Dear Crow Island Families,
This past week, 3rd grades participated in the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Robot Parade. 3rd grade students read "Balloons Over Broadway" with Ms. Maneck in the Resource Center. The story brings to life the inspirational story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons floating in the sky for the Thanksgiving Day parade. Students then designed and built their own balloon floats for their very own Thanksgiving Day parade. In addition, students learned to code and use the code to move a robot that carried their balloon down the parade route.
I also wanted to remind families that registration for Kindergarten has started for the 24-25 school year. If you have an incoming kindergarten student you should start the process now. In addition, if you can help spread the word it is really helpful. We start to plan for the next school year after the break and having accurate kindergarten numbers is really helpful in the planning process.
Have a great week!
Luke Livingston
Principal
- Wednesday, December 13th: Progress Reports Released on Powerschool
- Wednesday, December 20th: Progress Reports mailed home
- Thursday, December 21st: Winter Sing-a-Long (parents invited!)
- Friday, December 22nd: Sack Supper Project
- Monday, December 25th: Holiday Break Begins
- Monday, January 8th: School Resumes
Monday Spirit Days:
As a reminder, every Monday is considered a Crow Island Spirit Wear Day. Staff and students are encouraged to participate.
Winter Sing:
We are looking forward to seeing you at this year's winter performance, "Winter Is..." on Thursday, December 21st! This year, the winter sing will have both singalong elements, and performances by students.
Performance Times:
9:00- Last Name A-G
10:30AM- Last Name H-O
1:00PM- Last Name P-Z
In October, students read "Winter Is..." by Ann Dixon and Mindy Dwyer. Upon reading the story, students brainstormed what reminds them of winter. Their responses prompted varying themes for each grade level- playing in the snow (Kindergarten), treats and treasures (1st Grade), coziness and beauty (2nd Grade), gathering (3rd Grade), and community (4th grade). Students used these themes to curate song lists, and vote on songs for the performance. Students will keep Crow Island's strong singalong traditions alive by inviting families to sing for some songs, but students will also demonstrate their work in the music program through performance. Children will perform at each performance time, but as always, students may sit together with their families during their family's performance time (below). We can't wait to see (and hear) you there!
Arrival Reminders:
- The performance will take place in the auditorium.
- All visitors need to pre-register using the google form: RSVP Form.
- The form will close on December 18th, Any visitors who do not pre-register will need to show their ID at the door and go through our typical arrival system.
- Please plan to arrive fifteen minutes before the planned show time.
- If you have a child in grades K-3 you will pick them up at their classroom before going into the auditorium.
- 4th graders will come down to the auditorium on their own and parents do not need to pick them up.
- Staff will also be available to help students find parents or point you in the right direction in the hallway.
In addition, Mr. Livingston sent a clarification message to families on 12.1.23 and you can see that message here: Mr. Livingston Winter Sing message.
3rd & 4th Grade After School Sports:
Mr. Sweene and Mrs. Mendoza are hosting a second session of after-school sports for 3rd and 4th graders. Registration will open on Tuesday, Dec 12th at 9 am, and you can access it on the district store: District Web Store.
Winter 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 Winter Benchmark Assessments start on January 8th and conclude on January 19th. 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, January 31st.
Online Pre-Registration for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2024/2025 School Year Now Open
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2024/2025 will open on November 13, 2023. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2024, 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.
Please note: There are two steps to completing new student registration. Step 1: Complete the online pre-registration form; Step 2: Visit the District Office (1235 Oak Street) to provide the following:
Proof of residency. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements. For your convenience residency documents may be uploaded during online registration.
Original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID.
Completing both steps (online and in-person) is required for your child(ren) to be enrolled as new students.
Why are both steps necessary? In January of each year, the District begins preparing its budget and staffing plan for the upcoming school year. For grades, other than Kindergarten/1st grade, the staffing plan is based on the assumption that all current students will return and matriculate to the next grade level. For kindergarten and first grade students, the District forecasts enrollment based on those students that have both the in-person and online forms submitted. These early enrollments impact the staffing plan by determining the number of kindergarten/1st grade sections and student services needed. For this reason, we ask that parent(s)/guardian(s) complete BOTH steps of pre-registration BEFORE January 12, 2024. As an added incentive new students that have completed the two step pre-registration process by January 12, 2024, will receive a credit of $40.00 toward student fees for the 2024/2025 school year.
Thank you for doing your part to ensure that the District is able to retain and/or attract the best educators for our students.
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 8th through this link. Please note that the registration period ends January 31, 2024 and will remain closed for the remainder of the year. The rates are prorated below. If you attempt to register before the 9th, 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.
Preschool/Kindergarten Family Information Night
Tuesday, January 10 at 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Greeley School
275 Fairview Avenue
Winnetka
This informational session is intended for Winnetka parents of preschool students who will be attending The Winnetka Public Schools. Parents will learn more about the support and services that the District provides to current preschool students attending local preschool programming as well as what is available within our schools once a student enters kindergarten. Families will receive a preview of:
The transition-to-Kindergarten process by Crow Island, Greeley and Hubbard Woods Principals,
The resources available to families of current preschool students from the Department of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion
Details on “Kindergarten Connection” which will take place in Summer 2024
Highlights of a typical kindergarten day in The Winnetka Public Schools
We look forward to meeting new families at this event!
Save-the-Date for the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Carlson Event
January 30, 2024
6:30-8:30 P.M.
Location: Skokie School
Join WPSF at their free annual event to learn about findings from the literacy pilot and to see a showcase of recently funded grants in D36. Teachers will be participating in a panel discussion on reading education. Don't miss this opportunity to learn firsthand from faculty and district leaders and to see #grantsinaction.
Winnetka Parents Institute
The District offers regular sessions for families to learn more about a variety of topics. Please view the fall schedule here.
Literacy Pilot: How District 36 Educators are Testing Literacy Programs and Practices
December 6, 2023
9:30 A.M.
Location: Skokie Community Room
As a part of the current literacy curriculum review cycle, approximately 59 teachers across the district representing each grade level are piloting a variety of evidence-based literacy programs and practices. The pilot allows teachers to apply current understanding of literacy instruction through the test of items vetted by the Literacy Leadership Committee.
Interested:
Following the event a link will be provided to the recorded presentation on the website.
F
Recordings of previous sessions:
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 and the science of reading which builds from Kindergarten through Grade 8. Throughout the 2022/2023 school year the School Board received regular communication regarding the process for curriculum review, including the selection of materials. To review the background information about how the process resulted in the current pilot, please click here.
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