Archived News


Date
2010-08-26 16:26:21
Health Forms Needed for Kindergarten and Grade 6 Students
August 26, 2010
    Attention all parents of Kindergarten and Grade 6 students in The Winnetka Public Schools:

    All kindergarten and sixth grade students... MUST have a new Certificate of Child Health Examination Form on file with your student’s school health office prior to the first day of school which is next Wednesday September 1, 2010 (this exam must be dated after September 1, 2009).  

    Per District Policy, “failure to comply with the above requirements by the start of school of the current school year will result in the student’s exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the District…”  

    All health documents can be downloaded here:
    www.winnetka36.org/nurses/forms
    Hard copies can also be obtained in the District Office (1235 Oak Street, Winnetka, IL) or at your student's school.

    All completed health forms should be submitted to the nurse in your child's school building. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

    Mark Ditthardt
    Director of Pupil Services

    Jane Zaleski RN
    District Wide School Nurse

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2010-08-13 13:27:41
Welcome Back and Meet & Greet New District Leaders
August 13, 2010
    Please join us for a second opportunity to meet and greet new leaders in The Winnetka Public Schools for the 2010-11 school year.  

    Monday,... August 30, 2010
    Carleton Washburne School Foyer
    6:30–7:30 P.M.

    Dr. Mark Friedman and Dr. Ken Cull
    Interim Co-Superintendents

    Dr. Cathy Rosen
    Carleton Washburne School Principal

    Trisha Kocanda
    Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

    Beth Luther
    Director of Human Resources

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2010-08-13 13:26:45
2010-11 School Year Begins!
August 13, 2010
    Welcome back to school!  

    Half–day  of school on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 for Grades 1-8.

    Please... check your school packet for starting times and dates for Kindergarten and Grade 1.
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2010-08-13 13:11:32
Superintendent Focus Groups
August 13, 2010
    Opportunities to provide input in the development of the profile for the ideal Winnetka Superintendent will be held on:

    • Tuesday,... September 14, 2010 - 7:00-8:00 p.m.
    • Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 9:30-10:30 a.m.
    • Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 7:00-8:00 p.m.
    • Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 1:00-2:00 p.m.

    All meetings will be held at Carleton Washburne School, 515 Hibbard Road, Winnetka. Please join a meeting that you find convenient, your input is very valuable.  

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2010-06-07 13:51:35
Meet & Greet New District Leaders
June 07, 2010
    Please join us to meet and greet the new leaders in The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 for the 2010-11 school year.

    Wednesday,... June 9, 2010
    Carleton Washburne School Foyer
    6:30–8:00 P.M.

    Dr. Mark Friedman and Dr. Ken Cull
    Interim Superintendents

    Dr. Cathy Rosen
    Carleton Washburne School Principal

    Trisha Kocanda
    Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment


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2010-06-03 11:18:32
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Appointed
June 03, 2010
    On June 2, 2010, the School Board of The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 took action to appoint Ms. Trisha Kocanda to the newly created position... of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, effective July 1, 2010. Previously structured as a director-level position, this new role was created based on the District's keen desire to advance children's education and the continual growth of its teaching staff.

    Ms. Kocanda will be charged with leading ongoing development, improvement, and evaluation of the entire instructional program for the District, including key long-term initiatives such as the development of common assessments, improvements in differentiated instruction, and implementation of Response to Intervention practices. She will also coordinate ongoing teacher-led curriculum review cycles and conferencing/reporting evaluations, as well as coach and support building administrators in their roles as instructional leaders.

    Currently, Ms. Kocanda serves as the executive director for curriculum and instruction for elementary North Shore School District 112 in Highland Park, a position she has held since 2008. In this role, she is responsible for all aspects of curriculum development across 12 elementary and middle schools. She also serves as the lead internal facilitator of District 112's strategic planning process, which involves 170 internal and community stakeholders.

    Previously, Ms. Kocanda served as District 112's learning coordinator for curriculum and instruction, as well as associate principal of Edgewood Middle School. A former middle school classroom teacher in Arlington Heights District 25, she earned a B.S. in elementary education from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign and a master's degree in educational leadership from Aurora University. In addition, she has been accepted in a doctoral program for educational leadership at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

    Ms. Kocanda's appointment by the Board follows a multiple-step interview process coordinated by Dr. Mark Friedman that involved the participation of teams of administrators, teachers, and other staff, as well as the screening of more than 80 applicants for the position. References characterized Ms. Kocanda as "an exemplary educator" who "astutely recognizes how to bring people together to lead curriculum development across multiple schools" and a "relationship-oriented leader who collaborates with people by listening and asking questions to gain deeper understanding."

