 |
MARK T. SKINNER WEST SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
|
2020-2021 School Year
Week #32: May 21 - May 27
|
New Articles
Repeat Articles
|
Dates to Remember
Memorial Day - May 31 - NO SCHOOL
Expansion Committee Meeting, June 2 @ 5:00 pm
School Improvement Committee - Thursday, June 3 @ 5:00pm
Virtual PTO Meeting - June 14th @ 5:30pm
8th Grade Virtual Graduation - June 17th
Last Day of School - June 22
CPS 2020-2021 Calendar: here
Front Office Hours: 8:45am-4:00pm - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
|
Principal's Report
Skinner West's Local School Council (LSC) held its monthly meeting virtually on May 18, 2021. Principal Clark presented her report during the meeting. Please see the attachment below for details.
The next LSC meeting is scheduled for June 29th.
|
|
ATTENTION 5th and 8th GRADE FAMILIES
Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) Testing Notice
This spring, your child will take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA), which aligns with the new Illinois Learning Standards in science and helps families understand how well students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are performing academically. Over the course of one to two days, students will take the ISA IN PERSON between May 25th and 28th.
Please see the letter below for more information.
|
Health Screener Reminder
Students arriving without a completed health screener are increasing daily. Please send parents a reminder to complete the health screener for every in-person school day. The health screener can be completed as early as 4:30am.
Please remember to complete the health screener to make our mornings smoother on in person learning days! Thank you.
|
Water Bottle Donation Needed
We are collecting donations of bottled water to put into each classroom to accommodate students who have forgotten their water bottles or are otherwise in need of water during the school day. While Skinner has a water bottle filler, there are times when a student forgets to bring his/her water bottle.
Donations can be dropped off outside the gym door and must be labeled with the teacher name/homeroom number. A staff member will ensure it is delivered to your teacher's classroom.
If interested in donating, please reach out to your child's teacher. PLEASE DO NOT drop off your donation until you have received confirmation from your teacher. Thank you!
|
Mayor Lightfoot Announces Summer Job Opportunities
CHICAGO (CBS) - Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other city leaders on Monday announced a new "Rediscover Summer" campaign to encourage Chicago youths to take advantage of thousands of summer jobs and recreational programs this summer. See more in the article linked below.
|
Walk-In Covid Vaccination Site
Walk-in Covid Vaccinations are now available at the Credit Union 1 Arena. Within walking distance from Skinner, this site is offering the Pfizer vaccine which has been approved for children ages 12 and over. Walk-ins are welcome and there is free parking in the garage.
Credit Union 1 Arena (NE corner Racine and Harrison) 525 S. Racine Ave. Chicago, IL 60607 833-536-9829
|
Star Program Updates
Star Team wants to be able to contact families once we know if Star Program will be happening for Fall 2021!
Once CPS receives guidance from the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois regarding after school programs, Star Team will meet to figure out how the guidance will affect the Star Program. Families will be informed of registration details via the email address provided on the update form and via the Skinner West email blast, and the Skinner West Website. Please monitor your provided email account throughout the summer so you are aware of when Star Registration opens.
Star Program Description
- Star Program is a tuition-based after-school childcare program for Skinner West students facilitated by Skinner West teachers and staff.
- Star Program provides structured after-school care in Skinner's main building.
- Star Program allows children to spend after school hours with similar-aged peers, in a familiar and convenient place. Homework time and activities occur each afternoon.
FYI- This is NOT registration.
|
EPIC! Summer DealsEPIC is offering new subscribers unlimited summer reading for $9.99. See the attached flyer for details.
|
Gallery 111 Update
|
Teacher Connections: Get to Know Mr. Paul Hinterlong, 5th Grade Teacher
What three traits define you?
Patience, Empathy, and Kindness.
What is your favorite book and why?
On the Road by Jack Keruoac because it's a book about a constant yearning for life and about trying to find that in non-traditional ways.
What are your hobbies or interests?
Playing guitar or piano, reading, working out, and spending time with friends and family.
Why do you enjoy teaching Skinner?
I love how everyone is so motivated, hardworking, and creative. Even outside of Skinner, I hear about all of the cool outside projects students are working on.
What is a fun fact that you would like to share?
I am a triplet.
|
IAR Test Reminders
IAR testing continues into next week. Below are some helpful hints to assist your student in performing to the best of their abilities:
- On their testing days, students should bring a water bottle and dress in comfortable layers.
- Our classroom can be warm sometimes so I suggest light clothing with a sweater or something they can take on and off.
- Lunch will be served or students can bring their own lunch as usual.
- Also please ensure everyone gets a lot of sleep and eats a healthy breakfast prior to testing.
- Lastly, students should bring a book to read if they finish the test session early.
|
8th Grade Drug Education
In order to ensure our 8th graders are prepared for all they may encounter in high school, they will be receiving standards-based instruction on alcohol, tobacco, vaping & other drugs. The teacher's guide for all three topics is attached for your review. Information to be presented can be found in the handouts in the 'For Teens' section of the teacher's guide. Instruction on these topics will take place during PE starting in late May and continuing through the week of graduation. Please email me at rdjohnson19@cps.edu with questions or concerns.
|
Chicago Public Schools CEO Search
Since 2017, our schools have been led by an exceptional leader, Dr. Janice K. Jackson, who has helped CPS build on its record setting academic progress while navigating our schools through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Jackson has chosen to step aside when her contract ends in June, and we want your help to find our next CEO.
