Greeley Greeting

October 12, 2026

Principal's Message

Dear Greeley Families,

The beautiful changing leaves made the perfect backdrop for some time outdoors with my family this weekend. I hope your family also had a chance to enjoy this gorgeous fall weather while it lasts!

Last week, all Greeley classrooms participated in our annual bullying prevention lessons. You may have heard your child talking about being an Upstander or the three steps to help stop bullying: Stop, Support, and Report. These simple, consistent messages are displayed throughout our school to reinforce this important learning all year long. A key part of these lessons is helping students understand the difference between bullying and behavior that may be mean or rude. While all unkind behavior deserves attention, not every hurtful interaction is bullying. Helping students recognize these differences empowers them to respond with kindness, seek support, and stand up for themselves and others.

This learning also provides a wonderful foundation for Unity Week, which we'll celebrate next week with a district-wide focus on kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

This Friday, I'm especially looking forward to our Monarch Migration, a beloved kindergarten tradition that brings our community together to celebrate student learning. It's one of the many special experiences that make Greeley such a wonderful place to learn and grow!

There's also important learning ahead for our teachers this week! During our Data Team Meetings, each teacher will spend a half day collaborating with colleagues to review fall benchmarking results and classroom assessments, celebrate student growth, identify areas for continued support, and plan meaningful next steps for instruction.

Fall benchmarking results will be available to families on Monday, October 19, through Otus and PowerSchool. Parent-teacher conferences will follow later in the week, providing a valuable opportunity for families and teachers to connect, celebrate progress, discuss how students are doing, and share questions and insights from the school year so far. We value this partnership and look forward to these important conversations!

Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead!

Warmly,
Lindsay

Upcoming Dates

October

Friday, 10/16: Kindergarten Monarch Migration
Monday 10/19: Benchmark Assessment Data Released (Powerschool and Otus)
Thursday and Friday 10/22-10/23: Parent Teacher Conferences
Tuesday 10/27: PTO Pumpkin Showcase
Friday 10/30: Greeley Ghost Dance

November

Monday, 11/2: Institute Day (No School for Students)
Tuesday, 11/3: Election Day (No School)
Wednesday, 11/4: Greeley Picture Day Retakes
Friday, 11/6: Greeley Spiritwear Day
Tuesday 11/10-Thursday 11/12: PTO Bookfair
Friday, 11/13: End of Trimester 1
Monday 11/16: Start of Trimester 2
Friday, 11/20: Greeley Day of Service, Turkey Tango
Monday 11/23-Friday 11/27: Thanksgiving Break (No School)

Greeley School Google Calendar

New Information

Lighthouse Moment

At Greeley, we believe that leadership isn't something students have to wait until adulthood to experience. It's something they can practice, develop, and live every day.

For the past three years, our fourth-grade team, alongside dedicated staff mentors, has intentionally expanded opportunities for our oldest students to take on meaningful leadership roles throughout our school. Every fourth grader selects at least one leadership opportunity, with the option to participate in additional roles that align with their interests and passions.

And these aren't just titles. Our fourth graders are doing authentic work that makes a difference in our school community.

This year, our student leaders are stepping up in a variety of ways:

🎤 Communications Team: Bringing student voice to our morning announcements each week.
🧤 Going Home Helpers: Supporting our youngest learners as they prepare for dismissal, especially during those snowy winter months!
📚 Library Leaders: Helping keep our library a welcoming, organized, and engaging space for readers.
🙌 On-Call Leaders: Stepping up wherever an extra set of helping hands is needed throughout the school.
🤝 PTO Liaisons: Attending monthly PTO meetings to ensure student perspectives help inform the activities and experiences planned for our school community.
💙 Service Project Squad: Helping plan and organize our annual Greeley Day of Service, putting compassion and community responsibility into action.
🎉 Spirit Squad: Dreaming up activities and experiences that build school spirit, connection, and belonging for students and staff.
💻 Tech Team: Supporting younger students with logging in, navigating technology, and solving everyday tech challenges.

Why does this matter?

One of the foundational tenets of progressive education is that children learn by doing. We believe students should be active participants in their learning and contributing members of a collaborative community, not simply recipients of experiences designed by adults.

These leadership opportunities bring that philosophy to life. Rather than teaching about leadership, we are giving students authentic opportunities to practice leadership. They are learning to communicate, collaborate, solve problems, show empathy, take initiative, and recognize that their contributions matter.

This work also brings our Portrait of a Graduate to life, nurturing the skills and dispositions we hope every student carries with them long after leaving Greeley. Whether a student is helping a kindergartener zip a coat, representing peers at a PTO meeting, or planning an experience that brings our community together, they are developing the confidence, responsibility, and sense of agency to make a positive difference.

Perhaps most importantly, our fourth graders are learning that leadership isn't about being in charge. It's about being of service to others.

As the oldest students in our K–4 community, they have a unique opportunity to model our Greeley values of Respect, Inclusion, Safety, and Excitement for the younger students who look up to them. In doing so, they are helping shape the very community in which they learn.

A huge thank-you to our fourth-grade teachers and staff mentors for continuing to grow these opportunities and trusting our students with meaningful responsibility.

This is progressive education in action: student voice, authentic purpose, shared responsibility, and learning that extends well beyond the classroom walls.

Unity Week is Oct 19-21!

Unity Week unites our district in kindness, acceptance, and inclusion as part of National Bullying Prevention Month. Through daily activities and October's focus on INVITED, we empower students to build a community where every child feels safe, valued, and welcome.

Related Arts Spotlight

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to the World Language Spanish Program at Greeley Elementary. Our program builds foundational communication skills, fosters cultural appreciation, and develops global confidence through engaging, age-appropriate instruction.

SPANISH TEACHERS AT GREELEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Señora Soto - Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades

This is my second year teaching Spanish at Greeley Elementary School. I love teaching Spanish through storytelling, singing songs and playing games.

Señor Tepperman - 3rd and 4th grades

This is my first year teaching Spanish at Greeley. I’m so excited to be teaching in the Winnetka community! I love teaching Spanish through a cultural lens. Students not only learn the language, but also the diverse cultures and histories of the Spanish speaking world!