MARK T. SKINNER WEST SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
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2018-2019 School Year
Welcome Newsletter #1
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Dates to Remember
Elementary & KDG Registration: Every Tuesday & Thursday in August from 10am to 6pm in main office
Skinner STAR Aftercare Registration Due 8/30
School Supply Drop Off Day: 8/29
Orientation for New Students Grades 1-5: 8/30 1-2:00pm
Orientation for New Students Grades 6-8: 8/30 2-3:00pm
Kindergarten Orientation :8/30 4:00-5:30 pm
First Day of School 2018: Tuesday, 9/4 @ 8:45am
CPS 2018- 2019 Calendar: here
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To all the new Superstar families and to those returning, I'm so excited to kick-off the new school year. Can you believe the first day is around the corner? Skinner West is THE premier school in Chicago, so you should be proud to be part of our exceptional learning community.
You're probably already aware that Skinner West was named the #1 Chicago Elementary School in Chicago Magazine's 2016 edition based on a combination of factors - standardized testing, NWEA/MAP math and reading growth, parent/student surveys and attendance. We are looking forward to the completion of our new annex in January which will give us more instructional classrooms for all of our programs. This will include new classrooms, a science and STEM labs and an art room and computer lab. This LEED green building will also meet ADA requirements. As leaders, educators and parents, the Skinner family collaborates to help prepare our students- emotionally, academically, artistically, professionally - for the next phase in their education. Each year, we hear positive updates from our graduates on how they have succeeded and continued their journey in their educational and professional careers, and we beam with pride each and every day to hear such positive news updates!
We encourage each of you to become active in the Skinner Community. Attend a Local School Council, Parent Teacher Org PTO/Forum, Friends of Skinner West , Gallery 111 or School Improvement Committee meeting. The LSC also sponsors the Facilities, School Improvement, Communications and Bilingual Advisory subcommittees. All of these organizations are seeking the best interest in our Superstars and the community around them. Become a room parent, volunteer in the library or on one of the committees. Engage with other parents and join the exciting times ahead of us!
These weekly e-newsletters and alerts serve as the main communications format for school-wide communications- news, policies, changes, key dates , classroom activities and more! As you meet your new teachers and room parents, you may receive more targeted communications to support your child's Skinner experience. Be sure to like our Facebook page, and bookmark our website at www.skinnerwest.cps.edu for more information. I'm also excited to announce that we'll be soon launching a new website! Our new logo is above.
As always, if you have any questions for me, please contact me using the Skinner West parent-only email address:
principalclark20@gmail.com . We do our best to respond! If you have any new parent questions, we have parent volunteers on hand to help by emailing skinnerwest@gmail.com (please label the subject with "new parent question"). Try to enjoy the rest of summer with your Superstar. Stay on the lookout for more pertinent updates before the first day of school. We look forward to each Superstar returning on Tuesday, September 4th! We are ready for another fantastic school year with our wonderful Superstar families and staff ! Deborah M. Clark Principal
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Due our increase in enrollment this summer, we have added a fourth neighborhood kindergarten class to our Skinner family. Consequently, we had to make the following classroom changes . These room changes are temporary, only for a few months , until we are able to move into our new classroom spaces in the annex in January ! Students in these classes are invited to come in on August 30th between 5:00- 6:00 to see their new classroom spaces. We do appreciate your understanding, cooperation and support as we adjust to these temporary changes for our Superstars. First Grade Neighborhood - Mrs Fisher's Class - New Room : Main Building Room 119 Third Grade Classical - Mrs Rupp's Class - New Room : Library Space Room 301 Fifth Grade Classical - Mr Lewandowski - New Room : Second Floor Science Lab - Room 226 Seventh Grade Classical - Will now be in Rooms 316 and 318 - Students will be notified directly of their classroom changes. I am still amazed that we are able to find spaces in the main building to accommodate our growing needs. We are excited that the start of the new school year is approaching as we get the building and classrooms ready for our Superstars ! We have so much to look forward to in the upcoming school year !
We are only 5 months away from opening our new annex! Thank you for your patience and understanding!
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- Please check the website for the school supply lists here
- Please remember: purchase your grade level supplies AND the Ancillary list supplies, Art, and Science supplies.
- Coming soon to this link - School Fees!
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Friends of Skinner West (FOSW) has arranged a school supply drop off day!
Drop off your school supplies on August 29th to allow teachers time to put everything away and make your child's first day of school easier.
Supplies should be placed in separate bags labeled "shared classroom supplies from (child's name)" or "individual supplies for (child's name)" along with your teacher's name.
Donations are still needed of new school supplies. You can find the donation list as well as purchase your own school supplies:
Folders, notebooks, notebook paper, backpacks, zipper binders, pens, pencils, Expo markers, and calculators are always appreciated. A donation box will be in the school lobby on August 29th for any supplies you wish to donate.
More details, including times, to come.
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STAR Aftercare Program Registration
Registration is due by August 30th, and the online form needs to be filled out for each child. Students who were in the program last year must be registered for the new school year.
We do accept PayPal, and Cash or Check payments can be made at the school office during summer office hours - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-6.
There will be a small increase over last year's cost (which will be communicated shortly). More information can be found here.
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All comments, suggestions or requests to submit information to this newsletter should be emailed to skinnerwest@gmail.com.
Communications Volunteers are welcome. Donate your time to help increase communications and contact us!
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Would you like to add another parent, guardian or caregiver?
Sign up for this newsletter here.
Deborah M. Clark
Principal
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