Carleton Washburne
Monday Memo - January 10, 2022
Washburne Families,
It was great to see our students back in the hallways and classrooms last week. We continue to be impressed by their hard work and resilience. Thank you to our staff, students and families for your flexibility and collaboration as we navigated through a challenging week.
Take care and Be Well,
Andrew Fenton and Ben Horwitz
Washburne Principal and Assistant Principal
“Like” Viewing Link and Virtual Parent Coffee
Washburne families can view the film LIKE using this link until January 15th. Thank you to the Skokie/Washburne PTO for your sponsorship of this event.
All students in grades 5-8 will be viewing this film at school on January 13th.
The Skokie and Washburne administrators will be hosting a virtual Parent Coffee on Wednesday, January 12th from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
- Meeting ID: 825 2697 4830
- Passcode: 933141
During this time, we will have an open dialogue regarding how we can partner together as a school and parent community to support our students. We can discuss any topics that resonated or raised questions from the film.
Here is information about the documentary, pulled from their website:
“LIKE explores the impact of social media on our lives and the effects of technology on the brain. Understanding that virtual connection is not going away and has many benefits, its goal is to inform, educate, and inspire people of all ages to self-regulate, so they can enjoy balanced and fulfilled lives.
LIKE weaves in the stories and reflections of teenagers, and the perspectives of both brain scientists and Silicon Valley creators, who explain how our online behavior is affected by algorithms, from being compelled to respond to notifications, to manipulating ourselves to gain more ‘likes’. It introduces JOMO - the Joy of Missing Out, along with the simple tips for taking back control over our devices and our free time.”
Postponed: 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.
One of Washburne’s favorite traditions is the daily trivia question in the RC. For over a decade, Ms. Nelson and Mr. Wise have been challenging students and staff with questions covering every topic imaginable, from geography and history to surfing and competitive eating. Beyond the daily challenge of answering the question correctly (which some administrators take very seriously), students and staff get to engage and make connections to these topics. Without fail, there is always a student or staff member who knows additional information and gets a chance to share what they know. In fact, students have offered ideas and been the inspiration for many questions over the years.
Kudos to Ms. Nelson and Mr. Wise for continuing this Washburne tradition and connecting with students.
What's Happening in Related Studies
French classes play a version of “Head’s Up” using to practice vocabulary for sports and pastimes. To play, one partner uses their ipad with the flashcards on their forehead as a clue and the other tries to guess in French.
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
Input Requested
While much attention is currently placed on our daily operations, the District continues to look ahead and is seeking parent input regarding two important topics. We would appreciate if parents would take a moment to participate in these brief surveys so we can best serve our families:
- Summer Programming 2022: Adventures in Learning is Back! We seek parent input to ensure proper course offerings and staffing to meet demands. Please take a moment to complete this survey, providing feedback on your interest in our summer programming.
- 2022-2023 Calendar Committee Parent Survey: The committee is soliciting input from parents to inform next year’s school calendar with respect to Thanksgiving week. Please take a moment to complete this brief survey.
COVID-19 Testing and Booster Information
February 2022 Conferences
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.
Superintendent Letter to Governor Pritzker and Dr. Ezike (IDPH)
We are hopeful that educational leaders can be involved in the process to develop a longer-term plan. We will keep the community apprised should we receive a response.
Inclement Weather Days
You can access the 2021-2022 school calendar HERE.
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