Dear Winnetka Families,
Over President's Day weekend, the District sent a team of 18 administrators and teachers to a Learning and the Brain Conference entitled Educating Anxious Brains. The conference's purpose was to learn more about how toxic stress, anxiety, and trauma negatively affect developing brains, student behavior, and academic success. The conference also helped educators learn how to reduce anxiety and stress in schools, address challenging classroom behaviors, foster coping, calming, mindful practices, and improve school success for students. We have listed a few of our
research supported
key takeaways from the experts who presented:
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Dr. Bruce Perry (
Senior Fellow, The ChildTrauma Academy; Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University):
When a child is dysregulated, she only has 10% cortical access, which means learning is greatly hindered. Teachers must think about differential dosing of curricular content based on the internal state of the child. Rhythm and relationships are the best way to regulate a child.
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Dr. Dan Siegel (Founding Co-Director, Mindful Awareness Research Center; Faculty, Center for Culture, Brain, and Development; Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Contributor,
Greater Good Magazine
, Greater Good Science Center, University of California, Berkeley; Distinguished Fellow, American Psychiatric Association):
The brain can be in 1 of 2 states - the receptive state or the reactive state. We want to teach brains in the receptive state by building trusting, integrated relationships.
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Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang (Professor of Education, Psychology, and Neuroscience, Brain and Creativity Institute and Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California):
Engaging students on an emotional level yields more powerful learning and meaningful learning always involves emotion
.
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Dr. Christine Carter (sociologist and Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center; author of
The Sweet Spot
and
Raising Happiness
):
interruptions can make us anxious, irritable, and unproductive.
We know this as parents and in the workforce, but the same holds true for students/children. Interruptions from text messages, checking social media, etc. can not only affect work quality but leave us in a state of feeling pulled between competing interests. Having students read, sleep, eat, and tackle schoolwork away from phones and the computer (unless a computer is needed) is highly recommended.
Many of these takeaways are well aligned with our progressive philosophy. We are eager to continue using brain science along with our focus on SEL (social-emotional learning) to ensure that we are proactively and positively supporting all of our learners and preparing them for a healthy and productive future.
Sincerely,
Beth Carmody, Hubbard Woods
Julie Pfeffer, Crow Island
Joshua Swanner, Greeley
GREELEY NEWS
Dear Greeley Families,
I hope your family was able to enjoy the nicer weather this past weekend! For my family, it meant running more errands, stopping at the playground, and as many opportunities for fresh air as possible. Days like this get adults and children excited for spring weather.
This week, I encourage you to ask your child: What is one thing you'd like to do outside once our weather stays warmer?
Last week, I shared some key takeaways from the Learning and the Brain conference I attended (and the elementary principals shared some additional findings above). Another learning from this conference is the idea of being a "student of our students" (or a student of our children). What does your child's answer tell you? Can they create a plan? Are they looking forward to something specifically? Are they indifferent? Do they prefer the winter? A child can provide far more than a simple answer when asked a question!
Sincerely,
Joshua Swanner
Principal
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.
Social Emotional Learning
Social emotional learning (SEL) is a key element of the Winnetka Experience and integral to our students' success in the classroom and in life. This year, we established SEL as a District-wide goal focusing on building a community-wide understanding of Social Emotional Learning and its impact on students and adults. As part of this initiative, we will be featuring a parent corner article from members of our Parent SEL committee. Click here to read this month's article, which summarizes the SEL-themed keynote address at the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Carleton Event.
Social Emotional Learning
Social emotional learning (SEL) is a key element of the Winnetka Experience and integral to our students' success in the classroom and in life. This year, we established SEL as a District-wide goal focusing on building a community-wide understanding of Social Emotional Learning and its impact on students and adults. As part of this initiative, we will be featuring a parent corner article from members of our Parent SEL committee. Click here to read this month’s article, which summarizes the SEL-themed keynote address at the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Carleton Event.
Adventures in Learning 2020 runs from June 15th-July 17th, 2020
No camp on July 4th
A decades-long tradition, this summer program includes classes as varied as Mindfulness, Rock Guitar Band, Life Around the World, Zany Art Explosions, Drone Flight School, Camping Adventures, Make Your Own Music Video, Adventures in STEAM, Archery, The Wacky World of Water, Kitchen Magicians, Programming and Robotics, Tennis, Computer Animation, Improvisation, Yoga for Kids, Animal Care, Zentangles and Spa-Liscious to name a few!
Students in grades 2-8 may choose up to four classes from over 100 options. Younger children (pre-Kindergarten through grade 1) will explore educational concepts through guided play and outdoor activities.
This year's program will again be held at Washburne for the 2nd-8th graders and Hubbard Woods for the Pre-K (4 years old by June 1st, 2020)and K Primary program (5 years old by September 1st, 2020).
Registration begins March 4 for Winnetka residents.
www.winnetka36.org/adventures
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.
Watch a special screening of the Indie Flix documentary, "LIKE," a movie about the impact of social media on our lives
Thursday, March 5, 2020
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Northbrook Public Library
More than 2 billion people have smartphones today. And, we check our devices, on average, up to 150 times every day! Technology makes our lives easier in so many ways - but what is the cost of our dependence, and our children's reliance, on screens? LIKE reveals the true effects of technology on the brain and uncovers the impact social media can have on our lives. The film's mission is to educate, inform, and inspire people to effectively self-regulate their screen time. The "LIKE" screening will be followed by a panel discussion.
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)
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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