MARK T. SKINNER WEST SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
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2020-2021 School Year 
Week #6: October 16 - October 22
New Articles
Repeat Articles

Dates to Remember
Free COVID-19 Walk-up Testing: Wednesdays in October
Monday, Oct 19 to Friday, Oct 23: 3rd Grade Book Pick Up
Monday, Oct 19th LSC Special Meeting 5:00
Tuesday, Oct 20th LSC Candidates Forum 5:00
Tuesday, Oct 20th LSC Meeting 6:00
Tuesday, November 3: No School (Election Day)
Thursday, November 5: End of First Quarter
Friday, November 6: No School (School Improvement Day) 

CPS 2020-2021 Calendar: here
Front Office Hours: 8:45am-4:00pm
New Articles
 

There will be two virtual Special LSC Meetings this week.  

This week is Principal Appreciation Week.  Let's flood Mrs. Clark's email box with encouraging notes and pictures to let her know that we appreciate all of her hard work!






We need your help!  If you have not yet submitted the Family Income Form, there is still time!  CPS asks EVERY household to fill out the FIIN form once per year, regardless of income.

Skinner West relies on several federal & state funding mechanisms that make up our school budget.  The Family Income Information Form (FIIN) affects one bucket called, "Supplemental State Aid".  This funding affects the current 2020/2021 school year, so it's very important to request all families complete and return the form.

What makes this year especially important is that many of our family and community members have experienced loss of income. This link takes you to the FY21 Family Income Information Form

If you have not already submitted this form, please:

1. Download and fill out this FORM, including signature (we must have a signature);  NOTE: You can write 'N/A' across the income section if you prefer.

2. Scan and email back to your child's teacher (You can send a photo of the completed form)

If you choose to not disclose your income, you can simply write N/A and be sure to include your signature

Let's reach 100% return from our Skinner Families! 



PreK: "A love of learning has a lot to do with learning we're loved" ~ Fred Rogers

Kindergarten: "Don't be sad, don't be blue. There is something everyone can do!" ~ Pete The Cat

First Grade"Everywhere you go, leave a glitter trail of kindness behind you." ~ Unknown

Second Grade: Do the right thing... even when no one is looking.

Third Grade: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." ~ Nelson Mandela

Fourth Grade: Mistakes are proof that you are trying!

Fifth Grade: Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible' ~Audrey Hepburn

Sixth Grade: "Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it." ~ Michael

Seventh Grade: "Life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community."  ~Sherman Alexie, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Eighth Grade"Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failures as long as you have done your best."  ~Mother Teresa

Remote Learning Plans are posted every Monday on our Homepage:



3rd Grade Book Pickup: 
Mon-Fri (Oct 19th - Oct 23rd):  9:00am - 12:00pm and 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Materials can be picked up at the Skinner gym doors during the assigned times.  



CPS has announced the test dates for the Selective Enrollment High School Entrance Exam (SEHS).  This year, the SEHS will be offered 4 times on the dates listed below.

SEHS Test Dates
Saturday, November 14th
Saturday, November 21st
Saturday, December 5th
Saturday, December 19th
 

 GoCPS is the gateway to finding and applying to the right school for you, and the application process for the 2021-22 school year opens Monday, October 12 for prospective high school, elementary, and pre-k students. Schools are now offering virtual open houses for families. Check out the GoCPS calendar to view events by date, or to search by school or zip code.

Not yet a CPS student? Please complete a CPS ID request. Requests must be submitted by November 23 in order to apply to schools online for the 2021-22 school year.

For more information, contact the Office of Access and Enrollment at 
gocps@cps.edu or 773-553-2060.

Repeat Articles
 

Kindergarten Spanish Book Pickup: 
Wednesday, October 14, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Materials can be picked up at the Skinner gym doors during the assigned times.  


The district was unable to hold LSC elections in April due to the COVID-19 epidemic.  Therefore, CPS has adjusted the LSC election timeline.  
  • Candidate forum will be held virtually Tuesday, October 20, 2020
  • LSC elections will be held during Report Card Pick Up days this fall on November 18th for elementary schools & November 19th for high schools.
  • LSC members will be inaugurated on January 10th, 2021.
  • New LSC members will serve for 18 months (through July 1, 2022)
For more information, please click here

Our friends at Music House are having an In-person All Day Open House on Sunday 10/11.  The open house includes free trial classes of all kinds of cool art classes, creative writing and poetry, music, dance, and magic classes! 

Outdoor Family Magic Show at 1018 N. California, 4:00-4:45
*Social distancing & masks required

Sign up for a free violin, piano, guitar, or drum lesson, a dance, art, or magic class! 
Register for a free class here: https://musichouseinc.com/open-house.html

Fall Virtual After-School Math ProgramMath  

We invite you and your student to participate in a free, virtual math program (October 13 - December 18, 2020) that combines online math education and live tutoring from experienced Blueprint math tutors! We are here to provide extra educational support to your student during this challenging school year.

Lo invitamos a usted y a su estudiante a participar en este nuevo programa de matemáticas (Octubre 13-Diciembre 18, 2020) que combina el uso de un programa educativo en línea y tutorías en vivo de nuestros becarios de Blueprint, expertos en matemáticas. Estamos aquí para proveer apoyo educativo adicional a su estudiante durante este año escolar desafiante.

You can register and learn more at this link / Puede registrarse y obtener más información en este sitio web:  https://tinyurl.com/y4kh8ku5



Chicago Connected is a groundbreaking program that will provide free high-speed internet service to approximately 100,000 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students. This first-of-its-kind program will be one of the largest and longest-term efforts by any city to provide free, high-speed internet over the course of four years to increase internet access for students. More information can be found here


Bennett Day School, The State of Illinois, Alinea, and Morgan Manufacturing have teamed up to provide free COVID-19 testing, open to the community, in the Bennett Day School parking lot. 

Testing will be available from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm starting Wednesday, September 9 and weekly on Wednesdays through October in this initial partnership. Testing will be available on a walk-up basis only at 955 W Grand Street in the alley (no drive-thru testing). 

This molecular RNA test, which the State indicates is 98% accurate, is administered by HRSupport, is processed locally at Tempus Lab (600 West Chicago.) Results have come back quickly in just 2 days via a phone call, even though 4 to 7 days is what is promised. Anyone is welcome to be tested, insurance is not required as it is free, and all you need to provide is a phone number for results.   


Stay Connected

 Visit our website at  http://www.skinnerwest.cps.edu/ for more information about what's happening in school.
Front Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm
In-person by appointment ONLY.  Phone: 773 534-7790
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
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Mark T. Skinner West School, 1260 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60607