Winnetka Parents' Institute
The Winnetka Parents' Institute (WPI) provide education and information about the district's philosophy and practices to the Winnetka community.
The WPI is modeled after The Winnetka Teachers' Institute (WTI), which was created in the early 1980s out of a commitment to child and teacher development. Under the direction of a committee of teachers, administrators, and parents, the WPI offers workshops and seminars for parents and residents, because they are partners in our school community.
Available podcast episodes:
- Differentiation in Winnetka – Session I
January 20, 2010 - Evaluation and Communication of Student Progress Through the Grades K-8
February 16, 2010 - Differentiation in Winnetka - Part II
May 27, 2010 - Experience Differentiation - A Hands On Experience for Parents
April 13, 2011 - Best Practice in Reading Instruction
January 28, 2013 - Visit the District Podcast page
Partnerships
The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 and
Columbia University Teachers College Reading & Writing Project participated in a yearlong collaboration that culminated in an April, 2011 meeting.
Books of Interest
Members of the Winnetka Parents' Institute (WPI) thought that it would be interesting to ask teachers what they are reading to help guide and inform their practice. To see the complete list, click here. Then, from this list of books, we have highlighted five based on high levels of teacher response and perceived parent interest in progressive philosophy and student preparedness for the future. For descriptions of each book, click here.
- Five Minds for the Future by Howard Gardner
- Out of our Minds, Learning to Be Creative by Ken Robinson
- What is Progressive Education? A Book for Parents and Others by Carleton Washburne
- A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink
- Yardsticks by Chip Wood
In Winnetka, we look to our past to get inspired for our future. In 1998, The Winnetka: A Community of Learners Task Force observed, “The measure of our success lies not only in what we say but in what we do. Our quest for excellence requires us to act on our beliefs. As a community we dedicate ourselves to learn together, to recognize our collective strengths and individual differences; to seek to understand and accommodate each other; and to perpetuate the traditions and practices that have been a foundation of our district.” Over the years, these traditions and practices have become core values. The core values of Community, Collaboration, Developmental Readiness, Child-Centered/Child Voice, Whole Child/Whole Teacher, and Reflection are evident in every classroom across the District. For more information about the core values, click here.
For further information about WPI, contact
Trisha Kocanda
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Winnetka School District 36
1235 Oak Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
847-501-4530
