Crow Island Parent Newsletter
October 6th, 2025
Dear Crow Island Community,
We have an exciting week ahead at Crow Island! On Monday we kicked off Safety Week, an opportunity to raise awareness about school safety across our students, staff, families, and community. Throughout the week, students will participate in a series of safety drills, including Shelter (Severe Weather), and Lockdown. Please note that our Fire Drill was rescheduled for March 3rd due to yesterday's rainy weather. More detailed information about these procedures was shared by our Director of Safety and Security, Ray Finnerty.
We’re also thrilled to celebrate Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Week! Each morning, students can mark their house on a large map in the courtyard (near the Crow) as they arrive. There will be fun prizes each day for participants, as well as a daily drawing for a winning class. A big thank you to our Crow Island PTO for organizing this wonderful event!
I apologize that my newsletter is coming out two days late- the system has been down all week!
Wishing you a safe and joyful week ahead.
Sincerely,
Anna
October
- Monday, October 6 | Safety Week Begins
- Monday, October 6 | Walk, Bike and Roll to School Week Begins
- Tuesday, October 7 | Fire Drill (*This is being rescheduled for March 3rd*)
- Wednesday, October 8 | Vision & Hearing Screening
- Thursday, October 9 | Lockdown Drill
- Friday, October 10 | Tornado/Shelter Drill
- Thursday, October 16 | PTO Runathon @ Crow Island Woods
- Friday, October 17 | PTO Runathon Rain Date @ Crow Island Woods
- Wednesday, October 22 | Picture Retakes
- Wednesday, October 29 | Halloween Parade & Ghost Walk
- Thursday, October 30 | Fall Conferences
- Friday, October 31 | Fall Conferences
November
- Friday, November 7th| Kindergarten Butterfly Migration + Outdoor Performance at 1:30 PM
- Monday, November 24th- Friday, November 28th | Thanksgiving Break- No School
December
- Wednesday, December 3rd | PTO Book Fair (3:30-8:00 PM)
- Thursday, December 4th | PTO Book Fair (8:00-10:00 AM)
- Thursday, December 18th | Winter Sing
- Friday, December 19th | Sack Supper
- Saturday, December 20th | Winter Break Begins
Parent Survey: Calendar
In consideration of the 26/27 School Year, the Winnetka Public Schools Calendar Committee is seeking feedback from Winnetka families. Creation of a school year calendar is dictated by the collective bargaining agreement between the School Board and the Winnetka Education Association as well as requirements from the state. This feedback will provide the committee with a sense of families’ priorities when it comes to planning for a new school year.
The survey window will be open from October 1 to October 17.
Conferences 10/30-31
Conference sign-ups are now open until October 28 at noon! Instructions were re-sent to families on 10/3 from “noreply@winnetka36.org” with all of the necessary information. Please check your inbox if you have yet to sign-up.
Otus Data
While benchmark testing is occurring, we have limited family access in Otus to benchmark scores as new scores are being processed and updated. Once everything is up to date and clean, we will reactivate these scores for families. You may still log in during this time but will not be able to view your student’s data until October 20.
Monthly Observances: Disability Awareness Month
Each October, we take time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions of individuals with disabilities in our schools, workplaces, and communities. It is an opportunity to highlight the importance of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunity for all.
Make A Difference Coat Drive
The PTO-sponsored Coat Drive is coming! Donate NEW and GENTLY USED women’s, men’s and children’s coats and jackets to support the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore, Connections for the Homeless, and Cradles to Crayons! Items will be collected during morning drop-off at both the circle and Glendale Avenue drop-off points from Monday, October 13th through Friday, October 17th.
Questions? Email the Community Outreach Committee: Kristin Ziebarth ziebarth.kristin@gmail.com or Chrissy Pelleriti christina.pasquale@gmail.com
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.
Health Forms:
Kindergarten Parents- Please upload your child’s health documents HERE. As a reminder, these forms were due by the first day of school (September 2nd).
2nd Grade Parents- As a reminder, all second grade students are required to provide a copy of their most recent dental exam. Please see the attached link for form and additional information. Please use the following link to upload your child's dental form.
You can find more information about district health policies here.
Spirit Day:
Crow Island Spirit Day will be on FRIDAYS this year! Our first Crow Island Spirit Day will be on Friday, September 5th. Get your Crow Island Spirit wear from our PTO Store here!
After-School Programs:
Right At School
The District has partnered with Right At School, headquartered in Evanston, to provide after-school care for students. The Right At School Program will be offered all days school is in session. After School programming is available until 6:00 P.M. Registration is now open.
Discovery Clubs by Right at School
Crow Island's PTO, in partnership with the District, offers extracurricular activities called Discovery Clubs, specialty programming for Crow Island students after the school day ends. These seasonal Clubs are offered in three sessions - fall, winter and spring. Crow Island PTO works with the Discovery Club provider, Right at School, to offer an array of programming focused on STEM, arts and movement with offerings across age groups. The fall session begins on September 22 and runs through December 5, and registration opens Monday, September 8. Preview the activity offerings here on the PTO website.
After School Sports
Crow Island After School Sports is live on the District Web Store. Registration opened at 9am on Tuesday, September 2nd. This is open for 3rd and 4th grade students.
Winnetka Parent’s Institute (WPI) Schedule 25/26
Progressive Tenets in Action: Whole Child Approach
October 15, 2025
9:30 A.M.
Location: SK Community Room
Join the first in a three-part series that will explore the District’s Progressive Education Tenets. Learn about what a Whole Child Approach means and how it comes alive in our classrooms.
Interested:
Contact Us
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