Hubbard Woods Family Newsletter

This week at Hubbard Woods, students are thoughtfully exploring the meaning of dignity and what it looks like in our everyday lives. In classrooms, students are sharing ideas and having meaningful conversations about treating others with care, respect, and empathy, and how even small choices can help others feel seen, valued, and included.

These conversations connect beautifully to our Month of Service and Learning. As part of this work, students are decorating birthday cards to include in the birthday bags they are creating. Through this experience, students are learning that service is about more than giving items. It is about showing care, spreading joy, and honoring the dignity of others in thoughtful and intentional ways.

As we observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day yesterday, our learning feels especially meaningful. Dr. King believed deeply in the dignity and worth of every person, and this day is often recognized as a Day of Service. It reminds us that we can honor his legacy through kindness, inclusion, and care for one another.

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, The Winnetka Public Schools is conducting a survey in partnership with Studer Education to monitor our progress in creating a positive school experience for you and your child(ren).

The Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey can be accessed here: The Winnetka Public Schools - Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey

Your feedback is crucial in helping us identify areas for recognition and improvement.​ The survey closes on January 30, 2026.

Dear Parents,

We wanted to take a moment to share a gentle reminder as several illnesses are currently circulating in our school community.

To help keep all students and staff healthy, we kindly ask that you please be mindful about keeping your child home if they are showing signs of illness, such as fever, vomiting, persistent cough, or other symptoms that may be contagious. Allowing children time to rest and recover at home not only supports their well-being, but also helps prevent the spread of illness to others.

We truly appreciate your partnership and understanding as we work together to maintain a healthy and safe learning environment for everyone. If you have any questions or are unsure whether your child is well enough to attend school, please review the district health guidelines or don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your continued support.

Nurse J

Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2026/2027 is now open on the District website and via this link. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2026, are eligible to enroll. Children will not be considered enrolled until both the online and paper portion of registration has been completed and residency documentation is verified. If you have any questions, please visit the District website or contact the Registrar at 847-446-9400.

Differentiation: What is it and how can I tell if my child is having a differentiated experience?

January 21 at 9:30 AM

Location: Washburne RC

Join this session led by the Dept of Innovation, Teaching and Learning to learn a bit about what differentiated instruction is, the conditions needed in order to implement, and what it looks like in action in District 36 classrooms.

RSVP Link

Feedback Link

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Register for Kindergarten in 26/27 on-site from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Session from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Greeley School

275 Fairview Ave., Winnetka

This informational session is for Winnetka parents whose children will enter Kindergarten in the 2026/2027 school year. Parents will learn the resources and experiences that await students once they begin Kindergarten in The Winnetka Public Schools.

Families will learn about:

• The Transition-to-Kindergarten process, presented by the Principals of Crow Island, Greeley, and Hubbard Woods Schools

• A glimpse into a typical Kindergarten day in The Winnetka Public Schools

• Supports for student needs that are available through the Department of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion

We look forward to welcoming our incoming 2026–2027 Kindergarten families at this event!

RSVP here.

Feedback link.

Kindergarten students who are not currently enrolled in Stay & Play will have the opportunity to register (via revtrak) through January 31, 2026. After purchasing Kindergarten Stay & Play registration, your child will be able to begin their attendance in the program the following Monday so the schools can plan accordingly.

As we continue to introduce Winnie into our schools, Ray Finnerty-Director of Safety and Security is going to be speaking at all school assemblies in the coming weeks. (Winnie of course will be with him.)

During the 10-15 minute assembly Ray will be speaking about what the therapy dog program is and is not, facts about Winnie, how to approach Winnie when the students see her in the hallway and how to interact with Winnie in their day to day movement in the buildings.

Once the buildings get to meet Winnie in the assembly she will start making her way through classrooms and spaces as needed by staff or students.

As a reminder if you do not want your student to have interactions with Winnie and have not already filled out an opt out form please do so at your convenience.

Attached here are some Therapy Dog FAQ's for your review, hopefully it answers any questions you may have about this new program. These FAQ’s can also be found in The Winnetka Public Schools website under Safety and Security.

If you missed it, check out the January 2026 edition of THE 36 MIX here!

The Superintendent’s Executive Report, THE BEACON, is available here.

Benchmark assessments are valuable tools that provide a snapshot of student progress at a point in time. These assessments help teachers to identify areas where students are excelling and where they may need additional support. They can also inform instructional decisions by providing data that can be used to tailor teaching to meet each student's unique needs and strengths. Benchmark assessments are an important component of progressive education, which recognizes that students learn in different ways and at different rates. By using benchmark assessments to inform instruction, teachers can provide a more individualized approach to learning that supports each student's academic growth and personal development.

This year students in Grades K-8 will participate in academic benchmark assessments of literacy, math and social emotional learning January 15-30. On February 16, results will be emailed home, available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal, as well as online via Otus.com.

• Thursday, January 15th - January 30th - Middle of Year Benchmark Assessments
• Friday, January 23rd - Parent/ Staff Parent 6pm-10pm
• Week of January 26th - Month of Service Learning Culmination Project (Radical Generosity)
• Tuesday, January 27th at 6:30pm - 4th grade National Anthem at New Trier
• Tuesday, January 27th - School Board Meeting at Washburne at 7:15pm
• Thursday, February 26th & Friday, February 27th - Parent Teacher Conferences (No Student Attendance)