MARK T. SKINNER WEST SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
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 2020-2021 School Year
Week #12: December 3 - December 11
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Dates to Remember
December 7th CPS Intent Form for 3rd Quarter Due
December 14th- 18th Skinner School Spirit Week
Tuesday, December 15th Local School Council Meeting 6:00
December 21st - January 3rd NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
CPS 2020-2021 Calendar: here
Front Office Hours: 8:45am-4:00pm
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Return to In Person Learning - Intent Form Due Soon
CPS has recently shared an update on tentative reopening plans. Under this plan, Pre-K and Cluster students can return on January 11th and all students K-8 can return on February 1st, following a hybrid model. CPS sent out the Reopening Plan email to parents on November 24, 2020. The email has many informative links (including Parent Reopening Guide) and provides parents with a link to an intent form (sent to the primary parent contact) in which they can choose to continue with remote learning or opt for in-person (Hybrid) instruction (beginning 1/11/21 or 2/1/21). Parents must respond by December 7, 2020. Read the Parent Reopening Guide for more information and we promise to share further updates as we receive them.
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Skinner School Spirit Week
December 14th-18th
Let's kick off the holiday season by showing our school spirit! ALL Skinner Superstars are encouraged to show their school spirit by attending virtual class sporting the following:
Monday December 14th - Skinner School Color Day! (wear purple or gold/yellow) Tuesday December 15th - Crazy Hair Day! Wednesday December 16th - Hat Day! Thursday December 17th - Pajama Day! Friday December 18th - Silly Holiday Sweater Day!
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Counselor's Corner
Parents! Have you visited our Counselor's Corner?
Please take time to visit this page created by our school counselor, Mrs. Fredrickson. Find it on our homepage under the Counselor's Corner top tab
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NWEA Winter Testing
CPS is tentatively planning for students in grades 6-8 (who are submitting applications for academic centers or high school programs with academic criteria) to be able to take the Winter 2020 NWEA MAP exam at their home school during the week of January 11-15, 2021. Parents of students that are eligible to take this NWEA will receive an email from Mrs. Clark on Friday, December 4th. This email will include a survey where parents can make their decision for testing.
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Skinner Winter Giving Drive
Friends of Skinner West is hosting their annual winter giving drive. The goal of the giving drive is to provide winter items and gifts for students in need who attend Skinner West School. By filling out this form, you have chosen to receive a donated item. Please click here if you would like your student to receive a donated item.
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CPS announced today that GoCPS Applications for high schools and selective enrollment elementary schools has been extended from December 11, 2020 to January 8, 2021. To learn more about this change and the process go to https://go.cps.edu.
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Mrs. DeJulio's students worked on strategies and properties to multiply 2-digit numbers. Part of the project was to create a new type of renewable energy device that could be used in real life. Check out some of the creative ideas from Joy, Andy, Eytan, and Isaac from Room 119!
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2nd Grade Native American Home Project
In social studies class, 2nd grade students were very engaged in learning about Native Americans.They learned about different tribes throughout the United States and the homes they created out of natural materials. Students then researched Native American homes, planned & designed a home and created their own replica using materials they had at home. They presented their reports and projects to the class through google meets.We are very proud of all our 2nd grade students for their excellent designs and creativity.
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The Principal's Report from the November Local School Council (LSC) meeting can be found here (PDF).
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If you have a child that you want to enroll in a Skinner West for the 2021-2022 school year, and you have another child enrolled in Skinner's Classical Program, you must submit an application through the GoCPS application process. The currently enrolled sibling's last name, CPS ID number, and current school name or code must be included on the application.
Siblings applying to elementary magnet, magnet cluster, or open enrollment schools are selected first and will be offered seats to the extent that space is available. If a school receives more applications from siblings than there are seats available, a computerized lottery will be conducted to fill the seats.
The term "sibling" refers to natural siblings, step-siblings, foster siblings, and adopted siblings only. In order to be eligible, the currently enrolled sibling and the sibling applicant must live in the same household. Your child cannot be enrolled as a sibling if their brother or sister graduates in 2021 or transfers to a different school in the 2021-2022 school year.
How to Apply
In order to apply online, your first step is to request a CPS ID number for your child, which will be sent to you via U.S. mail. Once you receive the CPS ID number, you can apply online at go.cps.edu (Click 'Sign Up' to begin the process). The online process is highly recommended but, if you prefer, you can submit a paper application, accessible at go.cps.edu (Click 'Elementary School' and 'Apply').
The application deadline is December 11, 2020. Students who do not have an application submitted by the deadline will not be eligible for admission in the 2021-2022 school year. If you have questions or need assistance with the application process, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Access and Enrollment at (773) 553-2060 or gocps@cps.edu.
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The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is an important part of Skinner West. They support our school through parent involvement and fundraising. We know this year is especially challenging, and many teachers need new technology and digital materials for their classes. The 2020-21 PTO grants program focuses on helping teachers purchase these resources.
There are two ways you can get involved:
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Grab and Go Meals
As a reminder, Skinner West is one of more than 450 sites where CPS students, parents, and guardians can pick-up free breakfast and lunch. Families may pick up three days worth of meals for every child in their household Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Eighth Grade Resources for Parents and Students
Have you checked out our 8th grade resource page in the Counselor's Corner? Our counselor has created this page with important information for high school!
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Mr. Merkin and the Golden Apple
We recently found out that Mr. Merkin, second grade teacher, has been nominated for the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Golden Apples are awarded annually to the best teachers in Illinois.
The vetting process is arduous, and we won't know the outcome until 2021. To be nominated is an honor in itself. Good luck, Mr. Merkin!
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On Thursday, October 22, the Finance and Audit Committee of the Chicago Board of Education met for a public meeting regarding the budget. If you missed the meeting, you can view it on YouTube:
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| | The Chicago Board of Education Finance and Audit Committee Meeting October 22, 2020 |
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Front Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm
In-person by appointment ONLY. Phone: 773 534-7790
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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!
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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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