Dear Crow Island Families,
We loved seeing families come out to support our third and fourth grade students during their Spring Sings. We hope you enjoyed witnessing their creativity and hard work come to life. This week, we celebrate our teachers and staff for their dedication to our school community. I am very proud of their collective efforts to support our students and wish them a happy Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week!
I would also encouraged families to attend the the WPI that is taking place on May 14th. It to pertains to our literacy work in kindergarten through second grade.
Take care,
Luke
May:
- Monday, May 5: Start of Staff Appreciation Week
- Monday, May 12: Spring Benchmark Assessment Window Opens
- Tuesday, May 13: Map Testing Gr 3 and 4 Reading
- Wednesday, May 14: Map Testing Gr 3 and 4 Math
- Thursday, May 15: Camp Edwards Gr 4
- Monday, May 26: No School Memorial Day
- Tuesday, May 27: Portfolio Day Grade 1 and Grade 2
- Thursday, May 29: Portfolio Day Grade 3 and Grade 4
Monday Spirit Days:
As a reminder, every Monday is considered a Crow Island Spirit Wear Day. Staff and students are encouraged to participate.
Student Attendance:
One area of focus for our school continues to be around student attendance and making sure students are at school as much as possible. The research around attendance is clear, students with higher absences are less likely to be proficient in learning and are also more likely not feel a strong sense of belonging. We will continue to track our attendance and share out when the numbers dip.
- Average Attendance the week of Feb 14, 2025 | 95% 👍
- Average Attendance the week of Feb 17, 2025 | 91%👎
- Average Attendance the week of Feb 28th, 2025 | 95%👍
- Average Attendance the week of March 3, 2025 | 97%👍
- Average Attendance the week of March 10, 2025 | 97%👍
- Average Attendance the week of March 17, 2025 | 87%👎
- Average Attendance the week of March 31, 2025 | 94%👎
- Average Attendance the week of April 7, 2025 | 96% 👍
- Average Attendance the week of April 14 , 2025 | 96% 👍
- Average Attendance the week of April 21 , 2025 | 95% 👍
2nd Grade Bike Rodeo
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14TH AT 4PM
From 4:00 – 5:00 Wednesday May 14th, in the Circle Drive of Crow Island, all 2nd grade students will participate in the Bike Rodeo where they will learn principles of bike safety, bike/scooter through a simple course, register their bicycle with the police, and have their safety equipment checked. Participating students will also be entered into a raffle to win bike-related prizes.
Parents—Before Wednesday, May 14th, please take time with your student to do the following:
- 1. Together with your student, review the recommended safe routes developed by the Winnetka Police Department and school administration.
- 2. Please watch this bike safety video and discuss/reinforce the key points with your student.
- 3. Read, discuss and sign the District-wide Bike Safety Pledge prior to the event and submit the signed copy at the event. Students who hand in their signed pledge at the event will receive a reflective decal for their bike or helmet.
- 4. Complete a Winnetka Bike Registration form, and email to: pdrecords@winnetka.org (this helps prevent bottlenecks at the event). However the form can also be submitted at the event.
This is an optional event, but we encourage all students to participate and highly recommend parental/caregiver involvement before and during the event to help reinforce safe biking practices. Students should bring their bike (or non-motorized scooter) and a helmet to school that day or specifically to the 4:00 event. Thanks in advance to Scouts Troop 20, the Winnetka Police Department, and Green Bay Cycles for their participation in this fun event! If you have any questions, please reach out to the event chairs: Beth Gordon or Nicole Serafine.
