In this issue:

• Message from the Oakton PTA co-presidents
• Message from Principal Robinson 
• SAP Phase II seeks input Dec. 13 on ACC program
• FREE Grade 1-2 Basketball League
• Chess Club meets Wednesdays at 8 am, new kids welcome!
• Register now for winter electives
• Spread the word! Kindergarten registration is now open for Oakton’s magnet programs - ACC and TWI
• In-person CCDI event Dec. 8 on transitions for students with disabilities
• Story Store volunteers needed Fridays
• Oakton Childcare sponsors coat drive Dec. 5-22
• Few spots still available for The Imaginary Game
• D65 COVID-19 dashboard and health and safety guidance

Important dates:

• Dec. 7 | School Improvement - students are dismissed at 12:05 pm (see the 2022-2023 school calendar)
• NEW: Dec. 7 at 5:30 pm | SAP Phase 2 TWI community session on Zoom: Zoom Link, Passcode: 517389
• Dec. 13 at 5:30 pm | SAP Phase 2 ACC community session on Zoom: Zoom Link, Passcode: 960265
• Dec. 13 at 7 pm | SAP Phase 2 ACC community session in person at Oakton Auditorium
• Dec. 26-Jan. 6 | Winter Recess - No school

Hello Cougar Family! We hope you were able to find some new cougar wear for yourself, a family member or a friend. A portion of the sales are reserved for PTA fundraising which eventually makes its way back to PTA/Oakton programming–as is the case with all fundraising activities. A major portion of the Oakton PTA budget is based on fundraising efforts within our school community and more broadly across the district. So we are constantly seeking new and better ways of service delivery. Additionally, we remain focused on building inclusive and sustainable activities which are fun and meaningful to our Cougars. Please contact oaktonPTApresident@gmail.com if you would like to coordinate a fundraising activity or if you have ideas for something that is equitable and accessible.

A few caregivers and educators have already volunteered for the Oakton Move-a-thon, which is being planned for February. More volunteers will be needed on that day, so let’s plan ahead. Reach out to camillejowalker@gmail.com to help make this a really fun event.

Chess Club tournament season is upon us and our school will be hosting on Saturday, January 21st. This action-packed event has been another source of major fundraising across the district and Oakton has served as a model for other schools. See further below for more information on Chess Club.

Kindergarten registration is now open for Oakton’s magnet programs – ACC and TWI. See below for details on these programs. Also, as we’ve been announcing here, the district has been conducting community feedback sessions for phase II of the Student Assignment Planning process which deals with district-wide school programming and directly concerns Oakton. During the recent TWI-focused sessions, Oakton caregivers have really showed up. Please know that ACC-focused sessions are scheduled for December 13th–one virtually at 5:30pm and the 7:00pm in-person session will be held right here in the Oakton auditorium.

Thanks for all that you do! Bundle up and stay warm.

With Cougar Pride,

Amanda DePalma-Gable (she/her/ella) and Justin Brissette (he/him/él)
OaktonPTAPresident@gmail.com

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Hello Oakton Families and Caregivers!!!

I hope everyone had a great break with family and friends. As I move into this winter break season, I am always reminded that these breaks are not about how much you have, but who you have it with. It is my hope, my hope that you all had a great fall break.

As discussed in the principal's chat and chew on Nov. 7, there have been some positive accomplishments that must be applauded. First, we have hired and officially started a new SPED teacher, John Prezokta, who has already been a great addition to the team.  Also, our K- 3rd grade teachers are almost halfway done with their professional learning around effectively teaching foundational literacy skills. This professional learning is very important to the success of our students when building their knowledge around reading and writing. Finally, Oakton has earned the state status of Commendable this year. To understand what that means, please visit this site for more information. 

Like always, thank you all for all you do and the support that you continue to give the Oakton School community. 

Christopher Robinson
Principal-Oakton Elementary
Evanston-Skokie School District 65 
436 Ridge Avenue - Evanston, IL, 60202
Pronouns: (he, him, his)

Every Child, Every Day, Whatever it Takes.
Todos los niños, todos los días, cueste lo que cueste.

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Student Assignment Plan (SAP) Phase 2 seeks input on ACC program

Last spring, the D65 Board approved a new Student Assignment Plan (SAP) and a funding plan to build a school in Evanston's Fifth Ward. Now the district is seeking input on its programs, including the African Centered Curriculum, which is currently only offered at Oakton.  Families are encouraged to attend the sessions to provide feedback:

ACC Program sessions

• Dec. 13 at 5:30 pm on Zoom: Zoom Link, Passcode: 960265
• Dec. 13 at 7 pm in person at Oakton Auditorium

 Learn more and see the full list of engagement opportunities.

