Dear Skokie Families,

Two years ago, our school began a comprehensive study of the building schedule and ways in which we could better capture the portions of our District Mission and Vision that dedicates us to providing an "innovative, experiential learning environment" and  "supporting and challenging all learners."  After hundreds of hours of committee work, research, planning, data analysis and piloted scheduled models, we arrived at the schedule we currently have today.  This schedule includes the new "Skills Period" in which all students are afforded the opportunity to receive any level of support they may require, whether at the intervention level or an opportunity for challenge (without forfeiting instruction in another area).  Additionally, our schedule affords an "Inquiry Period" at the end of each trimester, in which all students are invited to incorporate their own interests, curiosities and talents into their learning experience at school.  This first Inquiry Period will fall in the final forty minutes of the last two weeks of the trimester, and will follow the theme of "Who are we?"--inviting students and staff to engage in activities, projects and experiences that showcase the multiple intelligences and gifts that we bring to our school community.  

If you follow anyone on Twitter or Facebook within the education world (might I suggest @skokie36), you know that the theme of inquiry is one talked about amongst early childhood educators up to post-graduate professors.  University Admissions Offices have noted in the last ten years the number of applicants that showcase lengthy resumes loaded with AP courses, volunteerism and high academic honors, but when faced with practical challenges, are unable to cope with the adversity.  There are also a number of organizations dedicated to the support of youth that speak of a rise in anxiety and other social-emotional health concerns nation-wide.  The idea here is that as our world has become more connected and accessible, our ability to instantly gratify and instantly achieve answers has allowed us to pack more into a day.  Unfortunately, the developmental readiness of young brains has not accelerated at the same rate, which could be the reason why universities are seeing highly accomplished young people with poor problem-solving skills and intense anxiety.  Hence, the shift in education---more and more schools across the country (and internationally) are looking for ways to provide students with opportunities to express their interests, explore their talents and connect with others.  The Winnetka Public Schools have long been a place that values this, and now The Skokie School's schedule is affording a time and space for this value to be acted upon.

To give you some context, I've provided links to two articles you might find interesting.  One comes out of Harvard's Graduate School of Education and speaks of the value of multiple intelligences, as well as ways that schools can cultivate them amongst students.  The second link will take you to the admissions page for Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine, in which they specifically state that they seek out students who are capable of carving their own path, thinking critically, driven by inquiry and able to choose their own areas to investigate.  By creating these opportunities for our students today on a smaller scale, we are incorporating skills and practices that their future universities will undoubtedly be looking for.  

HARVARD ARTICLE

 

Most Sincerely,

 

Kelly Tess

Principal

 

 

 

Follow us on Twitter: @skokie36