Dear Washburne Families,
As this is my final newsletter of the school year, and what a year it has been, I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to read these newsletters. I am hopeful they have been informative and provided a little window into Washburne.
The end of the school year is always an emotional roller coaster, and this year it seems to be more like "raging bull" than the "little dipper" if you get my six flags reference.
These are most certainly challenging times we are in. With all of the unknowns around us, it can sometimes feel hard to breathe,
never-mind
focusing on school or work. Yet, taking time to just breathe has often been the most helpful strategy. I am thankful for that advice from our opening day speaker Matt Dewar. (
Mr. Dewar has a webinar tonight at 6pm, I highly recommend you check it out, sign up info is below in the district news section) At the time, I had no idea how often I would call upon that strategy.
I want to thank our students, teachers and parents for taking these challenges head on. I am so proud to be the principal of a school where the entire community came together to support each other in these unprecedented circumstances.
We will be working hard this summer to adjust our fall planning based on the directives from the state. Please know that we all are anxious to welcome your children back to Washburne in whatever capacity is allowed.
My hope for all of you is that you are able to take some time to breathe this summer.
Take Care and Be Well,
Andrew Fenton Ben Horwitz
Principal Assistant Principal
Virtual Awards Assembly
Even though we are not able to be in person, we were able to create a video version of our annual awards ceremony.
Graduation Reminders
We will be honoring our Washburne graduates in a number of ways this week. I loved seeing all the pictures of our 8th graders with their #Washburne2020 yard signs. Keep posting those pictures.
See below for event details:
- 8th Grade Reverse Parade will take place June 4th, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Washburne staff members will be stationed around our school along the sidewalks of the parade route, and 8th grade families will drive through the parade route as we celebrate and congratulate our graduates.
- Washburne's Virtual Graduation will take place at 7pm on Thursday, June 4th. The ceremony will be broadcast via Vimeo. We will be sending out this link as well as posting to our website before Thursday.
- Immediately after the graduation ceremony, each 8th grade advisory will be getting together virtually for an Advisory Zoom Celebration. (8th grade advisors will be sharing this information with their advisees)
For more detailed information, please see
this letter I shared last week with 8th grade families.
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June 1 Grey Day: FIELD DAY
The District is sharing this letter early so parents have time to review the supply list and activities.
Parent Education and
Entertainment Opportunities
The Winnetka Public Schools and The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation (WPSF) are partnering to support our students, staff, and families with fun and educational virtual events this spring.
For more information click here.
This week, our spring series concludes with the following events:
June 1 at 1 p.m.
Leadership, Character and Wellness with Jim Davis of the Good Athlete Project
How does your emotional state connect to performance and wellness? Join a discussion that focuses on leadership, character, and social-emotional learning in a refreshing and empowering context, beginning with "bedrock" principles of the body and mind. The session is led by Jim Davis, former professional football player and champion powerlifter turned nationally recognized coach. He is a graduate of Harvard University, Northwestern University and Knox College and serves as the Director of the Good Athlete Project and the Staff & Student Wellness Coordinator at New Trier High School. At New Trier, Jim leads one of the largest and most successful strength programs in the nation and was honored as 2018 NASA National Coach of the Year. This presentation is geared for middle school students and their parents.
Join here:
Password: D36Live
June 1 at 6 p.m.
Transform Stress Into Strength During these Challenging Time with Dr. Matt Dewar
As parents, teachers, and coaches, our responses to stress and adversity are instructive to the children and young adults under our guidance and in our care. Through the practice of mindful attention and through the development of healthy and sustainable stress-managements skills, Dr. Dewar with share how we can build resilience in ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Join here:
Password: D36live
June 2 at 1 p.m.
An Afternoon with Mandy Harvey
All families are invited to an incredible virtual assembly with America's Got Talent Finalist and Golden Buzzer winner,
Mandy Harvey. Ms. Harvey is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and inspirational speaker who lost her residual hearing at the age of nineteen. She tours the world performing her original music and presenting her inspirational story of never giving up. This is the perfect way for students and staff to wrap up a unique school year feeling empowered and inspired!
Join here:
Password: D36Live
Registration Open for 2020-2021 School Year
Registration information for next year has been sent via regular mail and email. Look for these materials in your mailbox and inbox. If you did not receive notification or have any questions related to registration, you may contact District Registrar, Carolin Huh, at 847-446-9400 or
[email protected].
Registration should be completed and submitted by
June 28, 2020.
You will need to have your registration letter that includes login information and snapcode handy.
When registering, please be sure to include all email addresses for every parent/family member who should be receiving school and District communications.
During the registration process, you will be asked some questions that may be tricky to answer given our current unknowns. For instance, when prompted to choose transportation or before- and after-school care, please indicate the preferences you currently anticipate for your family. We recognize some programs or services may be impacted this fall based on what transpires over the summer. The District will provide refunds as necessary.
Registration Open: Adventures in Learning (AIL) Remote Learning Program
From July 6-24, 2020, the District is offering families a reimagined version of AIL with creative classes from a remote platform. Details are as follows:
- Each class will run the 3 weeks and be offered via synchronous learning 30-minutes per day (Period 1 will be from 9:00- 9:30 a.m., with Period 2 from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m.)
- Students grades 3-8 have the choice of up to two sessions per day (July 6 - 24)
- Class size will range from 5-10
- Classes are $100 per class
- A course catalog is here.
- Begin registration here.
Summer iPad Return Process
Please take a look at
this letter from our Technology Department to learn more about how to return your child's iPad to the District this summer so we can conduct our annual software and security refresh process.
Winnetka Residents' Survey raises key questions about D36 schools
-Please Complete by June 14
Every year there is an Annual Survey of residents organized by the Winnetka Caucus Council (WCC), a volunteer bi-partisan group that helps with local governance. This year's survey is asking for Residents' thoughts about key issues impacting our Parks, Library, Village and The Winnetka Public Schools. Please note that the WCC is very keen to hear from families with children in local schools because, typically, less than 50% of survey respondents have school-age children.
To participate in the Survey (current Winnetka residents only please), you can
click on this link.
Residents have until June 14th to complete the Survey.
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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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Upcoming Dates
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Thursday, June 4th
8th Grade Reverse Parade @ 2PM
Thursday, June 4th
8th Grade Graduation
Virtual Ceremony @7:00PM
Friday, June 5th
Last day of remote Learning
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