Greeley Greeting

Dear Greeley Families,

As we head into our second week back from winter break, it has been such a joy to see the building filled once again with smiling faces, laughter, and the wonderful energy our students bring each day. Reconnecting with children and settling back into our routines has been a true highlight for our staff, and we’re so grateful to be back together as a school community.

We also want to share a few important reminders for families as we look ahead. Registration for the upcoming school year is now open for incoming kindergarten students and for families who will be new to District 36. If this applies to your family or someone you know, please see the information below in this newsletter for details.

In addition, Stay and Play registration is now open for the final time this year for our current kindergarten students. This is a wonderful opportunity, and you’ll find more information below as well.

Warmly,
Principal Kopinski

January

• Thursday, 1/15-Friday 1/30: Winter Benchmark Assessments (MAP, mClass, Aimsweb, SSIS)
• Monday, 1/19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)
• 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

• 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

Ms. Zaia has partnered with New Trier for a high school/kindergarten buddy program. As part of their class work, students have been visiting to provide support to kindergarten students as they master early literacy and math skills. Seeing these high schoolers in action with our youngest students has been the highlight of the week for many of us, and we want to share that joy with you. Please see the photos below!

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.

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.

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.

This year students in Grades K-8 will participate in academic benchmark assessments of literacy, math and social emotional learning January 15-30. On February 16, results will be emailed home, available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal, as well as online via Otus.com.

As we are coming back from break, we just want to remind everyone of our district health guidelines. Before break we were seeing lice, GI symptoms, fevers, and coughs. Please follow our health guidelines to ensure everyone stays healthy. Thank you!

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.

Season 4, Episode 2:

A Conversation with New Trier High School Superintendent Dr. Peter Tragos

The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent (and New Trier alum), Dr. Kelly Tess, and New Trier High School Superintendent, Dr. Peter Tragos, reflect upon the joys and complexities of leading for the next generation in public schools. Dr. Tragos reflects, “We are producing and preparing good people for the world.” “We are all temporary stewards of a long rich history and our job is to make it better,” emphasizes Dr. Tess.

Listen here:

Apple Podcast

Amazon

Spotify

iHeart

Differentiation: What is it and how can I tell if my child is having a differentiated experience?

January 21 at 9:30 AM

Location: Washburne RC

Join this session led by the Dept of Innovation, Teaching and Learning to learn a bit about what differentiated instruction is, the conditions needed in order to implement, and what it looks like in action in District 36 classrooms.

RSVP Link

Feedback Link

Incoming Kindergarten Family Information Night with Winnetka Administration

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Register for Kindergarten in 26/27 on-site from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Session from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Greeley School

275 Fairview Ave., Winnetka

This informational session is for Winnetka parents whose children will enter Kindergarten in the 2026/2027 school year. Parents will learn the resources and experiences that await students once they begin Kindergarten in The Winnetka Public Schools.

Families will learn about:

• The Transition-to-Kindergarten process, presented by the Principals of Crow Island, Greeley, and Hubbard Woods Schools

• A glimpse into a typical Kindergarten day in The Winnetka Public Schools

• Supports for student needs that are available through the Department of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion

We look forward to welcoming our incoming 2026–2027 Kindergarten families at this event!

RSVP here.

Feedback link.

School Hours:

8:20am | Morning supervision begins

8:30am | School Doors open

8:37am | School promptly begins

2:10pm | Regular Extended Day Kindergarten dismissal (Monday-Friday)

2:45pm | Grades 1-4 & Stay and Play kindergarten dismissal (Mondays only)

3:15pm | Grades 1-4 & Stay and Play kindergarten dismissal (Tuesday-Friday)

Office Email: danarahkhem@winnetka36.org

Location: 275 Fairview Avenue Winnetka, IL 60093
Phone: (847)-446-6060