Washburne Families,
Welcome to March. Hopefully this weekend's weather is an indicator that spring is on the way. Friday was a busy day of planning and moving as we look to wrap up the 2nd trimester this week and prepare Washburne for bringing both our AM and PM students together for our Extended Day schedule on March 15th. Please see the Washburne Extended Day Update for more detailed information on the plan.
As we prepare for our extended day schedule, we want to make sure that families are aware of our entrance procedures:
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All students will need to have their Crisis Go check in completed prior to arriving on campus. Crisis Go should be completed by parents no later than 8:00 AM.
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As we have been doing all year, students will line up six feet apart prior to being let in to the building. Students should not be dropped off or arrive on our campus prior to 8:15 AM.
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Most entrance locations will remain the same or will be in close proximity to the entrances that students have been using all year. Parents can view an updated map of our entrance locations using this link. Staff will review these locations with students this week.
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We plan to use these new entrances beginning the week of March 8th to allow for students to acclimate to their new locations prior to the launch of our new schedule on March 15th.
Thank you for your patience and partnership as we make this transition to a new schedule.
Take Care and Be Well,
Dr. Andrew Fenton Ben Horwitz
Principal Assistant Principal
Award-Winning Author Assembly
The Winnetka Public Schools District is happy to share that award-winning author Jason Reynolds will be speaking to the students of Skokie and Washburne via a virtual assembly on Thursday, March 11th at 2:45 PM. Mr. Reynolds is the author of many engaging titles for young adults, and many of our students have enjoyed reading his works this year or in the past. Students will have the opportunity to hear about Mr. Reynolds's experiences as a writer and ask questions as part of his presentation. More information about his numerous accomplishments, awards, and background can be found by clicking this link.
Additionally, copies of Mr. Reynolds's works can be ordered directly from The Book Stall by using the following link. Each book purchased will include an autographed bookplate from Mr. Reynolds while supplies last.
Good Mental Health For You and Your Child
CLICK HERE to view Peggy Kubert's, LCSW and Senior Director of Education with Erika's Lighthouse, presentation that discusses the importance of understanding mental health of our youth, guidance around family and child conversations, and when there are concerns.
Here are some links to documents and information referenced in the presentation:
March Hybrid Calendar
Please see this link to view Washburne's hybrid calendar for March.
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The school year will end one day earlier than previously communicated, with the last half-day of school falling on Friday, June 4 (rather than Monday, June 7 as previously communicated). Please update your personal calendars. An updated 2020-2021 calendar is here.
Additionally, the Draft 2021-2022 Calendar was presented to the School Board this week prior to adoption at the March 23 Board Meeting. This draft mirrors previous years' calendar models; however, it does include no school the week of Thanksgiving.
Nearby Covid-19 PCR Testing Option
If you are in need of a PCR test, there is a local option offering daily appointments. Northshore Clinical Labs offers free PCR COVID-19 testing at a mass testing site at Flick Park's Pool Field House (3600 Glenview Road, Glenview, Illinois) for any staff, student, or family member.
Note that this is the same organization with which the Township is partnering for post-spring break testing.
Travel Guidance and Spring Break
Note that at the Special Board Meeting on February 15, the following decisions were made regarding spring break travel and the return to in-person learning:
- The District will utilize PCR testing to reduce quarantine duration during travel at a Township PCR Testing Clinic on April 2, 3 and 4 (and again on April 10) for families and staff.
- A Remote Day on Monday, April 5 (with a return to in-person learning on Tuesday, April 6) will provide time for the receipt of PCR test results from staff and students.
This plan subject to change as health guidance is amended.
YouTube Filtering & Functionality
Video is growing and YouTube is now one of the largest search engines in the world. Filtering videos does not work the same way as traditional internet content filtering; therefore, the District continues to research and implement strategies to protect our community. Beginning February 24, we will be adding additional measures to filter YouTube for our young learners in grades K-4. Please note this may cause some functionality issues. If this happens, please be sure to reach out to our technology staff via this email address: [email protected]. We recommend talking to your child about safe YouTube searching on home devices as well as school issued technology. Common Sense Media provides a helpful video on ways to make YouTube safer. Please keep an eye out for future parent learning opportunities on this topic and others from our technology staff.
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.
The Alliance for Early Childhood's NEW Let's Play! Guide
Let's Play! is The Alliance for Early Childhood's ongoing community program, inviting families to engage and interact with their children in child-directed, creative, free play. We have put together a program that is aligned to current state guidelines in order to host you and your family safely this year for outdoors events. Check out our digital 2020-2021 Let's Play! Guide to see our calendar of events and registration details.
Erin's Law
Beginning in March, building social workers will implement state-mandated sexual abuse prevention education during one 20-30 minute session in each classroom. Parents have the option to opt their children out of the program as they deem appropriate, and must do so by March 8. For more detailed information about Erin's Law and curriculum content, or to find the opt-out form, please refer to the
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Replies to this email will be sent directly to Andrew Fenton. Please note that unsubscribing from this email will unsubscribe from all Winnetka School emails.
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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.
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Upcoming Dates
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Monday, March 8th
Start of Trimester 3
Monday, March 15th
Start of Extended Day Schedule - All Students attend at 8:30am
Regular BOE meeting at 7:15pm
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