The Item Newsletter, Issue #11, January 18, 2015
HEY Y'ALL! HAVE YOU RSVP'D YET?
Come celebrate the school we love COUNTRY STYLE at the Parent/Faculty party on Friday, February 6th, 6:30 PM at the Happ Inn. You should have received an invitation by email.
Please RSVP by January 27th.
New this year: Click here to pay online or drop a check in the office at school. Hope to see you there!
Questions? Contact Kirby Doonan, kirbynowlin@hotmail.com, or Sarah Alshouse, sarahalshouse@yahoo.com
This Week and Next
Monday, January 19 - No School
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Thursday, January 29 - PARCC Workshop for Parents
1-2 PM in The Hubbard Woods Resource Center
News and Notes
DO YOU UNDERSTAND
THE PARCC TEST?
This new standardized test, mandated by the State, will take approximately 13 hours to complete and will require a significant degree of computer proficiency from our children. Also, it is worth noting, the Computer Lab in the Resource Center will not be available for two months due to testing. The best way to understand the test is to answer sample test questions.

Hubbard Woods will offer parents a practice test opportunity on Thursday, January 29 from 1-2 PM in the Resource Center Computer Lab. Computers are limited so please RSVP to danielryan@winnetka36.org. In addition, there will be an evening session at Greeley School from 7-8 PM on Tuesday, February 3rd. Please RSVP for this evening event by contacting Leslie Jenner at Greeley School, lesliejenner@winnetka36.org or 847-446-6060.
The PTO strongly encourages all parents who are able
to attend one of these sessions.
EXECUTIVE SLATE FOR 2015-16
The Hubbard Woods PTO is beginning the nomination process for the 2015-16 Executive Board. If you are interested in being on the Nominations Committee or serving on the Executive Board next year please contact Heather Pigott at heather.pigott@live.com by February 13.
WORLD TRAVELERS - UPCOMING VOYAGE
Mark your calendars. Our second voyage of the year will be Afghanistan! Learn about the history, culture and tradition of Afghanistan from an Afghani American bodybuilder and his wife on Wednesday, February 4.
Enjoy a variety of delicious child friendly foods on Friday, February 6. Look for flyers to come home is your child's backpack on Friday, January 23. They will be due on Friday, January 30.
A ZEN LIBRARIAN - By Todd Burleson
Have you ever wondered who that guy is that your kids talk about who works up in the library? Have you ever wondered where he came from and what makes him tick? Well, if you answered yes to either or both of those questions, then you'll want to click here to read about your Resource Center Director, Todd Burleson.
Community Events
"Redshirting" Workshop
    
Friday, January 23 at 9:30 AM at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Kenilworth. The Alliance For Early Childhood will host a free workshop for parents and educators facilitated by Dr. Samuel J. Meisels, a nationally recognized expert on the topic of "redshirting". Click here for more information.
Film Screening: "The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz"
...a powerful film about the life and tragic death of programming prodigy and Internet activist (and Highland Park native) Aaron Swartz.   
Film screening with commentary by Lawrence Lessig of Harvard Law School, and a panel consisting of Bob Swartz, Aaron's father, film director Brian Knappenberger and Professor Lessig. Sunday, January 25 from 1-4 PM at New Trier High School's Winnetka Campus. Click here 
for more information. 
Learn More About The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation on Thursday, January 29th   
Please join The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation for a fun evening out to learn more about the many wonderful things the Foundation does for our Winnetka Public Schools. The event will be held on Thursday, January 29, from 6:30-8:30 PM and will include cocktails and a short presentation. All Winnetka 36 parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please RSVP to Sandy Welch at chicagowelch@sbcglobal.net.
Have questions? Please call 847-441-7559 or visit our website: www.wpsf.org to find out how you can help us dream bigger and achieve more!
Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Annual Phone-A-Thon Kicks Off!
The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation is gearing up for their annual Phone-a-thon! For over 20 years WPSF has raised funds through Phone-a-thon, their sole fundraiser, to support programs in Winnetka's public schools that go above and beyond what could be achieved with tax dollars alone. Many of the teacher-inspired ideas such as Columbia Teachers College Writer's Workshop and flipped classrooms, initially funded by the Foundation, have become a permanent part of our schools' 
outstanding curriculum.
Please answer the call from a board member on either Sunday February 8 or Monday February 9! Or, if you would prefer to donate prior to the call, you may visit WPSF's website at www.wpsf.org and you will not be contacted via phone. 
Looking Ahead
Tuesday, February 3, 7 PM
PARCC Workshop for Parents at Greeley School
Wednesday, February 4
World Travelers Lecture
Friday, February 6
World Travelers Lunch
Friday, February 6
School Spirit Day
Wear your turquoise!
Friday, February 6
Parent/Faculty Party, 6:30 PM at the Happ Inn
Lost & Found
Colorful North Face items and all "the other" gloves you've been looking for!
Stop by Lost and Found to see what you're missing. 
Lunch Box

Ordering now open for January - February 28, 2015. Log on today! 
The next Pizza Fun Lunch will be served on Friday, January 23.
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.
Kudos
A big thanks to all of the Hubbard Woods families who donated to the 3rd and
4th grade service projects in December. 
The 3rd graders did a fantastic job of collecting hats, gloves and scarves for 
The Night Ministry, an organization that helps the homeless in Chicago. They also worked hard during their holiday parties to create twelve beautiful fleece blankets that were used as holiday gifts. 
The 4th grade food drive was a huge success and 
the New Trier Food Pantry received a large donation of food just in time for the 
holiday season.Thanks to you and the hard work of 
these kids, Hubbard Woods is making a difference in the lives of others. Many thanks to the 3rd and 4th grade teams for spearheading these projects! Lastly, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the hard work of Sara McClain, PTO Community Outreach Chair, who has overseen and supported these, and other, community outreach efforts.  Thanks Sara! 
Up Next
The deadline to submit content for the next issue of The Item is Monday, January 26. Submissions should be sent to hwitemeditor@gmail.com.