Dear Crow Island Families,
We had a great turnout at our PTO sponsored Bookfair. We want to thank our PTO Volunteers for setting up the space, managing the purchasing, and adding the spirit wear opportunity. Students and staff loved to visit the space throughout the day as well!
I also wanted to remind families that our first trimester of school ended on Friday and trimester 2 begins today. This year, we are sending home three progress reports and you will have access to them online and in the mail. Progress reports will be open to parents starting December 13th.
Lastly, if you are interested in learning more about our literacy pilot there is a WPI Session on December 6th. You can find the link and information below in the newsletter. We have literacy resources being used in K-4 classrooms throughout Crow Island as we look to better support teachers and students in literacy instruction.
Have a great week!
Luke Livingston
Principal
- Monday, December 4th: Trimester 2 Begins
- Wednesday, December 13th: Progress Reports Released on Powerschool
- Wednesday, December 20th: Progress Reports mailed home
- Thursday, December 21st: Winter Sing-a-Long (parents invited!)
- Friday, December 22nd: Sack Supper Project
- Monday, December 25th: Holiday Break Begins
- Monday, January 8th: School Resumes
Monday Spirit Days:
As a reminder, every Monday is considered a Crow Island Spirit Wear Day. Staff and students are encouraged to participate.
Monthly Observances | December:
December recognizes National Human Rights Month. This month is a reminder that the United Nations General Assembly codified the basic human rights of every person.Everyone in the United States is encouraged to come together and stand up for equality, justice, and the dignity of all humans. December is a time to honor the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an international document stating the fundamental rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. These rights include freedom from discrimination, the right to equality, and the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty. Spread the word about the importance of treating everyone around us with respect, dignity, and kindness no matter their gender, age, race, political views, or social status. National Human Rights Month is about acknowledging that people are people, plain and simple. If we take the time to learn about other cultures, we will begin to see things from their perspective and be able to better understand them as real people.
Winter Sing:
We are looking forward to seeing you at this year's winter performance, "Winter Is..." on Thursday, December 21st! This year, the winter sing will have both singalong elements, and performances by students.
Performance Times:
9:00- Last Name A-G
10:30AM- Last Name H-O
1:00PM- Last Name P-Z
In October, students read "Winter Is..." by Ann Dixon and Mindy Dwyer. Upon reading the story, students brainstormed what reminds them of winter. Their responses prompted varying themes for each grade level- playing in the snow (Kindergarten), treats and treasures (1st Grade), coziness and beauty (2nd Grade), gathering (3rd Grade), and community (4th grade). Students used these themes to curate song lists, and vote on songs for the performance. Students will keep Crow Island's strong singalong traditions alive by inviting families to sing for some songs, but students will also demonstrate their work in the music program through performance. Children will perform at each performance time, but as always, students may sit together with their families during their family's performance time (below). We can't wait to see (and hear) you there!
Arrival Reminders:
- The performance will take place in the auditorium.
- All visitors need to pre-register using the google form: RSVP Form.
- The form will close on December 18th, Any visitors who do not pre-register will need to show their ID at the door and go through our typical arrival system.
- Please plan to arrive fifteen minutes before the planned show time.
- If you have a child in grades K-3 you will pick them up at their classroom before going into the auditorium.
- 4th graders will come down to the auditorium on their own and parents do not need to pick them up.
- Staff will also be available to help students find parents or point you in the right direction in the hallway.
In addition, Mr. Livingston sent a clarification message to families on 12.1.23 and you can see that message here: Mr. Livingston Winter Sing message.
Online Pre-Registration for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2024/2025 School Year Now Open
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2024/2025 will open on November 13, 2023. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2024, are eligible to enroll. Questions related to School Admissions and age requirements are addressed in School Board Policy 7:50 School Admissions and student Transfers to and from Non-District Schools.
Please note: There are two steps to completing new student registration. Step 1: Complete the online pre-registration form; Step 2: Visit the District Office (1235 Oak Street) to provide the following:
Proof of residency. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements. For your convenience residency documents may be uploaded during online registration.
Original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID.
Completing both steps (online and in-person) is required for your child(ren) to be enrolled as new students.
Why are both steps necessary? In January of each year, the District begins preparing its budget and staffing plan for the upcoming school year. For grades, other than Kindergarten/1st grade, the staffing plan is based on the assumption that all current students will return and matriculate to the next grade level. For kindergarten and first grade students, the District forecasts enrollment based on those students that have both the in-person and online forms submitted. These early enrollments impact the staffing plan by determining the number of kindergarten/1st grade sections and student services needed. For this reason, we ask that parent(s)/guardian(s) complete BOTH steps of pre-registration BEFORE January 12, 2024. As an added incentive new students that have completed the two step pre-registration process by January 12, 2024, will receive a credit of $40.00 toward student fees for the 2024/2025 school year.
Thank you for doing your part to ensure that the District is able to retain and/or attract the best educators for our students.
Winnetka Parents Institute
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. Please view the fall schedule here.
Literacy Pilot: How District 36 Educators are Testing Literacy Programs and Practices
December 6, 2023
9:30 A.M.
Location: Skokie Community Room
As a part of the current literacy curriculum review cycle, approximately 59 teachers across the district representing each grade level are piloting a variety of evidence-based literacy programs and practices. The pilot allows teachers to apply current understanding of literacy instruction through the test of items vetted by the Literacy Leadership Committee.
Interested:
Following the event a link will be provided to the recorded presentation on the website.
F
Recordings of previous sessions:
Literacy Pilot Underway
Last year the District strategic plan goal to realign the K-1 literacy program was updated to entail a full curriculum review of literacy programming K-8. The goal of the curriculum review is to ensure there is a guaranteed and viable literacy curriculum based upon current research and the science of reading which builds from Kindergarten through Grade 8. Throughout the 2022/2023 school year the School Board received regular communication regarding the process for curriculum review, including the selection of materials. To review the background information about how the process resulted in the current pilot, please click here.
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