The Item Newsletter, Issue #17, April 10, 2016
Be a Part of Our School's 100th Year Celebration!

Only about three weeks left until we all come together to celebrate 100 years alongside so many faces from our HWS community, past and present! By now, you've hopefully made plans to be at our wonderful school Tuesday, May 3rd, from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

Now, the only question is, how can you help make sure the 100 Year Anniversary Open House is a big success? Our goal is to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for visiting alumni, current and former faculty members, and HW families. From classroom decade exhibits, a 100-Year movie, a photo booth, refreshments and more, this kind of historic celebration has some moving parts -- that's where you come in. All we ask is for 30 minutes of your time for these jobs that are fun and easy (e.g. keeping an eye on the licorice and the movie)! You can even bring your kids to help.

Please click here to find a time slot when you can pitch in and help us make this a night to remember! 

If you haven't already, please invite your neighbors and friends to the open house. Take a few invite flyers that can be found on Joan Kuzel's desk -- don't forget elderly folks on your block, babysitters who went to HWS, etc.! Please also encourage people to visit our Facebook page to stay up to speed on the open house details. Like our page at:

Thank you, and see you on May 3rd!



News and Notes
Mayfest is Coming! Please Donate Raffle Items!
Q: How can I support Mayfest 2016, our annual carnival-themed fundraiser, NOW?
A: The raffle is one of the biggest parts of Mayfest. All donations BIG or small are appreciated! Contact Jenny Tucker w/items or questions: [email protected]

Raffle Donation Ideas:
tickets to sporting events
autographed memorabilia
bike, trike or anything that goes
activity baskets
gadgets (Go Pro, Kindle, iPad, etc.)
basket of books
candy dispenser or gumball machine
gift cards for spa services, dining, shopping, etc.
your services/talents (photography session, interior design consultation, etc.)

Thank you in advance for your generous support of our school's favorite annual celebration and fundraiser --stay tuned for more information!

Green Team Plastic Bag Challenge Update and Earth Week Preview

Thanks for bringing in all your plastic film this year! The Trex Plastic Bag Challenge ends in April. Winners will be announced on April 22. On April 29, the bin in the front hall will be removed. The bin in the lunch room will remain to collect all the plastics used at school. After April 29, please do not bring any plastic bags from home - take them to your local grocery store instead! 

Earth Week Preview: April 25-29

Earth Day is April 22 and will be honored with a week of activities and programming:

Monday, April 25: Education - Faculty will guide discussions in classrooms; WGST will air Earth Day videos
Tuesday, April 26: Reduce - Send your child to school with a waste- and package-free lunch!
Wednesday, April 27: Conserve- Walk or bike to school
Thursday, April 28: Recycle - Think before you throw!
Friday, April 29: Arbor Day and Town Hall meeting focused on sustainability
Grand Foods Receipt Challenge is Back!

April means the return of the Grand Foods Receipt Challenge! Save your receipts and turn them into your child's teacher for the chance to win a McFlurry party for the winning classroom!

Any questions, please contact Jennifer Dasso at [email protected].

2016-17 PTO Executive Board Slate

The PTO is pleased to present the slate for next year's Executive Board:

President - Brooke Helmstetter
Vice President - Nidhi Singh
Secretary - Sarah Graham
Treasurer - Lori Miralles
Assistant Treasurer - Abby Burtelow
Communications Chair - Kendal Reis
Assistant Communications Chair - Lauren LeBoyer
President Ex-Officio - Jen Hayes

Congratulations to the nominees!  The election of the officers will take place at Julia Werner's house on April 13th at 9 AM.  All PTO members are welcome and encouraged to attend. If you have any questions regarding the slate, nominating procedures, or the election, please contact Georgie Geraghty ([email protected]).
Kudos
Congratulations to Gary Wendt and the Hubbard Woods 4th Grade Chorus for such a strong performance at last Tuesday's concert at Skokie School. Well done Hubbard Woods!

Community News
Don't Miss This Important Parent Book Talk
This spring's selection, "How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Parenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success" by Julie Lythcott-Haimes, centers on preparing children to be self-reliant in an era of over-parenting. Trisha Kocanda, Superintendent, and Susan Hugebeck, Greeley School Principal, will facilitate discussions. The book is available at The Book Stall in downtown Winnetka. Attendance at both sessions is not required.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m
(Chapters 1 - 11)

Tuesday, April 26, 2016, 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
(Chapters 12  - 22)

Location:  Carleton Washburne School's Curriculum Planning Room (#C306A)

To RSVP, please contact: Kate Hughes 

This Week and Next
World Travelers - We Visit Australia This Week!
G'day Mate! This week we'll travel to Australia -- a country and a continent.  From its bustling cities to the outback and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia has it all. Those who signed up will learn about the wonders of this nation at our travelogue on Wednesday, April 13and then enjoy a variety of kid-friendly dishes from the country on Friday, April 15.  

If you have any questions, contact Linda Gerstman at [email protected] or Tine Tschackert at [email protected].  
District Strings Recital
Monday, April 18, 7pm - 9pm
at Washburne Gym
No School
Friday, April 22
Looking Ahead
Earth Week
April 25-29 
A ZEN LIBRARIAN - by
Todd Burleson
Lego: "Play Well!"

The name 'LEGO' is an abbreviation of two Danish words, "leg godt," meaning "play well."

Check out this week's Zen Librarian blog here to learn about how Lego can impact creativity in both children and adults!  
Lunch Box
The next Pizza Fun Lunch will be Friday, April 29.
Ordering Now Open Through Year End 
Kiddos is happily accepting hot lunch orders for next week through through the end of the school year. Click here to order today. Please place your child's order by 9AM EACH MONDAY for the following week of lunches. Or you can place your orders now all the way through May 26.
About the PTO
The Hubbard Woods PTO involves parents and teachers working together on behalf of the school and its students. To become involved please contact Jen Hayes at [email protected].
Next Up
The deadline to submit content for the next issue of The Item is Tuesday, April19. Submissions should be sent to [email protected].