October 31 - Nov 5, 2022 | Week #11
This week: Picture Day | Family Literacy Month | Diverse Learners Halloween Celebration | Kindergarten Diwali Celebration | Staff Lunch Thank You | Trinity High School | Math Program Updates | Skinner School Improvement Committee Meeting | Skinner West Open House | Parent Teacher Conferences |
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Dates to Remember
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No School - Election Day: Nov.8th
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Anti-Bullying Assembly with John Pierorazio: Nov. 10th
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School Improvement Committee Meeting: Nov. 10th
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Peggy Notebart Nature Museum field trip (2nd Grade): Nov. 11th
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Parent Math Committee Meeting: Nov. 14th
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LSC Meeting: Nov. 15th
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Wizard of Oz Field Trip (3rd Grade): Nov. 17th
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Open House for Prospective Families: Nov. 17th
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Parent-Teacher Conferences: Nov. 21st
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No School - Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 21nd - 25th
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Skinner West, Skinner Park & West Loop Community Garden (student assembly): Nov.. 28th
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COVID-19 Update
Actionable Cases: 0
Non-Actionable Cases: 0
Absences
Attendance Goal: 98%
For absences: Email Mrs. Eskridge, assistant principal:
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Skinner Picture Day is coming up on Friday, December 2. Don't forget to preorder your pictures and start practicing your School Picture Smile!
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Pre K - 8th Grade
Picture Day Date: Friday, December 2
Picture Day ID: EVTPNK6DG
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Mark Your Calendar - Graduation Picture Day Schedule
Kindergarten
8th Grade
Picture Day Date: Friday, February 17, 2023
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November is National Family Literacy Month. National Family Literacy Month is an opportunity for families to learn and read together. It also celebrates the work literacy programs do to empower families.
For 10 fun ways to celebrate with your family click here!
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Diverse Learners Halloween Celebration |
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Skinner's Diverse Learner teachers, support staff, and clinicians got together and threw a Halloween party with many of our Diverse Learner and cluster students last Friday. The students played with trains, made their own pumpkin playdough and pumpkin dessert, and colored. It was a wonderful opportunity highlight the wonderful work of our Diverse Learner and cluster students.
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Kindergarten Diwali Celebration |
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Mrs. Sittner's class enjoyed Diwali festivities last week. Story-telling was a great way to learn about different cultures. The kids had fun making rangoli (sand Powder Creation) and dancing to Hindi songs :) And we dressed up Mrs. Sittner as well!! |
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Thank you to Skinner parents Unique McKinght & Rekha Anand for bringing lunch to Skinner Staff on Thursday and Friday! This gesture of kindness was unexpected and very much appreciated! THANK YOU!
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Trinity High School, in the Sinsinawa Dominican tradition, challenges young women to seek faith, knowledge and truth. The school community guides young women in developing skills for lifelong learning, an ethic of care and the desire for excellence. For more information please visit their website, or check out the opportunities below:
CLASS OF 2027 ENTRANCE EXAM REGISTRATION:
PARENT SHADOW: Wednesday, November 16 8:30-11AM
Whether you are a parent of a grade school student or thinking of transferring your high school-age daughter to Trinity, the Parent Shadow on Wednesday, November 16th is an opportunity to explore your options! This day is specifically designed with the busy, and not-so-busy, parent in mind ~ it's as flexible as you need. Check your availability between 8:30 -11:00 AM. Come when you want, stay as long as you can. Tailor the day to your interest and availability.
THE WIZARD OF OZ: Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19 at 7PM and Sunday, November 20th at 2PM
Trinity's Fine & Performing Art presents The Wizard of Oz! We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz! Based on L. Frank Baum's beloved tale, and featuring the iconic musical score from the world-renowned MGM film, The Wizard of Oz follows a Kansas farm girl in her travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home. Don't miss this amazing performance!
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High Quality Math Program Updates from Dr. Bush |
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KDG-2nd Grade High Quality Math Updates
- Teachers are confident in their ability to provide high-quality mathematics (accelerated and grade level) in their homerooms. I agree with teachers and I support their decision.
- Teachers have access to math curriculum for accelerated instruction and grade level instruction.
- Teachers engaged in professional development for differentiated instruction (October 21).
- Teachers planned for instruction in grade level team meetings this week and will continue this learning in future grade level team meetings.
- Skinner's Instructional coaches will continue to provide co-teaching support and individualized support for teachers.
