Hubbard Woods Family Newsletter
May 27, 2025
Dear Hubbard Woods Families,
Last week marked the district’s annual Retirement and Recognition event, which is a special time to celebrate years of service and honor those preparing to retire. I feel fortunate to have worked alongside Lynn White and Krista Wray this year. While their presence will be deeply missed, their impact on our school and the broader Winnetka Public Schools community will be long lasting. We are truly grateful for their dedication and the many contributions they have made throughout their careers. As a school community, let’s be sure to express our appreciation for their unwavering commitment to every child, especially during these final weeks.
Additionally, thank you as well to the families who joined me last Monday evening for our conversation on our Commitment to Progressive Education. I valued the opportunity to engage in thoughtful dialogue and look forward to continuing these important conversations in the years ahead.
All the best,
Ivory Ajavon
Principal
Music Program Information
To All Elementary School Families:
Just a quick email to let you know it is that time of year again. Recruitment assemblies will be taking place within the next few weeks at Crow Island, Greeley and Hubbard Woods for current 1st-3rd grade students. 4th grade students will have a separate assembly where they will learn more about the program at Skokie. 4th graders can also start on any string instrument including the string bass!! Students will be introduced to the instruments that they can learn at school: violin, viola, cello and string bass. (4th graders only) The registration forms will be electronic again this year via Google Forms.
If you have more than one child signing up next year, feel free to use the same form for both (all) of your children. The registration deadline will be Friday, June 13th. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
For the current 1st-3rd Grade students
For the current 4th Grade students
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18F1VD3QswnQ4gy1Fudu--zNjluGxIt_zw6_zpoFRz0c/edit
Mrs. Yue Cai
Some of you may be aware that I am retiring at the end of this school year! It has truly been an honor and a privilege of a lifetime to build this program and dedicate my entire 33 year career to Winnetka and District 36! I believe that with the solid foundation that I've helped to build and this wonderfully supportive community, this elementary string program will continue to thrive far into the future!! Thanks to each and every family for all of the unending support of both your children in the fine arts and the program itself! I will be forever grateful!
All the best,
Mrs. Nussbaum
Benchmark Assessment Information
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.
Academic benchmark assessments for literacy and math will occur three times this year for students in grades K-8. The Spring Benchmark Assessments start on May 5th and conclude on May 23rd. There are four platforms the district utilizes to gather student learning information; aimswebPlus, mCLASS, NWEA MAP, and SSIS. Benchmark data will be available in Otus beginning May 30, 2025. In order to allow for the data uploads to take place and to provide parents with consistent access to student data, please be aware that the Otus Parent Portal will be inaccessible May 5-30.
Building Data Team meetings to review the Winter Benchmarking data will occur June 2-6.
Please be aware that access to the Otus Parent Portal will be turned off on June 30, 2025 in order to prepare for the next school year. Communication will be sent out at the start of the year notifying parents when the portal will be accessible again.
Save the Dates
- Tuesday, June 3rd - Kinder Spring Sing at 1:45pm
- Thursday, June 5th - Field Day
Friday, June 6th - Early Dismissal at 11:20am
Monday, June 16th - Last Day of School/ Early Dismissal at 11:20am