MARK T. SKINNER WEST SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
|
 2018-2019 School Year
Week #15: Dec 14 - Dec 20
|
Application Deadline for Selective Enrollment Schools 2019/2020 School Year - December 14th
Sibling Lottery Deadline for Skinner Classical - Friday, Dec 14th
Forum/PTO Meeting, Tuesday, Dec 18th at 6:00
LSC Meeting, Tuesday, Dec 18th at 6:00
Winter/Holiday Concert for the Parents - Thursday, December 20th at 9:45 and 1:45 (Music House)
Winter/ Holiday Break NO SCHOOL - Dec 22- Jan 6th
SCHOOL RESUMES - Mon, Jan 7th
CPS 2018- 2019 Calendar: here
|
Save the Date: Winter Concert & Primary Chorus
This year's Annual Skinner West Winter /Holiday Concert will be held on Thursday, December 20th. All parents and Skinner community members are welcome to attend!
9:45 AM Grades 3, 5(220 & 5th Silver), 6, 8 & Glee 1:30 PM Grades K, 1, & Music House Instrumentalists
All Skinner West 3rd graders are part of Primary Chorus. The Primary Chorus will be performing in several winter concerts around the city in addition to the school concert. Parents, please see The Skinner West Music Page for dates and information about these concerts, including the list of soloists, speakers and dancers.
|
CPS Parent Portal Transition to Aspen
CPS will be transitioning to a new administrative system called Aspen in January 2019. This system will replace the current Parent Portal that is used for viewing assignments, grades and other administrative activities.
|
Classroom Connections: Holidays Around the World - Room 119
Ms. Amanda Shaf shares how her class is preparing for the holiday season:
My first graders have been learning about holidays around the world and different ways that people celebrate this time of year. Last week, a mom came in and helped us learn how to play the dreidel and we learned about Hanukkah. We also learned about La Befana in Italy and drew pictures of what we think she might look like.
This week, we have learned about the Netherlands and made a wooden shoe craft. We also learned about how they celebrate in England and that England was the first country to send Christmas cards to friends and families. Then, my students made their own Christmas cards with kind messages that I will be dropping off at a nursing home to spread a little kindness this season.
We are keeping track of these countries and their traditions on our bulletin board and the students are saving things in a "suitcase" (folder) that they made. We have several more countries to go through, but so far they really enjoy it and my hope is that they will understand the important parts of celebrating holidays (like family and spreading joy) and that the differences between each country are interesting and and fun to share.
|
Classroom Connections: Learning to Code - Room 401
For the fourth year in a row, Accenture is teaming up with Code.org to support Hour of Code-a grassroots movement to empower every student, in every school, to learn to code. Last year, thousands of Accenture people rallied around the world to teach coding in schools and at special events in their local communities.
This year we were excited to have Accenture join us at Skinner West to provide Mrs. Priola's class with their first Hour of Code!
 
|
LSC Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes of the October LSC Meeting can be found here
|
Help 8th Grade Get to Washington, D.C.
ATTENTION STAR, PARK DISTRICT, AND DEBATE PARENTS!
On Tuesday, December 11th, the Skinner West class of 2019 will be selling pizza after school to raise money for our trip to D.C. The pizza will be sold in the lobby from 4:15-4:45. One slice of pizza will cost $3, and two slices will cost $5. All STAR, Park District and Debate students have received a flyer that they can fill out and turn in if they wish to reserve pizza ahead of time. All purchases are greatly appreciated and we hope you enjoy this new treat.
|
Skinner West Giving Drive
WE NEED DONORS FOR ADDITIONAL STUDENTS! PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING TO A SUPERSTAR!
For the past 5 years, Friends of Skinner West has hosted an annual drive during the holiday season to provide warm clothing and educational gifts to fellow Skinner Superstars in need. Last year, we were happy to help 42 Skinner students and we hope to meet all of our student needs again this year. We would like to invite you to help by signing up to sponsor a child at the link below. To sign up to help, please go to this link:
Please check back if all students have been sponsored, as more students may be added over time. All items purchased should be brand new with tags and can be placed in a gift bag (please no gift wrapped boxes). Please staple a paper with the student's assigned letter to the bag and turn it in to the main office no later than Monday, December 17th. Thank you so much for your generosity during this holiday season!
|
Superstars Spotlight: Girl Scout Troop
The Skinner West 2nd grade Brownie Troop recently completed a community service effort by creating ornaments for the Skinner Park tree. They hung them as part of the holiday ceremony tonight for all to enjoy!
|
Community Events
Keeping My Family Safe, Training
Saturday, December 15th 2018
Open Books (651 W Lake St.), 10-11am
Preventing sexual abuse starts with caring adults taking responsibility for protecting children and youth. Learn about the important things to communicate to your child, behaviors to watch out for and steps to take to keep children safe. Presented by Chicago Children's Advocacy Center and hosted by the Skinner Park Advisory Council. Register for this free event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keeping-my-family-safe-training-tickets-52888047574
|
Important Safety Reminders
Skinner West is home to over 1200 students and staff. Our location is a busy one - especially with the construction of the new building. Snow has already started to fall in Chicago and more snow and ice will likely cover the streets in the West Loop soon. Please read and follow the safety reminders below. Help keep the commute to school safe and orderly for all!
SAFETY PLEASE!
Please do NOT block the crosswalks when dropping your child off.
Please do NOT park in the school bus area for drop off and pick up.
PARENT PARKING for Drop Off and Pick Up
Curbside parking is available on Adams St. beyond the STOP sign for drop off and pick up.
Please do NOT double park to drop off and pick your child up. Pull in to a legal parking spot.
PARKING
Please be patient, courteous and mindful of our Superstars as they cross the street on Adams.
Please DO NOT block our neighbors' driveways!
*Parking lot is for STAFF ONLY!*
AFTER SCHOOL - Dismissal is at 3:45 P.M.
If your child is not in an after school program, please pick up your child by 4:00 P.M.
The school is not responsible for any students going to 7-Eleven or Target after school.
VOLUNTEER PLEASE!
We need parents to volunteer to help during Drop Off and Pick Up times. Consider volunteering one morning a week to help with drop off between 8:20-9:00 am. A sign-up sheet is available at the security desk. Thank you to those parents that have already been volunteering their time!
THANK YOU FOR HELPING KEEP OUR SUPERSTARS SAFE!!!
|
All comments, suggestions or requests to submit information to this newsletter should be emailed to skinnerwest@gmail.com.
Communications Volunteers are welcome. Donate your time to help increase communications and contact us!
|
Would you like to add another parent, guardian or caregiver?
Sign up for this newsletter here.
Deborah M. Clark
Principal
|
