Crow Island Parent Newsletter

Dear Crow Island Community,

Although it was a short week due to the unexpected school closing on Friday, our students packed in a lot of learning and fun! Many students completed benchmark assessments and worked hard to stay focused and do their very best. Students also enjoyed engaging art projects, like the one featured below, as well as gymnastics and rock climbing in KW.

Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome families to our Pioneer Room Open House on Tuesday at 9:30 AM. Parents are invited to learn more about this special space, a hallmark Crow Island tradition where third-grade students have the opportunity to travel back in time to the 1800s. We also hope you will join us for Math Night on Thursday, January 29. Families of students in first through fourth grade are encouraged to attend and enjoy hands-on, engaging math games together.

Here’s hoping for a warmer week and all the exciting things ahead at Crow Island!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

Sincerely,
Anna

January

Tuesday, January 27th | *DATE CHANGE!* Pioneer Room Open House (9:30 AM)
Thursday, January 29th | Math Night (5:30-6:15 PM: 1st and 2nd Grade, 6:30-7:15 PM: 3rd and 4th Grade)

February

Friday, February 13th | Valentine's Day Parties by Grade
Thursday, February 26th | No Student Attendance- Parent Conference Day
Friday, February 27th | No Student Attendance- Parent Conference Day

March

Monday, March 16th | Immigration Week
Friday, March 20th | Citizenship Ceremony and Immigration feast
Wednesday, March 25th | 1st and 2nd Grade Spring Sing: 1st Grade @ 5:45 PM, 2nd Grade @ 6:45 PM
Monday, March 30th- Friday, April 3rd | Spring Break

Lighthouse Moment: Gee's Bend Quilters Project in Art Class

In art class last week, students learned about the women of Gee’s Bend, a small and remote community in Alabama, and their long tradition of quilting. What began in the 19th century as a practical way to create warmth evolved into a powerful art form, with Gee’s Bend quilts now recognized as masterpieces and displayed in major museums across the country. Students also learned how quilting skills are passed down through generations and how quilters work together in “quilting bees,” using and repurposing old clothing to create each quilt. In honor of Black History Month coming up in February, students created their own collage quilts inspired by the creativity, collaboration, and resourcefulness of the Gee’s Bend quilters.

Please Complete Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey Before January 30, 2026

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, The Winnetka Public Schools is conducting a survey in partnership with Studer Education to monitor our progress in creating a positive school experience for you and your child(ren).

The Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey can be accessed here: The Winnetka Public Schools - Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey

Your feedback is crucial in helping us identify areas for recognition and improvement. The survey closes on January 30, 2026.

Crow Island Family Math Night

Join us for an evening of engaging math activities!

Date: Thursday, January 29th

Time: 5:30–6:15 PM (1st and 2nd); 6:30–7:15 PM (3rd and 4th)

Please join us for a fun night of math games and activities with your child. You will have the opportunity to learn some of the favorite games your child plays at school and explore some new ones too. This is a great time to get to know your child as a math thinker and have fun doing math together. Please join us and discover the joy of math with your child!

Valentine's Day at Crow Island

We will have our classroom Valentine's Day celebrations on Friday, February 13th. Please see more detailed information here! Reach out to your child's teacher with any questions.

Spring Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-up
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences are approaching, and we’re looking forward to connecting with families. Based on feedback from parents and staff following fall conferences, a few updates to simplify the process and improve the experience.

Conference Sign-Up

Sign-up opens: February 6 at noon
Sign-up closes: February 24 at noon
Families will sign up online through SchoolCloud using their school’s link below.

After February 24 at noon, any changes to a conference appointment will need to be made by contacting the school office.

Simplified Login

Parents will no longer need a unique access code.
Instead, you’ll log in by entering your contact information and your child’s birthdate, which should make signing in, especially for video conferences, much easier.

Helpful Reminders & Resources

Conference appointments are scheduled for a set length of time. **Please note that video conferences will end automatically at the scheduled time.
Reminders will be sent to families who have not yet signed up and to those with upcoming conference appointments.
Review this guide for additional information

School Sign-Up Links

Crow Island: https://crowislandelementary.schoolcloud.co.uk/
Greeley: https://greeleyelementary.schoolcloud.co.uk/
Hubbard Woods: https://hubbardwoodselementary.schoolcloud.co.uk/
Skokie: https://theskokieschool.schoolcloud.co.uk/
Washburne: https://carletonwashburne.schoolcloud.co.uk/

Additional building- or grade-level details will be shared by principals in upcoming newsletters. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to meaningful conversations about your child’s learning and growth.

Morning Drop-off Reminders

As a reminder, please note the following regarding morning drop-off:

Supervision begins at 8:20 AM. Students should not arrive at school unsupervised until 8:20 AM.
Due to the number of students and the varying age levels, students should not bring balls to use in the morning on the playground.

The Winnetka Public Schools Preschool Services Webinar (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)

Families of Winnetka preschool-aged children (ages 3–5) who receive or may need special education services are invited to attend a virtual Preschool Services Webinar on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

This webinar will explain how The Winnetka Public Schools supports preschool-aged students by completing screenings and/or evaluations to determine eligibility for services. Families will learn about our partnerships with community preschools, the continuum of services available for children ages 3–5, and how individualized supports are provided in inclusive settings. The session will also review what transitions to kindergarten look like for students with IEPs, including timelines and staffing.

There will be time for questions, and families will leave with a clearer understanding of how District 36 works with families and community partners to ensure continuity, quality, and strong transition planning.

Register HERE.

Monthly Observances: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

This month, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who shared an important message of peace, fairness, and unity. Each year, his birthday is honored as a national holiday on the third Monday of January. Families can also explore our library’s special collection of books about Dr. King here: Destiny Collection

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!

Winter Benchmark Assessments

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.

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

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.

Stay & Play Registration

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.

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!

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