The Item Newsletter, Issue #7, November 16, 2014

IT'S TIME FOR THE BOOK FAIR! 

The Book Fair will take place in the Hubbard Woods Resource Center THIS WEEK: Wednesday, November 19 from 3 PM - 8 PM Thursday, November 20 from 8 AM - 10 AM. Look for fliers, catalogues and your child's wish list in backpacks this week. Teacher wish lists will be in the Resource Center during the fair as well. 

 

Add to your home library, your child's classroom library or get some holiday shopping done early. Proceeds benefit the Resource Center. Credit cards, cash and checks will be accepted. Please consider bringing a bag to bring your books home.

 

Book fair volunteers still needed! Your time commitment can be as little as 90 minutes. Click here to sign up.
This Week and Next
Wednesday, November 19 - Thursday, November 20
Book Fair in the Resource Center
Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28
Thanksgiving Break 
No school
News and Notes
Attention Parents Of Incoming Kindergarteners! 
Kindergarten registration will take place at Hubbard Woods on Friday, December 5 from 
9 AM - 11 AM for children who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2015.

An official birth certificate and proof of residency will be required of ALL students, including those with older siblings enrolled in the Winnetka Public Schools. Documents will be photocopied and returned at the time of registration. Please see the District 36 website for examples of documents to present as proof of residency. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 847-446-9400.

*For the first time, parents will have the option of completing the majority of their paperwork online. Forms will be available on the District website beginning November 23.
Only 10 DAYS LEFT in the 
Grand Food Center Challenge 
The classroom that collects the most 2014 receipts will get a McFlurry party. Each classroom has an envelope designated for the challenge, so have your kids bring in receipts to their classroom before Thanksgiving break. The Grand donates 3% of the sales to the Hubbard Woods PTO.
News From The Green Team:
Did you know that yesterday, November 15th, was 
America Recycles Day?
Several things are being done this week to celebrate: 
 - District-wide, all schools are putting an extra emphasis on lunchroom recycling the week of November 17 - 21.
 - Mary Allen from Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County will give a presentation on sustainability during the Hubbard Woods Town Hall Meeting this Friday, November 21. 

A Reason To Celebrate.....

Whoo Hoo! Hubbard Woods was recently awarded a grant from the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County in the amount of $2,500 to improve and increase our recycling and composting efforts at school. Details to follow on how the funds will be used.

Lastly, don't forget to collect plastic bags and wrap for the Trex Plastic Bag Challenge taking place now through April 15th. Deposit bags in the boxes in the school lobby or cafeteria.

A ZEN LIBRARIAN by Todd Burleson
The Hubbard Woods Resource Center added nearly 175 titles this month. Every single one of them was non-fiction. Click here to read more about how Common Core is shifting the balance in what students are reading.  
 
Children are naturally fascinated by the lives of real people and the world around them. And building background knowledge is key to children's academic success. Our resources can help you find great nonfiction picture books and offer tips on how to get the most out of reading nonfiction. Nonfiction can sometimes turn a reluctant reader into an enthusiastic one!*

* "Nonfiction for Kids | Reading Rockets." 2013. 10 Nov. 2014 <http://www.readingrockets.org/books/nonfiction-for-kids>

Kuddos
The PTO would like to thank Deb Shonfeld and Heather Smith for organizing and hosting the first teacher fun lunch of the year. The Italian feast was thoroughly enjoyed by all.  Thank you to Fran Fairman and her committee for clearing the native perennial beds for winter and for adding planters in the back drop off location. All of your efforts around the school are greatly appreciated. A shout out to Jen Hayes for spending a morning organizing and cleaning out the PTO closet. A Herculean task to say the least. A special thank you for Rachel Kozina for leading the Phyllis McMillan Book Collection effort. To date, nearly $700 has been contributed to enlarge the Resource Center collections. Speaking of the Resource Center, a huge thanks to Linda O'Toole and all of the members of the Birthday Book Committee for all your efforts to get this effort off the ground with great success. Given the overwhelming success of the program the committee's workload has been quite significant. Thank you! Bravo to all of those Hubbard Woods families who dropped off their pumpkins at the Public Works building for composting. Public Works expected to receive 100 pumpkins but collected closer to 900!

Last but certainly not least, the newsletter would not be complete without a very special thanks to Brooke Allen, Gina Dillig and the entire Fall Luncheon committee for organizing and hosting a wonderful luncheon. All present thoroughly enjoyed the special entertainment and the opportunity to gather and enjoy the company of fellow parents and teachers alike in a wonderfully warm and inviting setting. Thank you again.
Up Next
The deadline to submit content for the next issue of The Item is Monday, November 24. Submissions should be sent to hwitemeditor@gmail.com.
Looking Ahead
Friday, December 5
Kindergarten Registration 
in the Auditorium
Friday, December 5
Spirit Day -  wear your turquoise and white!
Lost and Found
You took the Plunge, 
Now Take Your Sweatshirt!
 
The school's Lost and Found is filling up quickly.Stop by to see if anything belongs to you.
Lunch Box







Ordering now open for December 1 - February 28, 2015. Ordering for the first week of this new session closes tomorrow, Monday, November 17. Log on today!  www.kiddoscatering.com.
The next Pizza Fun Lunch will be served on Friday, November 21.
A Friendly Reminder: 
Please send your child to school with a water bottle or other beverage for lunch, if you have not pre-purchased milk or juice.
Community Events
Drawing Contest!
The theme for this year's Screen Break Drawing contest is: 
Color Your Adventure. 
  • Drawings must be done on 8 1/2 x 11 paper
  • Use a black marker or felt tip pen only (for clearer copying)
  • Include your name, address, school, grade, email and phone number on the back of each drawing.
Drawings must be submitted to the library on or before Monday, January 19, 2015.
Details and entry forms are available here.
Claude Steele, Ph.D.
presents "Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do" on Monday, December 8 at 7 PM in the Evanston Township High School Auditorium. Click here for information.
Looking for a way to help this Thanksgiving?

Here are a few local opportunities: 
1. Donate fresh produce and/or a special treat (chocolate, shampoo, etc.) to the New Trier Food Pantry from Tuesday, November 18 through Monday, November 24, during business hours. 

2. Drop off a basket or a box of a variety of canned goods to the Good News Partners low income or subsidized housed families in Rogers Park on Thanksgiving morning from 10am - noon. Drop off food at the Jonquil Hotel, 1600 W. Jonquil, Chicago.

Click here for more information about both opportunities.