Dear Winnetka Families,
This week marks the beginning of our conference period. The winter conference is another opportunity for parents and teachers to sit down together, reflect on a student's growth and progress, monitor goals, and plan for the remainder of the school year together. Teachers will share information reflecting your child's learning across all areas of development at this point in the school year. After conferences, reports will be compiled in our office and mailed home to you. Your child's teacher(s) have a tremendous amount of information they look forward to sharing with you. Given that each conference is limited in length, we want to make the most of that time. If you have specific questions or concerns that you would like to address, it is helpful to reach out to the teachers prior to the conference appointment so that they can plan their time accordingly. As always, we look forward to this opportunity for collaboration.
Sincerely,
Beth Carmody, Hubbard Woods
Julie Pfeffer, Crow Island
Joshua Swanner, Greeley
GREELEY NEWS
Dear Greeley Families,
Imagination is an important element of play and child development. Over the weekend, my son was not that interested in cleaning up his toys, puzzles, art materials, etc. Of course, he had to clean it all up, but it was very overwhelming for him. This reminded me of an old conversation starter: if you had a robot for a day, what would you have it do?
This is an interesting, imaginative question to ask a child (or even an adult). It provides a window to see what potential stressors/desires exist. When asking my son this question, the answer was certainly not cleaning. He thought a robot could be used to play games and bake cookies. A simple question like this can tell so much and potentially give us an idea of activities we can do with our children.
Sincerely,
Joshua Swanner
Principal
REMINDER ABOUT THURSDAY'S EARLY DISMISSAL
Dismissal for Kinder students will be at 11:10.
Dismissal for Grades 1 - 4 students will be at 11:25.
There is no afternoon On Deck program for any students.
Winter Recess
First through fourth graders have a 20 minute recess period each day in addition to approximately half an hour at lunch. Kinders generally spend about an hour to an hour and a half outside daily. This time is important for a number of reasons including time for social-emotional growth, time to role play and time for the students to be active. We plan for our students to be outside in all but the most frigid of temperatures. It is the expectation that parents will dress their children "for the weather". This would mean warm coats, layering, hats, gloves, etc. When there is snow on the ground, students are required to wear snow pants and boots to play in the snow.
How do we decide when to keep children in? This is dependent on a number of factors. We take into consideration the actual temperature, the windchill factor, sun visibility, speed of the wind, and anything else that might affect our students. At times, we may shorten the recess period to still allow for time outside.
When you send your child to school, plan that your child will be having some outdoor play time and please send the appropriate clothing to allow them the maximum benefits of time spent on the playground.
Traffic Procedures
We fully understand snow and other inclement weather can make the carpool process more challenging. We consult with the Winnetka Police Department in forming the best possible procedures that keep things moving and keep our students safe. Please review traffic procedures below:
- Drop Off and Pick Up of students should ONLY be done in the cut-out in the front of school. Elder Lane is NOT a drop off area.
- In the morning, children should be ready to get out of cars, on the passenger side, when parents pull up. Children should listen for their name and look for their car in the afternoon.
- As soon as children are safely in or out of cars, parents should move on out of the cut out.
- Children should never be dropped off in the Staff Parking Lot or at any point along Fairview in front of the school, except in the cut-out area.
- When in the pick up line after school, please pull up as far as possible.
- Please have your name sign visible.
- Please be respectful of other parents and caregivers and alternate entrance onto Fairview Ave.
If you have designated an alternate spot for pick up, please be sure that your child knows of the spot and can reach it safely. When driving children to and from school, please heed our crossing guards as they ensure safe crossing for students and parents.
Thank you for your help in ensuring the safety of our students and staff.
Erin's Law
In March, building social workers will implement state-mandated sexual abuse prevention education during one 20-30 minute session in each classroom. Parents have the option to opt their children out of the program as they deem appropriate, and must do so by February 28. For more detailed information about Erin's Law and curriculum content, or to find the opt-out form, please refer to the
Erin's Law page of the District website or contact your school's social worker, Kathy Powers.
DISTRICT NEWS
Important Health Reminder from the District
While in the midst of sick season, please keep your child home from school if they have any of the following symptoms:
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Fever (temperature of 100 or greater) in the last 24 hours
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Nausea, Diarrhea, and/or vomiting in the last 24 hours
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Any rashes that are undiagnosed
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Excessive cough
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Lethargy
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Sore throat
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Body aches
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Chills
You know your child best, if they are feeling under the weather, please err on the side of precaution and keep them home from school.
Thank you for keeping our schools healthy!
Online Pre-Registration Open for Kindergarten & New Students for the 2020-2021 School Year
Pre-registration for Kindergarten and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2020-2021 is now open on the District website and by clicking here
. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2020, are eligible to enroll.
The new student registration process is completed in three steps:
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Complete new student pre-registration forms online beginning December 6, 2019.
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Provide proof of residency.
Click here
to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements. For your convenience residency documents may be uploaded during online registration or brought to the District Office.
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Visit the District Office to provide a certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID and complete the paper portion of registration.
Children will not be considered enrolled until both the online and paper portion of registration has been completed and residency documentation is verified. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 847-446-9400.
WPI Events
Not Quite Little Kid, Not Quite Teenager: The Developmental Progression of the Middle School Child
February 5, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
The Skokie School Community Room
Join Principal Weir and Assistant Principal Joynt (The Skokie School) and Principal Fenton and Assistant Principal Horwitz (Carleton Washburne School) for an informational 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. RSVP here.
Recommendation Form Protocol
Throughout the school year, our teachers and administrators may be asked to complete a
commendation form for families considering private schools or summer programs. As each institution's forms vary in the nature of information requested, we have moved to a common form that our Winnetka teachers and administrators will complete for submission to any authorized outside educational institution. Upon request for a feedback form, Winnetka staff will respond within ten business days. In the interest of maintaining appropriate confidentiality and consistency, our District employees will only complete this form, which may be attached to a student's application to any outside educational institution. You may find the form by
clicking here.
Family Action Network
Family Action Network (FAN) is a 501(c)(3) organization that curates a high-quality speaker series each academic year. All FAN programs are free and open to the public. To view a calendar of upcoming events, visit the FAN website:
https://www.familyactionnetwork.net/
From The Alliance for Early Childhood:
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