The Winnetka Wire
Monthly News from The Winnetka Public Schools
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Dear Parents, Staff, and Community Members,
The last week of school is upon us, and students remain engaged in learning and end-of-year activities. From Skokie hosting a Colonial Fair to reenact life in the 1700s, to Crow Island fourth graders putting the finishing touches on their Crows on Parade creations, learning is in full, final swing in District 36. It was also an honor to recognize 36 staff members at our annual Recognition and Retirement event last week. We celebrated key milestones and retirees' impact on our amazing students and schools.
Much progress has been made in our four goal areas for the 2017-2018 school year, including the following highlights...
I would also like to thank our entire school community--from teachers to PTO volunteers to our School Board--for their hard work and dedication toward fostering the growth and achievement of our students.
As we commemorate the end of the year, we are also busy planning ahead for 2017-2018. A key area of focus will be collaborating with our community as we kick off the first Master Facility Plan in over 20 years as an extension of our Enrollment Balancing initiative. I look forward to working with you as we strive to determine a long-term plan that addresses the enrollment imbalance and aging facilities in the District in a fiscally responsible manner. As a community, I trust we are dedicated to ensuring that the District is equipped to continue to provide innovative opportunities to benefit the children of Winnetka for years to come. Thank you for the role you play in supporting our students. I wish you and your families a safe and invigorating summer.
Sinc
erely,
Trisha Kocanda
Superintendent
Congratulations to 8th Grade Graduates
& Retiring Staff!
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The next School Board Regular Meeting will be held at Carleton Washburne School on Wednesday, June 7. There will be a Work Session, Understanding MAP Assessment and First Year Results,at 5:00 p.m. The Regular Meeting begins at 7:15 p.m. The following presentation is on the agenda:
- District Improvement Plan (Year-End Update)
- Preliminary FY18 Budget
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This year, District 36 students have....
- Presented to adults at national conferences and the Illinois State Capitol Building
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Greeley students learn about the Democratic process during a debate between school mascot candidates
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- Enjoyed experiential learning through many incredible initiatives--such as the Inquiry and Enrichment period at Skokie, which has allowed students to explore their interests and passions
- Benefited from tremendous learning experiences that are the product of partnerships with organizations like Northwestern University, Oakton College Robotics Team, and events such as the Skokie Career Fair, which featured over 45 professionals sharing their expertise with students
- Learned about the Democratic process as a school by participating in a months-long process to elect a new school mascot
- Presented Someday, a musical written by an eighth grade student
- Made a difference in our community by serving with organizations like The Nora Project, The Floured Apron, Northwestern Settlement House, the New Trier Township Food Pantry, and many more
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A student puts the finishing touches on a display for The Nora Project's "Nora Night."
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- Collaborated with peers to design prototypes, program robotics, and create films (one of which was the winner of the Google GEG Chicagoland Filmfest this winter!)
- Learned from makers and artists-in-residence thanks to the support of The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation and our PTOs
- Participated in an array of activities to promote sustainability--like hosting a book swap and tending to school gardens--thanks to the support of the Green Team
- Engaged in the National Day of Service as a District on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which impacted those served by over 15 organizations. If you missed it, here is a video of the day's events:
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Registration for 2017-2018 is Open
Registration information for next year has been sent via regular mail and email. Look for these materials in your mailbox and inbox. Once you receive this information, you may contact District Registrar, Maria Perez, at 847-446-9400 or [email protected], if you have any registration questions, or did not receive notification.
Registration should be completed and submitted by June 23, 2017
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All students entering the sixth grade are required to submit a Certificate of Health Examination and Proof of a School Dental Examination. Incoming second graders must submit Proof of a School Dental Examination. Both are due before the first day of school and must be dated after August 29, 2016. Please schedule your child's doctor appointments now and return the forms before the end of this school year if possible.
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The summer provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Check out these resources for some simple, fun ideas to foster play with bubbles, water, and chalk for younger children.
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A decades-long tradition, this summer program includes classes as
 varied as Rocket Engineering, Camping Adventures and S'more Fun, Archery, Kitchen Magicians, Lacrosse, Computer Animation, Yoga for Kids, Animal Care, and the Wonders of Science.
Students in grades 2-8 may choose up to four classes from over 100 options. Younger children (pre-Kindergarten through grade 1) will
explore educational concepts through guided play and outdoor activities.
Adventures in Learning runs from June 12-July 14, 2017.
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D36 alum Lucy Spahr (Washburne Class of 2014) channeled her passion for  storytelling and filmmaking into creating
Global Warming: The Dead Zone
, a documentary to raise awareness on the impact of climate change. She submitted the film to C-SPAN's StudentCam contest, which asked students to highlight an issue that Congress should address in 2017. The film, one of over 2,900 submissions from students around the United States, received an honorable mention. Lucy studied filmmaking at UCLA last summer and has created films for the New Trier Greg Harris Film Festival, but otherwise has no formal filmmaking training. She enlisted the support of a geoscience teacher at New Trier to serve as an expert in the film, which stars both her grandfather and younger brother, Spencer (Washburne Class of 2015).
"I cherish my D36 progressive education because it emphasized creativity," says Lucy. "I have fond memories of writing scripts and being on camera for WGST at Hubbard Woods. The program taught me at a young age that film is a medium that allows me to express my feelings and ideas in a constructive and fun way." Lucy recalls designing a circus production in Kindergarten, learning to write and deliver presentations with the support of her teachers, and honing her public speaking skills as she progressed through middle school, which she notes, "gave me confidence with the much larger environment at New Trier."
Lucy serves on the New Trier Township Peer Jury, and is a member of the New Trier Varsity Girls Tennis Team. As she prepares to begin her senior year, she recommends that incoming freshmen explore the many leadership opportunities that high school has to offer. "Get in involved in some activity that you enjoy...have an open mind and be willing to experiment!"
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Follow The Winnetka Public Schools
on Social Media
T
o see photos of school events and activities, read articles on topics of interest, and more, connect with District 36 on social media by clicking on the icons at the bottom of the newsletter.
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Important Dates
Carleton Washburne School Graduation
June 6, 2017
6:00 p.m.
The Skokie School
Board Meeting
June 7, 2017
7:15 p.m.
Carleton Washburne School
Last Day of School
(Half Day)
June 8, 2017
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Spring in D3
6...
Greeley & Skokie students planting seeds together
on Shadow Day.
A Hubbard Woods
student exploring robotics
in the IDEA Lab.
Washburne students presenting SOMEDAY,
a student-written & produced musical.
Crow Island third grade students enjoying a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with bowls they created in art class.
Hubbard Woods students enjoying a hike & campfire sing-a-long at
Camp Edwards.
Skokie students are farmers, blacksmiths, apothecaries, shipbuilders & more
as part of the annual
Colonial Fair. Crow Island second grade students transformed their hallway into an ocean.
Greeley Kindergarteners learning together
during rug time.
Washburne students learning about the Civil War from reenactors, an annual D36 tradition.
Skokie students constructing apartments
for an architecture project culminating with
40 different structures created by students using engineering,
math, & design skills. 
Washburne students
gearing up for
Field Day relays.
 Future Kindergarten students were welcomed at Open Houses at Greeley & Hubbard Woods in May.
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Videos for most Winnetka Parents Institute events are available on the
website.
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