November 26 - December 2, 2021 | Week #13
This week: Happy Thanksgiving! | Bilingual Advisory Committee (BAC) Meeting | Picture Day is Here! | Don't Put Your Eggs in One Basket | Meet the Teacher | POW! Kids Gym Events | GoCPS |
Dates to Remember

  • Principal Selection Committee Meeting - Wednesday, Dec. 1 @ 5:30pm
  • Bilingual Advisory Committee - Thursday, Dec. 2 @ 9:00am - 10:00 am
  • Picture Day - Friday, Dec. 3
Happy Thanksgiving!

We are forever grateful for our Skinner West families, teachers, staff, and of course all of our Superstars, that make up this wonderful school. Together we are able to create a supportive environment to learn, teach and share.

Wishing you a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!
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Bilingual Advisory Committee Meeting

The Bilingual Advisory Committee (BAC) will have its 2nd meeting on Thursday, Dec 2.

To Join with Google Meet:

To Join by phone:
(US) +1 262-674-7056 (PIN: 878677169)
Picture Day is Here!
Picture Day will be Friday, December 3 and provided by Lifetouch.

Pictures will be taken for Grades Pre-K through 8th grade.
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Don't Put Your Eggs in One Basket

Superstar families are encouraged to apply for all of the programs that Skinner West has to offer. The application process for the 2022-2023 school year for selective enrollment & sibling lottery closes on December 15th.

  • Skinner West will once again offer a sibling lottery. If you have a student in the Classical Program, you may apply for the sibling lottery.
  • If you already have a student in the Neighborhood Program, you are encouraged to apply for Classical Program.

Please visit go.cps.edu for more information to activate your account, conduct research and apply.
Meet the Teacher
Ms. Stephanie Travis will be the new 6th grade science teacher, taking over for Mr. Willis. She is looking forward to furthering the climate that he's already created with the students. Her mission is to create visible and real change in the lives of all the students in her classroom by fostering meaning relationships with them, as well as always challenging them to be their best selves.

Fun Facts:
  • Chicago born and raised, and a graduate of Whitney Young HS
  • Bachelor's Degree in Marketing (Minor in Education) from Columbia College, and Master's Degree in Education from Roosevelt University
  • This is her 8th year teaching at Skinner West
  • Favorite hobbies include cooking new dishes, playing piano, and Netflix binge watching
  • Always excited to utilize each student's skill set to create a vibrant and productive community they will flourish in.
POW! Kids Gym Events

Read below for details on upcoming Winter Break Fit Kids Camps!
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....
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!
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