Crow Island Parent Newsletter

Dear Crow Island Community,

Thank you to all of our families who joined us for Parent-Teacher Conferences last week. We truly value the partnership between home and school, and these conversations are such an important part of supporting each child’s growth. Our teachers appreciated the time to celebrate progress, reflect on goals, and plan next steps together.

We are excited to welcome March, which is sure to be a month full of energy and memorable experiences for our students. Our 1st and 2nd graders are looking forward to their Spring Sing performances, 4th grade will dive into Immigration Week, and 3rd grade will embark on their Pioneering experience. We will wrap up the month with a well-deserved Spring Break- a chance to rest, recharge, and (hopefully!) enjoy some signs of spring.

It’s shaping up to be a meaningful and busy month at Crow Island. Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support.

Wishing you a great week ahead.

Sincerely,
Anna

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
• Friday, March 27th | Half Day for Students (Staff Institute Day)
• Monday, March 30th- Friday, April 3rd | Spring Break

April

• Monday, April 6 | School Resumes
• Tuesday, April 7-Thursday, April 9 | Illinois Assessment of Readiness (Grades 3 and 4)
• Thursday, April 16 | STEAM Expo

As a culminating activity to their unit on bugs and ecosystems, our second graders in Mrs. Dickey's class engaged in an “Imaginative Inquiry” experience this past week. This approach invites students into a carefully crafted, imagined scenario where they apply their real-world knowledge and problem-solving skills to address an authentic-feeling challenge.

In this case, students were presented with a pretend situation at Dwyer Park involving swarming bees and concerned community members. Tasked as experts, they worked collaboratively to explain to the citizens of Winnetka why bees are essential to our ecosystem. Students organized themselves into committees, developed their thinking, and presented their ideas to a mock “Village Caucus.”

It was incredible to see the depth of their understanding, their collaboration, and the confidence with which they communicated their ideas. Experiences like this highlight the creativity, critical thinking, and real-world application that make learning at Crow Island so meaningful.

Save the date: Crow Island STEAM Expo!

This year's STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Expo will take place on Thursday, April 16th. All 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders are welcome to participate. During the school day, students will present to their peers. From 6:00 - 7:00 PM, families are invited to visit and view student projects.

WHAT IT IS: The STEAM Expo is a chance for students to design, conduct, and present a project in one of the STEAM subject areas. Projects should include a question to answer or a problem to solve.

HOW TO SIGN UP: Guidelines for projects can be found here. All students must be registered by Thursday, March 27 using this Google Form.

Acceleration Request Window

Illinois’ Accelerated Placement Act requires public school districts to maintain policies that allow for both single-subject and whole-grade acceleration when appropriate.

To learn more about how District 36 implements its acceleration policy, families may:

• View this overview infographic

• Visit the district’s Early Entrance and Acceleration webpage

• Watch the January 2025 Winnetka Parent Institute session on acceleration

Families who are considering whether acceleration may be an appropriate option for their child are encouraged to begin with this parent reflection worksheet, which is designed to support thoughtful decision-making prior to submitting a request.

The request form for accelerated programming for the 2026–27 school year is now open. The request window runs from March 2 through March 20.

Questions about the acceleration policy may be directed to Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, at beckymathison@winnetka36.org.

Monthly Observances: Women's History Month

Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. Women’s History Month is a dedicated month to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women to United States history. From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth to Rosa Parks, the timeline of women’s history milestones stretches back to the founding of the United States.

National Social Emotional Learning Week

We are excited to announce plans to recognize National SEL Week from March 2nd-6th! The Winnetka Public Schools will join communities across the globe to celebrate the importance of social emotional learning (SEL), by highlighting the theme of community. We will be hosting our second Districtwide Spirit Week, featuring engaging activities and events designed to promote SEL throughout our schools. Each day will highlight one of the CASEL core competencies and the RULER tools, emphasizing how SEL plays a vital role in fostering a supportive and inclusive community. Together, let’s strengthen our sense of belonging and celebrate the importance of SEL in our district!

The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Phone-A-Thon Is Almost Here!

On March 8, Winnetka Public Schools Foundation board members will be reaching out to The Winnetka Public Schools families and community members by phone, text, and email with one big goal: raising $85,000 to fund next year’s grants.

These grants spark classroom innovation, expand student learning opportunities, and provide impactful professional learning for The Winnetka Public Schools staff. From One Book One School literacy initiatives to dynamic artist-in-residence opportunities, the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation infuses additional resources and creative learning tools into our schools.

You can Beat the Call by making your gift online before March 7 and help the WPSF meet its goal faster! Every gift, at every level, makes a meaningful difference for our students and educators.

Donate today: www.wpsf.org

Adventures in Learning Registration

Registration opens March 2 at 1:00 PM for Winnetka residents. Classes fill quickly, so we encourage you to review the Adventures in Learning Program Guide in advance and be ready to register at 1:00 PM.

Important Links:

• Adventures in Learning 2025 Program Details.

• Registration- Winnetka Revtrak

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