Dear Crow Island Families,
This past week students celebrate Earth Week at Crow Island. Throughout the week students engaged in activities to learn about Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Next week, we will start Spring Assessment at Crow Island. This is a great way to measure growth from the fall and to celebrate the hard work of our students. More information about spring assessments is included in my letter below.
I also wanted to remind parents about the discussion regarding construction and packing on Thursday, May 2nd. As a reminder, we are packing up the entire school this year (anything not nailed down to the floor is moving) as significant HVAC and other interior work is being completed. Also, we break ground on a year-long construction project. If you want to learn about the timeline and impact you can register below.
Have a great week!
Luke Livingston
Principal
- Thursday, May 2nd: Construction & Packing Overview w/ Mr. Livingston 6pm
- Monday, May 6th: Spring Benchmark Assessments Begin
- Tuesday, May 7th: MAP Testing Reading Grade 3 & 4
- Wednesday, May 8th: MAP Testing Math Grade 3 & 4
- Monday, May 6th–Friday, May 10th: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
- Wednesday, May 15th: 2nd Grade Bike Rodeo/Safety Test
- Thursday, May 16th: Camp Edwards 4th Grade
- Monday, May 20th: 3rd Grade Spring Sing, 5:45 PM; 4th Grade Spring Sing, 6:45 PM
- Tuesday, May 21st: 1st Grade Portfolio Day at 9:30 AM or 12:45 PM; 4th Grade at 10:30 AM or 1:30 PM
- Wednesday, May 22nd: 2nd Grade Portfolio Day at 10:30 AM or 2:00 PM; 3rd Grade at 9:15 AM or 1:15 PM
- Friday May 24th: Half Day (K–8) Reporting Day (11:20/11:59 AM Dismissal)
- Monday, May 27th: No School, Memorial Day
Monday Spirit Days:
As a reminder, every Monday is considered a Crow Island Spirit Wear Day. Staff and students are encouraged to participate.
Parent Input Survey for Class Placement | (Due May 1st)
We are starting to think of class placement for next year. If you would like to share information about some unique aspects of your child’s learning styles or academic/social concerns that need to be considered then you will complete the form below. Please note that specific teacher requests will not be honored. Thank you for trusting our professional judgment as we create wonderful learning experiences for every Crow Island student. Parent Input Survey 2024-25
Construction & Packing Updates at Crow Island
Join Mr. Livingston to learn more about construction and packing updates at Crow Island. Construction will take place over the summer and into next school year. During the conversation you can learn about the impact of construction and see updated renderings as well as ask any questions. RSVP here.
Portfolio Day Information:
Portfolios show the cumulative efforts and learning of individual students over time. The portfolio showcases student improvement and skill mastery throughout the year. Along with student reflection, the portfolio provides detailed information about individual students and what is important to your child throughout the learning process. At Crow Island, we believe portfolios are powerful because…
Students are capable of assessing their own learning.
Our goal is for students to think of and see themselves as learners. We encourage students to think about their learning and set goals for themselves.
Portfolios help students reflect on where they started, how they developed, and view their growth over time.
Each portfolio is tailored to the individual student and allows each individual child an opportunity to celebrate their work.
Portfolio Day Logistics:
Students in 1st through 4th grade (have been working with their teachers to reflect on their learning and select work for their portfolios. In May, parents will be invited into the classrooms for Portfolio Day. During Portfolio Day, each child will have 30 minutes to lead their parents through their portfolio. This is an opportunity (for you to join your child in celebrating their learning and growth). You will have the opportunity to listen as your child takes the lead in showcasing the work they have completed this year..
Below are the dates we have set aside for Portfolio Day:
Tuesday, May 21
1st Grade 9:30 & 12:45pm
4th Grade 10:30 & 1:30pm
Wednesday, May 22
2nd Grade 10:30 & 2:00pm
3rd Grade 9:15am & 1:15pm
As in previous years this event is for parents and children only. Siblings do not attend Portfolio Day. Please be sure to make alternate arrangements. This allows your child to have your undivided attention on this special day.
This week, teachers will be sending out a sign-up so parents can arrange the time to visit the classroom on the date above. In the coming month, I will be sending out more information to families on how they can support the Portfolio Day.
SECOND GRADE BIKE RODEO
Wednesday, May 15th at 4:00 PM
We are excited to provide our second grade students with the opportunity to partake in a time-honored tradition, the 2nd Grade Bike Rodeo! This event will be held on the back blacktop of Crow Island from 4:00 to 5:00 on Wednesday, May 15th. The PTO will host the event in partnership with the Winnetka Police Department, Green Bay Cycles, and Local Scout Troop 20. Students will bring their bikes and helmets to this after-school event, where they will learn principles of bike safety, navigate a simple course, have an opportunity to register their bicycle with the village, and have their safety equipment checked. We also will offer a raffle for participants.
