The Skokie Home Scoop
January 3, 2022
Dear Skokie Community,
As we gather back together as a school community at the onset of 2022, we recognize having a home-school partnership is more important than ever. Our goal is to continue to create a safe, nurturing environment for your children, while continuing to engage their intellectual curiosity. We recognize that we will have an influx of students needing to quarantine given the current state of the COVID-19 virus and transmission rates.
In the interest of supporting the overall health of our school community and having as few students as possible needing to quarantine in the coming weeks, it would be helpful if you could have a conversation with your child at home regarding the importance of maintaining a 3 foot social distance while at school, as well as the importance of proper mask wearing. Our staff will be reviewing the importance of these safety measures, as well. We will continue to keep a 6 foot social distance during lunch.
Take care,
Betty Weir and Larry Joynt
Skokie Principal and Assistant Principal
Exploring Skokie: Music, Art, and Drama
Band and Orchestra: As we move forward into 2022, all Band and Orchestra ensembles are beginning to work on more challenging music as some students are preparing additional pieces to perform at the IGSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival in February. Please note at this time of the year, it is not uncommon for instruments to begin malfunctioning as a result of their frequent use and changing weather conditions. If your child's instrument is not functioning properly, please contact your child's Band or Orchestra director as soon as possible to resolve the issue. We are looking forward to sharing performances with you in 2022! (Note: The January concerts for band, orchestra, and chorus will be postponed given the current state of the pandemic. Directors will be in touch with new performance dates once they are established.)
MUSIC: Fifth and sixth graders spent the week before Winter Break getting a crash course in ukulele (5th grade) and piano (6th grade). We then spent several days learning different holiday melodies: "Jingle Bells," "Carol of the Bells, "Feliz Navidad," "Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah," and more! We ended the week having an informal Winter Recital where students performed for one another in solos and duets.
CHORUS had its first live performance in TWO YEARS at our Winter Holiday Assembly. It was such fun to share music with the Skokie community. We look forward to more performance opportunities later this year.
ART: Skokie artists worked in small groups to create these amazingly random team artworks! Each student in the group answered a question (mad-lib style), and then collaborated to illustrate a visual story based on their answers.
6th grade DRAMA students are focusing on their observation assignments these first weeks of drama. They prepared and shared an "everyday chore" pantomime, and will be sharing their human subject recreations when we return from break.
5th grade DRAMA students enjoyed watching scenes from West Side Story, and will be beginning their "Day of the Crayons" project when we gather together in the New Year!
Happy New Year, everyone!
Upcoming Dates
January 17: No School- MLK Day
January 25 and 27: MAP Testing
District News
IDPH REVIEWING CDC GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS
We are still awaiting direction from the IL and Cook County Health Departments regarding the implementation of the revised CDC guidance for the school setting. On December 30, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) adopted the CDC recommendation to decrease isolation for people who test positive from 10 days to 5 days for members of the general public. K-12 schools have been asked to continue with a 10-day isolation period for students until school-specific guidance is released. Your patience is appreciated.
REMINDER–COVID-19 Testing Opportunity
North Shore Clinical Labs will be offering free COVID testing at Marie Murphy School (2921 Illinois Rd.) on January 5, 6, and 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. All minors must be accompanied by an adult in order to be tested. Testing is open to parents, students, and to staff members. An additional date on January 8 will be offered..
Below are two links. One is for scheduling a test. The other is for registering and uploading necessary documents so you do not need to complete any paperwork at the time of your student's test.
Link for Eventbrite Site to Schedule Test
Link for Registration to Upload Information & Paperwork for Testing
Booster Opportunity for Families on Wednesday, January 12
To make getting a booster more accessible, New Trier will hold a Pfizer booster clinic on Wednesday, January 12 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Student Cafeteria on the Northfield Campus (7 Happ Road, Northfield).
Please register at the following link (click on the January 12 calendar date and appointments will appear):
https://kordinator.mhealthcoach.net/vcl/1612805512037
Individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Please print and fill out this patient consent form in advance of the clinic and bring a printed copy of your ID and insurance card (on a single sheet of paper) if possible. Doing this in advance will help expedite the check-in process but can also be completed on site if needed. There is no charge for the vaccine and it will be available to those without insurance. Please bring your vaccination card to the appointment.
Winnetka Parents Institute
Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):
From our Partners at The Alliance for Early Childhood
We are excited to share with you The Alliance's Fall/Winter 2021 Newsletter to learn more about the organization’s offerings to families.
Winter Reading Program at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library
"There's "Snow" Better Time to Read! For the month of January, the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District is having a Winter Reading Challenge! Beat the winter blahs by curling up with a good book! It’s simple to participate; all you have to do is read for at least 20 minutes a day for 20 days between January 1-31. For added incentive, our Youth log contains alternative reading challenges and activities. Completed logs can be turned in at either location or by emailing a photo to youth@wnpld.org. Submit your completed log by February 5, pick up your finishing prize, and enter to win one of the library’s grand prizes!