Branch Campus

Located at 225 S. Aberdeen, the Branch houses Skinner West’s pre-K and most of the kindergarten classes. The smaller building size helps some children get acclimated to a school setting. In addition to age-appropriate classrooms, the building has:

  • Gross motor room, including a kitchen andlife skills corner, dramatic play and puppet corner, and an area for large gross motor (basketball hoop, balancing equipment, and gym mats)

  • Library and computer lab, including a reading corner, book bins and book cart, desks, and Chromebooks

  • Cafeteria

  • Outdoor playground

Learn more about our Universal Pre-K program

Skinner West Branch NEW Gross Motor Room & Library/Computer Lab

November, 2019

As we all know, weather in Chicago is unpredictable!  The Skinner West Branch (225 S Aberdeen) does have an outdoor playground, but where do our superstars go when the weather turns…too hot…too cold…too wet…?

Noticing two large empty branch classrooms, parents had an idea.  They visited the space with Ms. Hayes (branch security & recess supervisor), and obtained approval from Principal Clark to build a Gross Motor Room. Generous funding came from Friends of Skinner West and Branch Parents.

We, along with Principal Clark, truly believe that working on gross motor skills -  large and small - and offering opportunities for open social interactions provides long-lasting benefits.

In the short-term, our children will have a chance to work out their energy during inclement weather, helping classroom attentiveness.

Gross Motor Room sections:
1) Kitchen & Life Skills corner,
2) Dramatic Play & Puppet corner, and
3) Large Gross Motor in half of the room (basketball hoop, balancing equipment, gym mats, etc).

A separate library & computer lab will help give the children different scenery from their regular classroom and grow their love of reading and technology.  In 2020, superstars will learn responsibility by having the option to check out books!

Library/Computer Lab sections:
1) Computer Lab (utilizing current desks & Chrome books),
2) Reading Corner (children’s furniture, rug, librarian rocking chair, decorations), and
3) Book Bins & Book Cart. Book Donations accepted Year Round!

We are still in need of donations!! Donate $ to Friends of Skinner West with a note 'For Gross Motor Room' or contact Amanda Rzepka amanda.m.rzepka@gmail.com about other equipment, toys, or book donations.