Dear Winnetka Families,
Sincerely,
Beth Carmody, Hubbard Woods
Julie Pfeffer, Crow Island
Joshua Swanner, Greeley
GREELEY NEWS
Dear Greeley Families,
Halloween is almost here, and frightening decorations are all about our front yards, stores, and more. This week's question focuses on the theme of fear, albeit a different form of fear.
Recall a time when you faced a fear. How did you overcome that fear?
It is important for children and adults alike to recollect moments when they took a risk, demonstrated bravery, or overcame an obstacle. Remembering these moments help remind us that we are capable of more than we think.
Sincerely,
Joshua Swanner
Principal
HALLOWEEN REMINDERS
Students in Grades 1 - 4, should
NOT
wear costumes to school in the morning. Please plan to either bring your costume to put on
AFTER
lunch or to go home for lunch to change into your costume. (Please let us know if your child will be going home for lunch.)
Costumes should be tasteful. Masks and other face coverings are not allowed, nor are weapons of any kind. Your child will be walking and dancing, so the costume should allow for those activities.
KINDER HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION
Kindergarten students should wear their costumes to school in the morning. If your child is not comfortable doing that, please bring her/his costume in a bag in case they want to change later. Kinders will parade in and out of classrooms at 9:00.
This event is NOT for parents. Parents are invited to attend the all school celebration at 12:45. Kinders will join the Ghost Walk and watch the Ghost Dance.
Our beloved Ghost Walk and Ghost Dance will take place on the playground, weather permitting, and will begin at 12:45. We invite all families to join us for this much loved tradition.
CLASS PARTIES
All class parties will be food free except for fruit and vegetable treats.
BRING A NEIGHBOR TO SCHOOL DAY
We are excited to announce that our third annual Bring a Neighbor to School Day will be held on Monday, November 11. Students in Grades 1-4 are encouraged to invite a neighbor to join their classroom from 8:45-9:25am. This 40-minute event is seen as a simple, genuine method of having students make a connection with an adult and grow their confidence in speaking about their role/learning in the schoolhouse.
A neighbor can be someone who lives or works in Winnetka, someone who doesn't have children in the public schools yet, or someone who is retired and never had children in our school system. Please RSVP to Leslie Jenner at
lesliejenner@winnetka36.org
if your child will be bringing a guest.
This is strictly an optional event. Please do not feel pressured to bring someone if you do not feel comfortable doing so. Each classroom will be celebrating this in their own way and no students will be left out, neighbor or no neighbor!
Overall, the purpose of these efforts is to:
-
Increase students' sense of ownership within Greeley School
-
Develop a greater community understanding of our programming and who we are as a school
-
Cultivate positive relationships between students, staff, and the greater Winnetka community
Invitations will be sent home with your child later this week. Please call our main office if you have any question
DISTRICT NEWS
Redistricting 2020 Plan Approval
After three years of evaluating redistricting scenarios, The Winnetka Public Schools Board approved new attendance boundaries to form a long-term solution to address the enrollment imbalance in the District. Feedback from the Winnetka community as well as input from the Village and Winnetka Police Department was reviewed throughout the Redistricting 2020 process and helped inform the Board's decision. The revised boundaries shift 314 households from the Crow Island School zone to the Greeley School zone with Linden Ave. as the new border.
These new boundaries
are effective immediately for students newly registering.
The Board and Administration will continue to collaborate with the Village and Police to plan for optimal capacity and utilization at Crow Island, Greeley and Hubbard Woods; efficiently manage District resources while upholding the District's commitment to equitable education; and execute a plan to return Kindergarten to Crow Island in 2020.
The School Board also approved a plan to "phase-in" students. Phasing-in allows a subset of students to remain at their current school after new boundary lines go into effect.
The Board approved phasing-in the following students who reside in the redistricted zone (representing 2020-2021 grade levels):
-
All 4th graders
-
2nd and 3rd graders who attended D36 Kindergarten
-
2nd and 3rd graders who did not attend D36 Kindergarten
-
1st graders who attended D36 Kindergarten with an older sibling who attends Crow Island
Students who will not be given phase-in consideration are as follows:
Families who are eligible for "Phasing In" will receive a letter and instructions to complete a form by December 5, 2019
with their preference for their child(ren) in 2020-2021.
100th Anniversary of Progressive Education:
Save the Date + Consider Submitting an Interest Form to Serve on the Event Planning Committee
On March 10, 2020, the District is hosting an event celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Progressive Education in Winnetka (to coincide with Carleton Washburne's arrival in Winnetka in 1919). Have you been positively impacted by District's progressive philosophy? Are you interested in helping us celebrate our century-long commitment to Progressive Education? The District is forming a Committee of Winnetka Public Schools alumni, current and former parents, current and retired educators, community partners, and/or anyone who is proud of our schools and wants to help us plan a celebration for the Winnetka community to enjoy. Please consider completing an interest form by October 29, 2019:
https://forms.gle/Jp5VDoZgRqaefrVt9
October is National Bullying Prevention Month - Learn about the District's Prevention Plan
The District's Bullying Response and Prevention Plan provides guidance on methods for reporting. Reporting mechanisms are shared with students via discussions in classrooms (grades 1-4) and advisory/homeroom (grades 5-8). Students are always encouraged to talk with a staff member if they are feeling unsafe in the school environment. Additionally, communication forms, both on paper and on the District's website, allow students to discreetly notify their principal of a problem they would like to talk about. These paper communication forms are available in classrooms (grades 1-4) and will be used by staff if a student needs help completing or does not wish to complete the form on their own. Drop boxes for forms are placed in a common area within each school. Students in grades 5-8 have an electronic form available on their iPads. Parents can assist their child in completing a form as well. Click here to view. This electronic form can be accessed from the District website - Parent tab - School Safety and Awareness.
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/.
|
|
|
|
Dates to Remember
EARLY DISMISSAL EVERY MONDAY
2:45
(GRADES 1 - 4, KINDER EXTENDED PLAY)
thursday, oct. 31
ghost walk
12:45 pm
FRIDAY, NOV. 1
NO SCHOOL
TEACHER INSTITUTE
DAY
Friday, Nov. 8
Greeley spirit day
MONDAY, NOV. 11
BRING A NEIGHBOR TO SCHOOL DAY
8:45 -9:25 AM
Please note date change:
Wednesday, NOV. 13
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY LUNCH WITH MR. SWANNER
(GRADES 1 - 4)
Tuesday, Nov. 26
No Sports after school
(3rd graders)
WEDNESDAY- FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 26-29
THANKSGIVING BREAK
tuesday, dec. 3
last sports after school - session 1
(3rd graders)
wednesday, dec. 4
last sports after
school - session 1
(4th graders)
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
GREELEY SPIRIT DAY
wednesday, dec. 18
winter sings
9:00 a.m. - A-K
1:00 p.m. - L-Z
thursday, dec. 19
june birthday lunch
with mr. swanner
(grades 1-4)
friday, dec. 20
december birthday lunch with
mr. swanner
(grades 1 - 4)
friday, dec. 20
last day before
winter break
monday, jan. 6, 2020
|
|
|
|
The Winnetka Public Schools community empowers every student to flourish in an innovative, experiential environment. We support and challenge all learners to actively engage in continual growth and achievement to make a meaningful difference in the world.
|
|
|
