Dear Winnetka Families,
As many of you know, one of the District's main goals this year is focused on SEL (social and emotional learning). In fact, then entire township is focusing on this important topic as we see a collective need to better support our children and families in this area. To support our efforts, the district has partnered with CASEL (The Collaborative for Academic and Social and Emotional Learning). CASEL collaborates with experts and supports districts and schools across the country to drive research, guide practice and inform policy.
CASEL defines social and emotional learning as the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. (Please click
here
for a short video describing SEL).
Our District has developed a large super committee comprised of administrators, teachers and parents from all 5 schools to guide our work. As suggested by CASEL, we will begin with a focus on adult SEL to create a strong foundation for the work we do with our students. In addition, we will be guided by CASEL's 5 Core Competencies.
Over the coming months, please be aware of opportunities to engage in conversations that support this work. Through our collaborative work with parents, families and the community over the next few years, we hope to create a cohesive system of support surrounding all of our children.
Sincerely,
Beth Carmody, Hubbard Woods
Julie Pfeffer, Crow Island
Joshua Swanner, Greeley
GREELEY NEWS
Dear Greeley Families,
Our next spirit wear day is this coming Friday, November 8th! Children and staff are invited to wear their "Greeley Gear" or even simply blue and white. Taking part in simple activities such as this given students a sense of belonging in our school community. This week's question draws attention to the positive the positive aspects of this school community:
What do you like most about Greeley School?
One other note: we know weather can be quite unpredictable this time of year, as evidenced by the snow. We are committed to spending time outside during recess unless temperatures are below freezing or precipitation is moderate to severe. Outdoor air and movement breaks are an essential part of a child's school day and ability to regulate their minds and bodies.
Sincerely,
Joshua Swanner
Principal
BRING A NEIGHBOR TO SCHOOL DAY
We are excited to announce that our third annual
Bring a Neighbor to School Day
will be held next
Monday, November 11. Students in Grades 1-4 are encouraged to invite a neighbor to join their classroom from 8:45-9:25am. This 40-minute event is seen as a simple, genuine method of having students make a connection with an adult and grow their confidence in speaking about their role/learning in the schoolhouse.
A neighbor can be someone who lives or works in Winnetka, someone who doesn't have children in the public schools yet, or someone who is retired and never had children in our school system. Please RSVP to Leslie Jenner at
lesliejenner@winnetka36.org
if your child will be bringing a guest.
This is strictly an optional event. Please do not feel pressured to bring someone if you do not feel comfortable doing so. Each classroom will be celebrating this in their own way and no students will be left out, neighbor or no neighbor!
Overall, the purpose of these efforts is to:
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Increase students' sense of ownership within Greeley School
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Develop a greater community understanding of our programming and who we are as a school
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Cultivate positive relationships between students, staff, and the greater Winnetka community
DISTRICT NEWS
Winnetka Parents Institute Opportunity
VAPING: What parents need to know, and how schools and law enforcement are addressing this problem
November 6, 2019
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Carleton Washburne School
Room E232
Join District educators and New Trier High School Resource Officer Jerry Sarabia for an informative discussion on Vaping. The Presentation will include signs for parents to look for regarding Vaping use, information about how we educate students about Vaping in D36, and how law enforcement is currently dealing with this growing concern. There will also be an opportunity for parent questions.
RSVP here.
Redistricting 2020 Plan Approval
After three years of evaluating redistricting scenarios, The Winnetka Public Schools Board approved new attendance boundaries to form a long-term solution to address the enrollment imbalance in the District. Feedback from the Winnetka community as well as input from the Village and Winnetka Police Department was reviewed throughout the Redistricting 2020 process and helped inform the Board's decision. The revised boundaries shift 314 households from the Crow Island School zone to the Greeley School zone with Linden Ave. as the new border.
These new boundaries
are effective immediately for students newly registering.
The Board and Administration will continue to collaborate with the Village and Police to plan for optimal capacity and utilization at Crow Island, Greeley and Hubbard Woods; efficiently manage District resources while upholding the District's commitment to equitable education; and execute a plan to return Kindergarten to Crow Island in 2020.
The School Board also approved a plan to "phase-in" students. Phasing-in allows a subset of students to remain at their current school after new boundary lines go into effect.
The Board approved phasing-in the following students who reside in the redistricted zone (representing 2020-2021 grade levels):
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All 4th graders
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2nd and 3rd graders who attended D36 Kindergarten
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2nd and 3rd graders who did not attend D36 Kindergarten
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1st graders who attended D36 Kindergarten with an older sibling who attends Crow Island
Students who will not be given phase-in consideration are as follows:
Families who are eligible for "Phasing In" will receive a letter and instructions to complete a form by December 5, 2019
with their preference for their child(ren) in 2020-2021.
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, Nov. 8
Greeley spirit day
MONDAY, NOV. 11
BRING A NEIGHBOR TO SCHOOL DAY
8:45 -9:25 AM
Please note date change:
Wednesday, NOV. 13
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY LUNCH WITH MR. SWANNER
(GRADES 1 - 4)
Tuesday, Nov. 26
No Sports after school
(3rd graders)
WEDNESDAY- FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 27-29
THANKSGIVING BREAK
tuesday, dec. 3
last sports after school - session 1
(3rd graders)
wednesday, dec. 4
last sports after
school - session 1
(4th graders)
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
GREELEY SPIRIT DAY
wednesday, dec. 18
winter sings
9:00 a.m. - A-K
1:00 p.m. - L-Z
thursday, dec. 19
june birthday lunch
with mr. swanner
(grades 1-4)
friday, dec. 20
december birthday lunch with
mr. swanner
(grades 1 - 4)
friday, dec. 20
last day before
winter break
monday, jan. 6, 2020
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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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