The Skokie Home Scoop
January 18, 2022
Skokie/Washburne Families,
We had a wonderful week full of learning at both Skokie and Washburne! In addition to the learning conducted in our regular classes, students also had the opportunity to watch the documentary LIKE in their advisories and discuss it. It is clear the topic of digital communication and social media is intriguing for our students, as there was much robust conversation reported from our teachers!
On Wednesday, we had ~25 parents join us for a conversation about LIKE and the topic of technology and social media in general. The parents who joined us shared some wonderful ideas about supporting healthy usage of devices and social media that we wanted to share with our entire parent community. Here are some of the tips and big ideas that were shared:
The importance of modeling healthy boundaries with our devices and the way in which we communicate digitally as parents is of the utmost importance. Our children are watching us and we can make a difference (as can behavior that older siblings model!).
How can we help encourage our children to utilize social media for good and to get back to its original purpose: to help people stay connected. This may be something we as a society need to press corporations to support.
The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated our relationship with our devices, as we have needed to turn to them for connection and entertainment. How do we re-set expectations with device usage as we emerge from the pandemic?
Screen Time Limitations is a great tool that parents can use to limit a child’s use of particular apps and overall phone time. It allows parents to set time limits and then puts the onus on the child to prioritize how to use their available time on their device. You can get to this tool by going to “Settings” in the iPhone and then clicking on “Screen Time.”
Setting the phone to a “greyscale” setting was a suggestion from the film that parents are interested in trying. Taking away the vibrant colors on the phone is supposed to make it less appealing to the brain.
Putting charging stations outside of bedrooms is a good way to keep devices out of the children’s room so it does not interfere with sleep.
There are some devices with more limited capability created by tech executives that have kids and wanted to limit their screen time. Gabb Wireless and Pinwheel, paired with Bark, are two suggestions one parent shared. (Please note: The district is not endorsing either of these products as we have not tried them out ourselves, but we wanted to pass along the names so you could research as a family if you are interested.)
A parent acknowledged that students at different ages and with different personalities will need different styles and rules. It is hard to have one blanket set of rules for all kids.
We discussed that it takes a village to support the students with this challenge, and that all adults in a child’s life can have an impact: parents, teachers, coaches, etc.
In terms of gaming, a parent shared that he has found it is important to listen to the child and customize the limits based on when friends are available to play the games. A hard stop time, homework requirements, and specific limits have helped with this, as well.
We can proactively put more positives in front of our kids that give them alternatives to their devices. Consider sitting down as a family and determining what your family deems as most important values. Then be sure to protect time to enact those values.
Dr. Lisa Damour is a psychologist who has done a lot of work in this area and has some great guidance. A parent recommended her materials and the SK/CW administrative team recently saw her speak at a conference on mental health and she was outstanding.
Have a “what we protect” conversation at home about technology usage and frame it as protecting what’s important. Suggestions included protecting and maintaining personal relationships, and protecting academic performance and work.
We look forward to sharing more with you about the students’ reactions to the documentary as we hear more about the conversations happening in classrooms. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to share any conversations happening in your home that contain valuable insights for us on this topic. This conversation is just beginning! We look forward to offering additional opportunities to support our community in guiding the children through this topic in the coming months.
Take care,
Andrew, Betty, Ben, and Larry
Exploring Skokie: Kinetic Wellness
Students have been busy in KW in the weeks before and after Winter break. Just prior to the break, students participated in team building, basketball and the annual Skokie tradition, Reindeer Games. Reindeer games included fun dress-up spirit days, holiday trivia, and team relay activities.
Students are currently participating in our Hockey unit. We started the unit building skills like stick handling, passing, shooting, defense, and goaltending. The unit will end with students incorporating teamwork, the skills they practiced, and sportsmanship into tournament game play.
As the winter weather continues, please remember that students need a pair of KW shoes to change into in order to participate in our activities. Thank you!
Upcoming Units
Climbing
Health/Fitness lessons
Basketball/Volleyball
Upcoming Dates:
January 25 and 27: MAP Testing
January 28: Advisors send conference sign-up links in weekly newsletters
February 17 and 18th: No School - Conferences
District Updates
February 2022 Conferences (Grades 1 - 8)
We wanted to ensure our families are aware that February 2022 conference sessions will be offered to parents only on the two designated conference days: Thursday, February 17 & Friday, February 18. Parents may choose to be in-person or participate via Zoom. Centralizing the conferences on these two days are intended to support families who need to schedule conferences for multiple children as well as ease the burden on staff. Kindergarten conferences will be offered on February 18 and 24 or 25.
Recording and Resources from Tech Generation: Raising Balanced Kids in a Hyper-Connected World
Districts 36 and 34 co-sponsored a presentation with licensed psychologist, Dr. Mike Brooks, about the effects of screens and supporting the use of technology in more balanced ways. Below are the recording and resources shared during the event, including key points from Dr. Brook's book, Tech Generation: Raising Balanced Kids in a Hyper-Connected World:
View the recording here (passcode: y9Zs?HkT)
Online Registration Open for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2022-2023 School Year
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2022-2023 is now open on the District website and via https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=30658&culture=en. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2022, are eligible to enroll.
The new student registration process is completed in three steps:
Complete new student pre-registration forms online beginning November 18, 2021.
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.
Provide proof of residency and paper registration forms. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements. For your convenience, all required documents may be uploaded during online registration.
Children will not be considered enrolled until both the online and paper portion of registration has been completed and residency documentation is verified. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 847-446-9400.
Winnetka Parents Institute
Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):
For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.
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!
More information and printable reading logs are available at: https://www.winnetkalibrary.org/winter-reading/ as well as either library location.
Virtual Trolley Tour on the Winnetka History Express!
February 17th 7-8:15 pm
Join Winnetka Historical Society on a virtual trolley adventure that will take you through time and space, from the Native American settlement at Indian Hill Club, through Winnetka’s historic business district, to the scenic Skokie Lagoons, and lastly to sites along Sheridan Road. Play trivia to try and win a set of Winnetka notecards or a Winnetka coloring book!
Register through the link below ($10)
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=frubp7abb&oeidk=a07eizvhoof2aaa0395
Sponsored by North Shore Community Bank and Trust (Winnetka)