community.  Several times a week, I make the drive down Elm Street toward town and wave at students that I pass, on their way to the park, the Coffee Shop, the Book Stall or the toy shop.  Our Winnetka children have safe choices after school, and lots of family, friends and neighbors to support them.  As teachers (especially those that have the perspective of prior work in other districts), we notice that our children are open to learning, and able to articulate their deep thoughts and questions.  They are concerned about those not afforded the same opportunities that they are, and interested in hearing their stories.  Having grown up in Wilmette and attended New Trier myself, I don't think I became aware of just how fortunate I had been until I took my first teaching job in Southern California.  There I quickly took stock of that which I had, which so many are unable to even dream of.  It is a humbling realization.  

The Skokie School has historically been a school that values service learning, not only for the valuable, hands-on experience it provides for our students, but also for the insight it gives them into worlds outside their own hometown.  A big part of teaching from a service perspective is incorporating the practice of empathy and the importance of compassion.  For the last few years, our students have heard constant reference to the phrase, "Choose Kind."  We hold tight to that theme as middle school educators as these adolescent years are the natural time for children to seek acceptance and even test boundaries in doing so.  

I write about this today with concern as I see growing themes in our news and throughout social media that are often beyond the understanding of a 10 to 12 year old.  Now, (more than was the case when we were children) access to the media is easy, immediate and everywhere.  What has not changed is that the minds of our young children are hungry for information and they will absorb what they can, when they can, both for good and not so good.  Having recently lived through a school day entirely dedicated to service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the idea of serving others, and living with empathy and tolerance is fresh in our students' minds.  I encourage you to take a moment this weekend to have a conversation with your fifth or sixth grader about the big, but important practices of empathy, tolerance, compassion and service and how very powerful they can be.  Our Winnetka students have proven time again that they are a rare breed of great talent and gift (due in no small part to our parents and teachers that make it so) that we see spread out into the world in countless ways.  The community they began in is one to be grateful for, and one that provides a foundation for perspective on how to spread its values of service and empathy beyond.

Please scroll down through today's edition of The Home Scoop to see additional resources that you may be interested in using as you plan for conversations with your child around these topics.  Thank you as always for your support and partnership.  

Enjoy the weekend with your families.

Most Sincerely,

Kelly Tess

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