Dear Crow Island Families,
I enjoyed seeing families participate in conferences last week. My hope is that you were able to celebrate a lot of growth since the fall. Please continue to keep in touch if you have questions or wonderings about how your child is doing in school.
This week, we are celebrating Valentine's Day. Specifically, our kindergarteners and fourth graders are participating in a game or craft from our room parents. I also wanted to remind families that next Monday is a non-attendance day for students.
Have a great week!
Luke
- Tuesdsay, February 14th: Valentine's Day at Crow Island
- Monday, February 20th: Non-Attendance day for students
- Wednesday, March 8th: Family Math Olympics Gr 3 & 4 6:30 - 8:00pm
- Thursday, March 9th: Family Math Olympics Gr 1 and 2 6:30- 8:00pm
- Friday, March 24th: Spring Break Starts
- Monday, April 3rd: School Resumes
- Thursdsay, April 6th: STEAM Expo 6:00pm
- Tuesday, April 11th: Illinois Assessment Readiness (IAR) Grades 3 & 4
STEAM Expo:
Save the date for the Crow Island Steam Expo. The Expo will take place on Thursday, April 6. Students in grades 2, 3, and 4 can participate (optional). More information about signing up, preparation, and the schedule will be coming in the newsletter next week.
Flexible Thinking
A flexible thinker can solve problems using different strategies or approaches and is able to persevere when challenged. Flexible thinking is a key part of being efficient, strategic, and accurate, and it demonstrates a strong conceptual understanding. The choice of strategy used to solve a problem is not only influenced by the particular problem, but also by the child. In our classrooms, we want students to see math as a creative subject where they have freedom to choose how to solve a problem. Encouraging students to think in ways that are the most efficient and meaningful for them, is an important part of developing mathematical agency and a positive math identity. Instead of learning one way to solve a problem, we want students to have a variety of tools and solid understandings they can rely on. In our instruction, we celebrate different ways of thinking and honor each student’s process of making sense. This brings richness and depth to our students as individual thinkers and to our math communities. It also fosters the growth of mathematical agency, which is a key element of a lifelong learner.
Valentine's Day:
Crow Island will be celebrating Valentine's Day on February 14th. Highlights include:
- Each grade celebrates with a card or craft.
- Each grade has a consistent approach; some will invite room parents into school.
- Please include all students if sending valentines in with your child.
- Avoid sending food items.
You can read more about the expectations here: Valentine's Day 2023.
WPSF Phone-a-Thon
On Monday, February 6, the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation kicked off its annual fundraiser, the Phone-a-Thon. Funds raised during the Phone-A-Thon support programs in Winnetka’s public schools that go above and beyond what could be achieved with tax dollars alone, bringing new and innovative ideas into our classrooms. This year, a generous anonymous donor will match the first $10,000 of donations made during the early online donation period ( February 6-25). What a fantastic way to double the impact of your donation! Click here to make a donation online or visit www.wpsf.org to find out more. To donate by phone, please answer the call on Sunday, February 26 or Monday, February 27.
Working in Winnetka 36:
Winnetka 36 is always looking for great candidates when there are openings and we appreciate referrals encouraging them to apply. Here’s a link to our current openings: https://www.applitrack.com/winnetka36/onlineapp/default.aspx
We also get questions about the necessary steps on how to become a substitute teacher and thought we would share how to do that on the bottom of the document: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/how-become-sub-teacher.pdf
Beverages with the Board
Beverages with the Board is an opportunity for community members to connect with Board Members on a regular basis. Drop in to chat with Emily Rose and Dawn Livingston on topics that impact our school community:
February 14 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Peets Coffee
817 Elm Street in Winnetka
Acceleration Policy Information
Thank you to the parents and community members that attended the WPI event about the acceleration policy on January 25. Click here to access a recording of the session. Attendees were provided a draft copy of the acceleration request form in order to provide feedback before the form goes live on March 6. If you would like to provide feedback, please review the draft of the form here. Feedback that is specific and aligned to a particular question would be most helpful. Consider which items need to be changed, looked at further, or improved. Please share your feedback with Dr. Becky Mathison at beckymathison@winnetka36.org by Friday, February 10.
The criteria for the acceleration request process includes Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) scores two or more achievement scores at the 99th percentile one grade level above over the last two years. Students recently completed the winter MAP test. Winter student reports are not sent home. Student reports are sent home at the end of the school year with fall to spring growth measures. If you need further information on your child’s recent testing session please contact your building principal. To view a chart that depicts the achievement percentiles for MAP scores by grade level, click here.
FROM OUR PARTNERS AT THE ALLIANCE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD:
READ: Alliance’s Fall/Winter Newsletter
READ: Alliance’s Let’s Play Guide 2022-2023 and NEW Let’s Play! Information
REGISTER: Let’s Play! Let’s Play! Cardboard Design Experience on Saturday, January 28, 10:00am-12:00pm, Joseph Sears School, 542 Abbotsford Rd, Kenilworth, IL 60043
Join The Alliance for Early Childhood and partners Joseph Sears School, Kenilworth District 38 and Winnetka-Northfield Public Library to think outside of the box and get creative at our Cardboard Design Experience. Children will bring their own design ideas and we will provide the cardboard and tools for their creations to come to life. Intended Age Audience: All ages are welcome.
