Dear Crow Island Families,
Last week was filled with fun at Crow Island. Our Kindergarteners all participated in the culmination of their butterfly study with the migration experience and performance. In addition, as part of Disability Awareness Month we welcomed visitors from Misericordia who shared more about the work of Misericordia to support people with intellectual disabilities. Several residents from Misericordia participated in an assembly with our 4th grade students and then Coach Sweene facilitated shared games where the residents participated together with our students.
This week, we are looking forward to seeing families for our costume parade and ghost walk at school. More details about Halloween are shared below. Also, a friendly reminder that Wednesday is a non-attendance day for students.
Have a great week!
Luke Livingston
Principal
- Tuesday, October 31: Halloween Ghost-walk @ 1pm
- Wednesday, November 1: No School (Institute Day)
- Thursday, November 2nd–Monday, November 6th: Halloween Candy Drive (details below)
- Wednesday, November 8th: Picture Day retakes
- Monday, November 20th–Friday, November 24th: No School - Thanksgiving Break
- Wednesday, November 29th: Crow Island Book Fair (3:30–8:30 PM)
- Thursday, November 30th: Crow Island Book Fair (8:00–10:00 AM)
Monday Spirit Days:
As a reminder, every Monday is considered a Crow Island Spirit Wear Day. Staff and students are encouraged to participate.
Message around Attendance (K-8 Principals):
This school year, our District will be focusing on best practices regarding student attendance. The National Center for Education Statistics released an overview of the importance of students regularly attending school, as well as the negative impacts of missing school. Incorporated in School Board Policy 7:20 are requirements (per Section 105 ILCS/5/22-92 of the Illinois School Code) that all Illinois school districts must establish and submit its Absence/Truancy Program to the Illinois State Board of Education. This requirement went into effect January 2023 and is to be submitted every two years thereafter.
Our wish is to partner with our families in understanding the importance of regular and prompt attendance. To that end, our schools will be sending home a letter to families of students that have passed a threshold of absences at this point in the school year. This letter is meant to draw attention to the number of absences a student has had and offer support should families need it.
We understand that there are times when absences are unavoidable, particularly in the event of sickness or family emergencies. Please do notify our schools if we can help in any way with these matters. Thank you for your continued partnership.
Digital Citizenship School Board Video:
Monthly, one of the five District schools will share a video to showcase an initiative that helps support attributes outlined in our Portrait of a Graduate. Effective Communication, Lifelong Learning, Empathy and Global Citizenship are all components of Digital Literacy at Crow Island School. At Crow Island, we recognize that we live in a digital age and students have access to online resources and learning opportunities. We recognize that we have a responsibility to help students navigate online tools in a way that is safe and fosters positive experiences. DistrictDigital citizenship lessons and skills are being taught across our grade levels to help students navigate their use of online tools through a range of skills and responsibilities that include:
Keeping a healthy balance of online and offline activities.
Maintaining a positive online presence.
The ability to protect your personal information.
Understanding intellectual property right
You can watch the short video here: Digital Citizenship video
Monthly Observances: Disability Awareness Month
In October, Americans observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month by paying tribute to the accomplishments of the men and women with disabilities whose work helps keep the nation’s economy strong and by reaffirming their commitment to ensure equal opportunity for all citizens. At Crow Island it is also a time for our learning community to focus on a culture of inclusion and learn more about disabilities. Our Crow Island Library has created a library collection of texts on Destiny our online resource and families can view that here: Disability Awareness Month Collection.
Halloween Celebrations:
We are looking forward to celebrating Halloween at Crow Island. Below are a few reminders about our day:
1pm is the Parade and Ghost Walk:
The entire Crow Island community of staff, students, and families come together to celebrate Halloween.
1pm -Parade begins
Students will parade out the front doors, through the K playground, and down Glendale towards the big playground and blacktop.
Parents can line up on the front lawn, K playground, Glendale, and along the fence near the blacktop to view the parade.
After the costume parade:
Kindergarten will head back into school to participate in their classroom celebrations at 1:20pm.
Grades 1 - 4
Parents/Families - Walk from their parade location to the outdoor amphitheater.
Students - Students will continue to parade through the ghost walk in the woods and go to the amphitheater.
Ghost of Crow Island - Families, students, and staff will meet at the amphitheater and work together to call for the ghost of Crow Island.
