The Item Newsletter, Issue #19, May 18, 2015
A ZEN LIBRARIAN - By Todd Burleson
Reflections on the "Cycle:"  
Five Years of Learning in the Resource Center
What in the world does baseball have to do with the Zen Librarian?  A lot more than you might think.  Click the LINK to read about one librarian's first five years in the 'Big Leagues.' It's guaranteed to be more fun than a box of Cracker Jacks!

(Side note from the PTO: if you're curious about the two new learning spaces planned for Hubbard Woods, click on the link above for more information!)
This Week and Next
Friday, May 22
Early Dismissal, No school in the afternoon
Monday, May 25
Memorial Day, No school
Tuesday, May 26
Safety Patrol and 4th Grade Pizza Fun Lunch
Wednesday, May 27
Field Day
Friday, May 29, 3:30-5 PM
WPD Bike Rodeo, HW Playground
News and Notes
Saddle Up! The Bike Rodeo Is Friday, May 29
From 3:30-5 PM
Every year the Winnetka Police Department hosts a Bicycle Rodeo to mark the end of Bicycle Safety Week - the week that 2nd graders throughout Winnetka learn about bicycle safety and earn the right to ride their bike to school.

All students, regardless of grade, are invited to attend the rodeo on Friday, May 29th from 3:30-5 PM on the Hubbard Woods Playground. Children who attend can get a free bike safety check, register their bikes (parents' bikes too!) and play fun games. Please bring your bicycle helmets...they're required!
THE HUBBARD WOODS PTO NEEDS YOU!
Volunteer to help the PTO next year. It's a great way to get involved at Hubbard Woods School. Please complete the Volunteer Interest Form TODAY by CLICKING HERE.

It takes a village of wonderful parent volunteers to successfully run our many PTO programs like the book fair, world travelers, art smart, pizza fun lunch, field day, math night, buddy families and the yearbook. We have opportunities to fit every interest and schedule. Please take 5 minutes to fill out the form and indicate which committees you might be interested in helping with next school year.
Questions can be directed to the PTO at [email protected].
Volunteer for FIELD DAY  
Be a part of one of the most fun-filled days of the year at Hubbard Woods. Field Day will take place on Wednesday, May 27, rain or shine.
Sign up to volunteer by CLICKING HERE.
Questions? Please contact your Field Day co-chairs Anne Ross ([email protected]) and Andrea Mercuri ([email protected]).
Buddy Families Needed
Each August we welcome many new families to the Hubbard Woods School community. You can help make their transitions easier by volunteering to be a Buddy Family!  

 

As a Buddy Family you will be paired with a new family with children similar in age. There is a get-to-know-you playground playdate and school tour for the new families the week before school starts.  It's a great opportunity to show your HW community spirit and meet new friends at the same time!  If you'd like to be a Buddy Family please contact Nidhi Singh ([email protected]) or Stephanie Meyer ([email protected]).
McFlurry Party Anyone?
Bring in your 2015 Grand Foods receipts on or before Wednesday, May 27 to take part in our last Grand Foods Challenge of the year. The classroom that collects the most receipts will win an end-of-the-year McFlurry Party!   
Questions? Please contact Regi Carfagnini, [email protected]  
Want Your Contact Information Included In The Hubbard Woods Directory?
This year the PTO will be collecting School Directory information via the Winnetka Public Schools online registration system (registration is now open). This will be your only chance to submit student/parent information for inclusion in both the paper and mobile directories, so please be sure to complete this section. Questions? Contact Lori Miralles at [email protected]
ATTENTION all lovers of rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, turtles, birds and other small animals!  Winnetka's Adventures in Learning/Animal Care Class is back this summer beginning Monday, June 15th.  If your son's or daughter's small animal (or you) is due for a brief break this summer, please email Anna at [email protected]. Attempts at permanent adoptions can also be made if it is time to pass your pet on to another loving family.
Looking Ahead
Thursday, June 4, 7:45-8:30 AM
Fourth Grade Farewell, Hubbard Woods Auditorium
Thursday, June 4
Last Day of School,
2:45 PM Dismissal
Lunch Box
The next Pizza Fun Lunch will be served on Friday, May 29
Community News
Park-A-Day Challenge 
The Alliance for Early Childhood will host its annual Park A Day Challenge from Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12 from 9am-noon each day. Click here for a detailed schedule of parks and activities.
Kudos
A HUGE thank you to 
Kendal Reis,
Heather Boulanger and all the members of the incredible Mayfest committee for pulling off a truly spectacular Mayfest. The weather cooperated, the community came out and the event was a fantastic success. Thank you for the months of hard work it took to organize such a wonderful afternoon for the community and fundraiser for the school.

Congratulations and thank you to Jennie Ely, Anne Albrecht-Jullison and the Yearbook Committee for completing the yearbook and sending it off to the printer. The biggest reward will be seeing the delighted reactions of the children but in the interim, we simply say "thank you."

To our brilliant and tireless Resource Center Director, Todd Burleson, thank you for the 2000 (!) episodes of WGST that you've helped our children craft over the years. Thank you also for all of the work and brain power you are putting into Hubbard Woods' two new learning spaces. We are profoundly grateful. 
Up Next
The deadline to submit content for the last issue of The Item is Monday, May 25. Submissions should be sent to [email protected].