    The School Board welcomes Ms. Kocanda to The Winnetka Public Schools. We invite parents and the Winnetka community to meet her, newly appointed Carleton Washburne School Principal Dr. Cathy Rosen, and 2010-11 Co-Interim Superintendents Dr. Kenneth Cull and Dr. Mark Friedman, at a reception to be held Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at Carleton Washburne School, 515 Hibbard Road, from 6:30 - 8:00 P.M.

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2010-05-22 11:14:10
“Little Learners” Preschool Program Announced
May 22, 2010
    A new preschool program for 3-year-olds being jointly run by The Winnetka Public Schools and the Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED) ...will begin in September 2010 at Greeley School in Winnetka, IL. This blended preschool will have a maximum enrollment of 14 students. 7 spaces will be reserved for students who have special needs and 7 spaces will be for same age peers.

    Greeley School
    Winnetka, IL
    Begins September 2010, Monday-Friday 8:45-11:15 a.m. (a 3-day/week transition option is also available)

    This program is open to families who reside in Winnetka and surrounding area. Priority enrollment for Winnetka District 36 students.

    The cost is $3,300.00.

    Program Description

    This integrated preschool program is designed to support children’s social, language, cognitive/pre-academic, and motor development. Research has shown that shared learning experiences have positive effects for both children with and without special needs. The program is based on best practices in early childhood education.

    The classroom will use the Creative Curriculum for Preschoolers which is a developmentally appropriate curriculum that targets 50 goals for all young learners in the areas of social-emotional, cognitive, language, and motor development. Children have opportunities for teacher-directed learning and self-directed exploration/play at 11 Interest Areas: Blocks, Dramatic Play, Toys and Games, Art, Library Discovery, Sand and Water, Music and Movement, Cooking, Computers and Outdoors.

    Program Features

    - Preschool staff has specialized knowledge of child development
    - High Adult : Child ratio (expected to be 3 : 1)
    - Certified Early Childhood Teacher
    - A classroom assistant
    - Special Education supports for children with special needs, including:
    - Speech/Language therapy
    - Occupational Therapy
    - Physical Therapy
    - School Psychologist consultation

    Contact Mark Ditthardt, Director of Pupil Services, The Winnetka Pubic Schools
    847-446-9400 ext 2622
    markditthardt@winnetka36.org

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2010-04-28 11:39:56
Important Calendar Dates for 2010-2011
April 28, 2010
    2010-2011 Calendar Dates for The Winnetka Public Schools

    August 30 -  Monday
    No School (Teachersʼ Institute Day)

    August... 31 - Tuesday
    No School (Teachersʼ Institute Day)

    September 1 - Wednesday
    Schools open (Grades 1-8) (Half Day)
    Please check with individual buildings to confirm Kindergarten and Grade 1 Phase-In schedules.

    September 2 - Thursday
    Schools open (Grades SK-8) (Full Day)

    September 6 - Monday
    No School (Labor Day)

    September 7 - Tuesday
    Junior Kindergarten begins

    September 9 - Thursday
    No School

    October 8 - Friday
    Early Dismissal (Grades 1-8) (Institute Day in PM)
    NO SCHOOL for PM Kindergarten students ONLY

    October 11 - Monday
    No School (Columbus Day)

    October 22 - Friday
    Kindergarten Conference/Reporting Day
    All Kindergarten students in attendance

    November 4 - Thursday
    Early Dismissal (Grades 1-8) Conference/Reporting in PM
    No School for AM Kindergarten students
    PM KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ATTEND IN AM

    November 5 - Friday
    Conference/Reporting Day (no school Grades K-8)

    November 24 - 26 - Wednesday - Friday
    No School (Thanksgiving Holiday)

    December 20 - Monday
    Winter Vacation Begins (no School)

    January 3 - Monday
    Schools Reopen

    January 17 - Monday
    No School (Martin Luther King Day)

    February 21 - Monday
    No School (Presidentsʼ Day)

    March 10 - Thursday
    Conference/Reporting Day (no school Grades K-8)

    March 11 - Friday
    Conference/Reporting Day (no school Grades K-8)

    March 18 - Friday
    Kindergarten Conference/Reporting Day in PM
    All Kindergarten students in attendance

    March 28 - Monday
    Spring Vacation begins

    April 4 - Monday
    Schools Reopen

    April 22 - Friday
    No School

    May 27 - Friday
    Early Dismissal (Grades 1-8) Report Writing in PM
    NO KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE

    May 30 - Monday
    No School (Memorial Day)

    June 10 - Friday
    Anticipated Last Day of School (Grades 1-8)

    June  13, 14, 15, 16
    To be used in the event of emergency closing

    Kindergarten Conferences/Report writing will occur on 10/22/10 [All Kindergarten students in attendance] 11/4/10 PM [PM students attend in AM; No School for AM Kindergarten], 11/5/10 [No school for all Kindergarten students], 3/10/11 and 3/11/11 all day [No Kindergarten students in attendance either day], 3/18/11-PM [All Kindergarten students in attendance] and 5/27/11- All day [No school for all Kindergarten students].

