The second trimester is underway, and students have adjusted smoothly to their new schedules. Over 100 8th graders enjoyed some churros, hot chocolate and time with their peers on Friday at their “Winter Warm-up”. A huge thank you to our PTO for organizing this event and all of our parent volunteers. Providing opportunities for social connections is a goal that we share with our PTO, and we look forward to more events in the future.

It was a Friday full of Washburne spirit as our basketball teams held their annual green vs. white games. The stands were packed and the games were competitive. Congratulations to all involved.

Take Care and Be Well,

Andrew Fenton & Ben Horwitz

Washburne Principal & Assistant Principal

Trimester 1 report cards will be available at the end of the day on Friday, December 9th. Families can access report cards in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. We will notify you when they are available to view. You can see step-by-step directions for how to access report cards using this link.

If you have any questions, please reach out to parentportal@winnetka36.org.

Our 7th grade students are 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*

Please keep an eye on your child’s lunch account to ensure that they do not have a negative account balance. If a student’s account dips below $0.00, families will receive an automatic email notification with instructions to deposit more funds. We will still allow students to buy food with a negative balance (up to -$25.00), but the balance should be taken care of as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about your child’s lunch account, please reach out to Amy Huisel in our business office, amyhuisel@winnetka36.org.

Students at Washburne do not have to go outside for recess. However, if your child enjoys going outside each day, we ask for your partnership in ensuring that they have proper winter gear for the elements. When the temperature is extremely cold (a feels like temperature of 10 degrees or colder), we will keep all students indoors.

Below are resources we use as guidance for our district to determine if we are outside or staying inside for recess.

• We use the Weather Channel to monitor the weather.

• We use the ISBE windchill guide for “feels like” temperature.

Welcome to Window to Washburne! Each week, we will be highlighting some of the learning taking place in our classrooms.

Pride of Lions is back! Every year, Ms. Nelson, our Resource Center Director, and Ms. Summerville, our Reading Specialist, choose 20 high-interest young adult texts for our students. Beginning last week, Ms. Nelson and Ms. Summerville have been presenting the books to our students to give them a preview and generate interest. Once students learn about the books, then the contest is on to read as many as possible. Students who read at least four books individually will receive a free book courtesy of The Book Stall. Students who read all 20 will receive a special trip to Dairy Queen with Dr. Fenton. For each grade level, the team that reads the most books will also receive prizes. We have some copies of each text available at school, and Ms. Nelson and Ms. Summerville have worked with The Book Stall and The Winnetka Public Library to make sure that additional copies of this year’s books are readily available.

Kudos to Ms. Nelson and Ms. Summerville for organizing this program on behalf of our students.

Washburne’s 2022-23 Pride of Lions books are listed below:

Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffiths

Endurance by Alfred Lansing

The Final Six by Alexandra Monir

The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Glitch by Laura Martin

Hazard by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon

Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake

Lolo's Light by Liz Garton Scanlon

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy Lin

A Perfect Mistake by Melanie Conklin

Pony by R.J. Palacio

Skyward by Brendan Sanderson

Squire by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

This Golden State by Marit Weisenberger

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

Two Degrees by Alan Gratz

Unbeatable by Philip Hoose

Yonder by Ali Standish

Washburne's Intramural Basketball house league program is open for registration. Click HERE to register.

This program is available to all Winnetka residents in grades 7 and 8. The program will start with two team/skill formation days on 12/10 and 12/17 from 12:00-1:30. The program will resume after break on Saturdays for an hour between 12:00-2:00 on the following dates: 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/18 and the Championship Game on Tuesday, 3/21 after school.

This is a fun program for any students who enjoys playing basketball. There will be a playing time rotation, allowing for equal playing time for all. There will also be opportunities for 8th grade leadership roles as team captains.

Any questions - reach out to Andy Becker at Andybecker@winnetka36.org

Science. . . . is awesome. Science Olympiad is FINALLY BACK!

Practices began last Wednesday, November 30th, and will be every Wednesday from 3:35-4:30pm in Ms. Berna's room (W221N).

Please reach out to Ms. Berna at emilyberna@winnetka36.org if you have any questions.

Art club is new and is open to all Washburne students.

This club will provide materials and individual guidance for 7th and 8th grade students who have an interest in art and have projects they want to work on. Come with your ideas!

Registration is now open. Sign up via the District Web Store.

Class will take place on Wednesdays beginning 11/30 - 5/24 from 3:30- 4:30 in the Art Room C302.

Do you have a deep passion for math?

Do you want to learn new concepts and compete with other schools in a National Competition? You should join our District MathCounts Team!!

We will be meeting on Tuesdays after school from 3:45-4:45 pm in Room 181 at Skokie School.

You can find the club on the District website under Skokie > Non-Sports.

Please reach out to Mr. DeGiulio at johndegiulio@winnetka36.org with any questions.

Students can attend any & all of the Tues./Weds./Thurs. sessions, depending on their own schedule! Participating students will receive 3 hours a week in the fitness room, providing an opportunity to workout, while being supervised by a certified KW teacher. All students are welcome to join us as we set goals, work on personal training habits, and establish a routine for lifetime fitness.

