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The Skokie School Home Scoop
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Dear Skokie Community,
Earlier this year, I wrote about the importance of independent reading. In fact, I would argue that the 30 minutes of reading that students are assigned each day is the most impactful assignment on their overall learning over time. There is ample research to support the many positive impacts reading volume has on student reading motivation, reading efficiency, writing skills, vocabulary development, spelling accuracy, creativity, and empathy. These benefits and more, along the research they are derived from, are detailed in this document: The Top Ten Benefits of Independent Reading.
Are you looking for ways to increase your child's reading motivation? Here are three suggestions: -
Graphic novels are a great way to encourage readers to engage with books. You may have found yourself wanting to tell your child, "That's not real reading." Research says otherwise! Graphic novels can quickly hook readers. They contain more advanced vocabulary, which students learn through the support of the images. Additionally, our world is requiring us to process more information that is presented to us visually and textually. Graphic novels support students in developing this important skill. Here is a list of graphic novels for 4th-6th graders.
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Select a series to read with your child. You might be able to get your child hooked on the series through the first read aloud, and this will support your student in reading the rest of the series independently. Your child will have already learned the characters during the reading of the first book, which supports comprehension. It also supports bonding time with your middle schooler! Here is a list of popular series for tweens.
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Encourage your child to join the Skokie Book Club! The club will begin reading their next book, The Brave by James Bird, this Wednesday. Please email Mrs. Roel at [email protected] to get on the list. See image below for more details.
Happy reading! Take care,
Betty Weir Louis Kotvis
Principal Assistant Principal
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District News
Earlier in the week, a message was shared noting that Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has issued
Please keep in mind that this guidance from CCDPH may change at any time.
Note that at the Special Board Meeting on February 15, the following decisions were made regarding spring break travel and the return to in-person learning:
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The District will utilize PCR testing to reduce quarantine duration during travel at a Township PCR Testing Clinic on April 2, 3 and 4 (and again on April 10) for families and staff.
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A Remote Day on Monday, April 5 (with a return to in-person learning on Tuesday, April 6) will provide time for the receipt of PCR test results from staff and students.
This plan subject to change as health guidance is amended.
YouTube Filtering & Functionality
Video is growing and YouTube is now one of the largest search engines in the world. Filtering videos does not work the same way as traditional internet content filtering; therefore, the District continues to research and implement strategies to protect our community. Beginning February 24, we will be adding additional measures to filter YouTube for our young learners in grades K-4. Please note this may cause some functionality issues. If this happens, please be sure to reach out to our technology staff via this email address:[email protected]. We recommend talking to your child about safe YouTube searching on home devices as well as school issued technology. Common Sense Media provides a helpful video on ways to make YouTube safer.
Please keep an eye out for future parent learning opportunities on this topic and others from our technology staff.
Access 2020-2021's District Parent Education sessions below:
Kindergarten & New Student Registration
Registration for Kindergarten and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2021-2022 is now open and can be accessed from the District website. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2021, are eligible to enroll.
The New Student Registration includes the following:
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Complete the following new student registration forms online.
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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.
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Provide the original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID. Scanned copies or snapshots of these documents may be uploaded during online registration or can be submitted in-person at the District Office by appointment. Please contact the District Registrar at (847) 446-9400 or via email [email protected] for more information.
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Next spring you will receive an email from the District with a link to your child's registration. You will be asked to review the information provided in the past, answer additional questions, pay student fees, and sign up for transportation and before/after-school care at that time. Registration information will be sent to the student's primary email and home address.
Please note: children will not be considered enrolled until both the online registration and all supporting documents (steps 1-3) have been completed. We look forward to welcoming you to The Winnetka Public Schools.
Erin's Law
Beginning 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 March 8. For more detailed information about Erin's Law and curriculum content, or to find the opt-out form, please refer to theErin's Law page of the District website or contact your school's social workers, Kelly Anderson, Lori Barsztaitis and Jen Kaplan.
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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.
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