Crow Island Parent Newsletter

Dear Crow Island Community,

This week our final 3rd grade class will have the opportunity to experience the Pioneer Room, and our 4th graders will participate in a variety of activities during their annual Immigration Week. This immersive experience brings their study of immigration to life as students step into the roles of immigrants as they board a ship in steerage, pass through Ellis Island inspections, and culminate their journey with a Naturalization Ceremony. It is always a powerful week of learning that helps students build empathy and develop a deeper understanding of the immigrant experience.

I’m looking forward to attending several of the events throughout the week and experiencing this meaningful Crow Island tradition alongside our students.

Wishing you a great week ahead.

Sincerely,
Anna

March

Monday, March 16th | Immigration Week
Friday, March 20th | Citizenship Ceremony and Immigration feast
Wednesday, March 25th | 1st and 2nd Grade Spring Sing: 1st Grade @ 5:45 PM, 2nd Grade @ 6:45 PM
Friday, March 27th | Half Day for Students (Staff Institute Day)
Monday, March 30th- Friday, April 3rd | Spring Break

April

Monday, April 6 | School Resumes
Tuesday, April 7-Thursday, April 9 | Illinois Assessment of Readiness (Grades 3 and 4)
Thursday, April 16 | STEAM Expo

Lighthouse Moment: Building Thinking Classrooms with Mrs. Hazelwood

Many of our teachers have been collaborating with our wonderful math coach, Anne Hazelwood, to implement Building Thinking Classrooms, an approach that focuses math instruction on active, collaborative problem solving. This week, Anne had the great idea to transform one of our flexible learning spaces into a dedicated Building Thinking Classroom space, and it was a huge hit! As one of our 1st graders said after visiting, “This was epic!” The space will allow students to continue experiencing this hands-on, collaborative approach to math that so many of them have grown to love this year.

What makes this space unique is the vertical white boards that surround the room. Students work collaboratively in pairs or trios to solve problems while standing at vertical white boards. This experience not only fosters student’s problem solving skills, but encourages students to collaborate, communicate, and persevere. We're excited to see how this space will be used in the weeks to come!

Save the date: Crow Island STEAM Expo!

This year's STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Expo will take place on Thursday, April 16th. All 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders are welcome to participate. During the school day, students will present to their peers. From 6:00 - 7:00 PM, families are invited to visit and view student projects.

WHAT IT IS: The STEAM Expo is a chance for students to design, conduct, and present a project in one of the STEAM subject areas. Projects should include a question to answer or a problem to solve.

HOW TO SIGN UP: Guidelines for projects can be found here. All students must be registered by Thursday, March 27 using this Google Form.

*NEW UPDATE!* Our RC Director Ms. Manek spoke with 3rd and 4th graders about resources they could use to research their STEAM Expo projects. We have access to several databases at school and home that are a wonderful, student-friendly, ad-free resource.

Here is the link:

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1Bpr2uIyElYydrUcbJEOYkskSr3l5Rm4PJPJVpRAxpH4/edit?usp=sharing

At home, these resources will need the usernames and passwords that are included in the visual. Reach out with any questions!

Illinois Assessment of Readiness Assessments

Students in Grades 3 and 4 will soon participate in the annual Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). Testing at Crow Island is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 7 and conclude on Thursday, April 9, with make-up sessions continuing through Friday, April 17.

Students generally tend to perform best when they are able to take these assessments in their familiar classroom environment alongside their peers during the regularly scheduled testing times. Being in a comfortable, familiar setting helps students feel at ease and do their best. We encourage minimizing absences during April 7–9 unless your child is sick so they can test with their class.

As we prepare for IAR, families play an important role in helping students feel confident and ready. Ensuring your child gets a good night’s sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives at school on time each day can make a big difference. You can also support your child by encouraging a positive mindset and reminding them that this is an opportunity to show what they know and how much they’ve grown.

Keeping routines consistent at home and minimizing stress during testing days can help students stay focused and calm. Most importantly, reassure your child that effort matters most. We are proud of their hard work each and every day!

