Greeley Greeting
Monday, October 2, 2023
A Message from the Principal
In the last few weeks, students and staff took part in our fall benchmarking process. This includes collecting information on students' present levels of performance in math and literacy (and a social-emotional student survey in Grades 3-4). This week, our teachers will meet to review this data in order to inform instructional decision-making and fine-tune our school improvement plan. Next week, our teachers will engage in Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday and Friday to discuss your child's transition to the new school year. Together, the practices of fall benchmarking, data review, and conferencing help set a sturdy foundation for student learning.
On another note, I felt it important to address something that some of our students and families have been discussing. In the past two weeks, we have seen an increase in purposeful messes made in our bathrooms. This includes boy, girl, and single-occupancy bathrooms. Understandably, some of our students have been upset about this. In addition to implementing a simple sign-out procedure for using the restroom, our staff will also briefly discuss the following points in the classroom:
- Respect is an important element of our Greeley Values, and that includes respect for our physical environment
- It is our expectation that students adhere to our school rules
- Greeley students are encouraged to seek out an adult if they come across a restroom in disarray
Although disappointing, we believe situations like this can truly be a positive learning experience for students and an affirmation of our expectations and values at Greeley School.
Lastly, I wanted to provide a very special thank you to Libby Bogosian, Kim Meardon, and all other PTO families who contributed to the renovation of our Reading Nook. It turned out to be an amazing class gift from last year's fourth graders (photo below) and has whetted our appetite for similar projects in our school! Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we continue to focus on beautifying our school
Sincerely,
Joshua Swanner
Principal
Divorce Support Group
The Greeley Behavioral Health Team (BHT) will be starting an 8-week divorce support group. The purpose of this group will be to provide a space at school for students to talk about changes at home, feelings associated with divorce, and provide a sense of community. We will be meeting 2x per month with students in grades K-2 and 2x per month with students in grades 3-4. Each group will be capped at 6 students and will be available to families that signup first. If there is a need, there will be another 8-week session offered later in the year.
If you would like your child to be part of this group or have any questions, please email Greeley Katie Kalogriopoulos, school social worker, at katiekalogriopoulos@winnetka36.org.
If you have ordered a hot lunch on a day that your child will not be at school, you may pick up that lunch at the front desk. Please notify the office (847) 446-6060 by 10 am, and we will hold the lunch at the front desk for you to pick up after 12 pm.
If your child is coming back from or heading to an appointment before/after lunch and you'd like them to bring the food home or your child is leaving at lunchtime for the rest of the day, notify the office by 10 a.m. When a hot lunch is ordered on the same day a home lunch is brought, your student will still receive their hot lunch.
If you do not notify the office, your child's hot lunch will be donated.
Please note: For allergy purposes, any donated lunch given to a child who does not have lunch that day will need approval from the parent to receive this.
Please contact Jen Felderman (jennifer.felderman@gmail.com; 773-513-9444), the PTO Lunch Volunteer Coordinator, with any questions.
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.
D36 Green Team
The D36 Green Team is ready to kick off the school year but we need help from each school to make a tangible difference. Here are some ways that you can be involved:
Attend our monthly meetings! Our first meeting is scheduled for October 6, 8:45-9:30 a.m. over Zoom. Meetings will take place the first Friday of each month at 8:45 a.m., all over Zoom. Email Patrick Dawson if you're interested in attending, even if you can't make it every month!
Sign up to empty out our plastic bags collection boxes! Can't make our meetings? Prefer to have more of a behind-the-scenes role? Sign up HERE for a month or two at your building to empty out the plastic bags collection. We ask that you complete it at the end of the month unless the box is full before that. You're only responsible for emptying it that one time in a month! If the end of the month comes and it's still not full, please do still empty it though.
Interested in helping with a project? Contact Liz Kunkle and we'll keep you in mind as projects arise!
2023/2024 Calendar
Fall 2023 Safety Bulletin
Winnetka Parents Institute
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. Please view the fall schedule here. If you were unable to attend “The Winnetka Experience: Portrait of a Graduate, Portrait of an Educator, and Progressive Education”view the session here.
Coming Soon:
District 36: Benchmark Assessments
October 19 2023
9:30 A.M.
Location: Skokie Community Room
Join Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, to hear about the standardized academic assessments administered in the areas of reading and math. Learn about what skills are assessed at each grade level, how staff use this information, and when parents can expect to receive assessment results following each of the three benchmarking periods (fall, winter, and spring)
Interested:
Following the event a link will be provided to the recorded presentation on the website.
Monthly Observances
As part of Winnetka School District 36’s ongoing commitment to equity by fostering connection and belonging, the District will take time each month to recognize the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds. The goal of these monthly observances is to provide resources and support for teachers in order to bring awareness and appreciation to the diverse population of students in our community. Observances will look different at all schools and even at different grade levels. Some activities might include art, music, book studies, research projects, sharing cultural holidays and celebrations, and other school activities. As materials are developed for these observances, we will make them accessible.
September 15- October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
October: Disability Awareness
November: Native American Heritage
December: Human Rights
January: MLK Jr. Day
February: Black History
March - April 15: Women’s History Month
April 15-May 15: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage
May 15 - June 13: Jewish American Heritage
Want to monitor your child's school device at home? Set up the JAMF Parent App!
Introducing The Winnetka Public Schools App
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
- Friday, 10/6: Greeley Spirit Day
- Thursday, 10/12: No School (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
- Friday, 10/13: No School (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
- Friday, 10/20: Fall Family Fun Night; 5:30-7:30pm
About Us
School Hours:
8:30am | Doors open
8:37am | School promptly begins
2:10pm | Kindergarten dismissal
2:45pm | Early Release (MONDAY ONLY)
3:15pm | Grades 1-4 and Stay & Play Kindergarten dismissal
Email: GordonSchreiber@winnetka36.org
Website: https://www.winnetka36.org/greeley
Location: 275 Fairview Avenue, Winnetka, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 446-6060
Facebook: facebook.com/Winnetka36
Twitter: @Winnetka36