FREE Grade 1-2 Basketball League 

We are looking for Grade 1-2 boys and girls to play in the Coed basketball league against the other D65 schools.This is a great way to learn the game of basketball and play with your friends. Games will be played on Sundays and some practices will be available during the week. Registration is FREE. You can register online at using activity # 642834-K3, or contact Adam Diehl at adiehl33@yahoo.com. The deadline for registration is Monday, December 19. 
 

Chess Club meets Wednesdays at 8 am, new kids welcome!

Chess Club continues to hold its weekly meetings throughout the year. We meet at 8 am on Wednesday mornings in the school library (enter the school through the main entrance near the main office). Kids of all ages and skill levels are welcome - even if you don’t know how the pieces move! Parents are welcome to attend to learn about chess or just enjoy watching your child play. For more information, contact oaktonchessclub@gmail.com.

Register now for winter electives!

Register now for the winter session of after school electives! Offerings for K-5 students include martial arts, dance, cooking, science made fun, and more! Winter programming runs from December 5 through March 10, registration closes December 9. See the schedule and register. 

Spread the word! Kindergarten registration is open for Oakton’s  magnet programs - ACC and TWI

Let your neighbors with young children know: Oakton is home to both of District 65’s magnet programs and registration for the 2023-24 school year and these programs is now open!  The magnet application is embedded in the online registration form for kindergarten students. 

Two-Way Immersion (TWI) bilingual education

Oakton is one location for D65’s Spanish-English Two-Way Immersion (TWI) program. The goal of TWI is for students to develop strong literacy skills and language proficiency in both English and Spanish, in order for them to become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural.  The TWI magnet program is composed of a balance of two linguistic groups:

• Spanish-speaking students who are eligible to receive EL (English Learner) services and who have accepted services, and

• English proficient students

The TWI program is available without entering the lottery to all Spanish-speaking students who are eligible and accept English Learner services. The program is available to English proficient students through a magnet lottery.  To find out if your child qualifies for EL services, contact Amada Zamudio at zamudioa@district65.net.

African Centered Curriculum

While students in the ACC program learn the same robust curriculum as other D65 students, teaching and learning centers on the identity, heritage, and culture of people of African descent. The ACC program offers a nurturing environment designed to help students achieve academic success, independence and the cultural competence to live and learn in a diverse community. 
 

In-person CCDI event Dec. 8 on transitions for students with disabilities

What: In-person event hosted by the Caregivers Council for Disability Inclusion (CCDI) and the Individualized Education Department (IES)
For: Parents with Students with Disabilities
Topic: Transitions for Students with Disabilities

• Pre-K to kindergarten
• 5th grade-middle school
• Middle school-high school

Where: JEH Board Room (1500 McDaniel Ave)
When: Thursday, December 8, from 6:30-8 pm
RSVP: RSVP Transitions  Food, childcare & raffle available!

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Oakton Childcare sponsors coat drive Dec. 5-22

Oakton Childcare is collecting new and gently used warm-weather gear for adults and children. The donations will be given to ESCCA and to the Homeless Connections Center.  Donations can be dropped off  Dec. 5-22 at the main office during school hours and at Door 8 between the hours of 3:15 pm and 6 pm.  Questions?  Contact Kyler Hughes, (847) 859-8818.
 

Story Store volunteers needed Fridays between 10:30 am-1:30 pm

Help Oakton students "shop" at Story Store, Oakton's free bookstore on Fridays between 10:30 am - 1:30 pm.  The students are always excited to get new books. Story Store volunteers can help set up the store and assist students in finding  books on topics they like. Shifts are listed at one-hour each, however any time you can spare is appreciated.  

Sign up here.  For more information, contact Robert Greenbaum at ragreenbaum@hotmail.com. 

The Imaginary Game - a  few spots still available

Come play with us! The Imaginary Game is Evanston’s first live-action role-playing game for kids, ages 8-14. There are still a few slots available for our wildly popular afterschool games. Two locations: Ridgeville Park District, and the James Park fieldhouse, right across the field from Dawes Elementary School. Visit https://theimaginarygame.com for more information. If you’ve got a young person at home craving adventure, send them our way!

COVID-19 dashboard

District 65 has a COVID-19 dashboard that is updated each Friday and includes reported positive cases of COVID-19 among staff and students as well as the number of individuals in quarantine. Please note that all positive COVID-19 cases are self-reported and do not indicate that they were contracted within a District 65 facility. 

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D65 Digital Backpack

The D65 Digital Backpack is a free site screened and maintained by District 65 to share our community's youth and family events and programs.  Parents and caregivers can search the site by age range and type of program.  Organizations can post to the Backpack through a simple upload process linked here.

Check out the latest flyers here.

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