Lane Tech tournament results
Wow did we have a great tournament Saturday! Twenty-eight Skinner North chess players came out to play at Lane Tech; our team was larger than any other team in the tournament. I think it was also the largest team our school has ever sent to any chess tournament. Our players had many notable successes and everyone had so much fun. We won the first place team trophy in Grades 3-4 and the second place team trophy in Grades 5-6. Congratulations to all of the twenty players on these two trophy winning teams. 

We also had many individual achievements. In Grades K-2, Andy C. had a perfect 5.0 score and won the 1st place trophy. In Grades 3-4, Doug Z. (4.0) won the 4th place trophy, Charlie A.(4.0) won the 5th place trophy and Preston E.(4.0) won the 7th place trophy. Additionally, Simon B.(4.0), Evan C.(4.0), Owen P.(4.0), Paul S.(4.0) and Noah S.(4.0) all won medals. In Grades 5-6, Finn B.(4.5) won the 3rd place trophy and Max C.(4.0) won a medal. In the Advanced section, Jack H.(3.5) won a medal.


We also want to welcome Andrew X., Charlie A., Daniel T., Nathan L. and Sinan H. to the Skinner North team. These five just played their first Skinner North chess tournaments. We hope they will be with us for many more to come. Congratulations also to both Asha L. and Daniel L. on their first tournaments since moving up to the Advanced section. It's tough in Advanced but they both had some successes.

Students and parents are spreading messages of kindness and acceptance on our sidewalks.  Feel free to join in or spread in your own neighborhood.

Today, some of our former students who are now in high school came back to share their experiences and answer questions for our 7th and 8th graders.  Students learned more about the different high schools in the city including things like grading, schedules, sports and clubs.  Thank you to our former students.  It is so exciting to see you and hear about your high school successes!

We had our annual Veterans Day event today, Thursday, Nov. 10 to help student learn about the importance of this holiday and understand why they have school off to observe the day.  This year, Mark Ritchey, a retired Army Ranger and current Chicago Police Officer, come speak to our students.  Mr. Ritchey taught students about the different branches of the armed forces, explained what he did in the army and gave a brief explanation of what Veterans Day means in America.  Students were able to ask some questions to learn more about his experiences.  

As apart of the day, students also wrote letters to Veterans thanking them for their service.  Students were encouraged to thank Veterans they may know for their service.