Dear Crow Island Families,
Last week, our grade level teams met for fall "data meetings". Teams analyze their fall assessment data and collaborate to decide what instructional approaches are working and what might need to be adjusted to best support their students. The data meetings occur three times each year and are essential times for teachers to as a team to support students and their growth and development. In addition, fall benchmark assessments were put into the mail last week and there are resources linked below for families to assist in understanding those assessments.
This week, we are looking forward to seeing families during fall conferences. This is a great opportunity to partner together to best support students. We are looking forward to seeing you on Thursday or Friday.
Have a great week!
Luke Livingston
Principal
- Tuesday, October 10: Practice Lock-down Drill
- Thursday, October 12: Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
- Friday, October 13: Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
- Monday, October 16: Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Week Starts
- Monday, October 16: Unity Week & Digital Citizenship Week Start
- Tuesday, October 17: Lockdown Drill w/ Winnetka Police Department
- Thursday, October 19: PTO Runathon
- Tuesday, October 31: Halloween Ghost-walk @ 1pm
Monthly Observances: Disability Awareness Month
In October, Americans observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month by paying tribute to the accomplishments of the men and women with disabilities whose work helps keep the nation’s economy strong and by reaffirming their commitment to ensure equal opportunity for all citizens. At Crow Island it is also a time for our learning community to focus on a culture of inclusion and learn more about disabilities. Our Crow Island Library has created a library collection of texts on Destiny our online resource and families can view that here: Disability Awareness Month Collection.
Unity Week & Digital Citizenship Week:
October 16th will be a spirit week at Crow Island School. During this week we come together to celebrate our school community through the idea of Unity and that we all work together to make Crow Island a special place where all students feel connected and a sense of belonging. This year, we are also expanding our approach to focus on Digital Citizenship and what it means to be responsible online and being an up-stander. Each day has a theme and there is is family connection that can be reviewed at home and we encourage families to participate!
Understanding Assessment Results
Fall benchmark assessment results have been mailed home. Information to help parents understand the assessment reports are available on the District website. As a community of learners, we are navigating the way through how to best use this information along with the valuable insight gathered on a day-to-day basis in our schools. Thank you for being our partner in this growth process.
PTO Food Drive:
The annual Crow Island Food Drive benefiting the New Trier Food Pantry will be Thursday, October 5th through Wednesday, October 11th. Crow Island has become a major contributor to the New Trier Food Pantry and, now more than ever, supplies are very much needed and appreciated.
The pantry greatly appreciates all contributions and all items must be shelf stable. Items will be collected during morning drop-off at both the circle and Glendale Avenue drop-off points. Current needs include pasta and pasta sauce, cookies, crackers, granola bars, canned tuna and salmon, canned chicken, canned fruit, cooking oil, condiments, peanut butter and jelly, toothpaste and mouthwash, cleaning supplies, and Ziploc-style bags.
Literacy Pilot Underway
Last year the District strategic plan goal to realign the K-1 literacy program was updated to entail a full curriculum review of literacy programming K-8. The goal of the curriculum review is to ensure there is a guaranteed and viable literacy curriculum based upon current research that builds from Kindergarten through Grade 8. In the spring a group of educators that comprised the District’s Literacy Leadership Committee identified literacy programs to pilot this year and 60 classroom teachers volunteered to participate in the pilot. Participating in the pilot means that the teacher has been trained in the program and will select one existing unit in the literacy curriculum to replace with the pilot curriculum. Your child’s classroom teacher may have shared this information during the recent Go To School Night events, as well as through their classroom newsletters. While the student learning outcomes in literacy may remain the same this year, the programming, materials and sequence used may be different in classrooms where the pilot is taking place. More information about the pilot will continue to be shared through District communications and regular updates during School Board meetings. A special thank you to the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Board for approving funding that was used for a large majority of the pilot training that occurred during September.
Pokemon Club Starts Tuesday:
Back by popular demand, Pokemon Club will meet every Tuesday at 8:15am. Students can bring cards and will be dismissed to their classes at 8:35am. Pokemon club is hosted by Mr. Medina and Ms. Stoffer. Students who attend should come at 8:15am to the main entrance.
