Good morning!  I hope everyone is doing well on this sunny Friday.  Thank you to those who were able to attend our Reopening Meeting, focused on procedures and protocols for those attending in person.  


Please see this link for the presentation Mr. Kimbrough and I shared.  In addition, I have attached a visual of the pick up and drop off doors.

We look forward to seeing our K-5 students who opted for in person learning on March 1 and we will see our 6-8th students who opted into in person learning on March 8.  

Remember to complete your student's health screener at cps.edu/healthscreener each morning.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Katie

​Good afternoon!  I hope everyone is doing well.  I am so thankful for our school community and happy to be back after my leave.  I want to give a special thank you to Mr. Kimbrough for his leadership while I was out and appreciated the time I was able to spend with my new daughter and family.  


Please read below for a few updates and reminders.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Katie 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are excited to welcome our K-5th grade students in almost 1 more week and our 6-8 grade students in almost 2 more weeks!

• Kinder - 5th Grade: Staff return on February 22. Students return on March 1st.
• 6th - 8th Grade: Staff return on March 1. Students return on March 8th. 

Skinner North Reopening Information Session 
At 6:30pm on Thursday, February 25th we will hold the Skinner North Reopening Information Session.  This presentation is targeted for parents who have students who are returning to the building.  We will highlight key information, logistics and reminders for a successful return to in person school.  

Please also feel free to review our Reopening Guide.


Next Week (2/22) for K-5
K-5 Teachers will not be available during asynchronous time the week of 2/22 as as they prepare for the return of students in the building, participate in professional development customized around simultaneous teaching, preparing their classrooms, etc for the hybrid and remote learning formats the following week.

Week of 3/1 for 6-8
6-8 teachers will not be available during asynchronous time the week of 3/1 as as they prepare for the return of students in the building, participate in professional development customized around simultaneous teaching, preparing their classrooms, etc for the hybrid and remote learning formats the following week.

Wednesdays During Hybrid
Wednesdays will be adjusted schedules where students have 180 minutes synchronous instruction in the AM and 180 minutes asynchronous in the afternoon.  Teachers will provide further details around your student's schedule. 


Transportation 
Please read the attached document for information and updates related to student transportation.

Skinner North Community Newsletter – February
FEBRUARY 5, 2021
 
Greetings Skinner North Families
 
Welcome to February!   I am very excited to celebrate Black History Month with you.  Since 1976, each U.S. president has designated February as Black History Month and endorses a specific theme.  This year’s theme is “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” which explores the African diaspora, and the spread of Black families across the United States.  While I am grateful for this special time that is set aside to honor the contributions of African-Americans, it is something I feel should be recognized and celebrated throughout the year.  With us being five days into the month, I challenge each Skinner North family to set aside time each day to explore the African diaspora and the history of black families across our country.  The experience is breathtaking and one that I continue to learn. 
 
Here are a few resources to support these efforts: 
·         https://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/
·         https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month
 
 
Here on Scott Street (well, virtually) 4th-8th Literacy and Social Studies team collaborated to create a series of events for Black History month with buddy classrooms.  Each Wednesday during this month, time is set aside to explore a range of activities from read alouds, videos, trivia, poetry, and a culminating event featuring our 7th and 8th graders sharing their personal anti-racist calendars (created as a final project connected to their reading of Stamped).  Take some time to ask your children about what’s happening with their buddy classrooms. 
 
Our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) theme during the month of February is Using Your Voice. Providing opportunities for students to use their voice makes room for great instruction and growth.  Teachers will be focusing on this topic in their classrooms.  As a school, we take pride in acknowledging and recognizing the contributions of all. 
 
Below are book recommendations from our school counselor, Ms. Jacobson, connected to the theme:  K-2:  Say Something by Peter Reynolds; 3-5:  Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan; and 6-8 The Poet by Elizabeth Acevedo.   
 
Have a great one. 
 
Best,
 
Derrick
                                                                       
               
SKINNER NORTH QUESTION CORNER
Skinner North Question Corner.  We will select and answer questions each month. We encourage you to submit your questions.  We want to create a space where everyone feels comfortable asking questions. 
Note:  When you submit a question, you agree to have your question published and sent to the newsletter listserv (names will not be included).  We will try to respond to all questions submitted, but some may not be answered/published.   If you have an immediate concern or question, please always feel free to email.
Please submit your questions at https://goo.gl/forms/yc3mMfMpT6HDjOUi1. 
Question:  Will remote learning Wednesdays be held through the end of the school year?
Answer: Remote learning Wednesdays are a part of the hybrid model and will be in place for the remainder of the school year. 
UPDATES
 
School Reopening: Please stay tuned for updates from the district with regards to the reopening of schools.  In most cases, that may be the first source of information.  As a school, we will provide you with information as it is received.  For more information about our specific school expectations, please see the attachment. 
 