MTSS: Tiered support for all learners (Stephanie Larenas, MTSS Coordinator)- (Virtual Zoom Event)

April 8, 2026

9:30 A.M.

Join MTSS Coordinator, Stephanie Larenas, for an informational session in how we support all of our students. Our MTSS practices serve as the foundation of understanding across the district as we provide continued support for students. This three-tiered model ensures consistent teaching and learning for all students, support for students who already understand, and supports for those students who may need additional review. Come learn more about how we gauge student learning and progress, how we respond to student understanding, how we differentiate the need for in-class instruction and intervention support, and how we determine what student progress looks like.

https://winnetka36.zoom.us/s/88101519884?pwd=41SftLug6HIATUxTNArxGuuiFfMGfu.1

Passcode:628458

Interested: RSVP for this event here

Safety Reminder from the Village of Winnetka

The Village of Winnetka regulates the use of e-bikes, e-scooters, e-dirt bikes, and other motor-driven vehicles with the goal of sidewalk and roadway safety for all residents. These regulations apply to all village-owned or village-maintained property. Violations may result in a fine of $100 for both the operator and the parent/legal guardian (if applicable).

Please remember:

Any person operating a device on a public road or public sidewalk must follow the rules of the road, including traveling below the posted speed limit.
It is illegal to operate a vehicle with more passengers than the number it is designed/equipped for.
It is illegal to modify a device from its original design to change its speed, method of propulsion or braking, or to remove pedals, chains, or add a throttle.
All individuals riding e-bikes must wear a helmet at all times.
The person operating the device must be able to keep both hands on the handlebars/steering device at all times.

If you have questions about the classification of a device, please call the Winnetka Police Department at 847-501-6034.

Acceleration Request Window

Illinois’ Accelerated Placement Act requires public school districts to maintain policies that allow for both single-subject and whole-grade acceleration when appropriate.

To learn more about how District 36 implements its acceleration policy, families may:

View this overview infographic
Visit the district’s Early Entrance and Acceleration webpage
Watch the January 2025 Winnetka Parent Institute session on acceleration

Families who are considering whether acceleration may be an appropriate option for their child are encouraged to begin with this parent reflection worksheet, which is designed to support thoughtful decision-making prior to submitting a request.

The request form for accelerated programming for the 2026–27 school year is now open. The request window runs from March 2 through March 20.

Questions about the acceleration policy may be directed to Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, at beckymathison@winnetka36.org.

Adventures in Learning Registration

Registration opens March 2 at 1:00 PM for Winnetka residents. Classes fill quickly, so we encourage you to review the Adventures in Learning Program Guide in advance and be ready to register at 1:00 PM.

Important Links:

Adventures in Learning 2025 Program Details.

Registration- Winnetka Revtrak

Monthly Observances: Women's History Month

Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. Women’s History Month is a dedicated month to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women to United States history. From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth to Rosa Parks, the timeline of women’s history milestones stretches back to the founding of the United States.

Crow Island 101 Document:

Our Crow Island 101 Guide is a helpful, at-a-glance resource for families. Many parents like to keep a copy in their kitchen for quick reference. You can view it here: Crow 101 Document.

Arrival & Dismissal:

Please take a few minutes to review our Arrival & Dismissal procedures. These routines help ensure a safe and smooth start and end to each school day for all students.

Hot Lunch Program:

Crow Island has a hot lunch program run through a third party collaboration with our PTO called Marla's Lunch. You can register and sign-up here: Marla's Hot Lunch.

Spirit Day:

Crow Island Spirit Day will be on FRIDAYS this year! Get your Crow Island Spirit wear from our PTO Store here!

Contact Us

Email:

annatrilla@winnetka36.org (Principal)

christinedemas-hall@winnetka36.org (Administrative Assistant)
Website: https://crowisland.winnetka36.org/
Location: 1112 Willow Road Winnetka, IL 60093
Phone: (847)-446-0353
Instagram: Winnetka Public Schools