Practice Lockdown Drill & LockDown Drill:
Crow Island works closely with the Winnetka Police Department to practice our responses to emergency situations. When the drills are completed families will receive a message from Mr. Livingston. In addition, we are required to notify parents in advance of the drills and below are the two dates for emergency drill information:
- On Tuesday, October 10th we will have a "practice" lockdown drill. During this experience, teachers talk students about what would happen if we go into a lockdown situation. During this practice experience, teachers and students work together to talk through a potential situation. The police are not present for this drill and the experience lasts about 10 minutes.
- On Tuesday, October 17th we will have a lockdown drill with the Winnetka Police Department. During this drill, an announcement will be made by Mr. Livingston regarding the lockdown and teachers will lead students through the experience. The police observe the drill. After 10 minutes, Mr. Livingston will provide the all clear and push into classrooms to see students. In addition, an announcement will be made when the drill is completed.
Our staff takes great care in making sure all students are safe and their voices are valued during these emergency practice opportunities. Teachers spend time ensuring that students practice in a way that is age and grade appropriate and supports each child. If you choose not have your child participate in the drill with their classroom teacher you can complete the "opt out form" here: Opt out form. In the event a student opts out they will still review the drill procedures with Mr. Livingston during that time. If you have questions you can also reach out to Mr. Livingston.
Digital Citizenship Work:
Students attend Tech Class each week as part of their experience in the Resource Center. Mrs. Banas and Mrs. Maneck have been teaching students about Digital Citizenship. The goal of Digital Citizenship is to teach students how to use technology in a responsible way. Currently, third graders are learning about the power of word and that it is important to think about the words we use, because everyone interprets things differently and they identified ways to respond to mean words online using S-T-O-P. Below are three family resources:
K-4 Family Tips: Help Kids Fight Cyberbullying and Other Mean Online Behavior
Family Activity: Cyberbullying, Digital Drama, & Hate Speech
2023/2024 Calendar
Winnetka Parents Institute
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. Please view the fall schedule here. If you were unable to attend “The Winnetka Experience: Portrait of a Graduate, Portrait of an Educator, and Progressive Education”view the session here.
District 36: Benchmark Assessments
October 19 2023
9:30 A.M.
Location: Skokie Community Room
Join Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, to hear about the standardized academic assessments administered in the areas of reading and math. Learn about what skills are assessed at each grade level, how staff use this information, and when parents can expect to receive assessment results following each of the three benchmarking periods (fall, winter, and spring)
Interested:
Following the event a link will be provided to the recorded presentation on the website.
D36 Green Team
The D36 Green Team is ready to kick off the school year, but we need help from each school to make a tangible difference. Here are some ways that you can be involved:
- Attend our monthly meetings! Our first meeting is scheduled for October 6, 8:45-9:30 a.m. over Zoom. Meetings will take place on the first Friday of each month at 8:45 a.m. over Zoom. Email Patrick Dawson if you're interested in attending, even if you can't make every month!
- Sign up to empty out our plastic bag collection boxes! Can't make our meetings? Prefer to take more of a behind-the-scenes role? Sign up HERE for a month or two at your building to empty out the plastic bags collection. We ask that you complete it at the end of the month unless the box is full before that. You're only responsible for emptying it that one time in a month! If the end of the month comes and it's still not full, please do still empty it.
- Interested in helping with a project? Contact Liz Kunkle and we'll keep you in mind as projects arise!
Want to monitor your child's school device at home? Set up the JAMF Parent App!
If your student brings their school device home (grades 4-8), consider setting up the JAMF Parent App! The JAMF Parent app will allow you to allow & restrict apps, enable an app lock, set device and location rules, etc. All you need is the JAMF Parent App on your device (Apple/Android) and your student's iPad in front of you. Follow the instructions in this brief tutorial from JAMF on how to set it up and interact with the platform. Additional resources can be found here.
Introducing The Winnetka Public Schools App
Download the District’s app by searching “The Winnetka Public Schools” on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. The app will serve as a convenient way to report absences, view and manage your school calendars, and see at-a-glance District news.
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