Important After School Program Announcement:  Please remember that our VIRTUAL after school programs will begin this coming week (Week of Feb. 8th!) Please check your email for club confirmations. At this point all clubs are full, but there will be more options during Q4. Also, please make sure your child checks their CPS email and accepts the invitation to their club google classroom. This is how they will gain access to the meet each week.
Digital Yearbook Picture Day:  In order to promote the highest level of inclusion in this years’ yearbook, on Wednesday, March 3rd our school will be taking Google Meet class photos for the 2020-2021 Skinner North Yearbook. Please make sure your child is present on that day.  Classroom teachers will provide the exact time for the class picture.  Be sure to look your best and dress in appropriate clothing for the yearbook photo. 
Family Income Information Form (FIIF):  While we have passed the window for FIIF forms, we are still accepting them.  Please assist us in reaching 100% of forms being completed and returned to the school.  This form plays a major part in calculating our school funding.  All it takes is completing the household information (you do not have to list your income).   Forms can be dropped off at school, mailed, or sent electronically to our clerk, Gloria at gqmorales@cps.edu.  Please take a moment to fill out the form, which is attached.  
 
From the Desk of the Librarian, Ms. Syed: 
 
Bookish Student Pictures:  Have a favorite book you can't stop raving about? I'd love to hear about it, and I'm sure your classmates would too! We're dedicating the bulletin board outside of the library to it, so please upload a picture of you holding your favorite book to the folder linked below. Be sure that the book cover is facing forward so we can see the title. *Please make sure you're signed into your CPS Gmail account when you upload the picture or else you won't have access.*
 
Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17tWSJn7AVVN0st-eh9J0ELjmgRrov8wg?usp=sharing
 
Overdue Books:  When you return to school, please bring with you any overdue library books. If you plan to continue learning from home this quarter, please make time to drop the books off during the week. If you're unsure what titles you still have, if any, please email me at msyed13@cps.edu and I will be happy to assist you. Thank you!
 
From the Diversity Committee:
 
Black Excellence' Virtual Series: In honor of Black History Month, our Skinner North students will have opportunities to engage in virtual activities that celebrate Black Excellence. Here are a few resources (for students and grownups, alike) for this week...
 
Nia Dennis, UCLA Gymnast:
https://www.nbcnews.com/video/nia-dennis-gymnast-behind-viral-beyonce-inspired-routine-aims-to-shine-light-on-black-excellence-100250181537
https://mashable.com/video/nia-dennis-gymnastics-floor-routine-kendrick/
Bisa Butler, Portrait Quilt Artist:
https://www.artic.edu/exhibitions/9324/bisa-butler-portraits
 
Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ055ilIiN4 ("The Hill We Climb" Poetry Reading)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plU-QpcEswo (Gorman's Ted Ed Student Talk)
 
Thurs, 2/17 @ 3:30pm Diversity Committee Meeting (Contact sndiversity@gmail.com for Zoom Meeting ID.)  
 
REMINDERS
Volunteering – Are you interested in volunteering at the school, being a guest speaker or chaperoning field trips?  If so, please make sure your volunteer status is up to date.  All volunteer candidates must complete a volunteer application through the Chicago Public Schools CiviCore database. Please visit: cpsvolunteers.org for more information.
Required Health and Medical Forms - Please remember to complete required medical forms for your student.  (Forms are available here.)
·  Physical - Required for Kindergarten and 6th grade
·  Vision - Required for Kindergarten
·  Dental - Required for Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grades
·  Immunizations (See page 4 of this document for further details)
Attendance Excusal Protocols -   Remember attendance is taken daily for students during remote learning.  To learn more, review our attendance section in our school handbook.  Please note:  to excuse an absence a call to the school (773-534-8500) or a signed excusal note that is mailed/faxed to the school is allowable. (We cannot accept electronic signatures.)  The excuse must be one that is allowable per CPS and ISBE (see handbook for details).



Office Hours - The school is open daily from 8:30-3:30.  Please feel free to call.  Mr. Santillan, our techco, is available to troubleshoot tech issues during the day.


