The Skokie School Home Scoop
 

Dear Skokie Community,
 
I wanted to shed some light on the importance of independent reading this week and help you to understand why it is a building block when it comes to reading instruction. In pre-COVID times, our teachers set aside instructional time that was protected for students to read independent, just-right books. During this time, teachers would confer with individual or small groups of students to provide feedback. Now, this independent reading time is happening largely during remote work.
 
Independent reading is not simply reading for pleasure; it is much more than that. It is a time when students are putting the reading skills they learn during instructional time into practice. It is "minds on," critical thinking time. Students are asked to thoughtfully respond to their reading, as well. This may be in the form of jotting (annotating), a written response in a notebook, or in a partner conversation, all of which allow students to practice the critical thinking skills they receive through instruction.  
 
There is a great deal of research to support this practice. Two snippets I have pulled here for you are from Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University. The group at this university authored the instructional materials that we use in Winnetka.
  • "TCRWP reading instruction relies on research that shows that kids need to read a lot of texts, with high comprehension, in order to move up levels of text complexity. Our reading instruction is structured to allow for students to read (eyes on print) every day for 35-45 minutes in the reading workshop. Volume is vigilantly watched."
  • "There is research evidence which suggests that volume of reading is linked to attaining higher-order literacy proficiencies (Allington, 2012; Brozo et al, 2008, Cipielewski & Stanovich, 1992). Anderson, Wilson, and Fielding (1988) researched the relationship between the amount of reading done and reading achievement. They found that the amount of time reading was the best predictor of reading achievement, including a child's growth as a reader."
As you can see, reading volume is linked to reading growth and achievement. This is why it is embedded into our instructional practices.

Learn More About Reading Research and Supporting Your Child At Home
If you'd like to learn more about reading research and how you can support your child at home, please take a moment to watch this video created by Elizabeth Marut, our Literacy Facilitator.

#SkokieReads Community Challenge
Our Resource Center Director, Todd Burleson, has created a fun reading challenge to encourage reading for pleasure: the #SkokieReads Community Challenge. You can learn more about it by watching this video. This informational sheet also provides information about the challenge.

Fall Conferences
This year, the conference period is from September 29th through October 9th. October 8th will feature a half day of student attendance online via remote learning. School Schedules for October 8th are listed below. October 9th will be a day of non-attendance for students. Teachers will reach out to families to set up specific conference times. The general purpose of the fall conference is an opportunity for intake and goal setting on students' academic and social emotional qualities and to provide a connection between teachers, students and their families.

The Skokie School 
Skokie October 8th Half Day Schedule

8:30-9:00: Advisory/SEL (synchronous)

See links from Advisory teacher for Zoom synchronous call.

9:00-9:30: 
  • AM Hybrid Students: Reading Mini-Lesson, Independent Reading, and Response (asynchronous)
  • PM Hybrid Students/All-Remote Students: Regular Elective (synchronous)
9:30-10:00: 
  • AM Hybrid Students: Math Mini-Lesson and Independent Practice (asynchronous)
  • PM Hybrid Students/All-Remote Students: Regular Elective (synchronous)
10:00-10:30: World Language or Band/Orchestra (asynchronous) or Resource (synchronous)

10:30-11:00: 
  • AM Hybrid Students: 1:00 Elective (synchronous)
  • PM Hybrid Students/All-Remote Students: Reading Mini-Lesson, Independent Reading, and Response(asynchronous)
11:00-11:30:
  • AM Hybrid Students: 1:30 Elective (synchronous)
  • PM Hybrid Students/All Remote Students: Math Mini-Lesson and Independent Practice (asynchronous)
Take care,

Betty Weir          Louis Kotvis
Principal             Assistant Principal
 
District News
Travel Restrictions Update
It is important to note that Wisconsin has now been added to the Suburban Cook County Travel Quarantine list. If your family has visited any states on this list for more than 24 hours, you need to follow the Cook County Department of Public Health travel guidance and 14-day quarantine protocols. Please reference this information from the Cook County Department of Public Health.  

Monitoring Health and Operational Metrics 
The District's COVID-19 Metrics Dashboard has been posted to the website this week.  The data is monitored at least weekly by School Board members, administration, and the Winnetka Education Association (WEA) leadership.  The team reviews data to recommend modifications to mitigation efforts and potential changes to the school model.   The District will post the weekly dashboard data on its website every Friday.  

Conferences
This year, the conference period is from September 29th through October 9th. October 8 will feature a half day of student attendance online via remote learning. Please see school-specific schedules for October 8 here. October 9 will be a day of non-attendance for students. Teachers will reach out to families to set up specific conference times. The general purpose of the fall conference is an opportunity for intake and goal setting on students' academic and social emotional qualities and to provide a connection between teachers, students and their families. 

Opportunity from The Winnetka-Northfield Public Library
The Winnetka Northfield Public Library is offering an online card application option for students who don't currently have a library card. This is a great opportunity for students to take advantage of all the amazing digital and print resources the library offers. Here is a letter with further details, and here is a form to apply. The library will create accounts within 24 hours of receiving the request and email the library card number to the card holder. Please contact the Public Library with all questions and to return the application form: youth@winnetkalibrary.org
 
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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