August 29-Sept 2, 2022 | Week #2
This week: After Care | Glee Club Auditions and Other Music Opportunities | Debate Team | Open House | Principal Chat | Room Parent Volunteers | Classroom Connection
Dates to Remember
  • No School: Labor Day: Monday, Sept 5
  • STAR Program Starts: Tuesday, Sept 6
  • Glee Club Auditions: Wednesday, Sept 7
  • Debate Team Info Session: Thursday, Sept 8
  • LSC Meeting: Tuesday, Sept 20
  • Open Hose: Thursday, Sept 22
  • No School: Teacher Work Day: Friday, Sept 23
COVID-19 Update

Actionable Cases: 3
Non-Actionable Cases: 0

Students in quarantine due to COVID positive status, will receive remote instruction. Masking is required in the following situations:
  • On days 6-10 after testing positive
  • If someone is exposed to COVID-19
  • If there is a positive case identified in an elementary school classroom
  • At the direction of the Chicago Department of Public Health
After Care with STAR and the Music House
STAR begins Tuesday, September 6 from 3:45 - 6:30 p.m. The STAR team will survey parents and students to determine interest in various programs, such as sports, chess, choir, STEM, calligraphy, friendship club, and more. Every STAR student will have access to homework help and social emotional learning support. Email skinner.starprogram@gmail.com for more information.

Music House returns to Skinner West and will run concurrently with STAR. You do not have to be in STAR to join the Music House program. There is a separate fee for all students that participate. If your child enrolls in Music House, a representative from Music House will contact you. For more information, visit the Music House web site.
Glee Club Auditions

Glee Club is open to students in grades 5-8 and is limited to 24 students. All interested students must audition on Wednesday, September 7 between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Please bring the signed permission slip to the audition.

The club rehearses Wednesdays from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in the music room. Rehearsal attendance is mandatory. Learn more on the permission slip.
Saturday Music Opportunities from CPS

If your Superstar loves music, CPS offers ensembles through the All-City Performing Arts Program. Ensembles rehearse in-person on Saturdays at Jones College Prep High School (700 S. State Street). Available programs are:

  • Beginning Band (grades 3–12)
  • Choir (grades 3–12)
  • Jazz Band (grades 4–12)
  • Symphonic Band I and II (grades 4–12)
  • Elementary Modern Rock Band (grades 5–8)
  • Mariachi (grades 5–12)
  • Theatre (grades 6–12)
  • Music & Media Production (grades 6–12)
  • Percussion Ensemble (grades 6–12)
  • Dance (grades 6–12)
  • Orchestra (grades 6–12)

Students must apply by September 6, 2022. Download this document for more information, times, and application links. (Control right click to access links in the document.) If you have questions, email allcityarts@cps.edu.
Does Your Student Like to Debate?
Then, they may be interested in award-winning Skinner West debate team! The informational meeting is:

Thursday, September 8 
3:45 - 4:30 p.m.
Room 321

This meeting is open to:
  • All 6th - 8th graders
  • 5th graders who either participated in Public Forum Debate or attended the Chicago Debates Summer Camp
Open House for Current Families

After a COVID disruption, the in-person open house is back! Not able to join us? We'll still have a virtual option. The open house is for current pre-K to 8th grade families. They can:
  • Meet and greet Skinner West administrators
  • Meet and greet teachers and staff
  • Visit classrooms
  • Check student progress

Thursday, September 22
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
School gym or via Google Meet

Or dial: (US) +1 513-788-1711 PIN: 372 602 075#
people_social_icons.jpg
Discussion with Dr. Bush
Dr. Bush hosts an informal, monthly chat for parents and community members. Drop in virtually to chat with our principal.

Thursday, September 29
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Or dial: (US) +1 478-250-9775 PIN: 430 970 437#
Volunteers Needed!!

Do you have time to help your child's teacher? Then, why not become a room parent volunteer? Room parents will require a Level II volunteer application.
If you don't want to be a room parent, but would still like to volunteer at the school, you will need to complete a CPS volunteer application. The application type depends upon your volunteer interest.

Level I volunteer examples:
  • Overnight field trip chaperones
  • Mentors
  • Tutors
  • Coaches
  • Non-supervised classroom assistants

Level II volunteer examples
  • Day field trip chaperones
  • Assistants in schools with administrative duties
  • Room parents
  • Other volunteer activities in contact with students while supervised
Classroom Connection: Mrs. Twine's Kindergarten Class

You can find Mrs. Twine and her kindergarten Superstars at the Branch. They are off to a great start at school!
In Case You Missed It...
Welcome Back, Superstars!
Hello Superstars,
Welcome to a new school year! Can you feel the magic in the air? I can!

I am super excited in anticipation of everything that is to come this school year. It’s no secret that Skinner has the BEST students, the BEST staff, the BEST parents, and the BEST community members. Our future is bright, because of YOUR investment in Skinner’s success and the rich traditions that anchor our school.

