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Dear Greeley Families,
It is hard to believe this is the last week of school. If I am honest with you, I sat at my computer desk for quite some time crafting the best possible letter to conclude the year. My thoughts, which were put together on Friday morning, no longer seemed appropriate in light of everything that is happening in our society. I wished for my final letter to you all to end on a note of hope. This is still my aim, but I have accepted the fact that the perfect note remains out of reach without ample time to truly process recent events.
First and foremost, I want to thank all of our families and students for the tremendous amount of effort placed in remote learning. I also wish to thank you for your patience as we joined school districts across the country in completely overhauling our instructional methods and platforms. As educators, we understand that no one size fits all. I am looking forward to our school district's opportunity to reflect even more deeply on the past two plus months now that the year is coming to a close. There are successes, struggles, and missed opportunities to review. It is important that we model this reflection for our students, as unexpected change can certainly be leveraged as a transformational learning opportunity.
On another note, please know that the events of the past weekend have weighed heavily on my heart as a school leader, citizen, social studies teacher, and father. One of my core beliefs is the importance of partnering with families to instruct our students in being culturally competent and civically responsible. Larger skills such as properly vetting sources, critical thinking, identifying bias, and productive discourse are not just cornerstones of personal development and success. These skills are needed now more than ever, and our staff will remain committed to this lifelong work.
As many families have communicated to me these past weeks and months, 2020 has so far been a year of much uncertainty, hardship, and perseverance for many. While there are no immediate cures for a global pandemic, injustice, civic unrest, and other hardships, I remain steadfast in my belief that we can overcome these obstacles as a community of learners.
It is my sincere hope that you all experience peace and rest during the upcoming summer weeks, and I look forward to seeing you all once again.
In Partnership,
Joshua Swanner
Principal
June 1 Grey Day: FIELD DAY
Click here for the letter detailing our Field Day Grey Day on June 1. The District is sharing this letter early so parents have time to review the supply list and activities.
Parent Education and Entertainment Opportunities
The Winnetka Public Schools and The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation (WPSF) are partnering to support our students, staff, and families with fun and educational virtual events this spring. For more information on upcoming events click here.
This week, our spring series concludes with the following events:
June 1 at 1 p.m.
Leadership, Character and Wellness with Jim Davis of the Good Athlete Project
How does your emotional state connect to performance and wellness? Join a discussion that focuses on leadership, character, and social-emotional learning in a refreshing and empowering context, beginning with "bedrock" principles of the body and mind. The session is led by Jim Davis, former professional football player and champion powerlifter turned nationally recognized coach. He is a graduate of Harvard University, Northwestern University and Knox College and serves as the Director of the Good Athlete Project and the Staff & Student Wellness Coordinator at New Trier High School. At New Trier, Jim leads one of the largest and most successful strength programs in the nation and was honored as 2018 NASA National Coach of the Year. This presentation is geared for middle school students and their parents.
Join here:
Password:
D36Live
June 1 at 6 p.m.
Transform Stress Into Strength During these Challenging Time with Dr. Matt Dewar
As parents, teachers, and coaches, our responses to stress and adversity are instructive to the children and young adults under our guidance and in our care. Through the practice of mindful attention and through the development of healthy and sustainable stress-managements skills, Dr. Dewar with share how we can build resilience in ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Join here:
Password: D36live
June 2 at 1 p.m.
An Afternoon with Mandy Harvey
All families are invited to an incredible virtual assembly with America's Got Talent Finalist and Golden Buzzer winner,
Mandy Harvey
. Ms. Harvey is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and inspirational speaker who lost her residual hearing at the age of nineteen. She tours the world performing her original music and presenting her inspirational story of never giving up. This is the perfect way for students and staff to wrap up a unique school year feeling empowered and inspired!
Join here:
Password:
D36Live
Registration Open for 2020-21 School Year
Registration information for next year has been sent via regular mail and email. Look for these materials in your mailbox and inbox. If you did not receive notification or have any questions related to registration, you may contact District Registrar, Carolin Huh, at 847-446-9400 or carolinhuh@winnetka36.org. Registration should be completed and submitted by June 28, 2020.
You will need to have your registration letter that includes login information and snapcode handy.
When registering, please be sure to include all email addresses for every parent/family member who should be receiving school and District communications. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school!
Update on Adventures in Learning (AIL) Remote Learning Program
From July 6-24, 2020, the District is offering families a reimagined version of AIL with creative classes from a remote platform. Details are as follows:
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Each class will run the 3 weeks and be offered via synchronous learning 30-minutes per day (
Period 1 will be from 9:00- 9:30 a.m., with Period 2 from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m.)
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Students grades 3-8 have the choice of up to two sessions per day (July 6 - 24)
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Class size will range from 5-10
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Classes are $100 per class
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Family Resources
Winnetka Residents' Survey raises key questions about D36 schools-Please Complete by June 14
Every year there is an Annual Survey of residents organized by the Winnetka Caucus Council (WCC), a volunteer bi-partisan group that helps with local governance. This year's survey is asking for Residents' thoughts about key issues impacting our Parks, Library, Village and The Winnetka Public Schools. Please note that the WCC is very keen to hear from families with children in local schools because, typically, less than 50% of survey respondents have school-age children.
Residents have until June 14th to complete the Survey.
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