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Dear Skokie Families,
While it may seem early to be thinking about spring-time events in our schools, we'd love for you to "Save the Date" for a few exciting Skokie traditions that will be coming up in March. Our hope is that, this year, these traditions will be expanded out to our greater Winnetka Public Schools Community, and allow for a cross-campus collaboration between Washburne and Skokie. More detailed information about the events will be provided in the new year; however, we've got the important date/time details below so you can reserve the space on your calendar.
What: **NEW THIS YEAR!** Dance Marathon (clever title in the works!)
When: Friday, March 1, 6-8pm
Where: Washburne Gymnasiums
Why: To benefit Lurie's Children's Hospital and Mental Health Awareness
What: St. Baldrick's/Wigs for Kids
When: Monday, March 11, 2:30-4:00
Where: Skokie Auditorium
Why: To raise money for the St. Baldrick's Organization and donate hair to Wigs for Kids
What: 5k Fun Run/Walk
When: Saturday, March 16
Where: Erickson Woods
Why: To benefit several charitable organizations near and dear to our community
Skokie has hosted a Cancer Awareness Week during the month of March for a number of years now, knowing that cancer has sadly touched the lives of so many, and that funding for research is an important factor in developing cures. This year, we would like to make March an entire month of awareness, and focus on the ways in which we can be more compassionate, empathetic and knowledgeable community members in supporting those we live, work and learn with who may be fighting their own quiet battle of some sort. We look forward to these great community events, and to your help in making them a success. Again, look for more detailed information to come out in the New Year.
On another note, those familiar with our Skokie office staff may have noticed the absence of a familiar face over the last few months. Ms. Rachel Owen, our Administrative Assistant, has been tending to her health since the start of the school year. We are pleased to have added the help of Ms. Kathryn Horton to our office staff through the end of the school year. We know you join us in wishing Ms. Owen well and welcoming Ms. Horton to Skokie. We look forward to Ms. Owen's return, and are grateful for Ms. Horton's experienced help.
Do your best to stay warm this weekend! Although the sun is shining, it is brisk out there. Enjoy the time together with your family, and we will look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday! Only two more weeks until winter break!
Most Sincerely,
Kelly Tess
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @skokie36
#beatree #everybodyin
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AP CORNER
This year's Home Scoop will feature the "AP Corner," giving our Assistant Principal, Betty Weir, an opportunity to share information each week. You can follow Betty on Twitter at @BettyWeirEdu.
Untold Stories
Last Friday, five Skokie teachers and I had the opportunity to attend the National Council of Social Studies conference that was hosted here in Chicago. We learned from a variety of different sessions and then shared our key learnings with each other. Several of our teachers have already brought ideas they learned from the conference into their classrooms!
The first session that I attended was focused on social studies topics in children's literature. It was very impactful, as it discussed the untold stories of our history. For example, the presenter shared the prevalence of resources and instruction related to Ellis Island across our country. While most are familiar with Ellis Island, the stories from Angel Island on the west coast are often not shared. The presenter shared a chart with statistics that detailed the number of weeks immigrants spent at each of these locations and the number of people turned away. It was very compelling.
The presenter also shared a booklist with us that contains a collection of titles that represent stories that don't often get shared from history. As we go through a social studies curriculum review as a district, one of our priorities will be looking at acquiring some of these titles for our libraries so that students have a chance to learn about history from a variety of perspectives.
In addition to being excited about stories we can share with our students, I left the conference wanting to select some books for my home library so I can share them with my children. If you are interested in exploring some "untold stories" with your child, here are several ideas:
Coolies
(a picture book about Angel Island)
She Stood for Freedom: The Untold Story of a Civil Rights Hero, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland
The Hero In The Helmet: Colin Kaepernick
Young Water Protectors: A Story About Standing Rock
Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey
Marching with Aunt Susan
The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist
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Coffee and Conversation with your Middle School Principals--
SAVE THE DATE
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We hope you will consider joining joining us on Friday, January 18 morning at 9:30am in the Curriculum Office Conference Room at Washburne for an informal, but guided conversation around social media and adolescents. This is a great opportunity to connect with your neighbors across the district and hear from your middle school administrators on a topic we all face in raising our middle school children. We hope to see you join us for a great conversation.
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District News
Update on Educational Master Facility Plan (EMFP): Future Ready D36
November 27, 2018 School Board Meeting
Jill Huskisson, Independent Communications Specialist
, shared an overview of insight gathered from four focus groups conducted with community leaders on November 20 and 21.
With the Educational Master Facility Plan approved (Oct. 2018), and a commitment to maintain the neighborhood school model with (3) K-4 schools and (1) 5-8 school campus, the School Board worked to further reduce and refine a Phase I Facilities Plan. Joined by members from Pepper Construction and DLR Group, the Board reviewed components and costs for a plan that would address aging infrastructure, capacity to support balanced (K-4) enrollment equitably at all elementary schools, and consolidation to a single 5-8 campus. Proposed projects included:
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Health, Life Safety items/projects, safety and security enhancements, ADA accessibility upgrades, HVAC upgrades with improved indoor air quality and temperature regulation, domestic water pipe replacement and electrical capacity upgrades at all elementary schools and Washburne
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Addition of (3) classrooms and a gym; and renovations for a multi-purpose/cafeteria space and resource center at Crow Island
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Renovation/addition for multi-purpose/cafeteria space at Greeley and Hubbard Woods
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Addition and renovation at Washburne to appropriately support grades 5-8
The School Board will have a Work Session on December 10, 2018 to finalize a Phase I Facilities Plan and confirm financing options with and associated tax impact. A facilities plan must be adopted by the Board with ballot resolutions approved no later than January 14, 2019 in order to meet required deadlines for an April 2, 2019 election.
Redistricting
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:
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Complete an online pre-registration form
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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
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Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Annual Report
Thank you, Winnetka Public Schools Foundation, for the incredible opportunities you continue to provide for our students!
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Dates to Note
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Trimester I Progress Reports Mailed Home
Week of December 10
Winter Break Begins
Upon Dismissal--
Friday, December 21
Return from Winter Break
Monday, January 7
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