Carleton Washburne
Monday Memo - May 16, 2022
Washburne Families,
The arrival of baby ducklings in the courtyards is the official sign that we are heading into our final few weeks of the 2021-22 school year. On Friday, our students said goodbye to the baby chicks they have watched hatch and grow over the past few weeks. I know our science department was so excited to bring back this hands-on, interactive learning experience for our students.
Washburne students will be MAP testing this week on Tuesday, May 17th. Please make sure that your child brings his/her fully charged iPad to school on these dates. Additionally, lunch is served later on these days. Please provide a snack for your child as we will provide time for one earlier in the day.
It is time to order your school supply kits for the 2022-23 school year. The deadline for ordering is July 1st. Supply kits will be delivered to your home two weeks before the start of school in August. CLICK HERE to order.
Please remember that the traffic circle immediately outside of the Winnetka Park District Administrative Offices is not intended to be a waiting area for drop off or pick up. There are signs displayed that read “No Parking / Stopping / Standing / Any Time” in the traffic circle.
Recently, cars waiting in that area have caused a backup of traffic through the parking areas and, on occasion, up to Hibbard Road. All drop off/pick-ups of students should take place on the north side of Oak Street or the south side of Elm Street.
Additionally, please remember that if you are picking up your child early, they must sign out through the main office. Please call the office or buzz the front door to let us know when you are here to pick up your child.
Take Care and Be Well,
Andrew Fenton & Ben Horwitz
Washburne Principal & Assistant Principal
Principal Coffee with Incoming Superintendent
Dr. Tess is looking forward to connecting and listening to your hopes for the District, thoughts on areas in which you think we may improve, and ideas on how we can best partner together on behalf of our students as we plan for the 2022-2023 school year.
Window to Washburne
We are so proud of the many accomplishments of our band and orchestra students this year. It has been so nice to have live concerts return and for our students to have the opportunity to perform for the community. Mr. Vowles, Mr. Chester, and Ms. Nussbaum have done an incredible job working with our students. Please see each update below for more information about all of the work our students have done and will do before the end of the year.
Symphonic Band, Lion Jazz, and Washburne Jazz Ensemble
This Spring, the Symphonic Band (7/8) shared a concert with the 6th Grade Concert Band, combining on two of the selections. The Washburne Jazz Ensemble shared The Skokie School Auditorium with the 5th Grade Cadet Band, supporting the newest Winnetka musicians in their second live concert. Both the Lion Jazz and Washburne Jazz Ensembles performed a concert together in the Washburne Little Theater for an audience of family and friends.
The Symphonic Band is currently working on new music, graduation pieces, and materials for next year's ILMEA Honors Band and Honors Jazz Band Festivals. The Washburne Jazz Ensemble will be playing for the Awards Assembly on May 27th, and are looking forward to sharing some of their improvisations with fellow Washburne students. Lion Jazz will be playing Skokie’s new Carnival for 4th grade students entering Skokie this Fall.
7th Graders, please check to make sure that you are signed up for Band in your 8th grade schedule. It does not take up an elective spot, so you can do Band and also pursue two electives. You can also cross-list with Orchestra, and join Chorus; good musicians are versatile!
To all musicians this year, good work. We look forward to hearing you play in next year's ensembles. If you are heading off to high school, please remember that you always have us as a support network, and you are welcome to come back and sit in.
Orchestra
The Washburne String Orchestra, (7th/8th grade) has now completed two successful concerts in the Skokie School Auditorium. Both performances were wonderful evenings of music and the students played at a high level representing Washburne School at its best! The students were thrilled to be able to return to live in-person performances this school year! We did not realize how much we missed the appreciation from a live concert hall audience!!
The 7th grade string students are finishing out the year by sight-reading music for the upcoming school year as well as beginning to look at music for next year's ILMEA Honors Orchestra Festival.
The 8th grade string students are putting the finishing touches on their performance piece for Graduation.
7th Graders currently involved in Orchestra: remember to sign-up for Orchestra as one of your elective classes to continue your participation in Orchestra as a 8th Grader at Washburne
8th Graders, it has been my pleasure to teach you these last two years and for some of you, the last eight years since you began your instrument back at Crow Island. I wish you the very best of luck in high school and beyond!!!
What's Happening in Related Studies
In Spanish, we are working on describing people both physically and personality wise. We watched the infamous “Guapo” Señor Wooly video in 7th grade. After we watched the video we used our amazing detective skills to help draw a sketch of a “thief” who stole from a bank. These images are on display on the 3rd floor of Washburne in case anyone has caught a glimpse of the mysterious bank robber.
8th Grade Graduation Tickets Available This Wednesday, May 4th
Washburne 8th grade graduation ticket ordering is now live!
If you did not receive the WASHBURNE 8TH GRADE GRADUATION 2022 email from the PTO last week, please reach out to washburnegraduation2022@gmail.com.
District News
Focus Group on May 17 Regarding Search for the Next Assistant Superintendent of The Winnetka Public Schools
The District is in the process of a comprehensive search for the next Assistant Superintendent of The Winnetka Public Schools, led in partnership with esteemed school leadership search firm: Educational Leadership Solutions and Dr. Linda Yonke. To ensure an opportunity to provide input within this process, we would like to extend an invitation to anyone who is interested in attending a focus group. As we conduct focus groups with staff and parents, we are simultaneously engaged in our search timeline with the goal of recommending a candidate at the June School Board meeting.
Tuesday, May 17 @ 7:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://winnetka36.zoom.us/j/85401131831
Meeting ID: 854 0113 1831
Passcode: 477622
One tap mobile
312.626.6799
iPad Collection Information
2022-2023 Online Registration for New and Returning Students is Now Open
Please register early! Parents are asked to complete registration at their earliest convenience to help inform planning for the 2022-2023 school year.
Health Form Reminder for Next School Year:
All medical forms required by the State of Illinois are due before the first day of school. You can find additional copies of the forms on the district website here. Please see the information below:
State of Illinois Health Examination:
Kindergarten & Grade 6
Eye Examination:
Kindergarten
Dental Examination:
Kindergarten, Grade 2 & Grade 6
Please use the links to upload your child’s completed forms. Further details in the links. Please select your child’s school and grade for the school year 2022-2023.
Hubbard Woods:
Crow Island:
Greeley:
Skokie:
All Schools (Grades 1-5 and 7-8 for NEW STUDENTS ONLY) use form below:
Bike Safety Initiatives
As we enjoy more spring-like weather, more students will be riding bikes and walking to school. The District and Winnetka Police Department recently sent this letter to our school community on Bike Safety efforts.
In the letter, we shared information on safety pledges for students, safe route maps for each elementary school, and noted we are reintroducing the elementary “Bike Rodeo” event for second grade, hosted collaboratively with Scout Troop 20, Green Bay Cycles, and our school PTO. We have one remaining date:
Crow Island: Wed, 5/18, 4:00pm (5/19 rain date). The Winnetka Police will be present at this particular event for community engagement and photo opportunities.
At this event, second grade students will learn basic guidance about proper bike and helmet use. If your family is unable to attend the event at your child(ren)’s home school, you are welcome to attend another event.
Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):
For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, May 24: Board of Education Meeting @ 7:15pm
Thursday, May 26: 7th Grade Civil War Day
Friday, May 27: CW Awards Assembly
Friday, May 27: Half Day AM - 11:50am early dismissal
Monday, May 30: No School - Memorial Day
Thursday, June 2: Washburne Field Day
Tuesday, June 7: 8th Grade Graduation @ Gaffney Auditorium NT Winnetka Campus