Carleton Washburne
Monday Memo - January 3, 2022
Washburne Families,
We are eager to welcome back our students to Washburne today and continue to build on the home-school partnership with our families. We are confident that we can continue with in-person learning, being mindful of our layers of mitigation to avoid as much disruption as possible. Thank you for working with us, recognizing that many are growing weary of managing pandemic challenges. Our priority continues to be keeping our classrooms open to in-person learning while also maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
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
proper mask wearing
hand washing, and
practicing respiratory etiquette.
These guidelines will be reviewed at school as well. Thank you as always for your continued support.
Take care and Be Well,
Andrew Fenton and Ben Horwitz
Washburne Principal and Assistant Principal
Watch “Like” Next Week
Together with the PTO, we are also planning to bring a series of three documentaries about the impact of social media and digital communication on adolescents to families. The first film in the series is called Like, and it will be available to view in the comfort of your own home the week of January 9th.
We will be showing the film to all students in grades 5-8 at school on January 13th. Students will participate in discussions and reflection about the film during advisory that week, as well.
Pride of Lions is back for 2021-2022!
Save the Date: Principal Coffee and Conversation with New Trier Principal
7th Grade Mental Health Unit
Our 7th grade students will be participating in a mental health unit during their Kinetic Wellness classes. Please click HERE for a description of the unit, and feel free to click on the links below for more information.
http://www.iasb.com/law/sdprevention.cfm - *Ann Marie’s Law
http://www.erikaslighthouse.org
http://www.erikaslighthouse.org/teen-depression-stories-of-hope-health*
Window to Washburne
Welcome to Window to Washburne! Each week, we will be highlighting some of the learning taking place in our classrooms.
Basketball season has been underway since November, and we are so proud of our students and coaches. Washburne has two teams (Green and White) at each grade level for both boys and girls. This season has been going very well, with our 8th grade boys teams and 7th grade girls teams currently at the top of the conference standings. All teams will compete in a conference tournament in the third week of January to determine the conference champions. Kudos to all of our student athletes and our coaches (Mr. Becker, Mr. Boyer, Mr. Cooper, Ms. Helmer, Mr. Hovis, Mr. Hynes, Mr. Madden, and Mr. Martinson) for an outstanding season.
What's Happening in Related Studies
Students in Furniture Making class just wrapped up week three of the trimester. During that time, they studied safety, power tool use, and completed a clock design. The clock project is now in the production phase and students are fully engaged in the use of scroll saws, disc sanders, power drills and spindle sanders to bring their designs to life. Once the project production is complete, students will learn about finishing techniques. The shop is stocked with a wide array of products and color options to accommodate each student’s individual design.
Common Recommendation Form
As a reminder, if you are applying to other schools there is a Common Winnetka Teacher Feedback Form that parents need to sign and return the first page to Sharon Callahan (sharoncallahan@winnetka36.org) in the Washburne Office to begin this process. You can then send the Common Teacher Feedback Form, Linked Here, to each teacher.
District News
REMINDER–Winter Break COVID-19 Reporting
If you have not already done so, please complete this form TODAY if your child:
1) Tests/tested positive for COVID-19 between December 24 and January 3 or is Presumed Positive due to symptoms + being a close contact.
AND/OR
2) Your child is not fully vaccinated AND someone in your household has tested or tests positive for COVID-19 between December 24 and January 3.
Additionally, if your child is or becomes symptomatic and is not a close contact, please follow this linked guidance.
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):
For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.
From our Partners at The Alliance for Early Childhood:
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.
Upcoming Dates
Monday, January 17th: No School Martin Luther King Holiday
Tuesday, January 25: Board of Education Meeting @ 7:15pm