Greeley Greeting

Dear Greeley Families,

Safe and effective drop-off and dismissal procedures are a continual focus for our school. We have noticed an increase in cars utilizing Hawthorn Ln. (west of Fairview Ave.) to drop-off and pick-up students. Although using these streets may be beneficial or expedient for individual families, it significantly impedes upon our ability to efficiently get cars in and out of our drop-off lanes. Additionally, it adds more traffic at the intersection of Hawthorn and Fairview. Please use the "cut-out" on Fairview Ave. for drop-off and pick-up.

If parking or idling, please be sure to follow village signage. This includes a "No Parking Here to Corner" sign on the south side of Hawthorn Ln. Cars staying in this spot make it difficult for drivers to see children and/or safely make turns.

Thank you for your consideration and partnership,

Joshua Swanner

Principal

Greeley will be offering an adoption support group for students. The group will be starting in March 2024 and sessions will be held every other week. The group will run for eight sessions. The group will be led by members of our Behavior Health Team, Katie Kalogriopoulos, Social Worker; Danielle Kimak, Social-Emotional Coach; and Sehar Siddiqui, School Psychologist. Students who have experienced adoption personally, or who may have a sibling who has been adopted, are welcome to participate in this group. Please reach out to katiekalogriopoulos@winnetka36.org if you would like more information.

Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent of Schools, invites you to the first “Coffee with Kelly,” a community conversation that will be hosted at our schools over the remaining months of the school year. Staff, families and community members are welcome to join Dr. Tess and a special guest for co-facilitated discussions on topics of interest, providing an opportunity to gather together, listen to each other’s perspectives and enhance our partnership to educate the students of Winnetka.

The first “Coffee with Kelly” will center on the topic of Gathering. Dr. Tess will be joined by Ms. Carly Andrews, Executive Director of The Alliance for Early Childhood for a conversation on:

• fostering social connections for our students,

• supporting community members craving connection,

• learning about how staff and families feel linked or out of synch with each other,

• and reflecting on how caring for others can be both nourishing and depleting.

This is an opportunity to converse, connect, learn, and grow together!

Guests are invited to:

• Read an excerpt from Nourished: Connection, Food, and Caring for Our Kids (And Everyone Else We Love) by Deborah MacNamara PhD

• and/or watch this interview with the author

• and/or come as you are, excited to engage with your childrens’ teachers, your neighbors, and your school leaders!

Wednesday, February 28 from 12 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

Greeley School Resource Center,

275 Fairview Ave., Winnetka

Please RSVP by February 25, 2024.

All staff and parents (including grandparents and caregivers!) are welcome. You do not need to be a Greeley family or staff member to attend. Coffee will be served!

On March 10, Winnetka Public Schools Foundation board members will be reaching out to D36 parents and community members by phone, text and email to secure donations for the coming year. The goal is to raise $85,000 during Phone-A-Thon so that WPSF can continue to fund grants to promote teaching innovation. Every donation makes a difference in our schools! Donate online by March 9, to “Beat the Call.” With your support, WPSF can continue to invest in our students, teachers, schools and community and fund grants to enhance the learning experience for every Winnetka D36 student.

Think back to a favorite project you experienced when you were a student. Was there something about it that was highly engaging, unique, and allowed you freedom to discover and explore your own interests? Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, has a conversation with Carleton Washburne School students, Ms. Tip Walker (The Skokie School), and Ms. Jennifer Bertacchi (Carleton Washburne School) reflecting on the profound impact of Project Based Learning on education. This episode provides a window into how Project Based Learning is designed by teachers, experienced by students and connects to learning standards. As stated by a student interviewed about a recent Project Based Learning activity, “This really prepared me for what I may be able to do in the future.” To see the website built by these students as one of their public products visit this link.

Listen here:

Apple Podcast

Amazon

Spotify

iHeart Radio

Google

Winnetka Voices is a podcast hosted by The Winnetka Public Schools, featuring candid conversations on issues relevant to education and shared resources to support our students and families.

The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics.

Click here for the Winter/Spring 2024 schedule.

Videos of the Fall 2023 sessions are available here:

• The Winnetka Experience: Portrait of a Graduate, Portrait of an Educator, and Progressive Education

• District 36: Benchmark Assessments

• The Middle School Experience, AKA “Why is my child acting like this?” Please help.

• Literacy Pilot: How District 36 Educators are Testing Literacy Programs and Practices

Families may now access the calendar for the upcoming school year, also available on our District website.

The Accelerated Placement Act requires Illinois public school districts to adopt and implement policies on acceleration that provide opportunities for single subject and grade level acceleration. To learn more about District 36’s acceleration policy implementation, click here to view an infographic and click here to visit our updated webpage. Note that the acceleration request form will be open February 26-March 22. If you have questions about the policy, please contact the Asst Supt of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, Dr. Becky Mathison, at beckymathison@winnetka36.org.

The tradition continues – fun for the whole family at Winter Carnival!

On Friday, February 23 from 5-8:30 p.m., the New Trier Senior Class is hosting its annual Winter Carnival, during which the entire Class of 2024 will work with their adviser rooms to transform the Winnetka Campus into various carnival attractions for children. Carnival-goers can expect everything from the classics, like Pop-A-Shot and Putt Putt Golf, to more unique activity booths, such as Glitter World Salon and Human Bowling. Admission at the North main entrance (along Trevian Way) is free and activity tickets are $1 each. Parking is free, and is available in the lots on the east side of the school as well as in any space marked "New Trier High School" in the Indian Hill lot adjacent to the Metra lot at Winnetka Avenue and Green Bay Road.

This year’s carnival will also feature an optional Magic Show, raffle, and more! Purchase tickets for the Liam the Magic Man Magic Show from 5-5:30 ($10 per family) here: https://newtrier.revtr

ak.net/fundraising/fundraising-senior-class/liam-the-magic-man-s-magic-show/

All proceeds benefit the 2024 Senior Class Service Project, Embarc Chicago, which provides “real-world experiential learning accompanied by a state of the art in-class curriculum to change the trajectories of students’ lives.”

• Friday, February 23: Spirit Day!
• Friday, February 23: February Birthday Lunch w/ the Principal (Grades 1-4)
  
• Saturday, February 24: PTO Parent Party (details in PTO communications)
• Wednesday, February 28: Coffee with Kelly; 12:00 – 1:00pm in the RC
• Thursday, February 29: August Birthday Lunch w/ the Principal (Grades 1-4)

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