If you have any questions contact: Mrs. Florance (KW Dept) - 847-446-5892 x 3179 OR candiceflorance@winnetka36.org

TUES/WEDS/THURS- Nov. 19, 2022 thru MAR 23, 2023 - 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

The club meets in the Washburne Cardio Room

Open to 7th and 8th Grade

Registration Link

Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2023-2024 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, 2023, are eligible to enroll.

The new student registration process is completed in three steps:

1. Complete new student pre-registration forms online beginning November 16, 2022.

2. Provide the original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID. The certified copy can be submitted in person at the District Office. If you have the original birth certificate, you may bring it to the District Office to be photocopied. The District Office is at 1235 Oak St., Winnetka.

3. Provide proof of residency and paper registration forms. For your convenience, all required residency documents may be uploaded during online registration. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements as well as the other forms required for registration (Registration Forms & Information).

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.

Below are the five core values. This month the core value “Hands-On Approach” is featured.

Hands-On Approach

Elementary math education in Winnetka is hands-on! As we know from child development research, learning begins at a concrete level. Children learn best when they make sense of situations in a multi-sensory manner. In our classrooms, we use a wide range of tools to help students explore and deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts. From kindergarten through fourth grade, students use a variety of manipulatives like blocks, models, and drawings to investigate, explain, represent, and reason about mathematical ideas. These experiences are key to building a strong foundation that will serve them well in the future.

Winnetka Voices is a podcast hosted by The Winnetka Public Schools, featuring candid conversations on issues relevant to education and shared resources to support our students and families.

Premiere Episode:

Fostering Post-Pandemic Growth & Resilience for our Children

Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, speaks with Ms. Carly Andrews, Executive Director of The Alliance for Early Childhood, on how we can best support our childrens’ social and emotional needs, academic growth, and socialization in the wake of the pandemic.

Listen here:

Apple Podcast

iHeart Radio

Spotify

Click here for resources and events from The Alliance for Early Childhood.

Kindergarten students who are not currently enrolled in Stay & Play will have the opportunity to register for the 2nd half of the year after 8:00 am January 9th through this link. Please note that the registration period ends January 31, 2023 and will remain closed for the remainder of the year. The rates are prorated below. If you attempt to register before the 9th, you will receive an Item Unavailable message. After purchasing Kindergarten Stay & Play registration, your child will be able to begin their attendance in the program the following Monday so the schools can plan accordingly.

Text-for-Help is is intended to provide confidential support to students at school. This resource is available 24/7, 365 days a year, completely anonymous, and staffed by fully-licensed counselors on the other end. Based on the students’ needs and preferences, a counselor will then direct the user to further assistance.

For further details about the tool, please review this recent Winnetka Parents Institute Session.

The District is offering an array of upcoming educational sessions for families and community members. Click here for session dates and more information. Fall sessions include SEL-related topics and technology tips for parents regarding maneuvering the ever-changing landscape of technology, social media, and phones.

Up Next:

Developing a Family Charter- District Implementation of RULER

Danielle Klimak (SEL Coach)

In this presentation we will be taking a closer look at one of the 4 RULER anchor tools: The Charter. A Charter is a tool that can be used to help create a positive and supportive social-emotional environment at school or home. A Charter helps to explore how we want to feel and what we can do to ensure that everyone has those feelings more consistently. In this presentation you will learn about the benefits of a Charter and how to create a Charter in the home setting.

December 12, 2022

9:00-10:00 AM

Resource Center at Washburne School

Interested:

RSVP here

For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.

Please follow the District via the following social media platforms in order to see day-to-day happenings and more.

Facebook and Twitter: @Winnetka36

Instagram: @WinnetkaPublicSchools

Time to Gather Up Your Plastic Bags...

The TREX Plastic Film Challenge Started on November 15th!

Each year Go Green Winnetka and all District 36 schools participate in this program, which enlists schools to collect plastic bags and wrap, which are then recycled and made into alternate wood products. The Challenge runs from November 15 - April 15, with winners announced on Earth Day. During this time, bins are placed at D36 schools to collect the *plastics listed below.

●Grocery bags

●Bread bags

●Case overwrap (e.g. water, soda and juice bottles)

●Dry cleaning bags

●Newspaper sleeves

●Ice bags

●Wood pellet bags

●Ziplock and other reclosable bags

●Produce bags

●Bubble wrap

●Salt bags

●Cereal bags

*Please note, all plastics must be clean, dry, and free of food residue.

https://www.trex.com/our-company/news/trex-launches-16th-annual-plastic-film-recycling-challenge/

https://nextrex.com/view/educate?utm_source=globenewswire&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=nextrex-recycling-challenge#_ga=2.265993033.755549943.1667511675-1620528275.1667511675

Contact GoGreenWinnetka@gmail.com with any questions.

Tuesday, December 6th: Winter Orchestra Concert, 7:00pm @ Skokie Auditorium

Thursday, December 8th: Winter Band Concert, 7:30pm @ Washburne Gymnasium

Friday, December 9th: 1st Trimester Report Cards Available in Powerschool

Tuesday, December 13th: Board of Education Meeting, 7:15pm @ Crow Island School

Thursday, December 15th: Skokie/Washburne Chorus Concert, 7:00pm @ Skokie Auditorium