Monday Memo

Dear Washburne Families,

We had a fantastic first week of school last week. Students spent time with their advisories, learned their schedules, and we came together as a school to kick off the year.

This week, we are settling into our normal routine. Additionally, some clubs are starting this week for any interested students. Students receive daily updates from their advisors, and the information is also linked below.

Luke Livingston

Principal

Ben Horwitz

Assistant Principal

September:

Thursday, September 18 | Washburne Go to School Night 6pm

Monday, September 22 | Institute Day Non-Attendance Day for Students

Tuesday, September 23 | No School Rosh Hashanah

Wednesday, September 24 | Skokie and Washburne Principal Coffee 10am

Friday, September 26 | Washburne Picture Day

Friday, September 26 | Washburne Back to School Bash 3:30pm

WIN (Formerly X-block) Starting this week:

During a typical week, we have WIN (What I Need) sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, providing students with enrichment or support. The focus of WIN is on academics, with teachers assigning students to specific locations, while all staff members support students during this time. This week, students will participate in this process for the first time as we follow our usual schedule. As the year progresses, students will transition through their assigned locations.

Extracurricular Club Updates:

Homework Club:

Starting Tuesday, September 9! Need math homework help after school? Want to finish up that essay before you go to lacrosse or play practice? Does IXL have your head spinning? Come to Homework Club in the RC for a place to do your homework and get assistance if needed. There are always teachers there to help! Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30-5:00. Stay for a little while or the whole time. No sign up needed. Check in with Ms. Nelson in the RC with any questions.

Gender and Sexualities Alliance Club (GSA)

Washburne's GSA (Gender and Sexualities Alliance) will begin their weekly meetings on Tuesday, September 9th in N106 (Ms. Etter's classroom) from 3:30-4:30pm. Join us to hang out with friends, eat snacks, and discuss issues affecting LGBTQ+ students and their allies around Washburne. All are welcome, regardless of identity.

Debate Club

Debate Club will have their first weekly meeting of the year on Thursday, September 25th in N106 (Ms. Etter's classroom) from 3:30-4:30pm. Join us to debate other New Trier feeder schools in two cross-school competitions and build up your argumentative skills!

New Trier Placement Test (8th Grade Only):

The New Trier Placement Test dates are Saturday, November 15th or Saturday, November 22nd. This year, families will be able to choose one of the two test days. Families will receive a communication from New Trier in early October with a link to sign up for one of the November test dates. The dates are also available on the New Trier website.

Monthly Observances:

As part of The Winnetka Public Schools' ongoing commitment to equity by fostering connection and belonging, our schools will take time each month to recognize the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds. Observances will look different at all schools and even at different grade levels. Some activities might include art, music, book studies, research projects, sharing cultural holidays and celebrations, and other school activities.For the month of September we are celebrating Latin X Heritage Month as well as Patriot’s Day.

Latin X Heritage:

In September, we celebrate LatinX Heritage Month in the United States each year. This tradition began in 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Week. The dates for LatinX Heritage Month were chosen to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of many Latin American nations when they declared independence from Spain.

During LatinX Heritage Month, we celebrate the countless contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to our nation. We also take this time to recognize the trailblazing individuals who fought for progress and equity for their communities. Throughout this month, teachers will incorporate this into their classrooms with age and grade appropriate materials. In addition, our library will be sharing some resources for families at home. You can access two of the resources here:

Families can learn more about LatinX Heritage Month here.
You can access our library collection via Destiny here: Destiny collection

Patriot’s Day:

As a school, we will celebrate Patriot’s Day on September 11th, a national day of remembrance for those who lost their lives on that day in 2001. In the morning, our school community will observe a moment of silence following the Pledge of Allegiance.

Winnetka Parent Institute (WPI):

We're kicking off our Winnetka Parents Institute program on September 10. Check out the 25/26 schedule here with details on our first event below!

Empowered to Think: How Progressive Math Classrooms Build Confidence, Curiosity, and Community

September 10, 2025

Time: 9:30AM

Location: Washburne RC

Join us for an engaging and participatory Winnetka Parent Institute focused on how our evolving approach to math education aligns with the District’s Portrait of a Graduate and progressive educational tenets. Grounded in approaches like Building Thinking Classrooms, this session will showcase how collaborative, thinking-rich environments empower students to become confident problem solvers, persistent thinkers, and effective collaborators.

Through firsthand experience with the kinds of tasks students encounter in today's classrooms, you’ll learn how instructional strategies are intentionally designed to promote the 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice and develop positive math dispositions. We’ll also connect these shifts to Winnetka’s curriculum review and pilot process, highlighting how we’re identifying programs that both challenge and support all learners while staying true to our progressive roots.

Interested:

RSVP here

Feedback Link

Improving Parent Communication of Student Learning

In response to parent feedback, District 36 is enhancing how families access student information through the integration of three tools designed to improve communication, transparency, and ease of use.

PowerSchool: Digital Document Delivery & Parent Portal Library
The PowerSchool Parent Portal now delivers official school documents such as PDFs of assessment results that were traditionally mailed home directly. Families will receive email notifications when new files are posted for viewing download.

Within the new Parent Portal Document Library tab, documents and student-specific resources will be stored throughout the year. We will build out individualized folders over time to ensure easy, centralized access to important information related to your student.

Otus: Student Data Dashboard
Otus allows families to view academic and social-emotional assessment results (e.g., MAP, DIBELS, aimswebPlus, SSIS, IAR, ISA) in a clear, visual format. This platform supports richer conversations with teachers and provides ongoing insight into student growth. Parents will receive student access codes via email on September 8. These codes will also be stored in your student’s Document Library in PowerSchool.

Parents Meeting: Simplified Conference Scheduling
Launching this fall, Parents Meeting will allow families to book conferences, view meeting details, and attend virtually if needed through one platform. Account setup instructions will be shared the week of September 22 in preparation for fall conference sign-ups opening up on October 3 at 12 p.m.

Please review the attached image for a detailed view of important parent communications dates throughout this school year.(Image to include)

iPad Insurance:

Important Deadlines for Optional Programs and Services - September 30, 3025 All registrations are available through RevTrak: https://winnetka.revtrak.net/

Registration for the following optional fees, programs, and services closes on September 30:

Kindergarten Stay & Play
iPad Insurance
Elementary & Skokie Milk Fees

Securly App:

As a reminder, parents have access to the Securly Home app, which allows you to partner with us in supporting safe and responsible technology use. With Securly Home, you can manage and view your child’s online activity while at home, set filters, and receive notifications. To learn more and access setup instructions, please review this guide: Securly Home Resource.

Volunteer Center Junior Board:

The Junior Board at the Volunteer Center is a dynamic group of 6th-8th graders in New Trier township passionate about making a difference in their community. Through hands-on service projects, leadership development, and team collaboration, board members gain invaluable experience while giving back. It’s an incredible opportunity for youth to develop skills, connect with peers, and create meaningful change. Whether you're looking to make new friends or build leadership skills, the Junior Board is where tomorrow’s leaders start today!

Junior Board Volunteer Center Information