Carleton Washburne
Monday Memo - March 21, 2022
Washburne Families,
We hope everyone enjoyed the wonderful weather yesterday, and as we enter the last week before spring break, our fingers are crossed that the warmer weather is here to stay.
On Tuesday our students will be watching the IndieFlix original documentary Angst.
The IndieFlix website describes Angst as:
A documentary designed to raise awareness around anxiety.
Angst removes the stigma and opens up the conversation around anxiety, helping people understand and manage their symptoms, and when to reach out for help. Most importantly, it shows people that they are not alone, and that anxiety is 100% treatable.
This hopeful and inspiring film has helped over 2 million people around the world, weaving in personal stories of those suffering with expert perspectives, who break down what is going on, how to deal with it, and how to help others. Michael Phelps shares his own anxiety story, proving that anxiety can affect everyone, and there is no shame in asking for help. For many, watching Angst has been a catalyst for changing their lives for the better.
Washburne and Skokie families now have access to watch the documentary in the comfort of your own home. Click HERE to watch Angst until Sunday, March 27th.
Students will participate in discussions and reflection about the film during advisory this week, and we will host our next Parent Coffee on April 6th at 9:00am with the focus being raising awareness around Anxiety, and the impact it is having on our students.
Thank you to the PTO for your partnership in coordinating these films and highlighting the impact of social media and digital communication on adolescents.
We want to wish everyone a safe and relaxing break and we look forward to welcoming our students back for what will surely be an exciting and engaging final trimester of the 2021-22 school year.
Take Care and Be Well,
Andrew Fenton and Ben Horwitz
Washburne Principal / Assistant Principal
Trimester 2 Report Cards
Trimester 2 report cards will be available at the end of the day on Thursday, March 24th. 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.
Illinois Science Assessment
Dear Eighth Grade Parents and Guardians,
In the spring, students in grades 5, 8 and 11 complete the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). The ISA aligns with our new Illinois Learning Standards in science and represents Illinois’ commitment to preparing all students for college and careers, including in the high-demand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The assessment also satisfies federal accountability requirements.
The ISA has three sections and is untimed. The average total student time-on-task is estimated at 120 minutes. The results provide administrators with important data to help them make broad curriculum decisions at the school and district levels. However, classroom educators will not use the results to make teaching adjustments year-to-year for individual students. Parents will receive a report with the score during the 2022-23 school year.
Washburne will administer the ISA on April 5, 6 and 8th during your child’s science block. Information regarding ISA can also be found on the District website at winnetka36.org/Page/334. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or your principal.
Sincerely,
Barry Rodgers
Director of Innovation, Teaching, and Learning
Window to Washburne
All of us are aware of the situation in Ukraine, but understandably, it is hard for our students to comprehend something that is so different from their day-to-day experiences. The past two weeks, students on Team Electric have been fortunate to communicate with Terrence McCracken, an American who is currently living in Ukraine teaching English. Students were able to Zoom with Mr. McCracken and ask questions about his life and the current situation. Between our 7th and 8th graders, students generated close to 100 questions, ranging from his previous experiences as a professional singer in America to the current threats to safety and what day-to-day life is like. While there wasn’t time to answer every question, our students walked away with a much greater understanding and empathy for this situation.
Kudos to Ms. Zuehl for arranging such a meaningful experience for our students and to Mr. McCracken for generously volunteering his time and sharing his experiences.
What's Happening in Related Studies
Trimester 2 Guitar & Piano students hosted “informances” (informally playing for others) early this month where they shared many songs, playing together and individually. Guitar students even challenged guests with a few rounds of Name That Tune (or “Heardle” as you might play these days).
Musical Theatre students are multitasking all the time now: singing and tap dancing, coordinating spacing on stage, and recently finished researching various musicals to prepare for the scene work that will tie our production together. Look for the performance announcements in May!