I look forward to our collective voices and actions as we continually develop our Superstar students. Your voice is valued, and your feedback is crucial to Skinner’s continued success.

Together, we will journey through another year of learning, living, and loving. As we embark on this voyage, always remember that Superstars shine. It’s in our DNA.

Let’s show that Skinner spirit!
Dr. Bush, Principal
Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Main Building Door Assignments
  • K – 2nd Grades: Monroe Street Door #12
  • 3rd – 5th Grades: Adams Street Door #1
  • 6th – 8th Grades: Adams Street Doors #10 and #11

Main Building Arrival: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Early arrivals (before 8:45) will wait in the cafeteria for teacher pick-up. Students will have the option of a free breakfast during this time.

In order to make drop off as safe and smooth as possible, please:
  • Ensure that your Superstar is prepared to exit the vehicle quickly
  • Adhere to prompts from Skinner West’s crossing guards
  • DO NOT park in the crosswalks or bus lanes
  • Avoid double parking
  • Be patient

Adams Street drop off:
  • Arrive via Adams Street
  • Throop will be blocked for through traffic
  • Drop off on Adams and Throop (near the crosswalk)
  • Proceed westbound on Adams

Monroe Street drop off:
  • Arrive via Monroe Street
  • Drop off on Monroe and Throop
  • Continue eastbound on Monroe

Branch Arrival: 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
Enter at the main doors on Aberdeen (225 S. Aberdeen). Staff will open the doors to allow students into the building. Early arrivals (before 8:45) will wait in the cafeteria for teacher pick-up. They will have the option of a free breakfast during this time.

Main Building Dismissal: 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Classical kindergarten students will be dismissed at 3:40 p.m. STAR students will remain inside during dismissal.

Adams Street pick up:
  • Form a line on Adams
  • Pick up on Adams and Throop (near the crosswalk)
  • Proceed westbound on Adams
  • Parking in the bus lane on Adams is prohibited
  • Parking in the crosswalk is prohibited
  • Throop will be blocked for through traffic

Monroe Street pick up:
  • Pick up on Monroe and Throop
  • Parking in the crosswalk is prohibited

Branch Dismissal: 3:40 p.m.
Students will be dismissed from the main doors on Aberdeen. There is no supervision after 3:40, so please arrive on time. Fee-based aftercare is available via our STAR program.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Our goal is to ensure that every scholar has a memorable year which includes access to a high-quality education and extracurricular events. This week, Skinner staff held an orientation for our middle school students where they reviewed the CPS Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook. ALL students are expected to adhere to the principles outlined in the book. Please take a moment to review them with your Superstar. 

Though we take all aspects of the handbook seriously, one of our priorities is to guide students towards applying strategies that promote bullying awareness and prevention and to help students understand the harm that is caused by bullying. Sessions will be held throughout the year.
Classroom Connections: Ms. Ellis (science) and Ms. Growe (kindergarten)

Take a peek inside Ms. Ellis's science classroom where Mrs. Sittner's students started the year with construction activities!
And, Ms. Growe’s kindergarten was off to a great start! They learned rules, routines, and finished the week with a friendship lesson where they got to make friendship bracelets with their 4th grade buddies from Ms. Kawa’s class!
Superstar Spotlight
Fifth grader Sophia M.'s second podcast came out over the summer. She created, wrote, performed, and directed the podcast, You Say Olympus, I Say West Loop with the Chicago Children's Theatre. Her podcast is an audio tour of the West Loop presented in the format of a play inspired by Greek mythology. She interviewed Dr. Bush and her fourth grade teacher Mrs. Johnson. The podcast is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

Previously Sophia was featured on the Webby Award Winning podcast called Tell Them I Am, which was co-produced by the Obamas' production company, Higher Ground Audio and Dustlight Productions. 
Congratulations, Sophia! Keep up the good work!

Is your Superstar doing something super outside of the classroom? Let us know and you could see them in a future newsletter!
Community Safety Alerts
Student safety is our FIRST priority. There was a community alert shared via Friends of Skinner West which affects our West Loop community. There have been two recent reported attempted abductions of women.

In addition, Friday morning (around 9:45 a.m.) a Skinner student reported that a male wearing a fluorescent vest and dark shades (in a white minivan) demonstrated suspicious behavior at Throop and Jackson. The student ran to school and reported the situation. Assistant Principal Dr. Brown went to the scene to observe; however, the minivan was not there. Dr. Brown contacted the student’s parents and the Chicago Police District. CPD stated that they would send a squad car to the scene. We are also recording this incident in ASPEN

Skinner West staff have been notified, and we will ensure that all scholars exit the buildings safely.

Please remind your Superstars:
  • Never talk to strangers.
  • When coming to school, go straight to building.
  • If walking home, go directly home (or to their designated location).
  • If you see something or someone suspicious, report it to the office immediately.
Self-Defense Classes for Adults and Teens in the West Loop
Mark T. Skinner West School
Front Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(773) 534-7790
By Appointment Only