Monday Memo
October 19th, 2026
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Dear Washburne Families,
This week, we are thrilled to welcome you to Washburne for conferences on Thursday and Friday! These conversations are a valuable opportunity to connect, celebrate your child’s growth, and collaborate on how we can best support their continued success.
Advisors and your child’s team have coordinated to ensure that the most relevant information is shared during your time together. As these conferences are student-led, your child will take a starring role alongside their advisor, sharing reflections on their learning, progress, and goals.
We also invite our current eighth graders to make their voices heard and make a difference by applying for the Student Ambassador Program! The Winnetka Public Schools Student Ambassador Program includes membership in the National Junior Honor Society and offers opportunities to share student perspectives, strengthen our school community, and participate in meaningful service. Members commit to eight monthly meetings, at least 10 service hours—including five through program-sponsored opportunities—and upholding our school’s academic and behavioral expectations. Applicants also need a staff sponsor to endorse their application. More information is linked below.
We look forward to meaningful conversations this week and appreciate your partnership in supporting our students!
Take care,
Dr. Luke Livingston, Principal
Ms. Britta Dahlberg, Assistant Principal
UPCOMING DATES
October:
Thursday, October 22nd | Fall Conferences- no student attendance
Friday, October 23rd | Fall Conferences- no student attendance
November:
Monday, November 2nd Institute Day | No Student Attendance
Tuesday, November 3rd Election Day | No School
Thursday, November 5th | Washburne Picture Retake Day
Saturday, November 7th | New Trier 8th Grade Placement Test
Wednesday, November 11th | Washburne Centerstage & Stagecraft Performance
Saturday, November 14th | New Trier 8th Grade Placement Test
November 23-27th | Thanksgiving Break
PRIORITY INFORMATION
Fall Conferences
Fall Conferences will be held October 22 and October 23rd. Schedule sign-up went live on “Parents Meet” the scheduling platform October 1st. To prepare families should attempt to login now. You can access the login and learn more HERE.
Transition to New Trier (8th Grade Only)
Families can find all information related to the transition to New Trier on the Incoming webpage.
New Trier Placement Test Information (8th Grade Only)
Families should have received a letter from New Trier regarding the placement test in November. Here is the information that was included in the email:
Testing Options:
Families can choose their test date (Nov 7th or Nov 14th) but they MUST complete the sign up form. This form is for ALL students- regardless of accommodations. They will use their New Trier student ID to complete the form. Families will receive their student’s ID number in the email.
Questions about procedures or alternate dates should be sent here:
Reminders:
Students will need a charged iPad.
I know this test is anxiety provoking for your families and that often impacts you as well. It might be helpful if you remind families that there is no test preparation necessary for the placement exam.
If you did not receive an email:
I know there are often issues with email addresses, so please encourage families to email adminservices@nths.net if they do not receive the materials after checking their spam folder. They should provide their student’s name and sender school. This will be the most efficient way for us to send them the correct materials. In addition, please encourage them to consult the incoming webpage at www.newtrier.k12.il.us/incomingfreshmen for questions about dates, times
DC Trip (8th Grade Only)
The Washington D.C. trip for 8th graders will be happening this year from April 29th through May 2nd. There are currently 100 students registered. If you would like to guarantee a spot for your child on the trip, please register by October 31st. Follow this link to read more about the trip!
ILMEA
Congratulations to all students for completing ILMEA auditions. Completing the audition is certainly a challenge, and everyone who took the audition put forth some strong submissions.
The following students have been placed into an ILMEA Ensemble:
Abe Oldaker (7th grade, Euphonium, Junior Honors Band)
Leigh Burgdorfer (7th grade, Soprano, Junior Honors Chorus)
Fjord Guri (8th grade, Alto, Junior Honors Chorus)
Landry Heiden (7th grade, Alto, Junior Honors Chorus)
Grace Hwang (8th grade, Alto, Junior Honors Chorus)
Violet Malinin (7th grade, Alto, Junior Honors Chorus)
Ava Wilson (7th grade, Alto, Junior Honors Chorus)
Angelo Lyu (8th grade, Violin, Junior Honors Orchestra)
This is the first time in at least 8 years that Carleton Washburne School has student representation from ALL ensembles!
The festival will take place on the morning of November 14th at Evanston Township High School.
Student Ambassador Application (8th Grade Only)
Make your voice heard and make a difference! Current Washburne 8th graders are invited to apply for the Winnetka Public Schools Student Ambassador Program, which also includes membership in the National Junior Honor Society. Ambassadors will share student perspectives, help strengthen our school community, and participate in meaningful service opportunities. Members commit to eight monthly meetings, at least 10 service hours—including five through program-sponsored opportunities—and upholding our school’s academic and behavioral expectations. Applicants also need a staff sponsor to endorse their application. The student applications are due by Friday, October 30 and must be completed by interested 8th grade students using their Winnetka-issued email address.