    Grades 1-6 Conferences/Reporting Days will occur on 11/4/10 PM [students attend in AM only], 11/5/10 All Day [no student attendance], 3/10/11 and 3/11/11 All Day [no student attendance either day], and 5/27/11 PM [students attend in AM only].

    Washburne Conferences/Reporting Periods: October 4, 2010 – October 15, 2010 and February 14, 2011 – February 25, 2011. Students in attendance during these times.

    Download:
    Important Calendar Dates for 2010-2011 (Revised) (PDF)

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2010-04-21 12:15:25
Join Us for a Special Presentation by Dr. Thomas Armstrong Monday, April 26
April 21, 2010
    Please join us for the second presentation in the District 36 150th Anniversary Lecture Series, "The Best Schools: How Human Development Research... Should Inform Educational Practice," by Dr. Thomas Armstrong on Monday, April 26, 7:30-9:00 P.M. in the Carleton Washburne School Little Theater.

    Dr. Armstrong is an award-winning author and speaker with over thirty years of teaching experience from the primary through the doctoral level. There are one million copies of his books in print on issues related to learning and human development including The Human Odyssey: Navigating the Twelve Stages of Life, The Best Schools: How Human Development Research Should Inform Educational Practice, Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, In Their Own Way, Awakening Your Child's Natural Genius, 7 Kinds of Smart, The Myth of the A.D.D. Child, ADD/ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom, and Awakening Genius in the Classroom. His books have been translated into twenty-four languages. He has been published in over thirty periodicals, journals, and edited books and has appeared on television and radio programs, including The Today Show, CBS This Morning, CNN, the BBC, and The Voice of America. Articles featuring his work have appeared in The New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, Investor's Business Daily, Good Housekeeping, and hundreds of other newspapers and magazines around the country. He has received awards from the Educational Press Association and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

    We look forward to seeing you Monday!

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2010-04-09 13:03:32
School Board Action Items for April 12, 2010
April 09, 2010
    We want to take this opportunity to inform you of actions the School Board of The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 will consider at its Monday,... April 12, 2010 meeting. Although we do not generally update parents regarding upcoming action items, we appreciate that issues related to both the interim superintendent leadership for the 2010-2011 school year and the search for our next full-time superintendent are of great interest to our parents and community. Therefore, we feel it is important to be as forthcoming with current information about these matters as possible.

    INTERIM CO-SUPERINTENDENT APPOINTMENT

    The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 School Board will take action to consider the appointment of former Itasca District 10 Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Cull to serve as interim co-superintendent for the 2010-2011 school year.

    After his retirement from District 10 in June 2008, Cull served as interim superintendent of Skokie/Morton Grove School District 69 during the 2008-2010 school years. He has more than 40 years of experience as an educator, including 30 years with Schaumburg School District 54, where he started as a junior high math teacher and advanced to associate superintendent. Cull began his career at Joliet School District 86.

    Cull will serve in tandem with former Libertyville Superintendent Dr. Mark Friedman, who was appointed by the Board to serve as co-interim superintendent at the March 23 Board meeting. This interim co-superintendent model will be utilized because Illinois pension laws limit the employment of retirees from the Teachers Retirement System in a public education position, such as Drs. Friedman and Cull, to 120 days or 600 hours per academic year.

    The interim co-superintendent model is not uncommon and provides the ability to leverage the skills of experienced educational administrators, while also building a transition team that possesses the specific skill sets needed by our District. In the past several years, it has been used successfully to facilitate transition in Mundelein High School District 120 and Glenbard High School District 87. North Shore School District 112 and Township High School District 113 also recently utilized a co-principal model.

    Following Board approval and after directing the District’s legal counsel to finalize our contract with Dr. Cull, we will move forward to develop a specific plan of action to guide how Drs. Friedman and Cull will work together and provide strong leadership to advance both the academic and administrative priorities of the District. We expect to share further information on their specific roles and responsibilities at our April 27th meeting.

    SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH PROCESS

    Dr. Friedman has been tasked with providing leadership for the District’s process to hire a new permanent superintendent. He will provide a comprehensive update regarding this process at the Board’s April 27 meeting, which will be held at 7:15 P.M. at Carleton Washburne School, 515 Hibbard Road, Winnetka.

    CLOSING THOUGHTS

    We feel confident that we will have a strong and complementary leadership team with Drs. Friedman and Cull. The Board and Administration will continue to work together to ensure minimal disruption to District and school operations as we transition to new leadership.

    Respectfully,

    The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 School Board
    Nancy Fehrenbach
    Jon Kaplan
    Peter Kane
    Susan Whitcomb
    Anne Kelly
    Dana Crumley
    Beth Moritz Filip

    April 9, 2010

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