Classroom Celebrations:
1:20 - 1:50 pm - Kindergarten
2pm - 1st Grade - 4th Grade
Room parents are invited into classrooms to facilitate class Halloween celebrations. Room parents should plan for the following:
Craft or game(s) to play students in the room
No food or candy should be purchased
Costumes Guidance:
Students can bring costumes to school. They will have time to change into costumes before the costume parade and ghost walk. Please follow the guidelines around costumes:
No fake blood or weapons
Keep the costumes school friendly (nothing too scary)
No masks
Keep in mind students are putting this on by themselves so keep it simple.
You can learn more about Halloween at Crow Island here: Halloween 2023
Bullying Awareness Month:
Click here to view a message from Carleton Washburne students.
Bullying affects everyone: those exhibiting bullying behaviors, the bullied, and the bystanders. The District's Bullying Response and Prevention Plan creates awareness of what bullying is with “child-friendly” language that illustrates the difference between mean, rude or bullying behavior; establishes and communicates to students, parents and staff methods for reporting incidents related to bullying behavior; develops communication protocols for investigating, notifying and resolving incidents reported; and, builds an ongoing dialog with students on bullying awareness and prevention.
The District 36 approach to bullying is “pro” solution rather than “anti” problem to foster a change of culture through kindness, compassion, respect, reaching out, and helping others. Every October, students discuss bullying prevention in their classrooms/advisories where they are reminded of methods available to them to speak with an adult about their concerns. Students in grades 5-8 are able to report an incident or indicate that they want to talk to an adult from a form on their ipad. Students K-4 are able to report an incident to any adult in whatever form is most comfortable for them. A reporting form is also accessible from the District’s website, along with information on text4help. Click here for additional information.
2023/2024 Calendar
To view the calendar for the 2023/2024 school year, please click here.
From the Superintendent: SURVEY OPEN THROUGH NOVEMBER 18
Please take approximately five minutes to provide your feedback by Friday, November 18. Last year’s survey findings led to numerous improvements in the areas of curriculum & instruction, communications and human resources. It is my hope that our responsiveness will continue to be witnessed in our efforts to provide the very best educational experience for the students of The Winnetka Public Schools and excellence for the community-at-large.
Reminder of Covid-19 Guidance for Students/Staff:
Per the Illinois Department of Public Health, it is recommended that a person isolates for at least 5 days from symptom onset if symptoms are present or 5 days from positive test date if no symptoms. Day 1 starts the day after symptom onset/positive test date. They can return on day 6 if fever, vomiting, and diarrhea cease for 24 hours and have improvement of symptoms. It is recommended to mask day 6-10.
Winnetka Parents Institute
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. Please view the fall schedule here.
Coming Soon:
The Middle School Experience, AKA “Why is my child acting like this?” Please help.
November 3, 2023
9:30 - 10:30 A.M.
Washburne Resource Center
Join Principal Cooney and Assistant Principal Joynt (The Skokie School) and Principal Fenton and Assistant Principal Horwitz (Carleton Washburne School) for an informational session focusing on the ins and outs of the growing middle school child. We will share the neuroscience behind the changes that occur in 5th-8th grade children, and offer suggestions on how to support children both academically and socially-emotionally as they navigate the middle grades.
Skokie and Washburne families are encouraged to join us for an engaging, encouraging and educational hour together.
Interested:
Recordings of previous sessions:
Want to monitor your child's school device at home? Set up the JAMF Parent App!
If your student brings their school device home (grades 4-8), consider setting up the JAMF Parent App! The JAMF Parent app will allow you to allow & restrict apps, enable an app lock, set device and location rules, etc. All you need is the JAMF Parent App on your device (Apple/Android) and your student's iPad in front of you. Follow the instructions in this brief tutorial from JAMF on how to set it up and interact with the platform. Additional resources can be found here.
Introducing The Winnetka Public Schools App
Download the District’s app by searching “The Winnetka Public Schools” on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. The app will serve as a convenient way to report absences, view and manage your school calendars, and see at-a-glance District news.
Follow us on Social Media!
Please follow the District via the following social media platforms in order to see day-to-day happenings and more.
Facebook and Twitter: @Winnetka36
Instagram: @WinnetkaPublicSchools
Contact Us
Email: christinedemas-hall@winnetka36.org
Website: https://crowisland.winnetka36.org/
Location: 1112 Willow Road Winnetka, IL 60093
Phone: (847)-446-0353
Twitter: @CrowIslandD36