|
|
The Skokie School Home Scoop
|
|
|
Dear Skokie Community,
Over the weekend, one of our teachers shared an article with me that focuses on how to motivate adolescents during this challenging time. I wanted to pass it along to you. It is called, "How To Do School When Motivation Has Gone Missing." It explores the value of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for our middle schoolers, and suggests some helpful conversations you might engage in with your child regarding this topic.
As we look to the month of November, there is much on the horizon. Our teachers will be discussing the presidential election with students this week. The purpose of these discussions will be to inform students how elections work and highlight the importance of civic engagement. In advisory time this month, our students will continue learning about brain science and exploring how emotions can impact our ability to think and act. We will review ways in which we can cope with emotions and return our bodies and brains to a learning ready state. Additionally, we will review what it means to have a "growth mindset," which is one of the concepts the article I mentioned in the first paragraph touches upon. November will also bring the end of our first trimester (November 20th) and the Thanksgiving holiday, which will bring us opportunities to reflect upon our growth and our gratitudes.
We are grateful for your continued partnership as we navigate 2020 together.
Take care,
Betty Weir Louis Kotvis
Principal Assistant Principal
|
District News
Student Survey
On Monday November 2, we will be administering a survey for students in grades 3-8 as part of our District-wide goal to support social emotional learning. The survey will provide information to better understand our students and help to inform our efforts to support the well being of all children in District 36. Based on this year's goals, the survey will focus on four areas: sense of belonging, well-being, engagement, and supportive environment.
Independent Work Teachers collaborate to determine what work is best suited for the remote period of the day. Examples of best practices include the application of academic knowledge, skill practice (word study, math facts, spelling, etc.), technology applications, learning extensions, constructive play, and integrating activities that have connections to in-person learning.
As part of our hybrid schedule, students are expected to complete between 60 and 90 minutes of asynchronous independent work. In order to calibrate the appropriate amount of student work, teachers will be specifying estimated time expectations for independent work activities for the next two weeks (Oct. 26-Nov. 6). This information will be shared in Schoology and any parent and student communications used by your teacher. If you find that your child is consistently working less or more than the recommended minutes, please reach out to your teacher. The refinements to the asynchronous remote work will serve to strengthen partnership between teacher and parent and improve the overall experience of the hybrid schedule.
2020-2021 Calendar
Travel Restrictions Update It is important to note that several states (including Ohio and Florida) have recently been added to the Suburban Cook County Travel Quarantine list. If your family has visited any states on this list for more than 24 hours, you need to follow the Cook County Department of Public Health travel guidance and 14-day quarantine protocols. This applies to all families regardless of whether you stayed in a private home or what your activities were limited to within that state. Please reference this information from the Cook County Department of Public Health.
News from The Alliance for Early Childhood
-
Pandemic Parenting: Tools and Tips, December 3, 7-7:45pm Register Here
-
Pandemic Parenting: Tools and Tips, February 18, 7-7:45pm Register Here.
Additionally, families are invited to participate in Let's Play! 2020-2021 Ongoing Community Programs. Upcoming events are as follows:
Family Action Network Events
|
|
Replies to this email will be sent directly to Betty Weir. Please note that unsubscribing from this email will unsubscribe from all Winnetka School emails.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
