Dear Winnetka Families,

 

We hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time with family and friends.  It is always nice to pause, take a collective deep breath and be grateful for the gifts we have.  Although busy, the several-week stretch between Thanksgiving and Winter Break is a rich and exciting time for all.  We look forward to the deep learning and festivities that takes during these few weeks.

 

As we get busy with the holiday rush, we want to remind everyone of the importance of making the areas around our schoolhouses safe for our students.  During snowy, icy weather it's particularly important to drive slowly and carefully. Please follow the driving patterns identified at your school, remember to only drop off and pick up children in the designated areas and stay off of cell phones.  We appreciate your support with this.

 

Another cold-weather reminder - please be sure that all students are dressed for the weather as they come to school. Remember, that if your child likes to play in the snow, snow pants and boots are required to do so.  Children will spend time outside every day unless it is raining or extremely cold. All items that can be removed should be marked with your child's name so that lost items can be returned.  Each school has a designated Lost and Found area for all items that are found in or outside of our buildings. 

 

Have a wonderful week!

 

Fondly,

 

Beth Carmody, Hubbard Woods

Julie Pfeffer, Crow Island

Joshua Swanner, Greeley

 

GREELEY NEWS

Dear Greeley Families,

 

It is hard to believe that the final month of the year is upon us, and the first third of the school year has come to a close! Greeley students and staff came together for our annual Thanksgiving assembly this past Tuesday. Our 4th grade students put on three small plays, detailing the importance of inclusion, acceptance, the value of different abilities, and more. A special thank you goes out to our fourth graders, as well as the staff that organized the event, including Ms. Ferneding, Ms. Wellman, our fourth grade teachers, and our RC team!

At the assembly, I asked students to picture one person or thing for which they are grateful. I encourage you to ask your child:

Who or what did you think of when Mr. Swanner asked you to reflect on something or someone you are grateful for?

 

Sincerely,

 

Joshua Swanner

Principal

 

HOLIDAY ABSENCES

If your travel plans for Winter Break call for your child(ren) to miss school days, please either email or call Mrs. Jenner to let her know.  It is helpful for us to know of absences in advance for our attendance records.  Thank you!

 

   

WINTER SHARING

2019

 

What is it?

The Winter Sharing (also known as the Winter Sing-Along) is a time when our school community comes together to share music. The children perform festive, wintery songs and everyone offers up their voices and sings a few songs together. The atmosphere is casual and fun, and enables all of us to take a moment in the midst of our busy schedules to relax and enjoy music together. 

When is it?

• These programs will occur on Wednesday, December 18th 
• Families whose last name begins with the letters A-K will attend their Winter Sharing at 9:00 AM 
• Families with last names that begin with the letters L-Z will enjoy their program at 1:00 PM 

Arrival time:

• The doors will open twenty minutes before each program begins.
• Parents should pick up their child from his/her classroom and find a seat in the auditorium.

This year's format:

• Parents will begin the program sitting with their child/children in the audience 
• Groups of students will be called to the stage when it is their time to share/perform
• The last portion of the program will highlight student performances with classmates and/or buddies.

What should I do if I can't come to the program?

If you cannot attend, please arrange for a grandparent, aunt, uncle, babysitter or family friend to accompany your child.  If no one is available, please let your child's teacher know and he/she will sit with your child during the program. 

Questions or Concerns:

Please contact Mrs. Jenner if you have any questions or concerns.

 

 

 

 

DISTRICT NEWS

WPI Opportunities

Social Emotional Learning: An Introduction

Focus on the CASEL competencies of Self-Awareness and Self Management

December 3, 2019

9:30 a.m. to 10:30 am 

The Skokie School Community Room

 

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Join District Educators and parents for this informational session on the importance of SEL and the key competencies of self-awareness and self management. This is the first in a series of WPI's workshops that the District will offer this school year focusing on this important District-wide initiative. RSVP here . 

Hour of Code

December 4, 2019

4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Crow Island School MakerSpace, 1112 Willow Road

December 3-9 is Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take interest in computer science. CSEdWeek is held in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906).  Each year, millions of people participate in #HourofCode, the largest learning event in history, to promote the importance of Computer Science Education. We encourage families and community members of all ages to join us as our students guide various coding and technology activities as part of the international event #HourofCode.  RSVP here .

From Washburne to New Trier:

A D36 Parent's Guide to the New Trier Transition

December 5, 2019 

9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Carleton Washburne School, 515 Hibbard Rd.

Paul Waechtler, Principal at the New Trier High School Freshman

Campus, and Lori Worth, 8th Grade Transition Faculty, will discuss the New Trier freshman placement process and the efforts made to ensure a smooth transition to high school.  A Q & A will provide an opportunity for parents to learn more about how to best support their child(ren) as they prepare for their New Trier experience. RSVP here .

The Winnetka Public Schools welcomes students that will be new to the District in the 2020-2021 school year to begin registration. Incoming kindergarteners  (five-years-old on or before September 1, 2020), and all new students entering grades 1-8 are eligible to enroll.

The  new student registration process is completed in three steps:

1. Complete new student pre-registration forms online beginning December 6, 2019.
2. 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. 
3. 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 complete and residency documentation is verified. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 847-446-9400.

Recommendation Form Protocol

Throughout the school year, our teachers and administrators may be asked to complete a recommendation 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 .

Learners

Our annual District magazine, Learners , was mailed to all homes in Winnetka this month. To read Learners, click 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: