Principal Livingston moves up to middle school with his Winnetka D36 students
As Washburne principal, Livingston said, 'I will know about a third of the kids and families,' he said. 'It will be a nice transition. I know a lot of the staff. And Winnetka has an outstanding history in education and commitment to teaching and learning.'
School starts with a half-day on Sept. 2 this year, according to the District 36 website.
The coming school year will mark Livingston's 17th in education. Before heading Crow Island, he served as a principal of Cherokee School in Lake Forest District 67 for two years, worked in Chicago Public Schools for eight years, and served as an assistant principal at Indian Trail Elementary School in Highland Park for three years.
Livingston said his most important goals at Washburne are building relationships with staff and students and achieving instructional leadership goals, including the implementation of new literacy and math curricula.
'We'll be going through a math pilot curriculum,' he said. 'It will be interesting, exciting work.'
Kate Hughes, spokeswoman for District 36, said the new curricula were approved by the Board of Education in a new strategic plan in June.
'The goals at Washburne will be tied to that plan,' Hughes said.
Livingston said Washburne, which feeds students into New Trier High School, already has a very strong history.
'The eighth-graders are all going to New Trier,' he said. 'They are competitive and ready for high school.'
Nonetheless, Livingston said he will continue to find ways to improve educational outcomes at Washburne, in particular by focusing on District 36's longtime style of progressive education.
'We're always looking for ways to prioritize learning outcomes and make learning more experiential for students, so they're learning by doing,' he said.
Washburne tested CommonLit, the new literacy curriculum, last year and will do the same with Carnegie, a new math curriculum this year, he said.
When District 36 examined literacy several years ago, Livingston addressed the issue at the elementary level, based on the performance of students at the middle school level, he said.
'We looked at science or reading and building in more fundamental reading skills around phonics and writing to make sure we close the gaps at middle school,' Livingston said. 'From the middle school lens, we're focused on making sure we have a robust knowledge-building curriculum that grows from year to year, so students comprehend what they're reading and can synthesize and write about what they're reading.'
Washburne is fully staffed for the coming school year with about 65 employees, Livingston said. He plans to rotate staff and team meetings every Monday, when students get an early release.
Assistant Principal Ben Horowitz, who has worked with Livingston on the district's administrative team, will continue serving at Washburne.
Livingston said the vast majority of his job centers around teaching and learning, making sure instructional leaders are available throughout the building for all students.
'I'm concerned with, 'Do we have a clear scope and sequence in the curriculum? Do we have clear assessments and are kids moving in the right direction?'' he said. 'Outside of that, there is a managerial component, managing communications or logistics in different parts of the building, making sure students are OK socially and emotionally.'
Livingston said the district is examining the many technological tools, including AI, available today, determining where and how to set boundaries around each particular tool.
'AI is useful for research, accessing information, editing or communicating more efficiently,' he said.
Officials are still spending a great deal of time examining how those tools might be used best by students, Livingston said.
Livinston said he originally became a principal 'because of the impact we can have on the school year, both on culture and outcomes for kids.'
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Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Chicago Tribune
Principal Livingston moves up to middle school with his Winnetka D36 students
Luke Livingston, who served as principal for four years at Crow Island School, an elementary in Winnetka School District 36, is moving up along with many of his former students to the district's Washburne Middle School. As Washburne principal, Livingston said, 'I will know about a third of the kids and families,' he said. 'It will be a nice transition. I know a lot of the staff. And Winnetka has an outstanding history in education and commitment to teaching and learning.' School starts with a half-day on Sept. 2 this year, according to the District 36 website. The coming school year will mark Livingston's 17th in education. Before heading Crow Island, he served as a principal of Cherokee School in Lake Forest District 67 for two years, worked in Chicago Public Schools for eight years, and served as an assistant principal at Indian Trail Elementary School in Highland Park for three years. Livingston said his most important goals at Washburne are building relationships with staff and students and achieving instructional leadership goals, including the implementation of new literacy and math curricula. 'We'll be going through a math pilot curriculum,' he said. 'It will be interesting, exciting work.' Kate Hughes, spokeswoman for District 36, said the new curricula were approved by the Board of Education in a new strategic plan in June. 'The goals at Washburne will be tied to that plan,' Hughes said. Livingston said Washburne, which feeds students into New Trier High School, already has a very strong history. 'The eighth-graders are all going to New Trier,' he said. 