36 Mix: April 2026
March 27, 2026
Dear Winnetka Families, Staff, and Community,
As we head into Spring Break, I’d like to recognize a few individuals and groups whose efforts reflect excellence in our school community.
First, I want to commend Mr. Andy Becker, Kinetic Wellness teacher and Athletic Director at Washburne. While attending recent weekend basketball games, Mr. Becker quickly responded when an attendee required medical attention. His calm, decisive actions exemplify the care and responsibility we value in our dedicated educators.
I would also like to thank the many staff and PTO leaders, volunteers, and student steering committee members who made this year’s Dance Marathon a success, raising $63,449.93 for Lurie Children’s Hospital. We are incredibly proud of the ways our students helped champion a meaningful cause with the support of teachers and families.
I appreciate the deep commitment of our Administration, who presented a robust Mid-Year Update to our School Board on Tuesday. We have made significant strides toward our Strategic Aims and that would not be possible without the partnership of educators who truly uphold the Tenets of Progressive Education: Whole Child Approach, Experiential and Meaningful Learning and a Collaborative Community. While there will be always be new goals to set and new priorities to pursue, the leadership team’s commitment to continuous growth is evident in the way they speak about their aims and supporting their teams.
Finally, I want to recognize our construction and architecture partners at Bulley & Andrews and Perkins & Will for submitting the Crow Island School renovation project for a Merit Award with the Chicago Building Congress. I had the opportunity to present with these teams last week, and we look forward to the announcement in May.
I wish you all a safe, restful Spring Break and look forward to all the joy that is to come in our schools this spring.
Most Sincerely,
Dr. Kelly Tess
Superintendent of Schools
- School Board Meeting Recap
- New Math Curriculum Recommended to School Board
- New Episode of "Winnetka Voices" on Kindergarten in The Winnetka Public Schools
- Upcoming Winnetka Parents Institute Event on MTSS
- Safety Information from the Village
The Winnetka Public Schools has completed a comprehensive review of its K–8 mathematics program to ensure a coherent, engaging, and rigorous learning experience for all students. Led by the Department of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, this work began in November 2023 and reflects the District’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and to providing all students with access to high-quality mathematics instruction.
At the March 24 School Board Work Session, the Math Leadership Team recommended adopting Innovamat for Grades K–4 and Big Ideas Math & You for Grades 5–8, with implementation beginning in the 2026–27 school year. This recommendation is the result of a collaborative, districtwide process involving 44 educators who participated in a year-long pilot from January-December 2025. During this time, teachers implemented lessons, observed student learning and gathered feedback from students and families. These insights, along with classroom observations and research, helped inform the final recommendation.
Innovamat (K–4) was selected for its strong emphasis on conceptual understanding, problem solving, and student discourse. Its spiraled design supports students in revisiting and strengthening key concepts over time while providing built-in opportunities for differentiation. Big Ideas Math & You (5–8) offers a flexible and comprehensive program that supports both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency, while providing teachers with a wide range of tools to meet diverse student needs.
Along with the introduction of new materials, a key shift will occur in Grade 6. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, all Grade 6 students will take Course 1, the first course in the middle school advanced mathematics sequence. Placement into Grade 7 coursework will continue to be decided at the end of Grade 6 and will be based on demonstrated student performance over time, helping ensure that decisions reflect each student’s readiness. This approach expands access to rigorous mathematics while maintaining multiple pathways for students to Algebra in Grade 8 or Grade 9.
To ensure a successful transition, the district is developing additional supports, including expanded access to digital learning tools and increased instructional support both during the school year and over the summer. Implementation will be supported through professional learning, coaching, and Professional Learning Communities to ensure continued success for all learners.
Parents can expect further communication surrounding the rollout of the new math curriculum as the 2026–27 school year gets underway. This will include opportunities to learn more about the resources and how they can best support their student at home.
Season 4, Episode 4: Kindergarten Confidential
Mr. Phillip Burchell and Ms. Christina Venos, Kindergarten teachers in The Winnetka Public Schools, join Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess for an engaging conversation about this formative year in school. They share insights into how early literacy, social skills, and curiosity are developed through creating opportunities for play and fostering a love of learning. Tune in to hear how Winnetka’s youngest students begin their educational journey. As Mr. Burchell notes, “At the end of the day, we’re building good humans and that is the most important part of all of it.”
Listen here:
April 8, 2026
9:30 A.M.
Location: Virtual
Join MTSS Coordinator, Stephanie Larenas, for an informational session on the District's MTSS practices, which serve as the foundation of understanding across the District as we provide continued support for students. This three-tiered model ensures consistent teaching and learning for all students, support for students who already understand, and supports for those students who may need additional review. Learn more about how we gauge student learning and progress, how we respond to student understanding, how we differentiate the need for in-class instruction and intervention support, and how we determine what student progress looks like.
Join Zoom Webinar
https://winnetka36.zoom.us/j/88101519884?pwd=41SftLug6HIATUxTNArxGuuiFfMGfu.1
Webinar ID: 881 0151 9884
Passcode: 628458
