Hubbard Woods Family Newsletter

Dear Hubbard Woods Families,

Over the past two weeks, our school has been filled with joy, creativity, and rich traditions. From the excitement of our Ghost Walk to the proud moments in our kindergarten classrooms with the culmination of the monarch butterflies and so many things in between, there have been countless reasons to celebrate our community.

One of my favorite moments was joining Mrs. Kuzel’s class to watch a video capturing the transformation from chrysalis to monarch butterfly. The students’ amazement and wonder as they watched the butterfly emerge was truly special. It was a moment of awe that I will carry with me. These moments of curiosity and discovery reflect the incredible learning that happens every day at Hubbard Woods.

The Ghost Walk was another highlight. It was wonderful to see the care and creativity that went into each costume and the joy on students’ faces as they paraded through the halls and along the sidewalk onto the blacktop with our 4th graders dancing to Thriller. A special thank you to our classroom parents and our amazing staff who made the afternoon so engaging with hands-on crafts, games, and activities. Your efforts help make these experiences so memorable for our children.

As we move into the next three weeks before Thanksgiving break, I know time will fly by. Let’s make the most of these days, filled with learning, fun , and continued connection as a community.

All the best,

Ivory

Thank you to all families for your partnership and engagement during fall conferences—and for your patience as we introduced our new Parents’ Meeting (SchoolCloud) scheduling platform. Your feedback helps us continue improving the experience for future conferences.

Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts using the brief survey below: Parent Feedback Survey

We appreciate your continued collaboration in strengthening the partnership between home and school.

We are excited to share that a District Therapy Dog initiative will launch later this fall. The introduction of a Therapy Dog supports our commitment to the whole-child approach to education, nurturing the social and emotional well-being of every student and staff member. We are excited about the potential of this initiative to bring comfort, joy, and connection to our schools and are committed to ensuring that the Therapy Dog is introduced to our schools with care and student safety at the forefront. Look for an official introduction to this new member of our community later this fall. The program will feature Winnie, a certified therapy dog owned and handled by Mr. Ray Finnerty, Director of Safety and Security.

Starting in December, Winnie will accompany Mr. Finnerty throughout his day as he visits our schools. Her presence is intended to enhance the supportive, safe, and welcoming environment we strive to provide for all students. Winnie will always remain under Mr. Finnerty’s supervision and will not be left alone with students at any time.

We recognize, however, that some students or families may prefer that their child not interact with Winnie. To accommodate all preferences, we are offering the opportunity to opt out of any direct contact or interaction with Winnie. Students who opt out will continue to have a full and positive school experience; no explanation for the opt out is required.

If you do not wish for your child to have contact or interaction with Winnie, please complete the attached form by November 14, 2025.

Each November, we celebrate Native American Indian Heritage Month by honoring the rich cultures, traditions, and histories of Native Americans. It is a time to recognize their many contributions and to learn more about the diverse heritage that continues to shape our nation.

New issue of the District’s monthly newsletter, The 36 Mix, out now!

Join the second in a three-part series that will explore the District’s Progressive Education Tenets. Learn about what Experiential and Meaningful Learning means and how it comes alive in our classrooms.

November 12, 2025

9:30 A.M. in Washburne Cafeteria

Interested: RSVP here

Following the event a link will be provided to the taped presentation on the website. Feedback Link

Practice Remote Learning Activity on November 6, 2025:

To ensure our students are prepared for any potential shift to remote learning due to multiple days of inclement weather, we have planned a proactive practice activity. This practice session is an important step in ensuring that our students remain connected and ready for learning should inclement weather occur.

• Date for Device Take-Home: On Thursday, November 6, all students will bring their school-issued iPads home.

• Objective: The goal is for each student to connect their device to their home Wi-Fi network and ensure they have access to the necessary tools and platforms.

• Return of Devices: Please ensure that the devices are returned to school with your child on Friday, November 7.

• Communication: Additional communication and reminders, as well as a form to record any issues your student experiences, will be sent closer to this practice event.

As we approach the winter months, it is important to review our district's inclement weather policy. Our top priority is always the safety of our students and staff. We take a comprehensive and thoughtful approach when faced with weather-related decisions such as heavy snow or extreme cold, and work closely with our township and Village partners to plan accordingly.

In the event of a closure, we will communicate with you through our Blackboard system. This includes:

• Phone Call, Email, and Text: Please ensure you've opted-in for text notifications.

• Website Updates: Visit our website at www.winnetka36.org for up-to-date information regarding school closures.

• Regional Closures: Check the Emergency Closing Center for a comprehensive list of school closures in our region.

• Communication Timing: Our goal is to finalize and communicate any closure decision prior to 6 a.m. on that day.

Handling School Closure Days:

• First Inclement Weather Day: The first closure day will be treated as a traditional “snow day,” and will require adding an extra day to the school year in June.

• Subsequent Days: For any additional inclement weather days, we will shift to remote learning in order to ensure that we do not need to extend the school year further into June.

Remote Learning Details:

• Teacher Communication: Email as well as postings in our Learning Management Systems (Grades 5-8 - Schoology, Grades K-4 - Seesaw) will be utilized. Parents can expect communication from their homeroom or advisory teacher by 8:00 a.m.

• Student Experience: Remote learning will follow the typical school schedule, combining synchronous and asynchronous methods. For our K-4 students, related arts teachers will now join their homeroom teacher’s Zoom so that our younger students do not need to manage leaving and joining different Zoom sessions.

• Special Education Services: Students receiving services will have these services provided to the greatest extent possible, coordinated by the case manager or service provider.

• Remote Learning Schedule: The schedules that will be used for remote learning can be viewed here.

Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we prepare for the possibility of inclement weather. Thank you for your continued support.

• Thursday, November 6th - Remote Learning Practice Date (Devices go home and returned Friday)
• Tuesday, November 18th - School Board Meeting at 7:15pm at Washburne
• Monday, November 24th-28th - No School/ Thanksgiving Week
• Wednesday, December 17th - Winter Sing (Times TBD)