Carleton Washburne
Monday Memo - April 4, 2022
Washburne Families,
We hope you were all able to enjoy some family time over spring break. We’re looking forward to an exciting Spring, full of learning and fun school events for students and families. One of the student events we’re looking forward to is our Bike Safety Event, taking place this Friday morning!
With warmer weather (hopefully) coming soon and many students likely starting to ride their bikes to school again, we’ve rescheduled our bike safety event from the Fall for this Friday morning. Jim Bernahl, Winnetka Village Engineer, will be visiting The Skokie School to speak to any interested Skokie and Washburne students about safe bike routes and bike safety practices on Friday, April 8th, from 7:45-8:15am in the Skokie Auditorium.
This event is open to all Skokie and Washburne students, and any students who wish to attend should arrive at the front doors of The Skokie School.
This is a continuation of our cross-campus collaborative work from the Fall. At that time, the Skokie and Washburne student leadership groups partnered on writing a student pledge that was shared with all students and families, producing a student video highlighting safe bike riding practices which was viewed by all Skokie and Washburne students, and designing signs that list the student pledge of safe riding practices on them which are displayed on both campuses.
During his presentation, Mr. Bernahl will
Explain what he does as the Village Engineer and how he helps the community
Explain safe bike routes, and why and how they're developed
Describe safe bike riding practices and why they're important
Describe leadership skills important for our students, such as following and modeling safe/expected behaviors
Answer student questions
There will also be opportunities for prizes for students who attend, thanks to the generosity of our Skokie/Washburne PTO!
We are very proud of the work that our students have completed so far, and we know that safe bike riding is not limited to their commute to school, so we ask for your continued support as well. Please review and reinforce the guidelines linked above in the student pledge with your children whenever they are riding their bikes.
We know how powerful and influential it can be when students are receiving the same messages at home and at school, even when they are riding independently, and we thank you for your partnership in promoting safe bike riding practices for our students.
Take Care and Be Well,
Andrew Fenton, Ben Horwitz, Betty Weir, and Larry Joynt
Skokie & Washburne School Administrators
This Wednesday: Principal Coffee and Conversation
Please join us in the Washburne Resource Center this Wednesday, April 6th from 9:00-10:00am for our next coffee and conversation with the principal. Our Washburne Social Workers will share a brief presentation focused on raising awareness around Anxiety, and the impact it is having on our students. There will be time for parent questions and discussion as well as an opportunity to discuss the recent viewing of the film, Angst.
Thank you to the PTO for your partnership in coordinating these films and parent coffees.
IAR Testing Dates
Please make sure that your child brings a pair of headphones to school on these dates.
Trimester 2 Report Cards Available
As a reminder, Trimester 2 Report Cards are available for family access in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. You can see step-by-step directions for how to access report cards using this link.
If you have any questions, please reach out to parentportal@winnetka36.org.
Attention 8th Grade Parents: 2022 New Trier 101 Program
Who: Parents of current 8th grade students (Parent only event)
What: Northfield Principal Paul Waechtler and a panel of experienced New Trier parents will share knowledge and tips on a variety of topics (Q & A format)
When: Tuesday, April 26, 7:00-8:30 PM
Where: Cornog Auditorium, Northfield Campus
Please click HERE for more information about the event
What's Happening in Related Studies
The new Creative Writing crew started the trimester by experimenting with words and language. They began with Found Poetry, where they literally “found” the words in magazines. The resulting poems are always surprising and clever! Next, they learned about figurative language through a group competition where they were trying to create the funniest metaphors and similes. They applied this new knowledge to a class metaphor poem called “Washburne is…” Next up is Black out poetry, another form of Found poetry that combines art and poetry.
District News
2022-2023 Calendar is Now Available
Downsized Capital Improvement Proposal Update
The Winnetka Public Schools went to referendum in April 2019 for capital expenditure, which likely failed due to the scope and total cost of the request. Since that date, the District has taken several steps to determine a new path forward and is considering a return to the ballot box in November 2022 with a downsized capital improvement proposal. Important improvements have been made to the 2019 request, including:
Reducing the size of the proposal
Decreasing the estimated annual tax impact
Keeping The Skokie School open
Eliminating $36 million from Carleton Washburne’s facility plan
A screencast of the Community Engagement Sessions presented by Board and Administration is here. For further details on the proposal, click here.
Winnetka Parents Institute
In Partnership with The Alliance for Early Childhood:
The Power of Play in Emotional Health and Well-Being
April 13 from 7-8 p.m.
This session is part of the ongoing series "Making Sense of Kids: What Kids Need Most from Adults," and features Dr. Deborah MacNamara, author of Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (or anyone who acts like one).
Click here to register and learn more.
Adventures in Learning Registration is Now Open
The Winnetka Public Schools is returning to its traditional Adventures in Learning summer program following a two year hiatus.
Our General Program is designed for students entering 2nd grade through 8th grade.
Our Primary Program provides activities for children Pre-K (4 years old by June 1st, 2022) and K-1st grade (5 years old by September 1st, 2021).
Registration is open to both residents and non-residents of Winnetka via this link.
Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):
For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, April 6: Principal Coffee and Conversation @ 9:00am
Thursday, April 7th: IAR Testing
Tuesday & Wednesday, April 12-13: IAR Testing
Friday, April 15: No School, Religious Holiday
Friday, April 22: Earth Day
Tuesday, April 26: Board of Education Meeting @ 7:15pm