Bread Tags for Wheelchairs:
Did you know that 260,00 bread tags = 200 pounds of plastic = 1 basic wheelchair? Bread tags (the plastic bits used to close produce, bagels, muffins, and more) are too small and lightweight to recycle curbside...but we are working across the district to collect these tiny but mighty plastics and turn them into something amazing. Anytime throughout the school year, Crow Island families can send their bread tags to Ms. Maneck in the library, where she will add them to the district collection. Questions? Please contact mindimaneck@winnetka36.org
Benchmark Assessment Information Benchmark assessments are valuable tools that provide a snapshot of student progress at a point in time. These assessments help teachers to identify areas where students are excelling and where they may need additional support. They can also inform instructional decisions by providing data that can be used to tailor teaching to meet each student's unique needs and strengths. Benchmark assessments are an important component of progressive education, which recognizes that students learn in different ways and at different rates. By using benchmark assessments to inform instruction, teachers can provide a more individualized approach to learning that supports each student's academic growth and personal development. Academic benchmark assessments for literacy and math will occur three times this year for students in grades K-8. The Spring Benchmark Assessments start on May 5th and conclude on May 23rd. There are four platforms the district utilizes to gather student learning information; aimswebPlus, mCLASS, NWEA MAP, and SSIS. Benchmark data will be available in Otus beginning May 30, 2025. In order to allow for the data uploads to take place and to provide parents with consistent access to student data, please be aware that the Otus Parent Portal will be inaccessible May 5-30. Building Data Team meetings to review the Winter Benchmarking data will occur June 9-13. Please be aware that access to the Otus Parent Portal will be turned off on June 30, 2025 in order to prepare for the next school year. Communication will be sent out at the start of the year notifying parents when the portal will be accessible again.
Monthly Observances | May | Jewish American Heritage Month & Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month:
This month, we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, which originated in the 1980s with the hope that Americans will learn more about Jewish heritage and the significant contributions Jewish Americans have made to the United States. As loyal and patriotic citizens, they have enriched their communities and the nation, always grateful for the safe harbor that America provided. Jewish Americans have served in government and the military, won Nobel Prizes, led universities and corporations, advanced medicine, and created enduring works of performing and visual art. They have written great American novels and become symbols of justice as members of the Supreme Court, among many other achievements. Perhaps most importantly, American Jews have consistently urged the nation to live up to its promise of freedom and justice for all.
In addition, we will also support Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month) is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. After the House and the Senate passed the Resolution, President Jimmy Carter signed it into law on October 5, 1978. The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent—including East, Southeast and South Asia—and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed significantly to many facets of American culture and society, including science and medicine, literature and art, sports and recreation, government and politics, and law.
Winnetka Parents Institute Event
Kindergarten-2nd Grade Literacy: Connecting our Teaching and Learning to Progressive Education
May 14, 2024
9:30 A.M.
Location: Skokie Community Room
Families are invited to a session highlighting literacy instruction in The Winnetka Public Schools. Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent for Innovation, Teaching & Learning, and District educators will lead a discussion on the literacy research and neuroscience that underpins the foundational skills and knowledge-building approach to acquiring basic literacy. Together, we will explore how early childhood literacy efforts in The Winnetka Public Schools align with current best practices, as well as the Tenets of Progressive Education:Whole Child Approach, Experiential and Meaningful Learning, and Collaborative Community. Parents will leave with a greater understanding of what to expect in Kindergarten through 2nd grade, as well as how to best support their budding readers at home.
Interested:
Skokie (for 4th Graders Only):
To get you started, here are some important items to take care of before school ends:
School Supplies: Order school supplies using this School Supply link (Skokie School code: SKO001 - 3 letters/ 3 numbers). All school supply kits ordered by Monday, June 16th will be shipped directly to Skokie and waiting for your student on the first day of school. All orders received after June 16th will be shipped to your home, and you will be responsible for getting school supplies to school.
Spirit Wear: We are excited to see many new Lion’s faces in the hallways - stock up on Spirit Wear!
Volunteer with the PTO: Last, but not least - our PTO is looking for volunteers to help with our numerous programs, social events & activities - sign up for a PTO Committee today!
Kindergarten Registration:
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2025/2026 will begin November 18, 2024. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2025, 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.
Recruiting for Animal Care | Adventures in Learning
ATTENTION all rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, reptiles, birds and other small animals! Winnetka's Adventures in Learning/Animal Care Class is back and looking for animals to get some love and attention from our teachers and students. If (you or) your child's small animal is due for a brief break this summer, please email Anna at animal.care.adventures@gmail.com. We can also attempt to arrange adoptions if it is time to pass your pet on to another loving family.
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