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The Skokie School Home Scoop
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Dear Skokie Community,
As we prepare for winter conferences, I know a question on many parents' minds is, "Will my child be ready for...[fill in the blank with Skokie, 6th Grade, Washburne, New Trier, College, Life]?" It is natural for us parents to want to ensure our children are progressing and growing each year. The changes the pandemic has thrown at us can add to this wonder and turn it into anxiety. I am writing this week in an effort to ease that anxiety and invite you to share the confidence I have that the children are learning a great deal this year.
With two of my children in kindergarten this year, I have found myself wondering, "Are they going to learn everything they would have learned if they were receiving in person instruction full time?" Perhaps you have found yourself wondering this, as well. In Winnetka Public Schools, we have a teaching and learning plan that ensures our students are receiving instruction in the priority common core standards. Our teachers meet weekly (and more) alongside our content area facilitators and administrators to make thoughtful plans for teaching and learning in the classroom. Additionally, we discuss our teaching practices and strive to engage students using instruction, questioning, and activities that support student understanding and mastery.
The pandemic has also created opportunities for children to learn and practice skills that they may not have needed to rely on as heavily on in the past. All of our children are learning how to adapt to shifting circumstances. They are learning how to use technology more independently and getting more practice with organizing themselves. Additionally, the children are keeping track of different schedules and learning to behave appropriately in an online environment.
Looking for resources? Parenting during the pandemic presents unique challenges. I came across the Child Mind Institute this weekend in preparing content for this newsletter, and wanted to share some of the articles the organization has posted related to the pandemic. The site has a wealth of information should you be looking for resources to support your family.
A sampling of helpful articles from Child Mind Institute:
Take care,
Betty Weir Louis Kotvis
Principal Assistant Principal
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District News
CrisisGo Compliance Reminder
As we plan to lengthen our school day, it is critically important that all families with students attending our schools continue to fill out the CrisisGo Symptom checker daily. This practice has been pivotal in contact tracing, reporting to the county, and proactively responding to avoid community spread of COVID-19.
We ask for community compliance in order to support the safety of our families and staff.
Spring, Summer, Fall 2021 Roadmap At the January 26, 2021 Board Meeting, the District presented a Spring, Summer, Fall 2021 Roadmap, detailing plans to further maximize safe, in-person, quality learning. Please reference the January 29 Message from the Superintendent for a recap of what was discussed at the meeting.
From District Partner The Alliance for Early Childhood
PANDEMIC PARENTING: TOOLS AND TIPS
Stop Yelling! Holding Boundaries at Home to Stay Balanced
February 18, 7-7:45pm
Sibling squabbles, temper tantrums, refusal and resistance wear away your precious last nerve. You snap, you yell, and then you feel terrible. The pandemic has amplified this experience for so many parents. No parent wants to yell at their child and yet, no human has endless patience. So how do you live with your children without yelling or giving up completely? How do you find the balance while getting your children to cooperate? Come learn how to set boundaries without yelling and keep the peace without losing your peace. Rediscover the loving parent you are through new self-awareness and tools to support your family. Program facilitated by Molly Pope, Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, Parent Coach, and Speaker and Trainer.
Let's Play! Winter Woods Exploration, Crow Island Woods, February 20, 10am-4pm
From District Partner Family Action Network
Family Action Network (FAN) hosts a series of parent sessions with renowned authors, educators, and experts. Upcoming events include:
ANDREA DAVIS PINKNEY AND BRIAN PINKNEY
"The Marriage of Words and Pictures"
Tuesday, January 19, 2021, 7:00 PM
REGISTER HERE
RON LIEBER
"The Price You Pay for College"
Interviewer: Lauren Rivera, Ph.D., Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 7:00 PM
GLENN ADAMSON
"Craft: An American History"
Interviewer: Norman Teague, Founder, Norman Teague Design Studio
Wednesday, January 27, 2021, 7:00 PM
REGISTER HERE
Access 2020-2021's District Parent Education sessions below:
Kindergarten & New Student Registration
Registration for Kindergarten and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2021-2022 is now open and can be accessed from the District website. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2021, are eligible to enroll.
The New Student Registration includes the following:
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Complete the following new student registration forms online.
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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.
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Provide the original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID. Scanned copies or snapshots of these documents may be uploaded during online registration or can be submitted in-person at the District Office by appointment. Please contact the District Registrar at (847) 446-9400 or via email [email protected] for more information.
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Next spring you will receive an email from the District with a link to your child's registration. You will be asked to review the information provided in the past, answer additional questions, pay student fees, and sign up for transportation and before/after-school care at that time. Registration information will be sent to the student's primary email and home address.
Please note: children will not be considered enrolled until both the online registration and all supporting documents (steps 1-3) have been completed. We look forward to welcoming you to The Winnetka Public Schools.
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Replies to this email will be sent directly to Betty Weir. Please note that unsubscribing from this email will unsubscribe from all Winnetka School emails.
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