Dear Parents, Staff and Community Members,
Thank you for making the first week of our 2018-2019 school year a success! A special thank you to staff for all of the preparation that goes into launching a new school year. We also recognize our school PTOs for all they have done to make families and staff feel welcome. Finally, a shoutout to our students for successfully completing week one of the new school year with a great deal of positive energy and kindness.
As we head into the holiday weekend, I'd like to share a video that inspired our staff on Opening Day. It will definitely make you smile!
In June, we asked our students what they would like to say to welcome their teachers back to campus. In the short, unscripted video, it is evident that there is a love for learning amongst our students. We foster this positive learning culture by engaging our students' interests, challenging them to stretch their thinking, and striving, continuously, to meet the standard of excellence we set for ourselves. We are fortunate to have such an incredible community of students, teachers, and families who support this sort of dynamic learning.
We look forward to an incredible year ahead. I hope you enjoy some family time over the extended weekend.
Sincerely,
Dr. Trisha Kocanda
D36 Updates:
Update on our Educational Master Facility Plan (EMFP): Future Ready D36
At the August 21 School Board Meeting, there was an EMFP update with recap of key working assumptions and a preliminary timeline leading to a potential facilities referendum in spring 2019. Key milestones reviewed included a September survey-poll to collect data on community priorities and funding level support, finalization of the EMFP in late October, and Board Work Sessions to define an implementation plan and potential Phase I facilities project.
A review of the 10-year vision for the EMFP focused on a potential K-4; 5-8 Concept which would restore all (3) neighborhood elementary schools to a grade K-4 configuration and consolidate to a single (1) grade 5-8 campus. It was confirmed with the Board that the EMFP, as with all planning options considered, would require change to the elementary school attendance boundaries in the least disruptive manner for students, families and households. The timeline of late spring 2019 was established for making decisions regarding boundary changes - and following the definition of a potential Phase I facilities plan and community approved referendum.
In response to Board request, the District reviewed costs associated with tiers of modernization to address aging buildings, systems, and outdated instructional spaces. Estimated 30-year costs to address items identified in the Health Life Safety Plan (alone) totaled approximately $127 million; in comparison, the estimated 30-year cost of implementing the K-4; 5-8 Concept totaled approximately $160 million.
Information on our Educational Master Facility Plan (EMFP):
Future Ready D36,
is available at www.winnetka36.org.
D36 Communications
Our annual publication
Learners
, will be in your mailboxes late next week. We hope you'll enjoy reading more about our District goals, highlights from 2017-2018, and alumni stories.
Learners
also contains our annual Financial Report.
D36 Principals send weekly emails to parents. This is an opportunity to learn more about what is going on at your child's school as well as at the District level. You will also receive The Winnetka Wire (the District's monthly newsletter) and Board Highlights (a monthly recap following each Board Meeting). If you'd like to access the August edition of these publications, click here.
Please follow D36 on Social Media if you'd like to see photos (including from our first week of school!), videos, and news. You may access these platforms from the icons at the bottom of this email. We look forward to connecting with you throughout the year!