'They are competitive and ready for high school.' Nonetheless, Livingston said he will continue to find ways to improve educational outcomes at Washburne, in particular by focusing on District 36's longtime style of progressive education. 'We're always looking for ways to prioritize learning outcomes and make learning more experiential for students, so they're learning by doing,' he said. Washburne tested CommonLit, the new literacy curriculum, last year and will do the same with Carnegie, a new math curriculum this year, he said. When District 36 examined literacy several years ago, Livingston addressed the issue at the elementary level, based on the performance of students at the middle school level, he said. 'We looked at science or reading and building in more fundamental reading skills around phonics and writing to make sure we close the gaps at middle school,' Livingston said. 'From the middle school lens, we're focused on making sure we have a robust knowledge-building curriculum that grows from year to year, so students comprehend what they're reading and can synthesize and write about what they're reading.' Washburne is fully staffed for the coming school year with about 65 employees, Livingston said. He plans to rotate staff and team meetings every Monday, when students get an early release. Assistant Principal Ben Horowitz, who has worked with Livingston on the district's administrative team, will continue serving at Washburne. Livingston said the vast majority of his job centers around teaching and learning, making sure instructional leaders are available throughout the building for all students. 'I'm concerned with, 'Do we have a clear scope and sequence in the curriculum? Do we have clear assessments and are kids moving in the right direction?'' he said. 'Outside of that, there is a managerial component, managing communications or logistics in different parts of the building, making sure students are OK socially and emotionally.' Livingston said the district is examining the many technological tools, including AI, available today, determining where and how to set boundaries around each particular tool. 'AI is useful for research, accessing information, editing or communicating more efficiently,' he said. Officials are still spending a great deal of time examining how those tools might be used best by students, Livingston said. Livinston said he originally became a principal 'because of the impact we can have on the school year, both on culture and outcomes for kids.'
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Yahoo
People Are Sharing The Things The US Actually Gets Right, And I Needed To Hear This
I think we can all agree that the US has many areas for improvement, especially when compared to other progressive countries. However, despite the country's numerous issues, it surprisingly isn't all bad. In one Reddit thread (which you can see here), people discussed the things they think the US does right, and my cynical self definitely needed this reminder. Here are 18 things the US doesn't completely mess up, as told by both residents and people from other countries: Related: 1."Our public libraries are a real backbone for the country. Andrew Carnegie's groundwork in building the institution of free libraries, even in small towns, set a precedent that we wouldn't fathom today but couldn't live without." "They often serve not only as an information exchange but as a cultural hub, art gallery, performing arts center, tax aide, voter registration, job resources, etc., in communities. Plus, they're one of the only places you can just exist for hours indoors without the expectation that you must buy something. And I feel like they've adapted to the ever-changing needs of their patrons in modern times faster in the US than most places. 'A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.' –Andrew Carnegie" –fadedVHS 2."Accessibility code for buildings. I come from a country where disability is looked upon as a crime or fault. The USA does an amazing job of making things accessible. I haven't seen all of the USA, but the majority of the places have amazing systems." –snreddit87 3."Aggressive self-determinism. Oh, your parents were abusive, and you don't talk to them anymore? Fuck yeah, rad, good for you. Your partner couldn't give you the relationship you dreamed of having. Alright, rad, move on up. You hated your job, and think your future is in being a movie star? Alright. You do you. Send me a premier ticket." –inimicalimp 4."Aussie here. I think entertainment. Everyone talks shit about the US, but then spends most of their time listening to American music, film, and TV." –curlynoodles 5."Valuing actual wilderness in places like national parks. Here in England, they will 'restore' or 'create' natural habitats, which is sort of nice, but they are almost like zoos. They are too small to survive by themselves, so they are actively maintained. And in some English national parks, they actually allow housing developments as long as the architectural design is sympathetic. Here, 'countryside' means farms. There is still a notion in the USA of protecting some large wilderness areas from development." –anon5005 Related: 6."The US is an absolute science powerhouse. The technology we come out with has touched the lives of nearly every person on the planet." –AmericanHoneycrisp 7."Automatic complimentary water at cafes and restaurants." –Rossimus 8."I love that in the US, if you go back to school at 40 or 50, no one blinks an eye. If you get a degree at 80 or 90, you are a total hero. In many cultures, you need to be done with school in your twenties. No one goes to school later in life." –Bekiala 9."Free public toilets everywhere you go. It's kind of a