Securly Home Parent App
Our students' devices are all monitored through Securly which helps keep students safe online both at school and home through their district issued devices. Securly automatically blocks inappropriate content, social media, proxy sites, and dangerous or non-school-related websites. Also, the website keeps students safe by filtering for inappropriate content, self-harm, violence, or bullying.
In addition to Securly at school, as parents you have access to Securly Home. You should have received an email about the Securly Home App as that is a free mobile parental control app that extends a school's digital safety monitoring and web filtering onto student-owned or school-issued devices when they are used at home. The purpose of the Securly home App:
Parents can view their child’s activity and set alerts.
Allows parents to filter controls by blocking specific sites when the device leaves school.
Increase screen time management and parents can freeze internet access on the device to disable use like during bed time.
Here are two resources for setting this up at home:
Benchmark Assessment Results Now Available
Parents may access scores through the PowerSchool Parent Portal Document Library and/or Otus.
View additional information here regarding benchmark assessments and how to access these scores.
IAR & ISA score reports have been uploaded to your PowerSchool Parent Portal but are requiring a few more days to be finalized in Otus. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Schoology
At Washburne, we use Schoology as a live gradebook and learning-management tool to help students and families stay informed about academic progress. Through Schoology, families can view their child’s current grades, monitor assignment completion, and see when work is missing or has not yet been submitted because of an absence.
You can find to access Schoology HERE.
A Message from The Director of Safety & Security
The Fall 2026 Safety Bulletin includes important seasonal information regarding bike and traffic safety, emergency protocols, Halloween, and more.
Washburne Basketball
Washburne Travel Basketball season is approaching quickly. Students hoping to make the team will need to be registered online, have a medical clearance form/current physical on file, and plan to attend both days of tryouts. We plan to have two teams for each grade/gender again. Once tryouts are complete, teams will practice Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays from either 3:30-5:00 or 5:00-6:30 and Friday mornings from 7:00-8:00. Students should bring basketball shoes and athletic clothes to tryouts. They should not bring their own ball. Tryout results will be emailed to the address used during registration. Please contact Andy Becker at AndyBecker@winnetka36.org with any questions.
Tryout dates/times
7th Boys: Monday, Oct 19 4:00-5:30 and Wednesday, Oct 21 3:30-5:00
8th Boys: Monday, Oct 19 2:30-4:00 and Wednesday, Oct 21 5:00-6:30
7th Girls: Tuesday, Oct 20 5:00-6:30 and Monday, Oct 26 2:30-3:45
8th Girls: Tuesday, Oct 20 3:30-5:00 and Monday, Oct 26 3:45-5:00
STE(A)M Club – Fall/Winter Session
Calling all makers, builders, coders, designers, and creative thinkers!
STE(A)M Club is a choice-based after-school space where students choose what they want to work on. They might design and build with LEGO, work with LEGO Robotics or VEX, create something for the 3D printers, explore Minecraft Education, code, invent, prototype, or pursue another STE(A)M idea that interests them.
The club is also a place for students to spend time together, collaborate, socialize, and connect with others who share similar interests. Students can work independently, team up with others, and move at their own pace.
When: Wednesdays, 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Dates: 10/14, 10/21, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16, 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27
Where: CW CoLab, Room N102
Who: Open to all Washburne students; no experience required.
Bring your curiosity, creativity, and an idea of what you might want to explore!
Unity Week is Oct 19-21!
Unity Week unites our district in kindness, acceptance, and inclusion as part of National Bullying Prevention Month. Through daily activities and October's focus on INVITED, we empower students to build a community where every child feels safe, valued, and welcome
Monthly Observances: Disability Awareness Month
Each October, we take time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions of individuals with disabilities in our schools, workplaces, and communities. It is an opportunity to highlight the importance of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunity for all.
You can refer to our monthly observance calendar here.
Extracurricular & Sports
Washburne offers a variety of clubs and sports. This is a list and is also shared on the Washburne Website.
Monday is Washburne Spirit Day
On Monday's we will wear our Washburne gear to celebrate our school.
Washburne Practices and Guidelines
These are friendly reminders about practices and guidelines related to Washburne: Practices and Guidelines 2026-2027
Hot Lunch
Washburne has a hot lunch program. You can find all the information here:
District Communication
The latest edition of The 36 Mix is out now! Be sure to check out the 3-6 Things to Know from The Winnetka Public Schools.
CONTACT WASHBURNE
Principal:
Dr. Luke Livingston
Assistant Principal:
Ms. Britta Dahlberg
Main Office Administrative Assistant:
Ms. Jen Pistorius
Entrance Monitor:
Ms. Mary Prahl
School Nurse:
Ms. Lisa Sweeney
Report an Absence:
Please call the school at (847) 446-5892 each and every day before 8:30 a.m. when your student is absent or tardy for any reason.