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| The Skokie Home Scoop - September 1, 2017 |
Dear Skokie Families,
We have officially closed on our first week of school for the 2017/2018 school year. This beautiful cool weather has been a gift, and an opportunity for our classes to spend time outside as they work to build their new classroom communities. Surely the start of the school year can bring with it some nervous energy, but we've seen our students adjust and re-adapt to the routine of the school day in these last four days together. For those of you new to Skokie, you will find our staff to be warm and welcoming, as well as eager to connect with you. Please feel comfortable reaching out to your children's teachers as we begin the year together as a partnership with our families makes us that much more effective as educators.
This week's edition of The Home Scoop contains a number of important reminders for your family in these first weeks of school:
- Arrival and Dismissal times at Skokie come with high volumes of traffic. Our Oak and Elm intersections at Glendale Avenue pull traffic from Skokie as well as Crow Island and Washburne. We have each intersection covered by a crossing guard, but are still challenged with drivers who do not obey the stop sign and/or drive too quickly through areas where children are attempting to cross. Please be mindful of the safety of our students, and avoid use of your cell phone in our school zone. We appreciate your help in keeping all of our community members safe!
- 6th grade Kinetic Wellness uniforms are currently sold out and on back-order at Marian Michaels. The KW team encourages 6th grade students who have yet to receive their uniform to bring either an older uniform from a sibling or a t-shirt and shorts to change in to beginning next week (Tuesday, September 5).
- Spirit Wear Sales end on Sunday, September 3. Click on the link to place your order! All orders will be delivered to school the week of October 3.
- Any treats coming into the building need to be nut-free. Please check with our entrance monitor, Ms. Carol Zalinski, upon coming into the building with a treat.
- Cell phones are not allowed to be in use at Skokie. We ask that students with cell phones keep them turned off and in their locker during school hours.
- Sproutsville lunch orders begin next week. Be sure to check the dates that you have placed lunch orders for so students know when to expect to pick up a hot lunch in the cafeteria.
- Go To School Night: Please keep in mind that this informative evening is designed for parents only. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 6, 6:30-8:00 and join us beginning in the Skokie auditorium.
- After School Club sign-up will be staggered throughout this fall. We will send information as it is available as we know our students are eager to sign up for after-school activities!
Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend, and the extra day together with your families. I look forward to seeing you next week!
Most Sincerely,
Kelly Tess
Principal
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Skokie Go-To School Night
Dear Skokie Parents,
We are looking forward to having all 5th and 6th Grade Parents attend our "Go-To-School-Night"
this Wednesday, September 6th, from
6:30-8:00pm. This is an event for parents only, and will be an opportunity to cover some helpful information as we start the school
year together.
We hope to see you this coming Wednesday!
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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 tothe school.
If you have any questions or concerns,
feel free to contact Mrs. Balkin:
Looking forward to a great year of singing and music making!
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i
Pad Insurance
Students who have not already purchased iPad insurance on Infosnap may do so until
September 30th. After that the opportunity to elect this coverage will no longer be available. The cost is $25 per student.
Payments for iPad insurance may be dropped off in the Skokie office or to Maria Perez at the District Office.
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After School Activities
We are pleased and excited to be offering Washburne Cross Country Team for 6th graders. The link below will provide you with information on how to register. More information will be sent out next week about registering for our other after school clubs.
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District News
Important Parent Information
In abundance of caution, we wanted to ensure that you are aware of The Choking Game, dangerous game that is reported to be rising in popularity amongst children ages 9-16 (although we are not yet aware of any reports of this activity specifically in District 36). This game involves children experimenting with self-asphyxiation alone, with other children, and/or on social media. Serious injury or death may occur by engaging in this type of activity. If you wish to have a precautionary conversation with your child, more information on The Choking Game, is available here:
http://www.gaspinfo.com/en/choking.html
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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
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Winnetka Parents Institute Events
Through a regular offering of educational engagement sessions, Winnetka Parents Institute (WPI) is an opportunity for the District to support parents to enrich their own knowledge on various topics, as well as learn best practices to support, challenge, and empower their child(ren) at home. Grandparents, future parents, and community members are always welcome, too! For those who are unable to attend in person, most sessions are recorded and shared on the District website at
www.winnetka36.org/wpi
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Upcoming events:
Navigating Internet Safety & Social Media Use
Tuesday, September 5 at 9:30 a.m.
The Skokie School Auditorium
Hosted in Partnership with Family Service of Glencoe
Are you looking for guidance on navigating the ever-changing social media landscape, tips on apps to allow and avoid, as well as more information on age-appropriate internet use? Glean insight on how to keep children safe in their online interactions, set parental guidelines, and reinforce healthy Digital Literacy practices in your family. This WPI event will be conducted by Al Ross, clinical director at Family Service of Glencoe, a counseling center that provides support to families. To RSVP visit this link: https://goo.gl/JLXHa1.
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
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Monday, Sept. 4
NO SCHOOL
Labor Day
Wednesday, Sept. 6
Go-To School Night
at Skokie - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 14
Student Picture Day
Thursday, Sept. 21
NO SCHOOL
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Skokie Picture Day
Thursday Sept. 14th
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