LAST CALL: 
District 36 Strategic Planning Survey
Please Complete by Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m.

Parents and community members, 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. 

Current District 36 parents: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MDRB32J

Winnetka community members: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5M9HZGH

Information for Parents Regarding the Launch of our Modified Full Day on April 19 

We are eager to transition to a longer day for students in grades 1 through 6. This change brings new routines, so we hope these reminders are helpful to your family as you prepare for Monday.
  • Crisis Go Compliance: Please be sure to complete Crisis Go daily, no later than 8:00 a.m.
  • Pick up and drop off: For families with children attending multiple schools, the District is aware of the need to be flexible on arrival time. You are welcome to drop your child(ren) off within the following windows to start school on time:
8:20 a.m. - 8:35 a.m. - Crow Island, Greeley, & Hubbard Woods 
8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Skokie & Washburne
  • Before-school access to buildings and grounds: Please note that our buildings are not open prior to 8:20 a.m. and supervision will not be provided to students who arrive early.  Also, we ask that students refrain from gathering on the playgrounds before and after school. Due to COVID-19 precautions, playground use is limited to recess. 
  • Nut-Restricted Lunch: Lunch may be held in classrooms and we have implemented new guidance to support the safety of all students. Please note that any food item that lists nuts as an ingredient and all nut butters are prohibited.
  • Supplies Needed:
    • Face Masks -Please have your child bring 2-3 face masks to school each day.
    • Water Bottles - Students should bring two full water bottles to school.  It is preferable to have a reusable water bottle with a straw due to masks. 
Special Board Meeting Recap
On April 15, a Special Board Meeting was held. The following topics were discussed.

Joshua Swanner, Principal of Greeley School, shared an update on the planning for the modified full day schedule launching for students in grades 1-6 on Monday, April 19. Staff have been planning for enhancements and adjustments to the in-person student experience including:
  • Delivery of related arts and the majority of special education services in person
  • Opportunity for in-person Pioneer Room experience for 3rd and 4th grade students and outdoor education for fourth grade students
  • Partnership with the Winnetka/Northfield Public Library to create reading opportunities for Kindergarten students
Preview of Fall 2021 Roadmap May 23 Presentation
Barry Rodgers, Director of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, shared an overview on plans to successfully support student needs as we transition to a more typical school schedule in fall 2021. The majority of summer work will focus on priorities identified this spring.

Andrew Fenton, Principal of Washburne School, and Ben Horwitz, Assistant Principal of Washburne School, presented options for a modified full day for seventh and eighth grade students. The Board directed administration to move forward with a Washburne schedule that has students remaining on campus for lunch and the remainder of the afternoon starting Monday, May 3.  Washburne families will receive more detailed information early next week.
 
Key Features of the schedule are as follows:
  • The School Day will last from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Lunch will occur from 12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m. 
  • In the afternoon, students will attend Related Studies and Kinetic Wellness in person (mixing of limited pods) 
  • Office Hours will occur at school, supervised by teachers 
Contract extensions were approved for Superintendent Kocanda, Assistant Superintendent Tess, Assistant Principal Horwitz, and Principals Carmody, Swanner, Fenton, and Weir.

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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