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.
GREELEY NEWS
Dear Greeley Families,
This past weekend, I joined a number of my colleagues in attending the Learning & the Brain Conference. The theme of the conference was educating anxious minds, which is quite timely given the increased anxiety we are now seeing in our children. I am looking forward to sharing a number of takeaways from this conference as the year progresses, but I did want to offer a brief overview of some of the things that were shared by a variety of well-known researchers, neuroscientists, etc. such as Daniel Siegel, Ross Greene, Bruce D. Perry, and Christine Carter (I took the liberty of linking to books/videos for those of you that are interested in exploring their work).
I personally left the conference feeling a little concern for childhood in 2020, a bit convicted as a parent, and extremely hopeful for the future given everything we are learning about the brain! Here are some key points from the conference:
- Busy or over-scheduled lives for our children (and adults!) leads to "cognitive overload" which negatively impacts decision-making, productivity, and sense of happiness to name a few. Research shows that "doing nothing" can greatly benefit children (and adults!). Being alone with our thoughts sparks creativity, reflection, and the down-time our brains need.
- The social-emotional connection between teacher and student can positively address anxiety our students feel.
- Children should receive about nine hours of good sleep a day. Good sleep can be impaired by screen time (up to two hours before bedtime), eating dinner right before bedtime, and difficulties breathing.
- If a child is not feeling lonely, nothing is wrong with them being introverted. Solitude, even on the playground or over the weekend, may be just what an individual child needs!
- Parents and teachers can help children develop empathy, social skills, etc. by discussing the motivations and feelings of characters in books, movies, and other forms of media.
Rather than trying to come up with a question for your child(ren) this week, I wanted to just sit with these learnings and reflect on my role as both parent and educator. The question for myself is:
how am I modeling these important points in my own life for my son and students?
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.
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.
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.
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. 21
4th grade
young composers
concert
1:00 p.m.
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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