culture shock to go to a different country and have to pay money to use the restroom. It's a necessity, I would rather people be allowed to use the restroom rather than do their business outside." –taco_ivore Related: 10."Burgers. Motherfuckin' burgers." –ProfessorRoyHinkley 11."I say this as an immigrant who came to this country, so perhaps take it with a grain of salt. But it truly gives people a second chance at life. My life would be nowhere near as good as it is right now if I were back in my home country." –Porongas1993 12."Air conditioning." –TequilaSweatshirt 13."The US postal system is the most far-reaching postal system in the world. We will deliver nearly anything to any mailbox. Do you live at the bottom of the Grand Canyon? Say no more, postal donkeys." –Bergy_Berg 14."How friendly people are. Don't get me wrong, there's a ton of friendly cultures, and even plenty more hospitable ones than the US, but the sheer level of openness and genuine friendliness is something else in the US." –bombayblue Related: 15."Interstate highway system. Blows my mind that I can get pretty much anywhere I want down there without having to take some crazy roundabout route and have ample places to stop and eat/bathroom/refuel. Also, most people in the USA actually follow the 'pass on the left, cruise right' rule, which is a rarity here in Canada." –runtimemess 16."Free speech. I can get arrested for saying certain opinions in my country." –PrimeMinisterArdern 17."The amount of choices at the grocery store. It can be overwhelming, but most other countries don't have nearly the same amount of options for something as simple as potato chips.' –External_fox995 finally, "We're the nation that created Shrek. That's all I need to say." –pandyabee What else belongs on this list? Let me know in the comments! Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds:
New York Post
15-07-2025
- New York Post
‘Nazi' Creek in this US state is getting a new name after 70 years — here's why
A one-mile stream in Alaska dubbed 'Nazi Creek' after it was reclaimed from the Axis Powers during World War II has finally been renamed after more than seven decades of debate. Kiska Island and Little Kiska at the far western end of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska were taken over by the Japanese military in June 1942, mere months after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor 1,000 miles away. 4 Nazi Creek was originally named by US soldiers while using an alphanumeric grid system for their maps. Bettmann Archive Advertisement The occupation lasted a year. But it wasn't the Japanese who gave the creek its hotly contested name. Instead, American soldiers dubbed the stream 'Nazi Creek.' The title was 'arbitrarily applied to features' around the area by the US Army Air Forces for tactical reasons during the war, according to the Dictionary of Alaska Place Names. Even after World War II ended, the name remained at a federal level and was placed on an Army map in 1953 before Alaska joined the US six years later. Advertisement 4 Nazi Creek is about one mile long. Alaska's News Source At the time, the military used an alphanumeric grid system on its maps. The mile-long stream fell into the 'N' grid, and so Nazi Creek was born. Other natural features nearby were named under the same system, including places Moron Lake, Rat Lake, Jeff Cove, Robert Ridge and Magic Mountain, according to the Alaska Guide Company. Advertisement Some other spots like Auburn and Brunette Cove were also named by soldiers who just liked the titles because of the association with classic 'pin-up' girls, according to the website. 4 Soldiers named other nearby natural features including Moron Lake and Magic Mountain. Getty Images Renaming Nazi Creek was a two-year-long endeavor spearheaded by Alaska historian and map enthusiast Michael Livingston. The historian sought to establish new titles to reflect the Indigenous Aleutian Unangax̂ who originally resided in the area, he told KUCB last year. The proposed name was workshopped over time, but it stayed centered around 'Kangchix̂,' the island's Unangax̂ name, which translates to 'gizzard' in English. Advertisement Finally, the creek's name will be changed to 'Kaxchim Chiĝanaa,' which translates to 'creek or river belonging to gizzard island.' Livingston also lumped in a campaign to rename nearby 'Nip Hill' — an ethnic slur against Japanese people. Like the creek, its name was changed to 'Kaxchim Qayaa,' or 'gizzard hill.' 'It wasn't appropriate in the 1940s, and it's certainly still not appropriate in the 2020s,' he told the outlet. During the spring, the Alaska Historical Commission voted unanimously to change the names, which gave the effort more momentum. The US Board on Geographic Names has since approved the name changes, making way for the federal government to remove Nazi Creek and Nip Hill from databases, according to the New York Times. 4 The new names were inspired by the Aleutian name for the island, 'Kangchix̂.' Getty Images The roughly 880 Unangax̂ residents who lived on the island when it was raided by the Japanese were evacuated and placed into internment camps by the United States. Advertisement Roughly 80 died of disease while festering in the miserable conditions, according to 'Unangax̂: Coastal People of Far Southwestern Alaska,' a paper by Douglas Veltre, an emeritus professor of anthropology at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Tens of thousands of people of Japanese descent, including US citizens, were also placed in similar internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Congress voted in favor of paying reparations to both groups in 1988, specifically for the harm they suffered while imprisoned.
