Crow Island Parent Newsletter

Dear Crow Island Community,

As we move closer to the end of the school year, we are looking forward to so many exciting events and celebrations. This week, we have the 2nd Grade Bike Rodeo on Tuesday, which will take place on the back playground, as well as our Strings Concert on Wednesday evening.

Please note that I mistakenly listed the Strings Concert start time as 6:00 PM in previous communications. The concert will begin at 7:00 PM, and student performers should arrive between 6:15–6:30 PM. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Next week, we are excited for Portfolio Days and the 3rd and 4th Grade Spring Sings. There is so much to look forward to as we close out the year together, and I am incredibly grateful for the hard work, growth, and dedication shown by our students, teachers, and staff throughout the year.

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!

Sincerely,

Anna

May

• Tuesday, May 19| 2nd Grade Bike Rodeo 4-5 PM
  
• Wednesday, May 20 | Strings Recital 7 PM (students arrive between 6:15- 6:30 PM) *Time has been updated*
• Monday, May 25 | No School- Memorial Day
• Tuesday, May 26| Portfolio Day- Gr. 1 and 2
• Thursday, May 28| Portfolio Day- Gr. 3 and 4
• Thursday, May 28| Spring Sing (3rd- 5:45 PM, 4th- 6:45 PM)

June

• Monday, June 1| 4th Grade Instrument Recruitment Visit *This has been updated!*

• Friday, June 5| 4th Grade Shadow Day at Skokie (AM)
• Friday, June 5 | 11:20 AM Dismissal- Reporting Day Staff
• Wednesday, June 10| Field Day
• Thursday, June 11 | Field Day Rain Date
• Thursday, June 11 | Kindergarten Sing 1:30 PM
• Friday, June 12 | Crows on parade/ 4th Grade Video 9 AM
• Monday, June 15| Anticipated Last Day of school- 11:20 AM Dismissal - Staff Institute Day
• Monday, June 15| Year End Assembly

Last week, our 4th graders spent some time in the great outdoors and had an absolute blast at Camp Edwards! The weather could not have been more perfect as the students enjoyed a beautiful day of team-building, exploring, and pure fun. This trip was the perfect way for the kids to bond, laugh, and spend some quality time outside of the classroom together. It was a special highlight of their final weeks at Crow Island. A huge thank you to the many teachers and staff who helped make this trip possible!

3rd Grade Spring Sing

The 3rd Grade Spring Sing, Arcade Error, is on Thursday, May 28th at 5:45PM. Doors will open at 5:30PM, which is when students should go to their homeroom classroom before the show begins.

While the Spring Sings in 1st and 2nd grade have had preexisting stories (for the most part), third grade is the first year where the entire show is created from scratch! We started with a story pitching process, where students shared their original story ideas. Through an extensive voting process, we arrived at this year's premise:

It's the 1980s, and a group of kids arrive at an arcade to celebrate a friend's birthday party! The new Pac Man game just came out, and everyone is excited to play...until the game glitches and strange things begin to happen. Will we beat the game, and find out what it takes to work as a team? Or will we be forever stuck in the "glitchy sitchy?"

For all kids in the show, dressing like they're in the 1980s is encouraged! Think leggings/legwarmers, neon/bold colors, sweatbands, big hair, overalls, track suits, etc! Have fun with it, and please don't worry about buying anything new. See if the kids can create a look using what they (or you!) already have in their closets. Please avoid hats, jerseys, or any clothing with logos/writing on them.

If anyone happens to have a child's size M or L DonkeyKong costume, we'd happily borrow it for the show- send me an email if you happen to have one you'd be willing to lend! We are looking for one or two.

4th Grade Spring Sing

The 4th Grade Spring Sing (title TBD!) is on Thursday, May 28th at 6:45PM. Doors will open at 6:30PM, which is when students should go to their homeroom classroom before the show begins.

As you may remember from last year, in 3rd and 4th grades, the entire shows are created from scratch! We started with a story pitching process, where students shared their original story ideas. Through an extensive voting process, we arrived at this year's premise:

It’s a picture-perfect summer in Winnetka: bike rides at dusk, half-packed suitcases by the door, and a buzz around the town’s brand-new robotics camp. At first, nothing seems unusual. Until the kids come home from camp. They’re polite. Focused. Unfailingly helpful. They clean without being asked, finish every task to perfection, and never argue. No complaints. No distractions. No fun.

Soon, the neighborhood begins to feel…off. Games go unfinished. Laughter fades into an eerie quiet as more and more kids return from camp changed in the same unsettling way. When one brave kid decides to find out what’s really happening behind the doors of the robotics lab, they uncover secrets that no one is ready to face.

