Dear Hubbard Woods School Families,

Welcome to The Kick-Off Issue of The Item e-newsletter, your primary source of Hubbard Woods School PTO-related information! The Item arrives in your inbox every two weeks and details special events, volunteer opportunities, important reminders and more. You may also occasionally receive PTO email blasts containing pertinent information. Look out for the next Item on September 4. The HWS PTO website (www.hubbardwoods36pto.org) is also a great resource.

Our PTO distribution list is created using contact information provided by the district. Typically, we receive one contact per student which is based on your district-level online school registration. If another parent/guardian would like to be added to our distribution list, please contact: hwitemeditor@gmail.com.

Welcome New HWS Families! We would like to extend a special welcome to all families who are new to Hubbard Woods School! We are thrilled you have joined our special school community, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please use the PTO as a resource throughout the school year and always reach out with questions, concerns, or new ideas! And, if you have not heard from your Buddy Family, please email us!

What does the PTO do? The PTO consists of over thirty different committees that work to support the students, teachers, and school community. The PTO supports our community with numerous programs and events throughout the year, which include: student and parent social events; organizing school supplies, hot lunch and the yearbook; World Travelers; a Month of Service & Learning; fundraising through the Book Fair, spirit wear, Pizza Fun Lunch, and Mayfest; and much more. The PTO also regularly supports the HW staff through faculty lunches, holiday gifts, and by funding value-added projects, such as innovative classroom materials. Most recently, the PTO funded the purchase of all new furniture in the Resource Center. 

The success of our PTO is dependent on monetary donations and on parents volunteering their time. There are many ways to be involved - both big and small. An amazing way to feel connected to the HWS community is by volunteering your time and talents. Click HERE for a list of open volunteer positions. 

We hope you enjoy the remaining days of summer break and look forward to a wonderful school year ahead!

Jessalyn Garvey, HW PTO President

hubbardwoodspto@gmail.com

News and Notes

Complete Important Back to School Purchases Before School Starts

The PTO offers a simple back-to-school payment process online. Starting now, you can pay for all back-to-school items with one easy payment! Click HERE to purchase school supplies, order the yearbook, contribute to teacher gifts, and to make a donation to the HW PTO.

Deadline to OPT OUT and purchase your own supplies is August 29. OPT OUT by emailing PTO Treasurer, Amy Sullivan, and contact Margaret Reynolds for each grade's detailed school supply list.

Rah, Rah, Rah for Hubbard Woods!

It has become a fun annual tradition to show our school spirit by displaying Hubbard Woods signs in the days leading up to the first day of school. Volunteers will place a HW sign in front of your home the week before school starts.

If you do not wish to have a sign, please contact Back-to-School Committee Chairs, Lindsay Anderson (peterslinds@gmail.com) or Laura Bean (lauraleighbean@gmail.com). Volunteers will collect signs after the first week of school.   

Popsicle Meet-ups

Join the PTO and your grade level peers at summer popsicle meet-ups on Wednesday, August 30 at Mann Park! Mann Park is the triangular park to the east of the school.

9:30AM-10:30AM, 1st Grade

11:00AM-12:00PM, 2nd Grade 

12:30PM-1:30PM, 3rd Grade

2:00PM-3:00PM, 4th Grade

3:30PM-4:30PM, Kindergarten

The New Family/Buddy Family Popsicle meet-up is on Thursday, August 31, at 10:30AM, at Mann Park. We invite all new families and their buddy families to meet at the park for popsicles in conjunction with teacher Meet and Greets!

Back-to-School Schedule

Kindergarten + Grades 1-4 - SHORTENED FIRST DAY

Tuesday, September 5

Doors Open 8:30AM - 11:20AM

FIRST FULL DAY

Wednesday, September 6

Kindergarten 8:30AM-2:10PM

Grades 1-4 8:30AM - 3:15PM

Welcome Coffee

Immediately after drop-off on the first day of school, join us for a cup of coffee and an opportunity to say hello to other HW parents.

Meet at Mann Park on Tuesday, September 5 from 8:30-9:30AM.

Room Parent Sign-up is available

Volunteer to be a classroom parent (2 parents per classroom) or a class photographer. The Sign-Up Genius is available HERE. This is a great way to support our school community and get an inside take on all the wonderful things happening in your child's classroom!

Looking Ahead

Summer Popsicle Meet-ups - K-4th grade

Wednesday, August 30

9:30AM-4:30PM

Mann Park

New Family/Buddy Family Popsicle Meet-up

Thursday, August 31

10:30AM

Mann Park

Teacher Meet and Greets

Thursday, August 31

10:45AM-11:30AM

New Family Tours

Thursday, August 31

3:00PM-4:00PM

First Day of School, 1/2 Day

Tuesday, September 5

Dismissal at 11:20AM

Parent Welcome Coffee

Tuesday, September 5

8:30AM-9:30AM

Mann Park

First Full Day of School

Thursday, August 25

8:37AM-2:10PM (K)

8:37AM-3:15PM (1st-4th)

Picture Day

Wednesday, September 13

8:00AM-10:30AM

First Pizza Fun Lunch

Friday, September 15

Go To School Night

Wednesday, September 20

6:00PM-7:30PM

Hubbard Woods Spirit Wear!

We have a new spirit wear vendor this year - B Friends. You can purchase merchandise any time during the school year and have your items shipped directly to your home. Click here to visit the online Hubbard Woods store.

Samples will be on display at the Popsicle Meet-ups on August 30 and the Teacher Meet and Greets on August 31.

SAVE THE DATE!!

Mark your Calendars for the annual Hubbard Woods Parent & Staff Party on Friday, October 6 at the Glen View Club and Grade-Level Parent Parties during the month of September. More details to follow!

Lunch Box

Marla's Brown Bag Lunch



Marla's Brown Bag Lunch is our 2023-24 lunch provider! Click here for a flyer on registering (to create an account) and here for ordering. Ordering closes at noon on August 30 for lunch deliveries beginning September 6.

The deadline to add, change or cancel lunches is 12pm each Wednesday for the following week.

Pizza Fun Lunch



Pizza Fun Lunch ordering will once again be streamlined through the Marla's Brown Bag Lunch website! Don't miss the noon September 6 ordering cutoff for the first Pizza Fun Lunch! Click here for Pizza Fun Lunch dates. *Existing users will need to update your student(s) teacher in your profile.

Helpful Links

Hubbard Woods School Links:

· Hubbard Woods School Calendar

· Marla's Lunch Box

· Spirit Wear

· HW PTO Instagram

District Links:

· District Calendar

· Winnetka Parents Institute

· Winnetka Voices Podcasts

· Construction website

· Curriculum Information

District Partner Links:

· Family Action Network

· The Alliance for Early Childhood

The HW PTO involves parents and teachers working together on behalf of the school and students. To become involved please contact: the Hubbard Woods PTO or visit the PTO Sign Up Genius.

You can also reach out to:

President - Jessalyn Garvey

Vice President - Jessica Newell



To learn more about the Central PTO, which supports all three elementary schools and Skokie-Washburne,

Click Here.