MARK T. SKINNER WEST SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
|
2019-2020 School Year
Welcome Newsletter #3
|
Dates to Remember
School Supply Drop Off Day: 8/30 @ 9:30-4:00pm Lunchroom
Skinner STAR Aftercare Registration: Due 8/30
Dance Tryouts (Grades 4 & 5): 9/5 @ 4:15-6:00pm
Dance Tryouts (Grades 6-8): 9/6 @ 4:15-6:00pm
Friends of Skinner West Volunteer Mtg: 9/11 @ 9:00am
First Day of School 2019: Tuesday, 9/3 @ 8:45am
CPS 2019- 2020 Calendar: here
|
Pay School Fees
School fees will remain the same for the 2019-2020 school year. Find your grade level fees and pay via CPS' payment site- Illinois ePay or via checks made out to 'Skinner West Elementary School.' Fee information can also be found on the site above.Don't forget to purchase grade level supplies AND ancillary, art and science supplies, and make sure to drop off ancillary supplies in the main building, even if your classroom is at the branch. |
|
DROP OFF PROCEDURES - Main Building
First grade students may be dropped off on the Monroe St. side of the building between 8:30-8:50 and go directly to the multipurpose room. Students may eat breakfast or just wait in the multipurpose room under staff supervision.
Students in grades 2-8th should be dropped off on the Adams St. side of the building.
Please exercise patience and caution when dropping your child off on the Adams St side. Please pull up to the curb to let your child out of the car. Please do not double park or block the crosswalks.
Once students enter on Adams St , they must report directly to the lunchroom or gym.
Parents and students cannot go to any teacher's classroom without an appointment. All parents must stop at the security desk for a visitor's pass.
PICK-UP PROCEDURES-Main Building
Kindergarten and first grade parents must come into the building to pick their children up from the gym at dismissal- 3:45.
Students in Star and Skinner Park after school programs will go directly to their designated areas at dismissal.
2nd -6th grade students will be dismissed at 3:45 on the Adams St side.
7-8th graders will be dismissed on the Monroe St. side of the building.
Due to the lack of space and congestion in the main lobby, we are asking parents to leave all strollers outside the building.
During dismissal time, please keep the corridors and lobby clear so that students can safely exit the building or get to their after school programs.
Please do not park in the bus area on Adams Street during drop off and pick up. It makes it extremely difficult for students to safely get on and off buses when cars are parked in the bus area.
SCHOOL PARKING LOT-We understand parking is challenging in the West Loop. However, we are asking parents not to park in the staff parking lot and not to block the driveways of the West Loop residents. We have been warned that parents who block driveways will be towed.
Students who are not in an after school program will be dismissed at 3:45. Once a student exits the building , there will not be in and out privileges. Parents must pick up their child by 3:45. Students who play in the park after school will not be
allowed to re-enter the building unless it's an emergency .
|
Physical Education (PE)
Please refer to Mr. Johnson and Ms. Westy's webpages where you can find the PE dress code, classroom specific information taught by both teachers including how students are assessed, curriculum information for each grade level and PE rules.
|
Friends of Skinner West Walkathon
The annual Friends of Skinner West Walkathon takes place Thursday, September 26th (rain date 9/27). This is the largest fundraiser of the year and all proceeds will go to purchase technology and other needed equipment for the school.
We raised $65,000 in 2018. Funds from the Walkathon were used to update technology at Skinner West Elementary School such as new projectors in the annex, new laser printers and purchasing or fixing additional Chromebooks for the 1 Chromebook per student (1:1) initiative. Your donations this year will go to fund the remainder of the projectors in the annex, refresh older Chromebooks and supply other technology or classroom needs.
|
 Skinner Spirit Store
As a proud Skinner West superstar family, we are excited about the upcoming school year and serving our Skinner West community. Stay tuned for information about new spirit items, pop ups, sales and new arrivals.
Look for us at Skinner orientation, supply drop-off day, parent events and more! We'll be adding our link to the Skinner Website soon so you can shop 24x7.