Stage Crew- dark navy or black clothing, no logos or jerseys

Actors:

Kids- dress like kids in summertime- no logos, jerseys, or writing on clothing

Brave Kid (Stesha, Caroline, Maddie)- I will talk to the girls about coordinating something similar to wear for the show!

Mad Scientist and Mad Scientist Assistant- we have costumes for you! Please wear pants and a dark t-shirt for under your costume.

Parents- dress "like adults"-whatever that means to you!

Instrumentalists- dress like kids in summertime- no logos, jerseys, or writing on clothing

Health Forms for 2026/2027

Please review this information to plan for the 2026/2027 school year.

Crows on Parade (4th Graders only)

Exciting news! Your 4th graders will begin working on the annual crow project!

They will paint plaster crow statues in art class, using acrylic paint, which is not washable. Please make sure your child has an art smock.

• Students should think of a theme/character, etc. to paint their crow. They should bring their ideas to art class the week of May 11. We will begin that week with a brainstorming session and a first layer of paint for those who are ready to paint.

• We are providing paint, paint pens, & hot glue guns for them in art class, however, students are allowed to bring in their own “extra accessories” (i.e. from Michaels or Hobby Lobby) to hot glue onto their crow if they wish, but it is not required!

• Please take a look at this slide deck with your children.

• This slide deck has ALL of the information you will need, including a schedule of when we are working on the crows.

• If you have any questions, please reach out.

• The 4th Grade “Crows on Parade” will be held on FRIDAY , JUNE 12!

• Teachers will place the crows on the lawn early that morning. You may arrive as early as 8am to take a look, take pictures, etc. They will REMAIN out on the lawn all day.

• Please make arrangements to take them home by the END OF THE DAY on June 12th. Thank you!

Sincerely, Mrs. Johnston, Crow Island art teacher

Summer Pet-sitting Opportunity at Adventures in Learning

ATTENTION all rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, reptiles, birds and other small animals! Winnetka's Adventures in Learning/Animal Care Class is back and looking for animals to get some love and attention from our teachers and students. If your child's small animal is due for a brief break this summer, please email Anna at animal.care.adventures@gmail.com. We can also attempt to arrange adoptions if it is time to pass your pet on to another loving family.

Register Your Student(s) for the 2026/2027 School Year

Annual Online Registration is now open here. Details such as the Snapcode needed for Registration were sent to families via email. If you did not receive this information or have any questions, please contact Maria Perez, District Registrar, at 847-446-9400 or mariaperez@winnetka36.org. Please register at your earliest convenience in order to ensure the District can best plan for staffing needs for the upcoming school year.

Additionally, please note the following:

50% Discount on Bus Transportation for 2026/2027

The District is offering optional, parent-paid bus service with a 50% reduced flat fee, approved by the School Board. Registration is completed separately via Revtrak.

Transportation Fees & Deadlines:

• $515 flat fee: April 14 – July 10, 2026

• $565 flat fee: July 11 – August 1, 2026

One flat fee applies whether your student rides AM only, PM only, or round-trip. No additional discounts are available for one-way service or multiple riders.Registration is open through August 1, 2026.

Traffic Reminders

• When lining up on Willow Road before turning into the circle, please do not get too close to Glendale Ave. Cars that are lining up too close to Glendale are blocking visibility for drivers turning onto Willow Road.
• Please be sure that you are not stopping on Glendale Ave. when turning into the circle.
• Be sure to wait until there is room to enter the circle before turning off of Willow Rd.
• Additionally, when exiting the circle, please do not turn left until there is space to fit your vehicle without blocking Glendale.
• Finally, please pull over as far to the right as possible on Glendale when picking up a student from the back playground.

We want to ensure that we are not blocking Glendale in case there were ever a need of an emergency vehicle that needed to get through to the school or neighbor. Thank you so much for your attention to these matters!

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

Do you know any incoming kindergartners for next year? If so, please encourage them to register soon!

Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2026/2027 is now open. 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. To enroll, or If you have any questions, please visit the District website or contact the Registrar at 847-446-9400.

Note: Many families have started the registration process but still need to submit their forms. Please help spread the word to turn in all required paperwork as soon as possible. Our ability to have four kindergarten classrooms depends on our enrollment numbers!

Monthly Observances: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated annually to recognize the historical and cultural contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States. Established in 1978, it honors the diverse cultures of East, Southeast, and South Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands. AAPI individuals have made significant contributions to American society in areas such as science, medicine, arts, sports, government, and law.

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!

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