The Item Newsletter, Issue #12, February 1, 2015
LAST DAY TO RSVP IS TUESDAY!
You won't want to miss the Parent/Faculty Party - live music, delicious southern style food and great company. No need to dress up (country or otherwise). COME CASUAL! 
Click here to pay online or drop a check in the office at school. Questions? Contact Kirby Doonan, kirbynowlin@hotmail.com, or Sarah Alshouse, sarahalshouse@yahoo.com
IT'S NOMINATING SEASON!
Well, it isn't exactly the Oscars but it is time to start the nomination process for the PTO's 2015-16 Executive Board. The nominating committee will meet in February to compile a list of candidates for each available position. If you are interested in being on the nominating committee please contact Heather Pigott (heather.pigott@live.com) ASAP.  
Likewise, if you are interested in being on the Executive Board please contact Heather as well. Currently there are six slated positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Communications. The VP and Assistant Treasurer positions require a 2 year commitment as those individuals move into the President and Treasurer roles in year two. Members of the Executive Board meet once a month to discuss overall PTO programming, fundraising, and budget allocation.
This Week and Next
Tuesday, February 3 - PARCC Workshop for Parents
7 PM at NOW AT SKOKIE SCHOOL.
Wednesday, February 4 - World Traveler Travelogue
Thursday, February 5 - 2nd Grade Storyteller Jane Stenson 6:30-7:30 PM in the Hubbard Woods Resource Center, for second graders and their families
Friday, February 6 - World Traveler Lunch
Friday, February 6 - School Spirit Day
Wear your turquoise!
Friday, February 6 - Parent/Faculty Party
6:30 PM at the Happ Inn
News and Notes
PACK YOUR BAGS for
World Travelers!   
World Travelers' second voyage of the year will take place this week! The children will learn about the history, culture and tradition of Afghanistan on Wednesday, February 4 and enjoy a variety of delicious child friendly foods on Friday, February 6. Questions? Please contact TineTschackert at tinesebastian@hotmail.com.
PARCC Workshop for Parents - LOCATION CHANGE!
There is an evening PARCC Parent Information Session scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, from 7-8 PM. Please note, the location has been changed to the Skokie School Auditorium to accommodate high parental demand. Please RSVP to Leslie Jenner at lesliejenner@winnetka36.org or call 847-446-6060.
FAMILY MATH NIGHT IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4!
Please join us for a fun evening filled with math related games and activities.
If you would like to volunteer or help with the event please contact Neilly Hallermann, neillyhallermann@gmail.com.
A ZEN LIBRARIAN - By Todd Burleson
February is African-American History Month.
Click here for some tips and tools to help your child make even more sense of the history and accomplishments of famous African-Americans. Resources include interactive web tools, picture books and timelines!
Sincerely,
Todd Burleson
Community Events
ANSWER THE CALL!
Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Annual Phone-A-Thon Kicks Off Next Sunday
For over 20 years WPSF has raised funds through the Phone-a-thon, its sole fundraiser, to support programs in Winnetka's public schools that go above and beyond what could be achieved with tax dollars alone (e.g. our own WGST, Artists in Residence, Star Lab, the Earth Balloon, Writer's Workshop, Froebel Blocks and much more).
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. 
"Strategies For Using Technology At Home" Series
Part 1: Webinar, March 11, 9:30-11 AM, Register here 
Part 2: In-Person Workshop, March 18, 1-2:30 PM, Register here

Also, Save the Date:
Screen Break Week kicks off on Sunday, March 1st. Click here for a schedule of events.
Film Screening: "The Mask You Live In" An Exploration of American Masculinity 
Monday, February 9, 7 PM at New Trier High School's Winnetka Campus. Click here for more information.
Looking Ahead
Monday, February 16
No School, Presidents' Day observed
Thursday, February 19
No School, Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, February 20
No School, Parent Teacher Conferences
Lost & Found
Oh boys, grab your athletic wear!
Stop by Lost and Found to see what you're missing. 
Lunch Box

Lunch ordering is NOW OPEN for March 2 - End of Year. Place your order by February 22 to receive lunches for the week of March 2. Log on today: 
The next Pizza Fun Lunch will be served on Friday, February 13.
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
An enormous thank you to the parents who stepped up this week to aid our Math Facilitator, Judith Campbell, with a major project she is preparing for our children. Danielle Wylie, Justine Cody, Sarah Graham, Joy Wiitala, Florie Park and Heather Boulanger, thank you! Also, thank you to Judith Campbell for going the extra mile with our school's math program. We're very grateful for your dedication.
Kudos to Sarah Padgitt for running such a smooth and highly successful Grand Foods receipt collection program this year. Lastly, a note of appreciation to Deb Shonfeld and Heather Smith for orchestrating yet another wonderful faculty fun lunch, an event which is so appreciated by the faculty.
Up Next
The deadline to submit content for the next issue of The Item is Monday, February 9. Submissions should be sent to hwitemeditor@gmail.com.