Greeley Greeting

Dear Families,

This week, our teachers are taking time outside of the classroom to review our fall benchmarking data and set goals for the weeks ahead. These goals are based on each child’s current performance and learning needs. This important work directly supports our district and schoolwide goal of ensuring every student has access to differentiated instruction—providing not only targeted interventions but also opportunities to extend and challenge all learners.

We are also celebrating Unity Week at Greeley! Throughout the week, our community is focusing on kindness, inclusion, and acceptance. Please take a look at the flyer below and encourage your child(ren) to join in the activities as they are able.

Finally, we would love your input on our off-campus crossing guard location. Please take a moment to complete the brief survey linked below—your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Warm regards,
Lindsay Kopinski

October

Monday, 10/20-Friday, 10/24: Digital Citizenship Week
Friday, 10/24: Kindergarten Monarch Migration, 9:15am
Wednesday, 10/29: Greeley Ghost Walk and Ghost Dance
Thursday, 10/30: Parent Teacher Conferences (No School)
Friday, 10/31: Parent Teacher Conferences (No School)

November

Wednesday, 11/5: Picture Retake Day
Friday, 11/7: Greeley PTO Spiritwear Day
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

Picture Retakes-Sign Up Here!

If you would like your child to have their picture taken (or retaken) on Picture Retake Day—Wednesday, November 5th, please sign up using the link below. This is the same link that was shared in the PTO newsletter, so if you’ve already signed up there, you do not need to sign up again.

Picture Retake Sign-Up

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for October 30 and 31. Information was sent to families on October 3 from noreply@winnetka36.org so please check your inbox for that. Parents Meeting information has also been posted to your PowerSchool Parent Portal Document Library for 24/7 access.

Conference sign-up is open until 10/28 at noon. For any additions/changes past that point, please contact the school’s main office.

If you happen to be signed up for a video conference, please be aware of the following:

An email will be sent with your schedule and a link to join the video conference
You will need your Parents Meeting code to log in
Should parents need to attend from different devices/locations, be sure to invite the other person to the conference

To invite a guest to a SchoolCloud parents' meeting video appointment, log in, go to My Bookings, and click Invite Parent/Guardian. You will then enter the guest's name and email, consent to sharing information, and select the student(s) for whom the invite is intended before sending the invitation. The guest will receive an email with a link to join the video call.
Instructions with screenshots

Parent Survey: Crossing Guard Locations

The safety and well being of our students and staff is our number one priority. That includes ensuring that our students have safe pathways to school, especially if they choose to walk or ride their bike. The Winnetka Public Schools have received feedback that the current placement of a crossing guard at Willow and Wilson (in the Greeley attendance zone) would be better utilized at Sunset and Green Bay Roads as students make their way to and from school. Given this information, we wanted to solicit your input via this survey as we consider a possible relocation of our crossing guard in that area. Survey participation is voluntary and all responses are anonymous. The survey will close on October 30, 2025.

Deciding When to Close School-Inclement Weather Days

As we approach the winter months, it is important to review our district's inclement weather policy. Our top priority is always the safety of our students and staff. We take a comprehensive and thoughtful approach when faced with weather-related decisions such as heavy snow or extreme cold, and work closely with our township and Village partners to plan accordingly.

Deciding When to Close School:
When determining whether to close schools due to inclement weather, we consider several factors:

Safety First: The well-being of our students and staff is paramount.
Travel Conditions: We evaluate the state of area roads and the potential for hazardous conditions that could develop during the day.
Extreme Cold: During periods of severe cold, we consult weather reports and liaise with our transportation providers about the feasibility of running bus routes.
Collaborative Decision Making: We coordinate with New Trier Township superintendents for a unified approach to school closures.

Communication with Families:
In the event of a closure, we will communicate with you through our Blackboard system. This includes:

Phone Call, Email, and Text: Please ensure you've opted-in for text notifications.
Website Updates: Visit our website at www.winnetka36.org for up-to-date information regarding school closures.
Regional Closures: Check the Emergency Closing Center for a comprehensive list of school closures in our region.

Communication Timing: Our goal is to finalize and communicate any closure decision prior to 6 a.m. on that day.

Handling School Closure Days:

First Inclement Weather Day: The first closure day will be treated as a traditional “snow day,” and will require adding an extra day to the school year in June.
Subsequent Days: For any additional inclement weather days, we will shift to remote learning in order to ensure that we do not need to extend the school year further into June.

Remote Learning Details:

Teacher Communication: Email as well as postings in our Learning Management Systems (Grades 5-8 - Schoology, Grades K-4 - Seesaw) will be utilized. Parents can expect communication from their homeroom or advisory teacher by 8:00 a.m.
Student Experience: Remote learning will follow the typical school schedule, combining synchronous and asynchronous methods. For our K-4 students, related arts teachers will now join their homeroom teacher’s Zoom so that our younger students do not need to manage leaving and joining different Zoom sessions.
Special Education Services: Students receiving services will have these services provided to the greatest extent possible, coordinated by the case manager or service provider.
Remote Learning Schedule: The schedules that will be used for remote learning can be viewed here.

Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we prepare for the possibility of inclement weather. Thank you for your continued support.

Remote Learning Practice Day

Practice Remote Learning Activity on November 6, 2025:

To ensure our students are prepared for any potential shift to remote learning due to multiple days of inclement weather, we have planned a proactive practice activity. This practice session is an important step in ensuring that our students remain connected and ready for learning should inclement weather occur.

Date for Device Take-Home: On Thursday, November 6, all students will bring their school-issued iPads home.
Objective: The goal is for each student to connect their device to their home Wi-Fi network and ensure they have access to the necessary tools and platforms.
Return of Devices: Please ensure that the devices are returned to school with your child on Friday, November 7.
Communication: Additional communication and reminders, as well as a form to record any issues your student experiences, will be sent closer to this practice event.

As we approach the winter months, it is important to review our district's inclement weather policy. Our top priority is always the safety of our students and staff. We take a comprehensive and thoughtful approach when faced with weather-related decisions such as heavy snow or extreme cold, and work closely with our township and Village partners to plan accordingly.

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

Ghost Walk and Ghost Dance

As shared in last week's Related Arts Spotlight, please hold October 29th at 1pm for our annual Ghost Walk and Ghost Dance traditions!

Parents are invited to join us on the Greeley School Sidewalk. Student will parade from the Kindergarten Gate to the Hawthorn Gate in costume. Students and staff will enter the blacktop area and participate in choreographed dances for families. Families will remain on the sidewalk areas for viewing, leaving the grassy area open for student seating, and the blacktop clear for sound equipment and student performers.

Room parents who are planning parties following the Ghost Walk and Ghost Dances are strongly encouraged to stop into school anytime in the next few weeks to have their Driver's license or State ID run through the system if you have not done so yet this year. This will save you the headache of having to wait in a long line or potentially being late to the party.