The 36 Mix: June 2026

Dear Winnetka Families, Staff and Community Members,

I recently shared this message and video with our educators during Teacher Appreciation Week. As we make our way through the busiest and most exciting month of the school year, it’s important to remember to thank the teachers and staff who make May the memorable time that it is for our students.

Thank you to our educators, who foster the Progressive Tenets that have defined The Winnetka Public Schools for more than 100 years: A Whole Child Approach, Meaningful and Experiential Learning and a Collaborative Community. In a Washburne student's words:

“The teachers are building our future.”

Thank you, teachers, for the incredible ways you meet the needs of our students each day. Below, you’ll find links to the latest edition of the “Winnetka Voices” podcast, featuring Mr. Agouridis and Ms. McCarthy, educators at The Skokie School who provide further insight into the ways our teachers work to meet the needs of all students.

The Winnetka Public Schools recently hosted our annual Retirement and Recognition event, celebrating staff members whose dedication and service have shaped generations of students. This year’s retirees represent an extraordinary 718 combined years of service to education. We honored their profound and lasting impact on the Winnetka community while also recognizing employees celebrating significant career milestones this year.

Congratulations to our retiring staff members:

Kate Edwards
Mary Lee
MaryAnn Maurantonio
Beth Migalla
Christine Ng
Marianne Siegel
Tracy Silverman
Guillermina Villegas
Gary Wendt
Melissa Wimer

Additionally, I would like to recognize the 75 individuals honored through our Painting Our Portrait staff recognition program during the 2025/2026 school year. Painting Our Portrait provides an opportunity to celebrate colleagues who exemplify the competencies outlined in our Portrait of an Educator.

I would also like to extend a special shout out to the following educators, who were most consistently recognized by their peers and the Central Office Team throughout the school year:

Christine Ng (Crow Island School)
Danny Spiekerman (Hubbard Woods School)
Kathy Lee (Hubbard Woods School)
Lillian Johnston (Crow Island School)
Michelle Cooney (The Skokie School)
Rachel Hirsh (Carleton Washburne School)
Sehar Siddiqui (Greeley School)

One very special first grade teacher, Greeley’s Sarah Hanley, received overall recognition for consistently going above and beyond in all areas of our Portrait of an Educator. Congratulations, Ms. Hanley!

The impact of our educators is both lasting and profound. We are deeply grateful to all members of The Winnetka Public Schools staff for fostering safe, welcoming and innovative environments where students can learn, grow and thrive.

Most Sincerely,

Dr. Kelly Tess

Superintendent of Schools

• School Board Meeting Recap
• Spring Safety Bulletin
• New Episode of "Winnetka Voices"
• Register for 26/27
• Health Forms Due for 26/27
• Reminder for New Kindergarten Families: May 27 Informational Session

• The School Board shared a State of our Schools presentation with a focus on student growth and meeting the needs of all students, progress toward literacy efforts, family and staff satisfaction and proactive fiscal management regarding facilities needs.

• Results of a Safety Audit were presented by Board-Certified Physical Security Professional Paul Timm, who affirmed the District’s efforts toward improving Safety & Security practices while also noting that staff members making sound decisions is always the most important factor in upholding safety in schools.

• Justin Veihman will join The Winnetka Public Schools' as the new Chief School Business Official on July 1, 2026. He is already collaborating with Dr. Tess and Interim CSBO, Ms. Yasmine Dada, to ensure a smooth transition into the role. Mr. Veihman most recently served as CSBO for Palos Community Consolidated School District 118, where he oversaw the district’s financial and operational performance, including budgeting, facilities, transportation, risk management and human resources. He brings a strong track record of strategic planning, fiscal stewardship, and collaborative leadership, having led major initiatives including a successful operating rate referendum, capital improvement projects and long-range financial planning efforts.

• Also on July 1, Britta Dahlberg will join the District as Assistant Principal at Carleton Washburne School. Britta brings 18 years of experience in education, including 15 years of middle school and high school teaching, with a strong foundation in 6th–8th grade mathematics. She has served as a Dean of Culture and Dean of Students, leading school wide efforts around student culture and safety while managing and developing multidisciplinary teams of counselors, social workers, psychologists and culture staff.

The full Board Packet for the May 2026 meeting is available here.

When we say that safety and security is our highest priority in Winnetka, we mean it. Director of Safety & Security, Mr. Ray Finnerty, shares The Winnetka Public Schools' Spring 2026 Safety Bulletin (a collaborative effort with the Village of Winnetka Police and Fire Departments) as part of our ongoing efforts to support safety in the Winnetka community. Please take time to review this information with your family.

Veteran Winnetka educator Mr. Steve Agouridis and new-to-Winnetka teacher Ms. Kate McCarthy join Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, for a thoughtful conversation about differentiation to meet the needs of every learner. Together, they explore how differentiated instruction looks in Winnetka classrooms and reflect on effectively teaching students with different interests and learning styles. Learn more about how Winnetka teachers build connections with students, facilitate experiential and meaningful learning and consider the whole child to differentiate for every student.

Listen here:

Apple Podcast

Amazon

Spotify

iHeart

Annual Online Registration is now open here. Details such as the Snapcode needed for Registration were sent to families via email. If you did not receive this information or have any questions, please contact Maria Perez, District Registrar, at 847-446-9400 or mariaperez@winnetka36.org. Please register at your earliest convenience in order to ensure the District can best plan for staffing needs for the upcoming school year.

Additionally, please note the following:

50% Discount on Bus Transportation for 2026/2027

The District is offering optional, parent-paid bus service with a 50% reduced flat fee, approved by the School Board. Registration is completed separately via Revtrak.

Transportation Fees & Deadlines:

• $515 flat fee: April 14 – July 10, 2026

• $565 flat fee: July 11 – August 1, 2026

One flat fee applies whether your student rides AM only, PM only, or round-trip. No additional discounts are available for one-way service or multiple riders.Registration is open through August 1, 2026.

Please review this information to plan for the 2026/2027 school year.

To ensure our newest families are up to speed on the latest information shared with families, please see this communication regarding Full Day Kindergarten, sent on April 30, 2026.

Join the Winnetka elementary principals and Kindergarten staff for an informational session focused on Kindergarten in The Winnetka Public Schools. Topics include a review of a typical Kindergarten school day, an overview of the curriculum, and an exploration of the philosophy of Kindergarten education in The Winnetka Public Schools.

May 27, 2026 at 6:15 p.m.

Location: Your Family’s Respective Elementary Building