Thank you to our PTO for hosting over 100 7th graders on Friday afterschool. Students enjoyed smoothies, music, four square, and hanging out with their friends. We hope that everyone had a nice weekend, and send a special thank you to all the mothers in our community. You are essential and appreciated.

Washburne will be piloting our new student schedule this week on Wednesday and Friday, as well as Wednesday and Thursday next week. All classes will meet each day and we will pilot our new X Block period, which is a time to get help or enrichment from teachers. Your child’s teachers will let students know where to go during our X Block period.

• CLICK HERE for a graphic that shows the proposed changes to the schedule for 2023-24.

• If you would like more detailed information, Click on the links below for the full video presentation and slide deck from the April 25th Board of Education meeting.

• Video Presentation

• Slide Deck

We have a busy few weeks ahead at Washburne, so please take a few minutes to read through the updates included in this memo.

Take Care and Be Well,

Andrew Fenton & Ben Horwitz

Washburne Principal & Assistant Principal

The PTO and the Kinetic Wellness teams at Skokie and Washburne are excited to announce a new partnership. This year, we will be ordering KW uniforms through New Trier High School’s One Stop Trev Shop! The One Stop Trev Shop is an innovative job training/life skills program for New Trier’s Transition Program students. Please CLICK HERE for more information on how to order a KW uniform.

It is time to order your school supply kits for the 2023-24 school year. The deadline for ordering is July 1st. Supply kits will be delivered to your home two weeks before the start of school in August. CLICK HERE to order.

As part of the science curriculum at Washburne, all seventh grade students complete a 2-week Sexual Health Education Program that will begin the week of May 22nd.

Please click here for more information on the upcoming unit.

Washburne’s student leadership is sponsoring an ice cream social to raise money for our all-school project. Students voted on supporting Henry’s Heroes, which is a local charity that raises awareness and funds for epilepsy research. Eighth graders will participate during advisory on Wednesday, May 17th, and seventh graders will participate on Friday, May 19th, during advisory.

Items will cost $3 in cash. Because of the volume of sales, we cannot give change so any extra money will be a donation. Click Here for ingredient labels of treats that will be offered.

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

Does a 60% off sale mean the same thing as when an item is 50% plus an additional 10% off? Students in Ms. Qureshi’s 7th grade math class were grappling with these types of questions this past week. Students are studying practical applications of percentages, including calculating simple interest, and analyzing markdowns and markups in prices. These real-world scenarios are helpful for students to understand how math can have an impact on their lives.

Kudos to Ms. Qureshi for helping our students understand practical applications of math, and the next time your favorite clothing store emails you with an amazing sale, our 7th graders will be able to tell you if it’s actually a good deal.

In this section we will be shining the spotlight on our Related Studies program and all the wonderful opportunities available to our Washburne students.

Students in the Furniture Making class are in the production phase of the Adirondack chair mass production unit. Over the course of this five-week unit, students learned about the history of mass production, created their own production flow plan and then used it to manufacture over six hundred individual parts that will be used to assemble thirty chairs. This trimester, two sections of the class are working together seamlessly to achieve their production goal.

Parents can see the monthly menus in our cafeteria by clicking HERE. Please feel free to use this menu to plan out your child’s meals.

Now is the time for 7th grade students and families to choose electives for next year. All requests should be entered by Monday, May 8th. Please click here for instructions to enter your elective requests.

We would like to update you on the behind-the-scenes work happening on behalf of our students. Please take 26 minutes to view or listen to this video to learn more about our efforts and next steps:

BIENNIAL COMMUNITY MESSAGE, SPRING 2023

Please take a moment to review the District’s Safety Bulletin, intended to share safety practices and other important information with you.

Learn about the results of the Winnetka Parent Communication Survey and how the District plans to be responsive to the feedback.

Crow Island: May 17, 9:15-10:15 a.m.

Skokie/Washburne (Hosted at Washburne): May 17, 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.

Registration for the 2023-2024 school year is now open for all students (returning and pre-registered). Email notification was sent to the primary contact on record with the District March 17, 2023. Additionally, families will receive notification via regular mail. Contained within the notification is a unique “snapcode” that parents will need to login. Please phone 847-446-9400, with any questions. Additional information and login to the portal can be found on the District website.

Episode #6: Cultivating a Culture of Belonging

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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.

The Winnetka Police Department is increasing efforts to encourage bike riders to walk their bikes while riding in the business districts. As such, residents can expect a focus on educational and enforcement shifts by Community Service Officers and Police Officers in the business districts for random periods throughout the day, on a daily basis, as the weather gets warmer and bike/pedestrian traffic increases. This initiative is underway and will continue through the summer months. Signs have already been placed throughout business districts, indicating the need to walk bicycles. In partnership with local businesses, we will continue the opportunities for Community Service Officers and Police Officers to recognize children who are complying with the ordinance and are observed walking their bikes and following the rules with a small reward. This same message is being shared in schools and principal newsletters this spring, as it will take everyone’s cooperation to make this a safer summer.

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

Tuesday, May 23rd: Board of Education Meeting 7:15pm @ Washburne School

Friday, May 26th: 1/2 Day Student Attendance 11:50am Dismissal

Monday, May 29th: No School - Memorial Day Holiday

Thursday, June 1st: Washburne Field Day

Tuesday, June 6th: 8th Grade Graduation 7:00pm @ Gaffney Auditorium