Jan. 29 - Feb. 4, 2023 | Week #21
This week: Date Correction: Kindergarten & 8th Grade Graduation Photos | February PPLC Meeting | Benny the Bull First Alert Safety Event Opt-Out | Classroom Connections: Tai Chi in Ms. Wu's Mandarin Classes | Skinner West Cheerleaders at Walter Payton
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Dates to Remember
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Feb 7: Wear Red for Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day
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Feb 10: Progress Reports & Middle-of-the-Year Data Distribution
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Feb 10: Valentine's Day Dance from 4:30-6:30pm (grades 6-8)
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Feb 14: Valentine's Day Dance from 4:30-6:30pm (grades 4-5)
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Feb 16: Kindergarten & 8th Grade Graduation Picture Day **Please Note Updated Date**
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Feb 20: No School - President's Day
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Feb 21: PPLC Meeting at 4pm
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Feb 23: Benny the Bull Safety Event (grades K-2)
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Feb 28: Uniting Voices Chicago Black History Month Concert - Chicago Children's Choir Event
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Feb 28: LSC Meeting
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COVID-19 Update
Actionable Cases: 0
Non-Actionable Cases: 0
Please note: Although there are no open cases, we are experiencing an increase in confirmed positive COVID cases.
Absences
Attendance Goal: 98%
For absences: Email Mrs. Eskridge, assistant principal:
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Date Correction: Kindergarten & 8th Grade Graduation Photos
Please note that kindergarten and 8th grade graduation photos will take place on Thursday, February 16th.
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February PPLC Meeting
Dr. Werner and Ms. Milroy are co-chairs of the Professional Personnel Leadership Committee (PPLC). The PPLC is a committee made up of 7 certified personnel (teachers, clinicians, etc.) plus the school's two LSC teacher representatives. The purpose of the PPLC is to present recommendations to the principal and the Local School Council (LSC) on all matters related to the educational program, including curriculum, the school improvement plan, and the school budget.
PPLC meetings are monthly and open to the public. The next meeting will take place on February 21 at 4:00pm in Room 226 of the Main Building. There is an option to join via Google Meet. The link will be included on the meeting agenda, which comes out the week prior to the meeting.
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Benny the Bull First Alert Safety Event Opt-Out
Benny the Bull will be visiting Skinner West for a discussion on fire safety with our kindergarteners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders on February 23rd. For parents who would like your child to opt-out of the event, please email Mrs. Johnson who will be collecting media consent forms.
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Classroom Connections: Tai Chi in Ms. Wu's Mandarin Classes
Mr. Yi Yang, a Tai Chi master, was invited to teach students ancient Chinese Tai Chi on January 25th. Tai Chi is an outstanding gem of traditional Chinese culture that is valuable in promoting health, developing combat and self-defense skills, and improving concentration and overall well-being. There were 9 classes in which about 250 students attended the Tai Chi classes. This event not only supplemented the Mandarin curriculum taught in class, but also inspired their interest in Chinese culture.
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Skinner West Cheerleaders at Walter Payton
Our Skinner West cheerleaders participated in a competition at Walter Payton College Prep High School. Congratulations on a job well done!
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Principal's Report from January LSC Meeting
The January LSC meeting was on held Tuesday, January 24th. Please see below for a copy of the Principal's report.
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Debate Team Tournament Results
The Skinner West Debate Team participated in the Chicago Middle School Debate League's Tournament Three for the 2022-2023 season on Saturday, January 14.
The overall topic for the year is: ''NATO Security Cooperation', and the cases being debated at this Tournament were 'Disinformation' , 'The Baltics', and 'Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS)'.
About 76 debaters across 41 teams from 7 CPS 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 2 out of 6 award categories.
2) Skinner West won 48% of all possible awards (21 out of 43).
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Classroom Lunar New Year Celebrations
Several classrooms celebrated the Lunar New Year this past week. A special thank you to parent volunteers who came in to teach students about Lunar New Year traditions, read the class stories, and lead activities related to the new year. The children had so much fun learning and celebrating the Year of the Rabbit or the Year of the Cat for those who celebrate Tết! Happy New Year to all of the Skinner Superstars and families who celebrate!
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Skinner West Girls Basketball Team
We are proud to introduce you to Skinner West's Girls Basketball team. They have been working hard and doing a fantastic job this season. Way to go, Superstars!
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Candy Gram Sale!
Our Student Council is hosting a candy gram sale for Valentine's Day this year! Please see below for details and how to order.
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Upcoming Valentine's Day Dances
Please see below for details regarding our upcoming school dances for Valentine's Day. Note that the school dance for grades 6-8 will take place on February 10th, while the school dance for grades 4-5 will take place on February 14th. Both will be held after school and have a live DJ. Please reach out to Ms. Ball with any questions.
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February 7: Wear Red for CHD
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week is February 7 through February 14, which promotes awareness and educational opportunities for the public on congenital heart defects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect and can affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works. Show your support for those affected by CHD and their families by wearing red on Tuesday, February 7.
For more information on congenital heart defects and the awareness campaign, visit:
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Discounted Chicago Bulls Games
Discounted tickets to upcoming Bulls games are available for the community! Choose from the following upcoming games: February 2 or March 17, and root for the Chicago Bulls at the United Center! Friends of Whitney Young is hosting this event for the wider community to facilitate these discounted tickets and a small donation will be made to them for each ticket. Donations will benefit the grants and students in need at the school. Note: While our mission benefits Whitney Young HS, we are a separate independent, non-profit, all-volunteer organization run by parents in the community.
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Mark T. Skinner West School
Front Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(773) 534-7790
By Appointment Only
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