The CW Chorus won Division I Ratings at the IL Grade School Music Association’s Solo & Ensemble Festival, then performed with the Skokie Chorus this winter. We’ve begun new music to prepare for a spring concert and hopefully bring a few songs to the elementary schools. It’s not too late to join; email kimberlyscott@winnetka36.org or come on out to C109; we’d love to see you!
District News
Proposed 2022-2023 Calendar
Downsized Capital Improvement Proposal Update
The Winnetka Public Schools went to referendum in April 2019 for capital expenditure, which likely failed due to the scope and total cost of the request. Since that date, the District has taken several steps to determine a new path forward and is considering a return to the ballot box in November 2022 with a downsized capital improvement proposal. Important improvements have been made to the 2019 request, including:
Reducing the size of the proposal
Decreasing the estimated annual tax impact
Keeping The Skokie School open
Eliminating $36 million from Carleton Washburne’s facility plan
A screencast of the Community Engagement Sessions presented by Board and Administration is here. For further details on the proposal, click here.
Winnetka Parents Institute
In Partnership with The Alliance for Early Childhood:
The Power of Play in Emotional Health and Well-Being
April 13 from 7-8 p.m.
This session is part of the ongoing series "Making Sense of Kids: What Kids Need Most from Adults," and features Dr. Deborah MacNamara, author of Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (or anyone who acts like one).
Click here to register and learn more.
Adventures in Learning Registration is Now Open
The Winnetka Public Schools is returning to its traditional Adventures in Learning summer program following a two year hiatus.
Our General Program is designed for students entering 2nd grade through 8th grade.
Our Primary Program provides activities for children Pre-K (4 years old by June 1st, 2022) and K-1st grade (5 years old by September 1st, 2021).
Registration is open to both residents and non-residents of Winnetka via this link.
Early Entrance to Kindergarten & Acceleration
Spring Break Activities for Families from the District’s SEL Coaches:
With Spring Break approaching, our children are anticipating hours of free time on their hands during the day - and some parents may be wondering how to fill it. This is their time to have fun and unwind, but that doesn't mean social emotional learning has to stop. As social and emotional beings, every child, adolescent and adult can continuously choose to flex these important muscles. Avoid the dreaded "I'm bored" comments by trying out some of these engaging activities and tasks that promote social emotional development.
1. Go on a mindful walk. Ask your child to take account of what they sense as you walk around Winnetka, or a new town you're exploring during the break. Taking time to determine what you see, smell, feel and hear will help ground you in the moment. Have students focus on using one of their senses at a time in order to help them focus deeply.
2. Garden. Plant some flowers, vegetables, fruit or herbs and have them take ownership for taking care of it. Teach them to care for the plant and let them take the reins. This will help them build a sense of motivation and confidence as they solve the problems that may come along with gardening.
3. Visit museums. Chicago is home to an impressive collection of museums and landmarks. Learn why Chicago is called both the Second City and Windy City at the Chicago History Museum or book a walking tour of historic Old Town, the Gold Coast or Pilsen's murals. While the Museum Campus in the South Loop is best known as the center for museum activity (three of the city’s stalwarts consider the campus as home - Adler Planetarium, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium), the unparalleled Art Institute of Chicago and Museum of Contemporary Art are easy to reach with a quick bus ride.
4. Make a scrapbook to save your family memories from spring break. Putting together a scrapbook is a great way for children to reflect on their favorite memories. Have them piece together keepsakes and photography (digital or analog) that represent the moments they are most proud of and add a caption or drawing that expresses how they felt.
5. Plan playdates at the local park. Getting a group of children together to play and spend time together is a simple but effective way to continue to develop social skills. Children will cultivate strong relationship skills as they listen, communicate and spend quality time together.
Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):
For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, March 22: Board of Education Meeting @ 7:15pm
Thursday, March 24: Trimester Two Report Cards available in Powerschool
Monday, March 28 - Friday, April 1: Spring Break, No School
Wednesday, April 6: Principal Coffee and Conversation @ 9:00am