 The Winnetka Wire Monthly News from The Winnetka Public Schools |
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Dear Parents, Staff, and Community Members,
This past several weeks has certainly involved quite a bit of patience from all as we are managing our historic winter weather. I would like to express gratitude to our buildings and grounds staff for their efforts--literally around the clock--to keep our buildings safe and warm in the midst of near-constant snow and extreme cold. We are grateful for our partnership with Village leadership, which has collaborated with us on snow removal.
This month we are approaching a year of COVID-related planning.  We have faced many challenges as a school community, reaffirming how deeply this Village cares about its students and their learning experience. Together, our families and staff have prioritized our students and made in-person learning possible while developing a remote learning program. This has required great flexibility, creativity, and personal sacrifice. Our students inspire us daily with their positivity in light of the circumstances....they are truly at the center of our work.
Most recently this work has focused on... -
Further developing our Roadmap to Fall 2021 progress as we seek to continue to maximize in-person learning. We are grateful for the hundreds of parents and staff who recently shared their creative ideas as part of this strategic planning process. At the February 15 Special Board meeting, it was shared that Washburne will shift to an Extended Day schedule targeted for March 15. An update on K-6 planning will be provided at the February 23 Board Meeting.
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Prioritizing key curriculum improvements in order to meet our academic objectives. We continue to evaluate and respond to individual student progress as well as District-wide planning and pacing.
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Devoting time to connect with families. Conferences are an opportunity to provide comprehensive individualized feedback to parents regarding student progress and well-being. Teachers also learn more from parents to better connect with students and help them thrive.
Thank you for your collaborative efforts as we continue to navigate an ever-changing situation.
Dr. Trisha Kocanda
Superintendent
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Board Meeting Announcement
The Regular School Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 23 at 7:15 p.m., limited in person and via Zoom. The Regular Meeting includes the following presentation on the agenda:
Spring - Summer - Fall 2021 Roadmap presentation
Public comment for the meeting will occur by email and in person. Those joining in person should go to the Carleton Washburne School Resource Center. Please note: space is limited to 8 attendees, masks and social distancing requirements will be required. Those joining remotely should email [email protected] prior to 7:00 p.m. on February 23 and note if they want the email message read at the meeting. Please note, the Board will be following policy and limit public comment to three minutes.
To participate via Zoom:
Please use the link below to join the open portion of the meetings:
https://winnetka36.zoom.us/j/88090707037?pwd=NG5odzg5ejhac3Frb05HK0lYQmZTUT09Passcode: 353337
Or Telephone:
1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 880 9070 7037
Passcode: 353337
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Updated Travel Guidance &
Spring Break Planning
Note that at the Special Board Meeting on February 15, the following decisions were made regarding spring break travel and the return to in-person learning: -
The District will utilize PCR testing to reduce quarantine duration during travel at a Township PCR Testing Clinic on April 2, 3 and 4 (and again on April 10) for families and staff.
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A Remote Day on Monday, April 5 (with a return to in-person learning on Tuesday, April 6) will provide time for the receipt of PCR test results from staff and students.
This plan subject to change as health guidance is amended.
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We are pleased to share that approximately 60% of our staff have reported that they have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. We continue to notify our staff of opportunities to register for the vaccine as part of their 1B designation. District leadership continues to work with our Township school districts and village officials toward securing access to the vaccine for all of our staff.
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WPSF Micro Grant Highlight: The Power of Yoga
The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation (WPSF) is excited to share with you the positive impact of a recent Micro Grant, the Power of Yoga. Realizing that Kinetic Wellness (KW) activity is limited in the winter months, Skokie and Washburne KW teachers Kate Wilkinson and Candice Florance wanted to use yoga to supplement the fitness curriculum. With WPSF micro grants in hand, they worked with expert yoga instructor Tracy Walsh to create quality yoga instruction, presented to students through the KW Zooms. The physical and mental benefits of yoga not only provide students with skills to create a healthy balance in their lives now - to slow down and be connected to feelings in the moment - but also skills to put in their tool box for life. Don't just take our word for it, check out the short video below to hear for yourself how our students are benefiting from this yoga instruction! Please visit the WPSF website to learn more about how we empower our teachers and students to dream bigger and achieve more.
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| | WPSF: The Power of Yoga Micro Grant |
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Registration for 2021-2022
Registration for Kindergarten and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2021-2022 is now open and can be accessed from the District website. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2021, are eligible to enroll.
The New Student Registration includes the following:
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Complete the following new student registration forms online.
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Provide proof of residency. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements. For your convenience residency documents may be uploaded during online registration.
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Provide the original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID. Scanned copies or snapshots of these documents may be uploaded during online registration or can be submitted in-person at the District Office by appointment. Please contact the District Registrar at (847) 446-9400 or via email [email protected] for more information.
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Next spring you will receive an email from the District with a link to your child's registration. You will be asked to review the information provided in the past, answer additional questions, pay student fees, and sign up for transportation and before/after-school care at that time. Registration information will be sent to the student's primary email and home address.
Please note: children will not be considered enrolled until both the online registration and all supporting documents (steps 1-3) have been completed. We look forward to welcoming you to The Winnetka Public Schools.
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Click here to access recent District Parent Education sessions:
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In the District...
A recent movement break at Hubbard Woods School.
Carleton Washburne School students recently launched rockets in their science class.
Thank you to all of our teachers, PTOs, and
students for making Valentine's festivities special in light of the pandemic. Creative new ideas emerged to spread the love in our schools and community!
Washburne advisories
made 1,500 Valentines for a
variety of recipients.
Hubbard Woods and
Crow Island third graders
made Valentines
for residents in local retirement communities.
The Greeley PTO treated staff and students to festive heart-shaped doughnuts.
At The Skokie School,
The Lions of Leadership
created Staff Appreciation Boxes...resulting in
hundreds of letters delivered!
Greeley students working on a math activity.
Thanks to our Buildings & Grounds Team for working around the clock to help keep our buildings safe and warm!
We would like to share photos of our remote learners' experiences, too! Please submit photos with
a short caption to [email protected].
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 Family Action Network features an annual series of free events with renowned speakers, authors, and leaders.
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 Connect with The Winnetka Public Schools on social media by clicking on the icons at the bottom of this message.
We use the hashtag #WE36, which stands for "Winnetka Experience."
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