- We also developed a plan to analyze individual student data and plan for tailored instruction as we gear up for mid year assessments (which will take place in January-February).
- Teachers will communicate math instruction plans and outcomes via their individual homeroom newsletters.
Math Parent Committee Meeting
- The next meeting is November 14
- This meeting is open to the school community.
- Skinner's PPLC & KDG- 2nd Grade teachers will be invited to share feedback regarding high quality math instruction.
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Meeting ID: 974 3350 0317
Passcode: 830218
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Skinner School Improvement Committee Meeting |
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The School Improvement Committee will meet on Thursday, November 10, 2022 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. |
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Parent Teacher Conferences |
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Skinner Door Decorating Contest |
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Friends of Skinner West sponsored a door decorating contest on October 26th. Congratulations to the winning classrooms who received taffy apples for their prize. |
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Skinner Boo Bash Pictures |
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Students and Staff had a blast celebrating Skinner Spirit Week this week!
Here is a picture of Mrs. Milroy and Mrs. Thorne getting in the spirit for 80's Day.
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Skinner West's debate team was invited to send student ambassadors at the Chicago Debates Gala on October 27th. This year the gala celebrated Chicago Debates 25 year partnership with Chicago Public Schools. Skinner West debate team with the guidance of Mr. Lee and Ms. Zamiar represents some of the best debaters in CPS.
Skinner West's very own Fifth Grader Sophia M. was invited to speak at the gala to represent 10,000 CPS students who currently participate in the citywide Chicago Debates program.
In the email that the Chicago Debates sent out to its donors they highlighted Sophia and our school:
We celebrated 25 of the most influential people in Chicago Debates’ 25-year history. Their legacy is enduring. As many of our guests heard eight-year-old, Skinner West Elementary School 5th grader, Sophia share last night, Chicago Debates is helping young people find their voice and use it to make a difference in their communities. We are seeking to increase that impact by serving nearly 3,000 students each school year.
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Sophia with Director of Chicago Debates Dr. Gunn and NBC5 news anchor LeeAnn Trotter. |
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Sophia with Former Illinois State Senator Chris Nybo |
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Sophia with Anthony Bolden, Senior Director of Programs at Chicago Debatest Chicago Debates
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She was the only student speaker at the event. She wrote a speech called "What's in a Name?" to highlight how important it is for the youth to have a voice. Sophia was an outstanding representative of Skinner West, and Skinner debate team. She certainly stole the show!
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Thanks to the incredible Skinner teachers, principal, assistant principals and support staff who help Skinner Superstars tell their stories, and make them feel valued. |
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Skinner Superstars: Debate Team Results |
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The Skinner West Debate Team participated in the Chicago Middle School Debate League's Tournament One for the 2022-2023 season on Saturday, October 22.
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)'.
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About 61 debaters across 31 teams from 5 CPS schools competed at the tournament, but the students did a great job against some tough competition and won the awards listed below. |
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Some highlights we would especially like to point out are:
1) Skinner West won 1st place in 4 out of 6 award categories.
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2) Skinner West won 53% of all possible awards (20 out of 38). |
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Pre-K and Kindergarten: Pumpkin Patch Field Trip |
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Pre-k and Kindergarten classes had a successful field trip this week to Johansen Pumpkin Farm! They went on hayrides, slides, a corn maze, a train ride and a petting farm! Students admired the beautiful fall colors and each received a pumpkin on the way out. It was such a fun trip! |
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Classroom Connections: Fairy Tale Research Projects and Graphing Fun in Ms. Priola's Kindergarten Class |
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Mrs. Priola's kindergarten class (Room 401) had a busy week learning about data collection and graphing. The students also presented their fairy tale research projects to the class.
Here are some sweet photos of our incredibly hardworking Superstars!
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Classroom Connections: Diwali Celebration in Mrs. Oluewu's 5th Grade Class |
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Mrs. Oluewu's 5th grade class celebrated Diwali by painting diyas (tea-light holders), participating in fun activities and eating delicious Diwali treats. |
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Many thanks to the parents who shared this beautiful tradition with the class. |
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Academic Centre and High School Open House Information |
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6) Kenwood Academy High School: Open House on November 5th. |
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Academic Center Open House: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Last Tour at 3:00 PM)
High School Open House: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Last Tour at 11:30)
Location: 6130 S Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60636
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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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