Greeley Greeting

Dear Greeley Families,

We hope you were able to stay warm and enjoy a cozy “cold day” on Friday! As we return to school today, we will be using our indoor arrival procedure. Families are encouraged to use the Fairview entrance via the car line for indoor arrival on any day when the feels-like temperature is 10 degrees or below. Additional information about arrival and drop-off procedures—shared as a follow-up to our recent parent survey—will be sent later this afternoon after our staff meeting.

If you have not yet had a chance to complete our annual Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey, we invite you to do so using the link below by Friday, January 30. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps us better understand what is working well and where we can continue to grow as a school community.

Finally, spring conferences are just around the corner! Please see the new information below to help you prepare for conference sign-ups, which will open next week.

Warmly,
Principal Kopinski

January

Tuesday, 1/27: Pioneer Room Open House for all Third Grade Families, 9:30-10:30am

February

Monday, 2/16: Winter Benchmark Assessment Results Released to Families (Powerschool, OTUS)
Thursday and Friday, 2/26 and 2/27: Parent Teacher Conferences (No School)

March

Friday 3/6: End of Trimester 2
Monday, 3/9: Start of Trimester 3
Thursday, 3/12: Greeley PTO STEAM Night
Wednesday 3/18: Progress Reports Released to Families in Powerschool
Friday, 3/27: Half Day for Students (11:30am Dismissal)-Teacher Institute PM
Monday 3/30-Friday, April 3: Spring Break

April

Monday 4/6: School Resumes
Tuesday, 4/7: Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) Testing Begins for Grades 3-4
Tuesday, 4/7: District Chorus Concert 7-8pm
Tuesday, 4/14: Winnetka Public Schools Foundation (WPSF) Carlson Event 4:30-6pm at Skokie
Wednesday 4/22: Greeley Strings Concert 6:30-7:30pm
Tuesday, 4/28: 5th Grade Orientation at Skokie School (4th Grade Families) 5:30-7:00pm

Greeley School Google Calendar

Please Complete Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey Before January 30, 2026

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, The Winnetka Public Schools is conducting a survey in partnership with Studer Education to monitor our progress in creating a positive school experience for you and your child(ren).

The Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey can be accessed here: The Winnetka Public Schools - Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey

Your feedback is crucial in helping us identify areas for recognition and improvement. The survey closes on January 30, 2026.

Lighthouse Moment from the Classroom

Last week, I had the pleasure of spending time in Ms. Laning’s fourth-grade classroom, where students were deeply engaged in a mathematics lesson focused on solving division word problems involving remainders. Students drew on previously learned strategies to make sense of the problem, carefully attending to both the computation and the context of the situation. They then explained and justified their reasoning to peers, ensuring that their solutions accurately represented the real-world scenario described in the problem.

As students shared their approaches, the class engaged in a thoughtful discussion about which strategies felt most efficient or made the most sense to them personally. This conversation highlighted an important mathematical understanding: a strategy that works well for one learner may not be the best fit for another. By emphasizing multiple strategies for problem-solving, teachers support students in developing flexibility in their mathematical thinking, aligned with the Standards of Mathematical Practices of making sense of problems and using appropriate tools and strategies.

The strong classroom culture established was especially evident during a rich mathematical discussion about whether 13 or 14 was the most precise answer to the problem below. Students respectfully defended their reasoning, citing both the mathematics and the context of the situation to support their conclusions. This discourse demonstrated students’ ability to construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others, while engaging in meaningful, respectful academic conversation.

What this means for our students: Greeley students are learning to think deeply about math, explain their reasoning, listen to others’ ideas, and choose strategies that make sense—skills that build confidence, flexibility, and strong problem-solving habits across all areas of learning.

Read more about the mission and beliefs of The Winnetka Public Schools mathematics program—and how we define an engaging math environment and high-quality instruction, curriculum, and assessment—by clicking the link below.

D36 Math Program Mission and Beliefs

Spring Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-up

Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences are approaching, and we’re looking forward to connecting with families. Based on feedback from parents and staff following fall conferences, a few updates to simplify the process and improve the experience.

Conference Sign-Up

Sign-up opens: February 6 at noon
Sign-up closes: February 24 at noon
Families will sign up online through SchoolCloud using their school’s link below.

After February 24 at noon, any changes to a conference appointment will need to be made by contacting the school office.

Simplified Login

Parents will no longer need a unique access code.
Instead, you’ll log in by entering your contact information and your child’s birthdate, which should make signing in, especially for video conferences, much easier.

Helpful Reminders & Resources

Conference appointments are scheduled for a set length of time. **Please note that video conferences will end automatically at the scheduled time.
Reminders will be sent to families who have not yet signed up and to those with upcoming conference appointments.
Review this guide for additional information

School Sign-Up Links

Crow Island: https://crowislandelementary.schoolcloud.co.uk/
Greeley: https://greeleyelementary.schoolcloud.co.uk/
Hubbard Woods: https://hubbardwoodselementary.schoolcloud.co.uk/
Skokie: https://theskokieschool.schoolcloud.co.uk/
Washburne: https://carletonwashburne.schoolcloud.co.uk/

Additional building- or grade-level details will be shared by principals in upcoming newsletters. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to meaningful conversations about your child’s learning and growth.

Family Service Night: Please Hold the Date

Building on our successful Day of Service before Thanksgiving break for all students and staff, we are excitedly planning a Family Service Night for February. Please hold the date of Thursday, February 19th from 5:30-6:30pm.

Parent Coffee with Principal Kopinski

Please join me for a parent coffee on Thursday, January 29th after drop off, from 8:45-10:00 at Greeley. This is a drop in event to connect. I hope to see you there!

Stay & Play Registration

Kindergarten students who are not currently enrolled in Stay & Play will have the opportunity to register (via revtrak) through January 31, 2026. 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.

Online Registration Open for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2026/2027

Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2026/2027 is now open on the District website and via this link. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2026, are eligible to enroll. 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 visit the District website or contact the Registrar at 847-446-9400.

The Winnetka Public Schools Preschool Services Webinar (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)

Families of Winnetka preschool-aged children (ages 3–5) who receive or may need special education services are invited to attend a virtual Preschool Services Webinar on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

This webinar will explain how The Winnetka Public Schools supports preschool-aged students by completing screenings and/or evaluations to determine eligibility for services. Families will learn about our partnerships with community preschools, the continuum of services available for children ages 3–5, and how individualized supports are provided in inclusive settings. The session will also review what transitions to kindergarten look like for students with IEPs, including timelines and staffing.

There will be time for questions, and families will leave with a clearer understanding of how District 36 works with families and community partners to ensure continuity, quality, and strong transition planning.

Register HERE.