Be sure to sign up for the rewards program to earn cash towards future purchases. And, as a token of appreciation, we're offering a Welcome Back Sale - and the entire shop is 10% off!
|
|
Music House After School Programming
Please find the flyer for 2019-2020 after-school programming by Music House. You are are welcome to register online for Violin, Ukulele, Rock Band and more! More information on Music House programming can be found here.
|
Raise Money For Skinner With Amazon Smiles!
Skinner West is registered for the Amazon Smile program - Skinner receives a portion of the proceeds on eligible purchases!
2. Designate "Skinner School Forum"
3. Bookmark this page! Every time you shop at Amazon through the smile.amazon.com website,the top of the page will read: "Supporting: Skinner School Forum."
|
Skinner West Hours of Operation
- Instructional hours are from 8:45am-3:45pm M-F
- Early drop-off is available in the main building lunchroom at 8:00am
- Free breakfast is available to all students
- Fee-based aftercare is available through Skinner STAR program (below) or Chicago Park District
- School office hours are 8:15am-4:30pm
|
School Supply Drop-off Day
Available at both the branch (KDG neighborhood) and main building cafeteria, you may drop off your school supplies on August 30th from 9:30-4:00pm!
ALL PARENTS, please deliver ancillary supplies to the Library in the main building, even if your child's classroom is at the branch
- Supplies should be placed in separate bags labeled, "shared classroom supplies from (child's name)", or "individual supplies for (child's name)", along with your teacher's name.
- You can purchase supplies via FOSW's fundraising site - Yubbler - for which Skinner will receive 50% of the profits, or go to our website to print off your grade-level lists.
- Please consider making supply donations - folders, notebook paper, backpacks, zipper binders, pens, pencils, Expo markets and calculators are always appreciated. A donation box will be in the school lobby on August 30th.
Understand teachers are busy getting classrooms ready for the first day of school. They will not be able to meet with you when you drop off your supplies. Thank you for your understanding!
|
 Branch Arrival & Drop-off Procedures (225 S. Aberdeen)
Please find drop off and pick up procedures for neighborhood kindergarten families below. Main building procedures will be communicated in an upcoming newsletter.
Arrival Procedures: @8:40am: Drop-off begins
- Students may eat breakfast at the branch. Students must wait in the cafeteria for their teachers and are not allowed in the classroom unless the teacher is present.
Dismissal Procedures: Pick up at Branch OR Main Bldg
- You may pick up your child from the branch by 3:35pm
-OR-
- @ 3:35pm: Students board the shuttle bus to the main building on Monday/Wednesday/Friday.
- If a parent has not arrived by 3:35pm at the Branch, they MUST pick up at the main bldg
- @3:45pm: Parent pick up in the cafeteria of the main bldg
- Students who are in the STAR Aftercare or Skinner Park aftercare program will report to designated areas
In cases of early dismissals before 3:35pm, the child must be picked up at the branch
* Main building procedures will be communicated in an upcoming newsletter
|
New to CPS and/or Skinner West Elementary? Our communications committee has assembled a list of detailed information to help you. Please click here to download a checklist for the first day of school.
|
Busing Information
As in years past, qualified students who indicated the need for school busing should receive a YELLOW postcard in the mail the week before school starts. The postcard will contain pertinent information for your child(ren). Please contact CPS' office of transportation for more information on student busing.
|
|
Calling All Dancers!
The Skinner Dance Team is open to students in grades 4-8
Auditions will take place from 4:15-6:00pm on the following dates:
- Thursday, 9/5 for grades 4 & 5
- Friday, 9/6 for grades 6 - 8
All dancers must wear the following:
Leggings, jazz or ballet shoes (socks are acceptable), gym shoes and a t-shirt.
All dancers must be on time and prepared to stay for the entire duration of the audition.
Sign-up sheets will be posted on Tuesday, 9/3 & Wednesday, 9/4.
|
Skinner's PTO needs you!
On the first day of school, enjoy morning refreshments while dropping off your kiddos, complements of Skinner West Parent-Teacher Organization. PTO supports our school in many ways including community-building events and fundraising activities for our school. |
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?
Text SKINNERNEWS to 22828 or click here (Messaging & data rates may apply)
Deborah M. Clark
Principal
|
