

Crow Island Parent Newsletter
January 27, 2025
Dear Crow Island Families,
This past week we wrapped up our winter benchmarking assessments with students. Overall, students continue to show a lot of growth. We are excited to show the growth via Otus in the coming weeks.
This week, the Filament Theater is returning to Crow Island as Artist in Residence. The students will be working with Filament in the art room. We are beyond thrilled to welcome them back to Crow Island!
Have a great week!
Luke
January:
- Thursdsay, January 30: Math Night, 5:30–6:15 PM (1st and 2nd); 6:30–7:15 PM (3rd and 4th)
February:
- Monday, February 3: Winter Conference Sign-up will go live to parents.
- Friday, February 7: Half Day Institute Day (Dismissal 11:20am)
- Thursday, February 20: Winter Conference (non-attendance for students)
- Friday, February 21: Winter Conference (non-attendance for students)
Monday Spirit Days:
As a reminder, every Monday is considered a Crow Island Spirit Wear Day. Staff and students are encouraged to participate.
District Strategic Plan Survey:
As the District launches its Strategic Planning process, we are conducting a survey in partnership with Studer Education. Your feedback will guide our work as we identify the greatest areas of need to best support our students and families through their K-8 experience.The survey takes about 10-15 minutes. Please complete a separate survey for each of the schools your children attend.
The Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey can be accessed here:
Winnetka Public District 36 – Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey
To maintain confidentiality of the Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey, our partners at Studer Education will be administering the survey, managing the data collection, and aggregating the data to provide results reports to leaders.
Filamnet Takes over Art:
The Filament theatre is returning to Crow Island. They will be working as the Artist in Residence in the the Art Room. They will be focusing the workshop on a Superhero Theme, which is in conjunction with the new play Hannah and Halmoni Save the World. Their creative work with the students will be playing with everyday acts of superheroism and working together to "save the day." By day, Hannah is a seven-year-old girl who lives with her Korean-American grandma. But by night, Grandma becomes a SUPERHERO named Halmoni! This world premiere production is an intergenerational superhero play that champions asking for help, self-forgiveness, and familial resilience for the young AND old among us.
Stay & Play Registration
Kindergarten students who are not currently enrolled in Stay & Play will have the opportunity to register for the 2nd half of the year after 8:00 am January 6th through this link. Please note that the registration period ends January 31, 2025 and will remain closed for the remainder of the year. The rates are prorated below. If you attempt to register before the 6th, you will receive an Item Unavailable message. After purchasing Kindergarten Stay & Play registration, your child will be able to begin their attendance in the program the following Monday so the schools can plan accordingly.
Strategic Plan Survey:
As the District launches its Strategic Planning process, we are conducting a survey in partnership with Studer Education. Your feedback will guide our work as we identify the greatest areas of need to best support our students and families through their K-8 experience.The survey takes about 10-15 minutes. Please complete a separate survey for each of the schools your children attend.
The Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey can be accessed here:
Winnetka Public District 36 – Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey
To maintain confidentiality of the Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey, our partners at Studer Education will be administering the survey, managing the data collection, and aggregating the data to provide results reports to leaders.
Winnetka Voices: New Episode!
Season 3, Episode #6: Open-Mindedness, Consistency & Embracing Change: Best Practices in Safety, Security & Communications
Dr. Kelly Tess chats with Department of Communications, Safety & Security leaders, Mr. Ray Finnerty (Director of Safety & Security in his first year in the District) and Ms. Kate Hughes (Director of Communications in her tenth year in the District). A retired police officer and former publicist seem to be an unlikely team–and what purpose does this Department serve? Mr. Finnerty shares how he has enhanced safety and security practices with the support of the Winnetka Police and Fire Departments. Ms. Hughes shares how the District’s communication strategies have evolved to align with current best practices, serving as a model for other Districts, as well as garnering six awards from the National School Public Relations Association between 2023-2024 and a record 65 awards from the Illinois School Public Relations Association since 2015.
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.
Listen here:
Winnetka Parents Institute Sessions
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. View the entire 2024/2025 schedule here.
Up Next:
From Washburne to New Trier: A D36 Parent's Guide to the New Trier Transition
February 12, 2025
9:30 A.M.
Location: Carleton Washburne School RC
Join Paul Waechtler, Principal at the New Trier High School Freshman
Campus, who will discuss the New Trier freshman placement process and the efforts made to ensure a smooth transition to high school. A Q & A will provide an opportunity for parents to learn more about how to best support their child(ren) as they prepare for their New Trier experience.
Interested:
If you missed it, view videos from past sessions:
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.
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