Dear Winnetka Families,
Although school has looked a bit different this school year and we are preparing for our merge next week, we must still begin our planning for the 2021-22 school year as we always do this time of year. To that end, please click here for access to an electronic Parent Reflection Form that invites you to share your thoughts about your child and his/her school experiences. We ask that this form be completed and submitted by Friday, April 30th to inform our placement process. We also ask that you complete this form on your own and without input from teachers, as we are interested in getting your individual point of view on your child's learning. As you have worked with your child(ren) at home over these past months, you may have developed even greater insight. Please note that current 4th graders will receive information about parent input for 5th grade from Skokie School in the coming weeks.
In forming classes, our guiding premise is that both teachers and families have valuable input regarding a child's placement. Both understand a child's educational needs, often in different ways. It is important to note that teachers are not in a position to ensure any placement requests and therefore should not be engaged in such discussions. As principal, it is our responsibility to organize the final class lists, support the professionalism of the teachers, and consider the interests of the parents. Of course, there is not just one perfect scenario for your child. Our expectation is that all of our children are able to learn and grow, connect with their teacher and friends, and enjoy the learning process in any of our classrooms.
To that end, there is a considerable amount of time, thought, and passion that goes into forming positive, balanced classroom learning communities. Teachers approach these conversations with deep understanding of their students as learners and class members. The process is thorough and insightful and can be viewed if you click on this LINK. Indeed it is complex and, as a parent, we know it is not always easy to understand. There are a few questions that seem to come up each year around placement. Please click this LINK to see some FAQs. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions that may arise.
Finally, our apologies as we know there were some difficulties with the lunch survey link we sent last week. To that end, if you would like your children to come home for lunch each day from Monday April 19th - Friday April 30th, please complete this FORM (one for each student) by Wednesday April 14th. Thank you for your help with this.
Sincerely, Beth Carmody, Principal, Hubbard Woods School Julie Pfeffer and Larry Jouynt, Principal, Crow Island School Joshua Swanner, Principal, Greeley School
GREELEY NEWS
Dear Greeley Families,
In last week's newsletter, I provided an updated Family Guide which detailed a number of changes for next week's am/pm merge on 4/19. I did want to bring attention to a specific element of this guide that will ensure our students can quickly enter our school doors and begin a productive day of learning: traffic updates. Please review below to ensure a seamless start to the school day.
Transportation and Drop-Off/Pick-Up Protocols
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Traffic patterns and plans have been developed in partnership with the Winnetka Police Department and Winnetka Department of Public Works
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Two locations will be utilized for 8:30am drop-off and 2:30pm pick-up (Grades 1-4)
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The Fairview Ave. cut-out will be utilized for ALL FAMILIES with a Kindergarten student throughout the course of the day (UPDATED FOR 4/19)
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The Fairview Ave. cut-out will be utilized for mid-day pick-up and drop-off as well (UPDATED FOR 4/19)
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Families utilizing the Fairview cut-out should enter from the Fairview/Elder intersection
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Families utilizing the Hawthorn cut-out should enter from the Hawthorn/Woodland intersections
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We ask that families place the laminated placards they received on the first day of school on their dashboard/windshield when picking up children (If a new/second placard is needed, please contact Mrs. Jenner)
- When in line, please pull all the way forward.
- Parents should remain in their cars.
- After school plans should not be made in the carpool line.
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If walking, families may pick up your children at their line-up spots outside of their grade level doors (map here).
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Outdoor supervision for drop-off begins at 8:20am in the morning
Thank you for your assistance with this matter. We are looking forward to welcoming all students to a longer (live) school day!
Sincerely,
Joshua Swanner Principal
KW SHOES
On April 19, related arts classes will be held during the in person school day. All students are required to have a dedicated pair of KW shoes that will remain at school to be used during class. Shoes should provide support and be of proper fit, be marked on both shoes with the student's name and, most importantly, should have clean soles, even if they are not brand new shoes. For the ease of the students, Velcro shoes are suggested for younger students. Please send your child's KW shoes to school by Monday, April 19.
BOOK DRIVE FOR BERNIE'S BOOKS
Bernie's Update:
At the end of the day on Friday, Greeley students had donated 380 books for Bernie's! Please keep your donations coming! We've filled the book shelf once and are on our way to filling it a second time!
Once again, the Greeley PTO is spearheading a Book Drive for Bernie's Books. All new and gently used children's books, ages birth through 6th grade, are accepted. Please click here to watch a video with more information.
DISTRICT NEWS
District 36 Strategic Planning Survey-Please Complete by Friday, April 16
Please take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete a survey regarding the District's 3-5 year Strategic Plan, which will be finalized by fall 2021. Your input will help the District prioritize its work to best meet the needs of our school community. The survey will close Friday, April 16.
2021-2022 Online Registration for New and Returning Students Begins April 12
Registration information for next year will be sent via regular mail and email on Monday, April 12. Look for these materials in your mailbox and inbox. Once you receive this information, you may contact District Registrar, Carolin Huh, at 847-446-9400 or carolinhuh@winnetka36.org, if you have any registration questions, or did not receive notification.
Please register early! Parents are asked to complete registration at their earliest convenience to help inform interest and need for optional services and programs for the 2021-2022 school year, such as bus transportation and the Right at School after-school care program.
This year families will not be charged for school activity fees. The School Board voted at its meeting on March 23, 2021, to approve a one-year moratorium on collecting activity fees for the upcoming school year.
Adventures in Learning 2021 REGISTRATION OPEN FOR WINNETKA RESIDENTS Program Dates: June 14, 2021 - July 16, 2021 Winnetka Public Schools Adventures in Learning Program will welcome students back to in-person summer classes! The structure of the program has been modified as we continue to navigate the impact of COVID--19 and prioritize the health and safety of our campers, families and staff. The in-person program options being offered adhere to the District's current mitigation plan and successful student cohort and pod framework. General Program Update: For campers enrolling in the general program (grades 2-8) This year's general program has been structured to prioritize the health and safety of our campers and staff and offer the variety of fun, rich and creative class experiences that Adventure campers look forward to! It was with that in mind that this year's 5-week session was originally separated into a 3-week and 2-week session of class pods. However, based on enrollment considerations, the general program will consist of one 5-week session with 1 class pod instead of 2 that had been planned. If you have already registered for the general program, you will be receiving an email confirmation of the Pod assigned by Monday, April 12. If you have any questions please contact the District office at 847-446-9400 or via email at adventures@winnetka36.org Adventures in Learning Animal Care Opportunity ATTENTION all lovers of rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, reptiles, birds and other small animals! Winnetka's Adventures in Learning/AnimalCare Class is back this summer. If your child's small animal is due for a brief break this summer, please email Anna at animal.care.adventures@gmail.com. If it is time to pass your pet on to another loving family, we can also try to arrange adoptions.
Participate in the New Trier Day of Service on April 17, 2021
Family Action Network (FAN)
Access 2020-2021's District Parent Education sessions below:
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Dates to Remember
monday, April 19
All 1st - 4th graders attend school 8:30 - 2:30
(Lunch 11:30 - 12:10)
Friday, April 23
remote pick up day
9-11:00 a.m.
friday, may 7
spirit day
Friday, May 7
remote pick up day
9-11:00 a.m.
friday, may 21
remote pick up day
9-11:00 a.m.
friday, may 28
half day am -
all students remote in am
Monday, may 31
no school
memorial day
Friday, June 4
anticipated last day of school
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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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