The Item Newsletter, Issue #1, August 23, 2020
Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year!

Happy new school year from the Hubbard Woods PTO! The amount of time, care, thought, energy and focus that it has taken all of us to reach this year's "First Day of School" is unparalleled.

This year is shaping up to look different than any other and we are counting on the support of you, our school and the greater community to help keep our youngest learners happy and healthy in our school buildings. Please stay apprised of best health practices and guidelines distributed by the state and district in an effort to keep our children safe and well.

We want to extend a very special welcome to our new families! Hopefully you have met, will soon meet, or have connected in some way with your Buddy Family. Definitely reach out to them with any questions, as they are wonderful ambassadors of our school.

Also, a huge thank you to all of the parents who have helped with back-to-school activities already. Thank you to those who said "yes" to being Room Parents -- you're going to have fun in that role, even if it may look a little different this year! Thank you to our Back-to-School and Buddy Family chairs and committee members -- from yard signs to buddy bags -- you're helping us make Hubbard Woods School a warm and inviting place! For those still hoping to get more involved in the school, please reach out -- we have plenty of opportunities.

The HWS PTO

P.S. Remember, if you want another email address added to our PTO email distribution list, please email us at [email protected]. This "Item" newsletter comes out every other Sunday, to the email address of the parent listed as primary contact at registration. The same goes for email blast reminders the PTO sends out as needed.

This Week
Share your First Day Photos with Yearbook! 
We need your help to capture the beautiful smiles of your children. Please snap a first day of school photo, grouping siblings together if possible. 

Please send photos to 
[email protected] by
 Friday, September 4. Photos submitted will only be used in print format for the 2020-2021 yearbook. Any questions? Please contact HW yearbook editors, Alicia Rosauer at [email protected] or Nicole Roberts at [email protected].

Also, please visit our yearbook table on August 27! Yearbook photographers will be offering socially distanced off campus photo opportunities to interested families on the Northeast corner of Chatfield and Burr. Walk over or roll down your car window and say hello. We are looking forward to seeing you!
Spiritwear Sale Starts Friday, August 28!
Starting August 28th through
September 11th, a variety of Hubbard Woods School-branded athletic/leisure wear will be available for sale. And if there was ever a year to show our school spirit, it's 2020/2021!

Spirit Day is the first Friday of each month and students/staff are encouraged to show their HWS pride!

Samples will be available to preview on Wednesday, September 2nd and 9th from 7:30am-9:30am AND 12:30-1:30pm. They will be displayed on the corner of Burr and Chatfield road, directly north of the school front entrance. Please feel free to stop by and browse the offerings as well as check out the available sizes.

A small portion of sales benefits the HWS PTO. This is an easy way that you can help support all of the great events, programs and improvements the PTO contributes to our wonderful school.
It's Not Too Late to Make Your Back-to-School Payments Online
Take advantage of the PTO's online payment option for back-to-school fees!  CLICK HERE
to pay for your child's back-to-school needs: 
*School Supplies * Yearbooks * Teacher Gifts*
*PTO Donation*

Note:  Unfortunately given the current environment, we are unable to accept checks.  The nominal PayPal fees have been absorbed into the cost of the school supplies. PayPal will not charge you additional fees to process.
Back-to-School Schedule

Thursday, August 27
Morning classes: 8:30-9:30am
Afternoon classes: 12:30-1:30pm

From Friday August 28
Morning (AM): 
In Person: 8:30 - 11:30am 
Remote: 12:30 - 3:00pm

Afternoon (PM):
Remote: 9:00 - 11:30am
In Person: 12:30 - 3:30pm 

News and Notes
Health Checks
Make Health Checks a part of your schedule!  In order to make the most of In Person learning time, it will be very important to submit your daily health check well before your child is to arrive at school. The app is not instant, so completing the health check from the drop off line will not reach your teacher's dashboard in time. If the symptom check is not completed, students will have to visit the School Nurse/Health Clerk until the symptom check is complete. Please submit your checks early!

The District's daily health screening process will utilize Crisis Go Safety iPass, an app that will be shared prior to the start of school.
From the District: Family Health and Safety Pledge
Our community's shared commitment to health and safety during the COVID-19 global pandemic not only supports our schools but also extends to the whole community's health and wellness. Together, we must understand how interconnected we are. Our individual decisions impact not only our own health but that of others.

With this in mind, families are required to review and sign the pledge by the start of the 2020-2021 school year on August 27, 2020.

D36 Directory Information
Wondering about how you can get contact info for your child's classroom families or D36 families? Here are some updates:
  • There will be one online directory for all 5 D36 schools
  • Your access will be available in mid-September -- watch for updates and instructions!
  • Due to parent privacy rules, the PTO (including room parents) cannot share class lists or parent information prior to the directory being made available
Looking Ahead
First Day of School
Thursday, August 27th
AM classes 8:30-9:30am
PM classes 12:30-1:30pm
Spiritwear Sale
Friday, August 28th- Friday, September 11
Purchase new HWS gear!
No School
Monday, September 7th
Labor Day
Spirit Day
Friday, September 11th
Wear your HWS gear or school colors- Blue and White!
Picture Day
TuesdaySeptember 15th
Please watch your child's backpack for sign-up forms and information.
Community News
Get to Know the Plans for the New School Year!

In order to prepare for this unprecedented school year, the district created a planning guide with lots of information. Find the District guide here

Find the Hubbard Woods School-specific guide here.

All HWS parents are encouraged to attend monthly D36 School Board meetings, to stay informed. 

Next D36 School Board Meeting:

Tuesday, 9/22, 7:15 PM
Carleton Washburne Resource Center

To visit D36, Click Here
Kudos
Rah, Rah, Rah For Our Volunteers!

Our school year is off to a running start thanks to the efforts of the many volunteers involved with the PTO's back-to-school initiatives. While space constraints keep us from naming everyone, please know your hard work is appreciated! 

Specifically we want to thank:
The members of the Back-to-School Committee for arranging to have HW signs placed on every HW family's lawn and the fun decor that will adorn Hubbard Woods the first day of school. 

A big thanks to Jessalyn Garvey and Caroline Katz and the HW Buddy Families for welcoming new families and getting creative to show everyone a sincere welcome.

Thank you to Jessica Newell for spending time this summer selecting wonderful new school spirit wear and problem solving how to showcase our new gear. 

Margaret Reynolds deserves great thanks for handling all of the school supply ordering and orchestrating the distribution of supply kits. 

Thank you to Carolyn Withey and her committee for working to keep Aunt Ruth's Garden growing and to the Beautification Team for the wonderful planters around the school. 

Thank you to Sarah Boulos and her squad for coordinating the faculty welcome lunch. 

And to all our Room Parents, thanks for saying "YES" to be a point person for the classroom teachers.

Lastly, a huge thanks to our PTO Exec Board for their collective work over the summer to kick off another great year!

About the PTO
The Hubbard Woods PTO involves parents and teachers working together on behalf of the school and its students. To become involved please contact:

You can also reach out to:
President - Sara Dahlstrom
Vice President - Nissa Cox

Note: The D36 Central PTO is a different group, which supports all three elementary schools and Skokie-Washburne. To learn more about the Central PTO,
Next Up
The next Item comes out Monday, 9/7
Submissions are due Wednesday, September 2. 

If you have any questions about the Item, or need to add another e-mail address to the distribution list, please contact: 
[email protected]