REGISTER: Virtual Parent Series: Using Connection, Compassion, and Co-Regulation to Address Challenging Behavior in Young Children with Cari Ebert, February 9, 7-8:30pm
Dealing with a child’s challenging behavior is one of the toughest parts of parenting. Traditional discipline techniques revolve around the use of punishments and rewards, which may be effective in the short term, but are often ineffective in the long run. Join Cari Ebert as she explores the power of using a relationship-based discipline approach based on connection, compassion, and co- regulation to support young children during times of distress. Facilitated by Cari Ebert, Pediatric Speech Pathologist, MS, CCC-SLP. More details here.
REGISTER: Let’s Play! Let’s Play! Winter Woods Exploration Saturday, February 11, 10:00am-12:00pm, Crow Island Woods, 1140 Willow Rd, Winnetka
Bundle-up and head outside to join The Alliance for Early Childhood and Community Partner BackYard Nature Center to engage in imaginative, child-directed, outdoor free-play in the woods. All ages are welcome.
REGISTER: Virtual Parent Series: Attachment and Your Young Child’s Mental Health: How You Can Make a Difference with Kate Blaker and Sarah Eastburg in Conversation with Carly Andrews, February 23, 7pm
From the moment children are born they seek a secure attachment with caregivers, and this attachment becomes the secure base for their future development. Renowned psychiatrist Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk writes that “children whose parents are reliable sources of comfort and strength have a lifetime advantage - a kind of buffer against the worst that fate can hand them.” Join Kate Blaker and Sarah Eastburg in conversation with Carly Andrews as they discuss the role of attachment between parent and child and explore what being "securely attached" means, how parents can support secure attachments with their children, and the effects of secure attachment on the family’s mental wellness. Facilitated by Kate Blaker, M.A.T, NBCC, LPC, and Sarah Eastburg, LSW. More details here.
January Winnetka Wire:
Check out our monthly newsletter here.
Winnetka Voices Podcast Episodes
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.
NEW! Episode #3:
Supporting Literacy Needs & Fostering a Love of Reading
Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, is joined by Dr. Becky Mathison, the District’s Director of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, Ms. Missy Parks, second grade teacher at Crow Island School, and Anna Karwowska, Youth Services Manager of The Winnetka-Northfield Public Library. Topics addressed include how we've seen students' needs evolve following the result of the pandemic, how the District approaches supporting students in their reading skills, and tools that may help parents and caregivers support an interest in reading at home.
Listen here:
NEW! Episode #3:
Supporting Literacy Needs & Fostering a Love of Reading
Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, is joined by Dr. Becky Mathison, the District’s Director of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, Ms. Missy Parks, second grade teacher at Crow Island School, and Anna Karwowska, Youth Services Manager of The Winnetka-Northfield Public Library. Topics addressed include how we've seen students' needs evolve following the result of the pandemic, how the District approaches supporting students in their reading skills, and tools that may help parents and caregivers support an interest in reading at home.
Listen here:
Winnetka Parents Institute
UP NEXT:
From Washburne to New Trier: (Paul Waechtler, Principal)
A D36 Parent's Guide to the New Trier Transition
March 7, 2022 (confirmed)
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Carleton Washburne School, 515 Hibbard Rd.
Paul Waechtler, Principal at the New Trier High School Freshman
Campus, and Lori Worth, 8th Grade Transition Faculty, 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:
Adventures in Learning Summer 2023
The Winnetka Public Schools will offer its Adventures in Learning summer program from June 14th to July 19, 2023. There will be no classes on June 19th or July 4th. Our General Program is designed for students entering 2nd grade through 8th grade and will be held at Washburne School. Our Primary Program provides activities for children Pre-K (4 years old by June 1st, 2023) and K-1st grade (5 years old by September 1st, 2022) and will be held at Crow Island. Classes will be as varied as wilderness skills, archery, tennis, science, cooking, and many types of crafts...along with the annual favorite, Animal Care. Registration will go live in March.
Online Registration Open for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2023-2024 School Year
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2023-2024 is now open on the District website and via https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=30658&culture=en. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2023, are eligible to enroll.
The new student registration process is completed in three steps:
Complete new student pre-registration forms online beginning November 16, 2022.
Provide the original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID. The certified copy can be submitted in person at the District Office. If you have the original birth certificate, you may bring it to the District Office to be photocopied. The District Office is at 1235 Oak St., Winnetka.
Provide proof of residency and paper registration forms. For your convenience, all required residency documents may be uploaded during online registration. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements as well as the other forms required for registration (Registration Forms & Information).
Children will not be considered enrolled until both the online and paper portion of registration has been completed and residency documentation is verified. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 847-446-9400.
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: lindyschmidt@winnetka36.org
Website: https://www.winnetka36.org/crowisland
Location: 1112 Willow Road Winnetka, IL 60093
Phone: (847)-446-0353
Twitter: @CrowIslandD36