The Skokie Home Scoop

Dear Skokie Families,

 

Despite the very chilly weather today, the sun is shining and we are happy to see families in the building for the end of our parent/teacher conference period.  Our partnership with the parents of our students is an important one, and we always value the opportunity to sit down with you and discuss your child's growth as well as goals we have in mind for them.  As we head into the final third of the school year (Trimester 3 begins on Monday, March 11), take the time this weekend to talk with your 5th or 6th grader about what they're proud of and what they have their sights set on for the remainder of the year.  Celebrations and goal setting are an important habit to build in our children, and this is a great time of year to do that.

 

This week's letter is a short one as there is a lot of other valuable information contained below that I want to be sure our families are able to note.  Skokie is celebrating March as a month of awareness along with Washburne.  As you read on, please consider making time to join us for the Jungle Jog on Saturday, March 16, and encourage your 5th or 6th grader to join us for Dance Marathon on Friday, March 1!  We hope to see many Winnetka families there.  This year will be the 15th year that Skokie has hosted a St. Baldrick's event.  See below to learn about how you can support these great events!

 

Stay warm and safe this weekend, and enjoy the extra couple of days together with your family.  We won't know what to do with ourselves next week when a five day week returns!  Have a wonderful weekend!

 

 

Most Sincerely,

 

Kelly Tess

 

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @skokie36

 

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A note from Sproutsville...


 
Dance Marathon:  Too Legit To Sit--Friday, March 1, 6-8pm
Skokie and Washburne are excited to be jointly hosting a new spring event:  Dance Marathon!  This two hour event is a night to celebrate, dance, play games and hang out with friends.  Click on the link below if you are interested in registering for and/or donating to this event.  All proceeds from registration (and any donations) benefit Lurie's Children's Hospital, an organization that has supported so many of our students' and teachers' families.  We look forward to seeing you at this fun event!


 
St. Baldrick's and Wigs for Kids Event

Dear Skokie / Washburne Students, Parents, and Staff - 

Save the date of  March 11, 2019, for the 16th annual St. Baldrick's, 7th annual Wigs for Kids, and 2nd annual Hair Extensions for a Cause event!  Skokie and Washburne will be coming together to support pediatric cancer awareness.  For more information on these organizations, please watch the short videos below:


There are lots of ways you can get involved! 
  1.  Shave your head for St. Baldrick's.  If you are interested in participating, sign up here .
  2.  Donate your hair to Wigs for Kids.  If you are interested in participating, please grab a form from the front lobby. 
  3. Receive a temporary green hair extension.  If you are interested in participating, please grab a form from the front lobby. 
  4. Cheer on participants on Monday, March 11th!
If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Mike Hynes ( michaelhynes@winnetka36.org) or Marla Goldberg ( [email protected])

Winnetka D36-- JUNGLE JOG--5k, Run/Walk:  Saturday, March 16
ALL WINNETKA FAMILIES WELCOME!

The Skokie School and Carleton Washburne School are thrilled to co-host this year's Jungle Jog on Saturday, March 16 at 8am.  This is the 5th year that Skokie has helped to organize this race, and now we look forward to expanding our invite to the Winnetka Public Schools Community at large.  The race begins at the Winnetka Train Station and runs a 5k loop along the Green Bay Trail.  Click here to register, and start planning your race costume!




A Note from Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad - Session 2
The Skokie School is excited to offer the opportunity for both 5th and 6th graders to join a Division A Science Olympiad Team. This is a non-competitive format of the Science and Engineering based program. Skokie students participating in the program are then primed to participate in the competitive level at Washburne, should they continue to be interested. Registration is limited to the first 30 students to submit the online form.

Thursdays: FEB 14 - MAY 2 - 7:30 - 8:15 am
NO SESSION: MAR 28
Meets in the Maker Space
Open to 5th and 6th Grade




Adventures in Learning 2019 runs from June 17th-July 19th, 2019

No camp on July 4th.

A decades-long tradition, this summer program includes classes as varied as Rock Guitar Band, Life Around the World, Zany Art Explosions, Drone Flight School, Camping Adventures, Make Your Own Music Video, Adventures in STEAM, Archery, The Wacky World of Water, Kitchen Magicians, Programming and Robotics, Tennis, Computer Animation, Improvisation, Yoga for Kids, Animal Care, Purposeful Repurposing and Spa-Liscious to name a few!

