The Skokie Home Scoop
April 4, 2022
Dear Skokie and 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.
Sincerely,
Betty Weir, Larry Joynt, Andrew Fenton, and Ben Horwitz
Skokie & Washburne School Administrators
Progress Reports: Please Log Into PowerSchool to View
Student Trimester 2 Progress Reports went live on Thursday, March 24. Please be sure to log into your PowerSchool account to view your child’s Progress Report.
The Volunteer Center and James Martin Associates once again are Hosting Special Restoration Projects in honor of Earth Day
On Saturday, April 23rd, from 9:00 -11:00am (an additional shift from 11:00 - 1:00pm may be added if there is a large overflow response)
Families, individuals and service groups are invited to participate in this year’s Earth Day service projects in honor of National Earth Day by removing invasive plants and other projects will help maintain and restore native habitat for birds and pollinators in Harbert-Payne Woods in Evanston on the North Shore Channel. Volunteers will be planting trees, shrubs, and forms that need planting, as well as reinforcing sections of the paths with wood chips, lining the path with logs from trees that have fallen in the woods, and removing invasive ground cover (principally, creeping Charlie). There is also a potential need for digging a trench for watering purposes.
Volunteers should wear long pants and close-toed shoes and, keep in mind that generally clothes can get very dirty. If possible, participants should bring their own work gloves, shovels and trowels.
There are no strict age limits. Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and younger children would need to be closely supervised.
Those interested need to reserve space in advance. Simply email info@volunteercenterhelps.org and Identify your group and let us know how many volunteers will be attending. We will then email the exact location to meet at the Park and provide a link to the waiver that needs to be signed for the City of Evanston as protocol.
Additional questions - email info@volunteercenterhelps.org
Exploring Skokie: Kinetic Wellness
The last few weeks in Kinetic Wellness have included work in the fitness room, volleyball games, and climbing. While in the fitness room, students have the opportunity to complete a cardiovascular workout by rotating between the treadmill, stationary bike, rower, and elliptical machines. The climbing unit continues to challenge students on the elements of the high ropes course and tackling “the nose” on the climbing wall. Volleyball games have improved as the number of serves over the net and rallies between teams has risen since we first started learning skills.
Upcoming Units
Pickleball
Golf
Leisure Games
Upcoming Dates
Friday, April 8: Optional Bike Safety Presentation for students in the Skokie Auditorium from 7:45-8:15 a.m.
Wednesday, April 20: 5th Grade Orientation (for rising 5th graders and their parents)
5:30-6:00 p.m.- Information regarding Special Education at Skokie
6:00-7:00 p.m.- General Program
District Updates
2022-2023 Calendar is Now Available Click here to review the 2022-2023 calendar, approved by the School Board at the March 22 meeting. Based on feedback from staff, parents, and the Calendar Committee, the approved calendar aligns with the New Trier winter and Spring break schedules. This includes an August 22, 2022 start date for teachers (August 24 for students) and a last day of June 9, 2023.
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.