The Role of a Math Facilitator
Dear Winnetka Families,
The Winnetka Public Schools are fortunate to have a full time Math Facilitator in each elementary building (Anne Hazelwood at Crow Island, Lindsay Farley at Hubbard Woods, and Chi Quach at Greeley.) The role of the Math Facilitators in the primary buildings is multifaceted. With their deep knowledge of the Common Core Content and Mathematical Practices Standards, they help implement best practices in math instruction. They are involved with teachers and students through curriculum and differentiation planning, coaching, co-teaching, resource identification, assessment and more. Facilitators work with teachers to collaborate around student specific needs, and to support new practices and teaching methods. This includes classroom teachers, special ed teachers, specials teachers, and interventionists as well! Collaboration involves helping find and adapt materials, brainstorming around challenges, planning and teaching together. One specific goal of their work this year has been modeling and facilitating rich mathematical discourse in classrooms-- essential because much of differentiation happens through thoughtful teacher questioning and the experience of students communicating their mathematical thinking.
Each facilitator meets regularly with grade-level teams and principals. Meeting topics vary depending on the specific needs of the team. At the beginning of the year, the facilitators ensure that all classrooms have the necessary materials to support the math curriculum. Additionally, facilitators meet with teams to discuss scope and sequences, learning plans, the use of number talks, problem solving tasks and enrichment resources. Facilitators also work closely with the other subject area facilitators to integrate inquiry, technology, and STEAM. The Math Facilitators are also involved in student assessment and data analysis. All data is used to inform teaching and structure differentiation. Assessment support and lesson adaptation continues throughout the year.
The Math Facilitators are active members of the District Math Leadership Team and the District Math Committee. In these roles, it is their responsibility to facilitate communication and coordination between the elementary buildings and work to ensure a smooth learning trajectory for all students throughout the district. In their role, Facilitators are able to see the progression of instruction from one grade to the next, as well as how individual students and cohorts grow into mathematically proficient thinkers. In addition, the Math Facilitators participate in numerous professional development opportunities at local and national levels throughout the year. This allows them to network with well-respected math leaders throughout the country in order to stay abreast of new math research and trends. They then bring the thinking of leaders in the field back to their buildings and teachers.
Finally, the Math Facilitators at each building help organize math clubs for third and fourth grade students. These have been well received and are ongoing. Crazy 8 Math Clubs provide the perfect opportunity for them to share their love of math with students in an active and fun environment that engages the whole range of learners.
Sincerely,
Beth Carmody, Hubbard Woods
Julie Pfeffer, Crow Island
Joshua Swanner, Greeley
GREELEY NEWS
Dear Greeley Families,
Parent-teacher conferences are over (for most families). It is always beneficial to review a child's progress and goals for the remainder of the year. It is also important to ask children what learning/memories they will carry with them from the current year. I encourage you all to ask your child(ren): What is one thing you learned this year that you will never forget?
Some students may share a social memory, others a field trip. Or possibly a difficult task they overcame. Either way, the answer may just help you understand your son or daughter a bit more.
Sincerely,
Joshua Swanner
Principal
LEAVES OF GRATITUDE
On the tree outside the front office, next to the Strings Room, Greeley staff have placed leaves of gratitude. We now invite our parents to add their leaves of gratitude to the tree. Leaves are available at the front desk for you to jot down what you are grateful for. In the spring, we will add leaves from our students to our Greeley Gratitude Tree.
GREELEY'S TROUT PROJECT
Save those paper towel and toilet paper rolls!
We are collecting paper towel and toilet paper rolls for STEM Night. Please send yours in. There will be a collection box in the front office. Thank you in advance!
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 February 28. For more detailed information about Erin's Law and curriculum content, or to find the opt-out form, please refer to the
Erin's Law page of the District website or contact your school's social worker, Kathy Powers.
DISTRICT NEWS
Important Health Reminder from the District
While in the midst of sick season, please keep your child home from school if they have any of the following symptoms:
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Fever (temperature of 100 or greater) in the last 24 hours
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Nausea, Diarrhea, and/or vomiting in the last 24 hours
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Any rashes that are undiagnosed
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Excessive cough
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Lethargy
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Sore throat
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Body aches
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Chills
You know your child best, if they are feeling under the weather, please err on the side of precaution and keep them home from school.
Thank you for keeping our schools healthy!
On
March 10, 2020,
from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Carleton Washburne School, the District is hosting an event celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Progressive Education in The Winnetka Public Schools (to coincide with Carleton Washburne's arrival in Winnetka in 1919).
All are welcome at this free community event, which will feature student performances, interactive learning opportunities with students and educators, and more. For details, visit
our District website
.
RSVP here
.
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.
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/
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Dates to Remember
EARLY DISMISSAL EVERY MONDAY
2:45
(GRADES 1 - 4, KINDER EXTENDED PLAY)
friday, feb. 14
greeley spirit day
monday, feb. 17
no school
presidents' day
friday, feb. 21
4th grade
young composers
concert
thursday, feb. 27
august birthday lunch
with mr. swanner
(grades 1 - 4)
friday, feb. 28
february birthday lunch
with mr. swanner
(grades 1 - 4)
Friday, March 6
spirit day
Thursday, March 12
STEM Night
Friday, March 13
3rd grade
young composers
concert
9:00 a.m.
friday, March 20
last day before
spring break
Monday, march 30
school resumes
friday, april 3
spirit day
friday, april 10
no school
good friday
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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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