November 19 - November 25, 2021 | Week #12
This week: Lost and Found | Income Verification Form Response Requested | Community Survey Is Open | Debate Team Tournament Results | PTO Cookie Dough | GoCPS |
Dates to Remember

  • Income Verification Form Due - Monday, Nov. 22
  • No School - Thanksgiving Break - Wednesday, Nov. 24 thru Friday, Nov. 26
  • Community Survey Due - Wednesday, Nov. 24 @ 3:00 p.m.
  • Principal Selection Committee Meeting - Wednesday, Dec. 1 @ 5:30pm
Lose an item at school?

Please check the lost and found bin located in the vestibule (area in the main entrance between the doors) after school.

Any items not claimed after December 17th will be disposed of/donated.
Action Required:
Income Verification Form
Response Requested

Please help us get 100% participation! Complete the Income Verification Form and return to your child’s homeroom teacher by Monday, November 22, 2021.

Regardless of income, please return the form to your child's teacher.

If you do not wish to disclose your income, please fill out the form as shown below:
  1. Write your child’s name 
  2. Write N/A in the income section 
  3. SIGN YOUR NAME at the bottom

Your Signature is VERY important! Thank you for your cooperation.
The Skinner West Community Survey is LIVE!

Help us determine our school’s needs to inform the principal selection process by Wednesday, 11/24 at 3pm.

The LSC is focused on moving through the Principal Selection and Hiring process as effectively and efficiently as we can. An anticipated timeline can be found here.

In order to best inform the needs of our community we are seeking community input. There are 4 immediate ways to get involved:

  1. Please complete this survey by November 24 at 3pm.  
  2. Attend our weekly Principal Selection Committee Meetings. The committee meets every Wednesday and our next meeting is December 1 at 5:30pm. Join details will be posted on the Skinner website and in our weekly newsletter.
  3. Participate in Skinner’s LSC meetings. Our next meeting will be December 14 at 5:30pm. Join details will be posted on the Skinner website and in our newsletter.
  4. Email skinnerwestlsc@gmail.com with questions to Skinner’s LSC.
Congratulations Skinner West Debate Team!

The Skinner West Debate Team participated in the Chicago Middle School Debate League's Tournament One for the 2021-2022 season on Saturday, October 30.

The overall topic for the year is: 'Water Resources', and the cases being debated at this Tournament were 'Fracking' , 'Agricultural Runoff', and 'Water Infrastructure'.

About 115 debaters across 58 teams from 6 schools competed at the tournament, but the students did a great job against some tough competition and won the awards listed below.

Some highlights we would especially like to point out are: 

1) Skinner West won 1st place in 4 out of 6 award categories. 

2) Skinner West won 54% of all possible awards at the tournament (31 out of 58).

3) Audrey P. won the Robin Williams award (Judge praising a debater's performance/conduct).

20th Novice Individual Sophia H.
19th Novice Individual Elio G.
17th Novice Individual Alisa H.
15th Novice Individual Ellery K.
14th Novice Individual Lucy K.
13th Novice Individual Shlok S.
11th Novice Individual Shifa H.
7th Novice Individual Connor G.
4th Novice Individual Kennedy W.
3rd Novice Individual Carter K.
2nd Novice Individual Deven G.
1st Novice Individual Joshua M.

10th JV Individual Nimay P.
7th JV Individual Anushri V.
5th JV Individual Celeste D.
4th JV Individual Carter H.
1st JV Individual Allison C.

5th Varsity Individual Samar M.
2nd Varsity Individual Sabrina Q.
1st Varsity Individual Darwin B.

11th Novice Team Lucy K. Simran M.
9th Novice Team Neil D. Elio G.
8th Novice Team Kennedy W. Sonya T.
7th Novice Team Katherine X. Alisa H.
5th Novice Team Deven G. Sophia W.
4th Novice Team Joshua M. Carter K.
3rd Novice Team Jimmy H. Connor G.

5th JV Team Anushri V. Tlaloc R.
4th JV Team Aditi S. Samuel A.
3rd JV Team Celeste D. Allison C.

1st Varsity Team Darwin B. Samar M.


Thank you for your support! And many thanks to our Debate Coach Mr. Lee!
PTO Fundraiser Cookie Dough Is Here!


Cookie Dough orders have arrived and were delivered to your child’s classroom. If the order is small your child will be able to carry it out to you.

If you have a large order, you will need to make arrangements with the teacher to pick it up. The Cookie dough can be kept at room temperature for 21 days before being refrigerated or frozen.

If you have any questions or concerns about your order,
please contact Joey Lynn Pinaglia at 773-941-0683

The PTO appreciates your participation!