Students in grades 2-8 may choose up to four classes from over 100 options. Younger children (pre-Kindergarten through grade 1) will explore educational concepts through guided play and outdoor activities.

This years program will be held at Washburne for the 2nd-8th graders and Hubbard Woods for the Pre-K (4 years old by June 1st, 2019)and K Primary program (5 years old by September 1st, 2019). 

Registration begins March 1 for Winnetka residents and is open to the general public on March 8. www.winnetka36.org/adventures

District News

Referendum Update
On December 18, 2018, the District 36 School Board prioritized the capital improvement projects embedded in our Educational Master Facility Plan.  To fund these priorities, the School Board unanimously approved a $90.6 million referendum for community vote on April 2, 2019. This reflects projects totaling $100.6 million, less $10 million of District reserves.
The priorities identified in the referendum are focused on addressing needs, such as providing ADA access, mitigating water pipes with elevated lead levels, enhancing safety and security to align with modern standards, and improving learning environments that have remained untouched for decades.  The plan also calls for operational efficiencies by consolidating from five schools to four.
Winnetka community members are invited to attend an upcoming informational session:
  • Monday, February 11, 1:00-2:30 p.m., The Skokie School  
  • Wednesday, February 20, 8:45-10:15 a.m., Crow Island
  • Monday, February 25, 9:15-10:45 a.m., Greeley
  • Monday, March 18, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Carleton Washburne
  • Thursday, March 21, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Crow Island

To ensure that our community is well-informed on this topic, a Fact Sheet was mailed to all residents. This is the first of three informational mailings you can anticipate in the coming weeks.  Additionally, the District's Referendum 2019 webpage will be updated regularly and is dedicated to facts surrounding the referendum : https://www.winnetka36.org/ref2019 .


WPI Events
From Our Partners at FAN:

Reach for Greatness:Education in the Age of Smart MachinesFeaturing Yong Zhao, Ph.D., Foundations Distinguished Professor, School of Education (with appointment in the School of Business), University of Kansas. Global Chair Professor of Education, East China Normal University. Author of over 30 books, including Reach for Greatness and World Class Learners.Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, 7:00 p.m.New Trier High School, Northfield Campus, Cornog Auditorium7 Happ Rd., Northfield, IL 60093No pre-registration required.
For Parents: Managing Your Child's School Anxiety & School Refusal
Featuring Jacqueline A. Rhew, CADC, LCPC,
Co-author of Successful Parenting-Create Your Custom Plan for Raising Independent Children into Adulthood and Co-founder of Center for Emotional Wellness
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Skokie School Community Room
 
Childhood anxiety and school refusal is at an all-time high, and arming kids with healthy coping strategies is more important than ever. Are your children focused on avoiding failure or are they operating from a place of achieving to their greatest ability, based on their individual strengths and weaknesses?  This presentation will review specific interventions designed to assist children in managing their anxiety, as well as promoting increased motivation, healthy goal setting and active school engagement. Learn how to better develop parenting strategies to assist children with healthy coping responses and engage them in effective communication and language that promotes self-advocacy and independence. Ms. Rhew will provide essential tools for parents to assist their children in building resilience, navigating stressful situations, and increasing self-advocacy and problem solving abilities, thus leading to greater self-confidence and self-reliance.
 

Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten pre-registration for 2019-2020 is now open. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2019, are eligible to enroll. The District's Kindergarten Committee and Central PTO unanimously approved shifting to an online process versus an on-site process. This shift minimizes the time needed to pre-register and respects the busy schedules of our families.  

The Registration process is completed in two steps:
  1. Complete an online pre-registration form
  2. Provide proof of residency (documents can be uploaded online): child(ren)'s original birth certificate and a parent photo ID will need to be provided in person. Opportunities to do so will be made available in Spring 2019. The  list of documents that will meet these requirements is here: https://www.winnetka36.org/parents/prospectivefamilies
If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 847-446-9400 .

Redistricting
A webpage dedicated to Redistricting will continue to be updated regularly: https://www.winnetka36.org/redistricting_in_D36 .

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 March 1. 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 workers, Kelly Anderson and Lori Barsztaitis.

Dates to Note 

************************************
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Monday, February 18

Dance Marathon
Friday, March 1

St. Baldrick's/Wigs for Kids
Monday, March 11

Winnetka D36 Jungle Jog (5k)
Saturday, March 16

Spring Break
March 23-31
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