UPCOMING EVENTS
Dates to Remember: 
 
·         Parent SEED:  Wednesday, February 10th at 7 pm
·         President’s Day (No School):  Monday, February 15th
·         LSC Meeting:  Wednesday, February 17th at 8 am
·         Diversity Committee Meeting: Wednesday, February 17th at 3:30pm
·         FoSN Meeting:  Wednesday, February 24th at 6 pm
·         8th Grade graduation pictures – Tuesday, March 16th
2020- 2021 CPS CALENDAR
View the 2020-2021 CPS school year calendar using the following link:  https://www.cps.edu/globalassets/cps-pages/calendar/sy2020-2021-academic-calendar-english.pdf
2020- 2021 LSC & FOSN MEETING SCHEDULE
Below is a list of all upcoming LSC and FoSN meetings for 2020-2021.  You can find more information and minutes/agendas from past LSC meetings on our website (http://www.skinnernorth.org/local-school-council-lsc.html) as well. 
2020-2021 Local School Council Meetings
2020-2021 Friends of Skinner North Meetings

LSC Committee Dates: 
Meeting # 1:  Thursday, July 2, 2019 – Organizational Meeting @ 8:00AM
Meeting # 2:  Wednesday, August 19 @ 8:00AM
Meeting # 3:  Wednesday, September 16, 2020- 5:00PM
Meeting # 4:  Wednesday, October 14, 2020 - 6:300PM
Meeting # 5:  Thursday, November 19, 2020 - 8:00AM
Meeting # 6:  Wednesday, December 16, 2020 - 5:00PM
Meeting #7:  Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - 6:30PM
Meeting # 8:  Wednesday, February 17, 2021 - 8:00AM
Meeting # 9:  Wednesday, March 17, 2021 – 6:30PM
Meeting # 10:  Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - 6:30PM
Meeting # 11:  Wednesday, May 12, 2021 - 8:00AM
Meeting # 12:  Wednesday, June 16, 2021 – 6:30PM
July 21, 2020 – 6PM
August 20, 2020 – 6PM
September 23, 2020 – 6PM
October 21, 2020 - 6PM
November 19, 2020 - 6PM
December 15, 2020 - Election Meeting @ 6PM
January 20, 2021 – 6PM
February 24, 2021 – 6PM
March 24, 2021 – 6PM
April 15, 2021 – 6PM
May 18, 2021 – 6PM
Election Meeting/Vote on 2021-22 Budget
 June 10, 2020 – 6PM
 

 
 
 
CONTACT INFORMATION
Local School Council (LSC):  Ishmael El-Amin, Chair at skinnernorthlsc@gmail.com
The LSC works on issues regarding Community Engagement, Budget, CIWP, and Principal Selection/Retention – information is located at http://www.skinnernorth.org/local-school-council-lsc.html.
Friends of Skinner North (FoSN):  Contact Adriane Schwager (President) at fosnpresident@gmail.com.
FoSN focuses on community building, social events and fundraisers.  For information on the committees, please visit http://www.fosn.net/committees
Get connected with FoSN, our Parent Organization.  FoSN communicates via website, newsletter and Facebook.  To sign up for newsletters email fosncommunications@gmail.com.
Diversity Committee:  Contact Co-Chairs Danit Schleman & Smita Garg at sndiversity@gmail.com
The Diversity Committee contributes to a vibrant school community that centers the growth, success, and well-being of our students.  We support programming that creates a more inclusive environment for our students, families, and staff.  We model curiosity and dialogue about our intersectional identities and the diverse communities in which we live.  We are committed to anti-racist learning and action to address the long-standing racial inequities in our education system.
 Main Office: 
Bus, Attendance, Volunteering or Ventra Cards:  Mahjabeen Syed (msyed13@cps.edu)
Enrollment, Student Fees or Library Fines: Gloria Morales (gqmorales@cps.edu)
Parent Portal:  Ramiro Santillan (rsantillan@cps.edu)
Medical Compliance: Courtney Blissitt (cdblissitt@cps.edu)
Sports or After School All Stars - Jon Popowich (jrpopowich@cps.edu)

​Attached is the January Skinner North community newsletter.  

Please take a moment to review the information.  One thing in particular listed is a virtual town hall meeting around our school reopening plan.  Thanks so much for your patience as we work to prepare what our reopening will look like.  Two meetings are scheduled for next Thursday, January 21st at 6 and 7:30 pm.  

Also take a moment to check out the Diversity Discussion from our Diversity Committee, as well as, other school-related topics (picture day and library books).