Crow Island Parent Newsletter

Dear Crow Island Community,

As we move through the month of January, our students and teachers are fully back into their routines and working hard each day. Last week, we held our first 4th grade ACT meeting. ACT is our 4th grade leadership and service club, facilitated by Ms. Szczecinski, Ms. Johnson, Sra. Landor, and myself.

During the meeting, students brainstormed ways they can make a positive impact at Crow Island and beyond through school improvement ideas and service projects. It was a wonderful reminder of the creativity, leadership, and collaboration that are part of everyday life at Crow Island. Stay tuned to learn more about what our 4th grade leaders are working on this year!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

Sincerely,
Anna

January

• Wednesday, January 21st | Winter MAP Reading Test- 3rd and 4th grade
• Thursday, January 22nd | Winter MAP Math Test- 3rd and 4th grade
• 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

On Friday, a group of Skokie students visited Crow Island to spend time with some of our kindergarteners. During this meaningful experience, the Skokie students interviewed our youngest learners to learn about their ideas, interests, and imaginations. They then use what they learn to create original picture books inspired by our kindergarteners. In the spring, we will come together again as the older students return to share their stories, celebrating creativity, connection, and the joy of learning across grade levels.

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.

Valentine's Day at Crow Island (Save the Date)

We will have our classroom Valentine's Day celebrations on Friday, February 13th. Stay tuned for more information in next week's newsletter and from your child's teacher!

Cold Weather Guidelines

We plan to go outside whenever possible for recess. Our rule of thumb is “when in doubt, we go out.” That said, the weather is getting colder (again!) and we ask for families to partner with us to ensure students are prepared to go outside. Our ask is that you take a look at the weather in the morning and send students with the gear needed to head outside even in the colder weather.

When is it too cold to go outside for recess?

Only in the event of very cold days will we not be going outside for recess. In the morning, we will closely monitor the temperature and if the “feels like” temperature falls at 10 degrees or below we will plan for indoor recess. That said, if the day is sunny and students have winter gear we may head outside for a few minutes of fresh air. Please check with your teacher or administrator if you have questions.

Below are resources we use as guidance for our district to determine if we are outside or staying inside for recess.

How do we monitor the weather?

We will use the Weather Channel to monitor the weather. This gives us our “feels like” temperature.

We use the ISBE windchill guide for guidance.

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.

New Sign on Willow Road

The Village recently installed a new sign on Willow Road to reinforce that there is no entry into the circle after turning left from Willow Road onto Glendale Avenue. As a reminder, vehicles should line up on Willow Road heading east, turn right onto Glendale Avenue, and then enter the circle. Thank you for helping keep our morning arrival process safe and running smoothly!

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.

Winnetka Parents Institute (WPI):

Differentiation: What is it and how can I tell if my child is having a differentiated experience?

January 21 at 9:30 AM

Location: Washburne RC

Join this session led by the Dept of Innovation, Teaching and Learning to learn a bit about what differentiated instruction is, the conditions needed in order to implement, and what it looks like in action in District 36 classrooms.

RSVP Link

Feedback Link

Incoming Kindergarten Family Information Night with Winnetka Administration

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Register for Kindergarten in 26/27 on-site from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Session from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Greeley School

275 Fairview Ave., Winnetka

This informational session is for Winnetka parents whose children will enter Kindergarten in the 2026/2027 school year. Parents will learn the resources and experiences that await students once they begin Kindergarten in The Winnetka Public Schools.

Families will learn about:

• The Transition-to-Kindergarten process, presented by the Principals of Crow Island, Greeley, and Hubbard Woods Schools

• A glimpse into a typical Kindergarten day in The Winnetka Public Schools

• Supports for student needs that are available through the Department of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion

We look forward to welcoming our incoming 2026–2027 Kindergarten families at this event!

RSVP here.

Feedback link.

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!

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