Dear Winnetka Families,
In last week's newsletter, we shared information about the different types of assessment data that teachers collect about students. Today, we want to share a bit more about how this data is used.
We have a carefully planned system that helps us use this information in thoughtful and proactive ways through our data meetings. As we did in the fall, we triangulate the data we have on all students to help plan for student supports (interventions) and enrichment experiences for individual students and groups of students. In addition, we use this time to look at data trends over time to help us determine if we need to adjust our curriculum and/or instruction at a macro level. Further, grade level teams meet to supplement and adjust these instructional plans across the grade level. It is critical for parents to know that these discussions are always framed by our philosophy and guided by our desire to meet the needs of the whole child.
These data meetings also allow us to systematically track a student's growth over time, throughout a school year and across school years. This long-term look allows us to factor in developmental readiness for instruction and social-emotional factors that may impact a student's learning and help ensure that students are meeting growth targets and benchmarks along the way.
Sincerely,
Beth Carmody, Hubbard Woods
Julie Pfeffer, Crow Island
Joshua Swanner, Greeley
GREELEY NEWS
Dear Greeley Families,
Many parents and Greeley staff members know I hold Fred Rogers in high esteem. I have fond memories of watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood as a preschooler, but still turn to his wisdom as an adult, father, and educator. I recently read an article that compared Mr. Rogers' television show to television programming in 2020. In one section of the article, the author marveled at the fact that Mr. Rogers set a timer for one minute and remained absolutely silent to demonstrate how long the 60-second increment of time is. Can you imagine a current television show (or Youtube video) allowing for a minute of silence these days?
Reading this article came on the heels of an incredibly busy weekend for me and my family (catching up on Greeley business/emails, my own educational studies, and viewing homes for an upcoming move). As a result, the weekend also entailed whisking my son to and fro and missed toddler naps. Sometimes a weekend is just busy like this, and it is unavoidable. Regardless, the article struck a chord.
Please join me this week in sitting down with your child(ren), setting a timer for one minute, and being silent and still for all 60 seconds. Afterwards, ask: how did that minute feel? Or what did you feel in your body during that time? Perhaps your child (or you) will feel calm, anxious, antsy, distracted... Have a conversation about the feelings; they may be quite telling.
Sincerely,
Joshua Swanner
Principal
Winter Recess
First through fourth graders have a 20 minute recess period each day in addition to approximately half an hour at lunch. Kinders generally spend about an hour to an hour and a half outside daily. This time is important for a number of reasons including time for social-emotional growth, time to role play and time for the students to be active. We plan for our students to be outside in all but the most frigid of temperatures. It is the expectation that parents will dress their children "for the weather". This would mean warm coats, layering, hats, gloves, etc. When there is snow on the ground, students are required to wear snow pants and boots to play in the snow.
How do we decide when to keep children in? This is dependent on a number of factors. We take into consideration the actual temperature, the windchill factor, sun visibility, speed of the wind, and anything else that might affect our students. At times, we may shorten the recess period to still allow for time outside.
When you send your child to school, plan that your child will be having some outdoor play time and please send the appropriate clothing to allow them the maximum benefits of time spent on the playground.
Traffic Procedures
We fully understand snow and other inclement weather can make the carpool process more challenging. We consult with the Winnetka Police Department in forming the best possible procedures that keep things moving and keep our students safe. Please review traffic procedures below:
- Drop Off and Pick Up of students should ONLY be done in the cut-out in the front of school. Elder Lane is NOT a drop off area.
- In the morning, children should be ready to get out of cars, on the passenger side, when parents pull up. Children should listen for their name and look for their car in the afternoon.
- As soon as children are safely in or out of cars, parents should move on out of the cut out.
- Children should never be dropped off in the Staff Parking Lot or at any point along Fairview in front of the school, except in the cut-out area.
- When in the pick up line after school, please pull up as far as possible.
- Please have your name sign visible.
- Please be respectful of other parents and caregivers and alternate entrance onto Fairview Ave.
If you have designated an alternate spot for pick up, please be sure that your child knows of the spot and can reach it safely. When driving children to and from school, please heed our crossing guards as they ensure safe crossing for students and parents.
Thank you for your help in ensuring the safety of our students and staff.
Online Pre-Registration Open for Kindergarten & New Students for the 2020-2021 School Year
Pre-registration for Kindergarten and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2020-2021 is now open on the District website and by clicking here
. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2020, are eligible to enroll.
The new student registration process is completed in three steps:
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Complete new student pre-registration forms online beginning December 6, 2019.
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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 or brought to the District Office.
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Visit the District Office to provide a certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID and complete the paper portion of registration.
Children will not be considered enrolled until both the online and paper portion of registration has been completed and residency documentation is verified. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 847-446-9400.
WPI Events
January 30, 2020 (SEL session)
CASEL Competencies: Focus on Social Awareness & Relationship Skills
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 am
The Skokie School Community Room
Join District educators and parents as we explore the key SEL competencies of social awareness and relationship skills and their impact on learning, wellness, and success. Learn how these important competencies strengthen one's ability to understand others, communicate, build relationships, and collaborate as a valued member of a team. This is the second in a series of WPI's workshops that the District is offering this school year focusing on the important District-wide initiative of SEL.
RSVP here
.
Not Quite Little Kid, Not Quite Teenager: The Developmental Progression of the Middle School Child
February 5, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
The Skokie School Community Room
Join Principal Weir and Assistant Principal Joynt (The Skokie School) and Principal Fenton and Assistant Principal Horwitz (Carleton Washburne School) for an informational session focusing on the ins and outs of the growing middle school child. We will spend time exploring both the academic and social-emotional needs appropriate to 5th-8th grade children, how they change over that four year span, as well as the neurological changes that contribute to these needs. Parents with current middle schoolers, or soon-to-be middle schoolers, are encouraged to join us for an engaging, encouraging and educational hour together. RSVP here.
Recommendation Form Protocol
Throughout the school year, our teachers and administrators may be asked to complete a
commendation form for families considering private schools or summer programs. As each institution's forms vary in the nature of information requested, we have moved to a common form that our Winnetka teachers and administrators will complete for submission to any authorized outside educational institution. Upon request for a feedback form, Winnetka staff will respond within ten business days. In the interest of maintaining appropriate confidentiality and consistency, our District employees will only complete this form, which may be attached to a student's application to any outside educational institution. You may find the form by
clicking here.
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/
From The Alliance for Early Childhood:
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