Parents: We encourage caregiver participation and attendance to help reinforce the importance of bike safety, so please plan to join us. If your child is not yet a proficient bike rider, they may bring a scooter or other non-powered cycle to use but must have a well-fitted helmet.
Before the event, please review the recommended safe routes with your child, and watch the bike safety video. Please fill out the following forms ahead of time to bring to the event: District-wide Bike Safety Pledge and Winnetka Bike Registration Form (can also be emailed to pdrecords@winnetka.org). Questions may be directed to co-chairs Kelly Conway and Ellie O'Donnell.
Spring Benchmarking
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 April 29th and conclude on May 17th. There are three platforms the district utilizes to gather student learning information; aimswebPlus, mCLASS, and NWEA MAP. Benchmarking reports will be mailed home on Wednesday, May 29th.
Assessment may be found on our district website in the Benchmark Assessment Section of ITL under Parent Communication on Student Learning. If you need further information on your child’s testing session, please contact your building principal.
5th Grade Parent Information:
- Parent Input Form: If you are an incoming 5th grade parent you can use this form to share your input with Principal Cooney as your child transitions to 5th grade. This helps in the creation of class placement. 4th Grade Skokie Parent Input Form 2024-25.
- Skokie School Supplies: You can order your school supplies here: https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/kits.php?sid=35479
Earth Week:
The Winnetka Public Schools will be celebrating and participating in Earth Day activities the week of April 22-26. This year’s theme is around the three R’s of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Students will participate in activities and learning around this theme during the week and we encourage everyone to participate in the following ways:
Tuesday - REDUCE - Aim for a waste-free lunch
Wednesday - REUSE - What can you reuse or repurpose rather than throwing it away?
Thursday - RECYCLE - Can what you throw away be recycled or composted instead?
Additional Resources:
30 Easy Ways To Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Health Forms for the 2024/2025 School Year
This is a friendly reminder that all medical forms required by the State of Illinois are due before the first day of school. You can find additional copies of the forms on the district website here.
State of Illinois Health Examination:
Kindergarten & Grade 6
Eye Examination:
Kindergarten
Dental Examination:
Kindergarten, Grade 2 & Grade 6
Please use the links on the district’s health page to upload your child’s completed forms.
Coffee w/ Kelly | Artificial Intelligence and Education
Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent of Schools, invites you to our third “Coffee with Kelly,” a community conversation hosted at our schools! Staff, families and community members are welcome to join Dr. Tess, Mr. Patrick Dawson (Director of Innovation, Teaching & Learning) and Mr. Matt Boyer (Technology Integration Specialist at Skokie) for a co-facilitated discussion on the growing world of Artificial Intelligence, what we are learning about it and how parents can stay informed. We hope to provide an opportunity to learn more about how it intersects with the world of education, as well as offer participants a first-hand, guided experience with AI and offer ways parents can talk about this with their children.
“Coffee with Kelly” in April
April 30, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.
The Skokie Community Room
All staff, caregivers, and parents (including grandparents!) are welcome. You do not need to be a Skokie School family or staff member to attend. Coffee will be served!
Spring 2024 Parent-Teacher Conferences- Parent Feedback
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 14-15, 2024. This shift from October provides an opportunity to redefine how fall conferences are utilized. Conferences should serve as an opportunity to provide information about how a student is learning and what is next to support continued growth. Please complete this brief survey by May 3. The results will be used to structure the November 2024 conferences.
Winnetka Parents Institute
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics.
Click here for the Spring 2024 schedule.
Up next:
What Do These Reports Mean? (Greeley Staff Members and Principal Joshua Swanner)
May 15, 2024
9:30 A.M.
Location: Washburne Cafeteria
Families receive important information regarding their child’s growth and achievement at three distinct times in the school year. This includes progress reports, benchmarking reports, MAP assessment reports, and IEP trimester updates. This informational session is available to families of elementary students enrolled in the Winnetka Public Schools and will provide an overview of how to read and interpret the triannual data provided to families. Join staff members from Greeley School as they detail the purpose of these reports and how they are used to inform instruction.
Interested:
If you missed our spring sessions, watch the videos here:
From Washburne to New Trier: (with Paul Waechtler, Principal)
A D36 Parent's Guide to the New Trier Transition
Not Quite Little Kid, Not Quite Teenager: The Developmental Progression of the Middle School Child
Digital Citizenship in Winnetka (with SEL Coaches and Technology Integration Specialists)
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