Crow Island Parent Newsletter
October 13th, 2025
Dear Crow Island Community,
We had an incredible Safety Week last week at Crow Island. Our students did a fantastic job participating in all of our drills, and we loved welcoming the Winnetka Police and Fire Departments for High-5 Friday. We also enjoyed a special assembly on Friday led by the Fire Department focused on fire safety.
I’m very excited for our upcoming Run-a-thon this Thursday! This beloved Crow Island tradition, dating back to 1985, is the PTO’s largest fundraising event of the year. The event will take place at the Crow Island Woods on Thursday, October 16th.
Students are encouraged to run or walk 30 laps and raise funds from family and friends to support their participation. Families are invited to join us at the Woods to cheer on their children.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Misericordia Special Olympics Track & Field Team.
Donation tracking forms were sent home last week. Families may submit payments by check or through the online donation webpage using this link. To be entered into the Run-a-thon raffle, please return the paper donation form by Wednesday, October 15th.
Run-a-thon Schedule:
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1st & 2nd Grades: 9:15–9:45 AM
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3rd & 4th Grades: 10:00–10:30 AM
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Kindergarten: 10:45–11:15 AM
I hope to see you there!
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
Sincerely,
Anna
October
- 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
Picture Retake Day
You should have received your child’s school photos last week. If you would like your child to have their picture retaken, Picture Retake Day will be on October 22nd. Please email Christine Demas-Hall (christinedemas-hall@winnetka36.org) as soon as possible, and she will add your child’s name to the retake list.
Make A Difference Coat Drive (Reminder)
The PTO-sponsored Coat Drive is this week! 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
Parent Survey: Calendar (Reminder)
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.
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:
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.
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