To help lead this inclusive and transparent selection process, the Board will be partnering with BWP & Associates, an Illinois-based executive search firm with experience conducting national superintendent searches. We have begun the search process, and we hope to identify strong candidates to be our next CEO this summer.
We need input from you and a variety of stakeholders to help identify the right choice for our next CEO. To do this, we are inviting over 300 school community members to participate in small focus groups to gather feedback about the qualities we want in a new leader for our school district. To ensure diverse voices are heard and represented, we ask community members to complete this interest form, which will allow us to ensure focus groups representing all members of our school system can be formed. There will also be Spanish-only focus groups to ensure our Latinx families are heard and engaged while we search for a new CEO. The interest form will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, so please sign up today. _____________________________________________________
Desde 2017, nuestras escuelas han sido dirigidas por una líder excepcional, la Dra. Janice K. Jackson, quien ha ayudado a CPS a seguir logrando su nivel récord de progreso académico mientras lideraba nuestras escuelas durante desafíos significativos, incluyendo la pandemia de COVID-19. La Dra. Jackson ha decidido dejar su cargo cuando su contrato termine en junio, y queremos que usted nos ayude a encontrar a nuestro próximo director ejecutivo (CEO).
ara dirigir este proceso de selección inclusivo y transparente, la Junta se asociará con BWP & Associates, una empresa con sede en Illinois que tiene experiencia en la búsqueda de ejecutivos y superintendentes a nivel nacional. Hemos comenzado el proceso de búsqueda, y esperamos identificar excelentes candidatos para ser nuestro próximo CEO este verano.
Necesitamos su opinión y la de diversas partes interesadas para que nos ayuden a identificar al candidato adecuado. Para ello, queremos invitar a más de 300 miembros de la comunidad escolar a participar en pequeños grupos de discusión en que nos podrán dar sus opiniones sobre las cualidades que queremos en un nuevo líder. Para que las diversas voces sean escuchadas y representadas, pedimos a los miembros de la comunidad que completen este formulario de interés, lo que nos permitirá formar grupos de discusión que representen a todos los miembros de nuestro sistema escolar. También se llevarán a cabo grupos de discusión solamente en español para que nuestras familias latinas sean escuchadas y participen en este proceso. El formulario de interés se cerrará a las 5 p.m. del martes 18 de mayo, así que por favor inscríbase hoy mismo. |
LSC Meeting - Tuesday, May 18 @ 6:00
Skinner West Local School Council (LSC) meeting will be held virtually via Google Meet Tuesday, May 18th at 6:00 p.m. You may attend online or via phone. The agenda can be viewed below. The school budget for school year 2021-22 will be presented by Principal Clark for LSC review and approval.
To join the meeting via phone, dial (US) +1 585-667-0124 (PIN: 153496755)
|
Teacher Connections: Get to Know Mrs. Katherine Daigle, 3rd Grade Teacher
What three traits define you?
Kind, Organized, Silly
What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is constantly changing, but one of my favorite children's books is always Charlotte's Web. I enjoy it because the characters are so relatable and the theme of friendship is so important.
What are your hobbies or interests?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends and being outdoors when possible. I like taking walks, gardening, camping, and kayaking during the summer.
Why do you enjoy teaching Skinner?
Skinner has such a great community of kids, parents, and staff working together. I love the diversity and positive school culture.
What is a fun fact that you would like to share?
I have a lot of pets - a dog (Sheldon), 2 bearded dragons (Michelangelo & Rafaela), 2 dart frogs (Leonardo & Donatello), and 5 geckos (Batman, Robin, The Flash, Superman, Black Panther).
|
Teacher Connections: Get to Know Mrs. Ashley Oluewu, 5th Grade Teacher
What three traits define you?
The three traits that best define me are: ambitious, creative, and gregarious.
What is your favorite book, and why?
I have so many favorite books at all reading levels. Here are a few favorites that I love to teach: The Day You Begin, Reading Beauty, Dr. Maggie's Grand Tour of the Solar System, How to Feed Your Parents, Witches, The Borrowers Aloft, Riding Freedom, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Uglies, The Phantom Tollbooth, Amina's Voice and the poem "Why Read".
What are your hobbies or interests?
In my spare time, I like to sew, paint and do crafts. On the weekends you can catch me and my family riding bikes, going to the farmer's market and playing at the park. But one of my favorite things to do is waterski, sail, or jetski on Lake Michigan. I am passionate about donating my time to the ALS Association, as two of my relatives have passed from ALS. I also tutor and run summer book clubs.
Why do you enjoy teaching Skinner?
There are so many reasons I love teaching at Skinner. The most important reason being my students. Next is Skinner's well-rounded education. Skinner is so blessed to run so many ancillary classes to enrich the core subjects. The third reason I enjoy teaching at Skinner is the rich and diverse school community. I also appreciate our administration and all of our AWESOME staff.
What is a fun fact that you would like to share?
Phillipa Soo, from the famous musical "Hamilton," is a family friend. She played Eliza Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton's wife, in this play about one of our founding fathers. She is a strong and inspiring woman.
|
Staff Photos
Thank you once again to all of our Skinner West Teachers and Staff. We hope you felt the love last week!
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