Thank You for your support!
Reminder: GoCPS Application Window Is Open

GoCPS allows families to learn, research, explore, and apply to nearly every CPS school and program through one online platform. Whether you are a current CPS family or new to the district, GoCPS is the gateway to finding the right school for you. Learn more at https://go.cps.edu/

GoCPS may be the right choice for your family if:
  • You have a child entering Kindergarten next year
  • Your Superstar is in 6th grade and is would like to apply for an academic center
  • Your child is entering high school next year
  • You have a child in the Skinner West neighborhood program that you would like to have tested for the selective enrollment program
  • You have a child in the Skinner West classical program and would like to apply for the sibling lottery


The GoCPS Application window closes on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.
In case you missed it....
Resources for Vaccine Awareness Day

The quickest and easiest way to find a vaccine appointment:
Text your zip code to 438829
Call 1-800-232-0233


If you cannot find a convenient appointment through vaccines.gov, here are some other options to get vaccinated:

Make an appointment to get a vaccine in your home
Call the City’s COVID-19 helpline at (312) 746-4835.
Make an appointment at a CPS Mobile Event
Make an appointment at a CPS School-Based Health Center

Supervised Programming for Children — The Chicago Park District will be offering “Schools Out, Parks Are In” programming from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at 44 locations around the city, and 11 parks will also provide drop-in programs at various times throughout the day and evening of Friday, November 12. Programs include sports, arts and crafts, board games, and other recreation opportunities. Click here for a list of programs. Click here to register your child for one of these programs. All park district programs are available to students ages 6 - 12, including children with disabilities. If a family has a child with unique needs, CPS is asking that the family contact our parent support helpline at 773-553-1840 or email our Parent Involvement Specialist team at: odlssparentsupport@cps.edu. In addition, ODLSS can be reached at 773-553-1800.

Free Museum Admission — The Shedd Aquarium and Museum of Science and Industry will both be offering free admission to students on Friday, November 12. Click here for tickets to the Shedd; Click here for tickets to the Museum of Science and Industry.

CPS Grab-and-Go Meal Sites — Please click here to find a meal distribution site in your area.

Safe Haven for Students — 26 of our District’s Safe Haven locations will all be open and ready to welcome children. Parents can visit this link for a list of locations.
Principal Selection Committee Update

The selection committee is making great progress on the search for our new principal! The group met on Wednesday, 11/10 to review the following:
- Parent Community Survey
- Teacher Staff Survey
- Job Description

CPS legal will review the surveys and they will then be distributed into the community. The surveys hope to elicit feedback about our school needs to help inform the search for our new principal. 

The LSC will hold a special meeting next Wednesday, 11/17 at 6:15pm to vote on the job description. Join information will be sent as a special newsletter blast.

The Job Posting will be reviewed by CPS legal and then posted for 10 days. After the posting date expires, the LSC will receive applicant resumes for review.


Reminder: Report Card Pickup Information
for Parents/Guardians

Wednesday, November 17


Remote pickup will be from 11:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
In-person pickup will be from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

**If you have not received scheduling information from your child's teacher,
please reach out to them directly.
Sign up for weekly COVID testing

For the entire school year, CPS is offering COVID testing through a partnership with ThermoFisher Scientific and Color Health and their ReadyCheckGo™ testing program. This program is completely voluntary.

Read more:
Register for COVID Testing with Color Health
Contact Tracing

Families often have questions after a COVID notice is issued. Please refer to the flyer below to help address some of these questions.

Follow this link to view the PDF.
COVID Travel Guidance

With the holidays fast approaching, please review the COVID-19 Travel Guidance for Families below to consider in your travel plans.

Follow this link to view the PDF.
IMPORTANT: Safety Reminders & Call for Volunteers!
Help keep our Superstars Safe - Please follow these important safety reminders during AM drop-off and PM pick-up!


A friendly reminder to not double park on Throop St. or Adams St., please be patient and courteous to other families, and be mindful to our Superstars as they cross the streets.


We are forming a team of safety volunteers during drop-off and pick-up. If you are interested in joining, please send an email to skinnerwest@gmail.com.
Coming Soon:
Clark's Reading Corner
Thank you again for making Walkathon a success!

Friends of Skinner West (FOSW) shared with Mrs. Clark that they will be honoring her legacy by purchasing a book vending machine named "Clark's Reading Corner". It will be customized with Skinner colors and dedicated to Mrs. Clark. Students can receive coins for positive behaviors that they can redeem for a free book. We look forward to its arrival at the school!
Chicago Bulls College Prep Open House
Chicago Bulls College Prep High School, a Noble Charter School, will hold their Open House on
Saturday, November 20th
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m..

Registration is Required. Scan the QR Code below, visit the website, or reach out for more information at admissions@bullscollegeprep.org.
Mark T. Skinner West School
Front Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(773) 534-7790
By Appointment Only
Mark T. Skinner West School | 1260 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60607