The last school week of 2022 has arrived, and the cold weather has come along with it. Our doors open for students at 8:20AM each morning. Please help us encourage students to dress appropriately for winter weather each day.

Last week ended with Washburne students crossing the street and testing out the ice at the Winnetka Ice Arena. Thanks to all who brought skates. We also wanted to acknowledge the work our students completed last week on Friday by filling a truckful of toys and much needed supplies to be delivered to Northwestern Settlement House. For many years, Washburne has participated in the Adopt-a-Family program, providing holiday gifts and other essential supplies to families in need. We want to sincerely thank all of our students, families, and staff for all of their contributions.

If your child has lost anything, and we mean anything, at school this year, please have them visit our lost and found before break. The lost and found is located inside our main office. We have many sweatshirts, water bottles, and other items that we would love to return to their rightful owners.

We wish all of our community a safe, healthy and relaxing winter break and look forward to 2023.

Take Care and Be Well,

Andrew Fenton & Ben Horwitz

Washburne Principal & Assistant Principal

Washburne will be hosting scheduling conferences with New Trier for 8th grade students and families on Monday, February 12th from 1:00-6:00 PM. Though not required, this is a great opportunity for families to talk directly with a counselor at New Trier regarding your child’s schedule for next year.

Please look for more information about sign ups after winter break.

Not Quite Little Kid, Not Quite Teenager: The Developmental Progression of the Middle School Child

January 12, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

The Skokie School Community Room

Join Principal Cooney and Assistant Principal Joynt (The Skokie School) and Principal Fenton and Assistant Principal Horwitz (Carleton Washburne School) for an informational session focusing on the ins and outs of the growing middle school child. We will spend time exploring both the academic and social-emotional needs appropriate to 5th-8th grade children, how they change over that four year span, as well as the neurological changes that contribute to these needs. Parents with current middle schoolers, or soon-to-be middle schoolers, are encouraged to join us for an engaging, encouraging and educational hour together.

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

Winter break is a week away, but the students in Ms. Zuehl’s 8th grade social studies class have been busy planning their next family trip. During their unit on the Progressive Era, students learned about the creation of our national parks. To enhance their understanding of how these locations continue to play a crucial role in our country, students designed a trip to a national park of their choice. Students researched the geological and historical features of each site and prepared an itinerary for their family, accounting for all of the different costs involved. This past week, students presented their trips to a rapt audience of parents.

Kudos to Ms. Zuehl and her students for designing and creating such thoughtful learning experiences.

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

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.

The District is offering an array of upcoming educational sessions for families and community members. Click here for session dates and more information.

Up Next:

Introduction to Kindergarten in The Winnetka Public Schools

Tuesday, January 10 at 6:00 p.m.

Greeley School, 275 Fairview Avenue, Winnetka IL

This informational session is intended for Winnetka parents of preschool students who will be attending The Winnetka Public Schools. Parents will learn more about the support and services that the District provides to current preschool students attending local preschool programming. Additionally, families will receive a preview of:

• The transition-to-Kindergarten process by Crow Island, Greeley and Hubbard Woods Principals,

• The resources available to families from the Department of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion

• Details on Kindergarten Connection that will occur in summer 2023

• Highlights of a typical kindergarten day in The Winnetka Public Schools

We look forward to meeting new families at this event!

Acceleration in Winnetka 36

January 25, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

The Skokie School Community Room

Director of Innovation, Teaching, and Learning Dr. Becky Mathison will host this information session about the acceleration policy. The content will include a review of the purpose of the acceleration policy and a preview of updated procedures this year. Participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback on specific components including the initial request form.

Interested:

January 25, 2023

10:00-11:00 AM

RSVP here.

For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.

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.

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.

NEW! Episode #2:

Prioritizing Social Emotional Learning & RULER in our Schools

Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, is joined by the District’s Social Emotional Learning coaches, Sachiko Kawata-Burke, Jennifer Knudson, Danielle Leitner, and Allison Szczecinski. The SEL coaches discuss the role they play in supporting students and teachers, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. The coaches also share the concept behind RULER, a research-based tool from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, that is currently being implemented in our schools.

Listen here:

Apple Podcast

iHeart Radio

Spotify

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.

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.

Friday, December 23rd - Sunday, January 8th: Winter Holidays - No School

Monday, January 9th: School Resumes

Monday, January 16th: No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day