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| The Skokie Home Scoop - August 31, 2018 |
Dear Skokie Families,
It was wonderful to see so many families in the building this past Wednesday evening for Go to School Night. While I know it was hot, and the downpour likely kept some people at home, we are always thrilled to welcome you into the building, introduce ourselves, and share what makes us excited to start a new school year with your children.
This year we are embracing the phrase "Be a Tree," as a reminder of how we can each be a strong, sturdy, reliable sense of calm and support for another person in need. When we all commit to that promise, we help to create an environment where we can take turns being the tree or being the one who needs a tree to lean on. As the year gets underway, we look forward to working with you to provide our students with engaging, meaningful learning experiences that challenge their intellect, expand their interests, open their hearts and inspire their young minds to be curious. Do not hesitate to reach out and begin a line a of communication with your child's teachers this year, as your partnership with us only enhances our ability to support your child. We are looking forward to a fantastic year of learning and growing.
As you head into the weekend, ask your fifth or sixth grader to give you an example of a time in the last two weeks when they were "a tree" for someone else, and a moment when they sought out another tree for support. Soak up the cooler temperatures this weekend, and Happy Rosh Hashana to those who celebrate. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday. Enjoy the time together with your family.
Most Sincerely,
Kelly Tess
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @skokie36
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The first Chorus rehearsal will be
Tuesday, September 18th
at 7:30 a.m.
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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.
How Do I Talk to My Child About the MAP Assessment?
Next week, your child will take the fall reading and math MAP assessment. Parents are often curious as to how to talk to their children about standardized assessments. Here are some messages you can share with your children as they prepare to take these assessments next week:
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The MAP test is one way your teachers gather information about your learning. It is important to try your best at the test so that you can show what you know.
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The MAP test is designed to get more challenging as you get questions correct. There will be questions about things you have not learned yet or things you do not know. Don't let that discourage you. Do your best to think the questions through and make a best guess if you don't know the answer.
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It's important to take your time to read the entire question and to use scratch paper in order to work out your thinking.
You also might share a personal story about a time in your life when you took a standardized test. Draw on your own experiences to empathize with how your child may be feeling and support him/her.
Our goal as educators is to create a positive environment surrounding the test so that students feel encouraged to show what they know, while at the same time understanding that the test is one piece of information that we can use to support their learning.
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FIRST LEGO LEAGUE
The FIRST Lego League program inspires innovation and leadership through engaging, hands-on robotics challenges developed to ignite curiosity and passion in students in grades K-12. If you are interested in joining The Skokie School's FLL team, please contact Mr. Martinsen for more information. An informational meeting will be hosted on Tuesday, September 11 at 7:45am in Mr. Martinsen's classroom.
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District News
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
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D36 Communications
Our annual publication
Learners
, will be in your mailboxes by early 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.
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!
Mobile Learning Initiative (MLI) Device Coverage for accidental damage or loss
We encourage parents to purchase device coverage for student iPads $25/year. If you missed purchasing Device Coverage at registration, you may still purchase coverage through September 30th. Cash/check payments can be dropped off with your school secretary or at the District Office (attention: Amy Huisel).
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AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS AT SKOKIE
We are in the process of pulling together this year's after/before school club offerings. At this time, we are accepting registration for Chorus and First Lego League. Stay tuned for more information on our wide variety of other clubs, coming soon!
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September 2018
Skokie Family,
This year, Skokie is again collecting tabs for the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) near Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. Ronald McDonald House's mission "...is to care for families of children with complex medical needs by providing comfort, compassion and a sense of community... by keeping families of hospitalized children together in a 'home away from home'." For more information, visit http://rmhccni.org/about-us/mission/.
Why tabs? United Scrap Metal, a local recycling company picks them up from RMH. They recycle the metal and then pay them the market value, plus a charitable match on a percentage of their profit. United Scrap Metal recycles all types of metal; however, they focus mostly on pop tabs since they are clean, compact, easy to collect and the aluminum in the tab is a higher-grade so it has a higher recycling value.
All types of tabs are accepted - from juice cans, pop cans, to cat food cans.
This year, we are hosting a competition between the advisories. The advisory with the most tabs, as determined by the weight, will win a prize.
Thank you for your support of this program.
Marla Goldberg
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Dates to Note
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September 10, Monday
NO SCHOOL - Rosh Hashana
September 11-21
District Wide MAP
Testing Window
September 19, Wednesday
NO SCHOOL-Yom Kippur
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