Greeley Greeting

Dear Families,

The snowfall was such an exciting way to start our week! Students arrived with big smiles and even bigger plans for snowy recess adventures. To help them make the most of their time outdoors, please be sure they come to school prepared with boots, snow pants, hats, jackets, and gloves or mittens so they can fully enjoy the fun.

Below you’ll find important logistical details for our upcoming Greeley Community Winter Sharing, which will be hosted at Skokie School. We’re so looking forward to launching this new tradition that brings our entire Greeley community together in celebration.

Warm regards,
Lindsay

November

Friday, 11/21: End of Trimester 1
Monday 11/24-Friday, 11/28: Thanksgiving Break (No School)

December

Monday, 12/1: Trimester 2 begins
Thursday, 12/10: Trimester 1 Report Cards Released
Wednesday, 12/17: Winter Sharing Performance, 6-7:30pm at Skokie School
Monday, 12/22-Friday, 1/2: Winter Break (No School)

Greeley School Google Calendar

Winter Sharing Update 🎶❄️

Our Greeley students are getting ready to shine at this year’s Winter Sharing, hosted at Skokie School! Here are some important logistics from the Greeley School Office:

The all school concert event is Wednesday, December 17th from 6:00-7:30
Parking is tight. Please plan to arrive early, and consider carpooling to ease traffic flow.
Please enter at the main door and through the lobby, located on Glendale Ave.
Students will remain with their families until Mr. Urquhart calls for students to join him on stage, approximately 5 minutes before show time. The show will begin with everyone performing. There is no supervision provided before the concert.
Because the auditorium offers ample seating, families are welcome to invite as many loved ones as they’d like to attend, and there is no need to register.

The Related Arts team recently visited Skokie to plan seating, staging, and a few festive touches:

All students will enter and exit through the audience to ensure plenty of smiling faces and waves to loved ones.
Kindergarteners will sit at the front of the auditorium on the carpeted area to enjoy the show and then stand to perform.
1st–3rd graders will watch from the balcony when not performing, supported by staff to help ensure a smooth transition. There will never be more than two grade levels in the auditorium at one time, and students will be supervised by staff volunteers.
4th graders will be seated along the aisles, serving as warm and welcoming hosts for guests in their rows. These seats will be marked off, so please do not sit in an aisle seat.
The lobby will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring student artwork, thanks to our Art program. Families will also find photo opportunities on both lobby staircases to capture a special holiday moment!

Winnetka Parent Institute (WPI)

Progressive Tenets in Action: Experiential and Meaningful Learning

November 12, 2025

9:30 A.M.

Washburne Cafeteria

Join the second in a three-part series that will explore the District’s Progressive Education Tenets. Learn about what Experiential and Meaningful Learning means and how it comes alive in our classrooms.

Interested:

RSVP here

Following the event a link will be provided to the taped presentation on the website.

Feedback Link

WPI Signup Form

District Therapy Dog Update

We are excited to share that a District Therapy Dog initiative will launch later this fall. The introduction of a Therapy Dog supports our commitment to the whole-child approach to education, nurturing the social and emotional well-being of every student and staff member. We are excited about the potential of this initiative to bring comfort, joy, and connection to our schools and are committed to ensuring that the Therapy Dog is introduced to our schools with care and student safety at the forefront. Look for an official introduction to this new member of our community later this fall. The program will feature Winnie, a certified therapy dog owned and handled by Mr. Ray Finnerty, Director of Safety and Security.

Starting in December, Winnie will accompany Mr. Finnerty throughout his day as he visits our schools. Her presence is intended to enhance the supportive, safe, and welcoming environment we strive to provide for all students. Winnie will always remain under Mr. Finnerty’s supervision and will not be left alone with students at any time.

We recognize, however, that some students or families may prefer that their child not interact with Winnie. To accommodate all preferences, we are offering the opportunity to opt out of any direct contact or interaction with Winnie. Students who opt out will continue to have a full and positive school experience; no explanation for the opt out is required.

If you do not wish for your child to have contact or interaction with Winnie, please complete the attached form by November 14, 2025.

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences Platform Feedback

Thank you to all families for your partnership and engagement during fall conferences—and for your patience as we introduced our new Parents’ Meeting (SchoolCloud) scheduling platform. Your feedback helps us continue improving the experience for future conferences.

Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts using the brief survey below: Parent Feedback Survey

We appreciate your continued collaboration in strengthening the partnership between home and school.

Winter Teacher-Led Clubs

Please see the flyers below to learn more about the Winter Teacher-Led Club offerings! We are thrilled to be able to provide a variety of clubs run by our very own staff members. Signup for these clubs will occur in two weeks; the link for registration will be provided in next week's Greeting.

Tuesdays: Bracelets and Beads (K-4), Cooking Club (K-4), Pokemon (2-4)

Wednesdays: Arts & Weaving Club (K-4), Sports Club (4), Memory Book Club *before school* (3-4)

Thursdays: Battle of the Books (Grade 4), Bracelets and Beads (K-4), Sports Club (3)

Sports Club

Hello 3rd and 4th grade families!. We are excited to announce that the Winter Session for After School Sports will be starting next month!

Registration will open on November 17 and will close on January 9.

The activities will include Kinetic Wellness's favorite games and new exciting activities specific to this class. We will meet each group once a week after school for ten sessions. This class will run on Wednesday for 4th grade and Thursday for 3rd grade, from 3:15-4:00 p.m.

The first classes of the first term will take place on December 10 (4th) and December 11 (3rd) and the term ending the week of February 16.

We look forward to another fun season of after school sports!!