Greeley Greeting

Dear Greeley Families,

As we return to school following the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday, many classes spent time learning about Dr. King and the impact of his work. Students also took time to reflect on ideas of hope, fairness, and the kind of world they hope to help shape as they grow.

The next time you visit Greeley, we invite you to pause at the bulletin board near the front of the school, where students have shared their hopes and dreams. These reflections offer a meaningful glimpse into what our students are thinking about and the values that matter to them as members of our school community.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we support students in learning, growing, and caring for one another each day.

Warmly,
Principal Kopinski

January

• Tuesday, 1/27: Pioneer Room Open House for all Third Grade Families, 9:30-10:30am

February

• Monday, 2/16: Winter Benchmark Assessment Results Released to Families (Powerschool, OTUS)
• Thursday and Friday, 2/26 and 2/27: Parent Teacher Conferences (No School)

March

• Friday 3/6: End of Trimester 2
• Monday, 3/9: Start of Trimester 3
• Thursday, 3/12: Greeley PTO STEAM Night
• Wednesday 3/18: Progress Reports Released to Families in Powerschool
• Friday, 3/27: Half Day for Students (11:30am Dismissal)-Teacher Institute PM
• Monday 3/30-Friday, April 3: Spring Break

• Monday 4/6: School Resumes
• Tuesday, 4/7: Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) Testing Begins for Grades 3-4
• Tuesday, 4/7: District Chorus Concert 7-8pm
• Tuesday, 4/14: Winnetka Public Schools Foundation (WPSF) Carlson Event 4:30-6pm at Skokie
• Wednesday 4/22: Greeley Strings Concert 6:30-7:30pm
• Tuesday, 4/28: 5th Grade Orientation at Skokie School (4th Grade Families) 5:30-7:00pm

Last week, students and staff in grades 1–4 participated in a Disability Awareness assembly led by JJ’s List. The program was facilitated by a troupe of students with disabilities who shared personal stories and perspectives, helping our students build understanding, empathy, and respect. Students also learned practical strategies for creating a more inclusive school community, aligning closely with our ongoing work around the Dimensions of Belonging.

Our fourth-grade student leaders played an active role by engaging with the troupe and asking thoughtful questions that deepened our collective learning. Thank you to our SEL coach, Ms. Kimak, for bringing this meaningful and impactful experience to our school community.

Building on our successful Day of Service before Thanksgiving break for all students and staff, we are excitedly planning a Family Service Night for February. Please hold the date of Thursday, February 19th from 5:30-6:30pm.

Please join me for a parent coffee on Thursday, January 29th after drop off, from 8:45-10:00 at Greeley. This is a drop in event to connect. I hope to see you there!

Students have been working hard on their gymnastics skills in KW this week. This unit typically brings a great deal of excitement because of the specialized equipment involved. The rings, vault, and balance beam are a few student favorites. Our gymnastic unit focuses on developing muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility in addition to coordination and balance. Ask your child about their favorite part of the gymnastics unit.

Ms. Dreher, our entrance monitor, has recently resigned from her position. We are actively working to find a replacement and appreciate your patience during this transition.

In the meantime, Ms. Rah-Khem, our school secretary, will be helping cover entrance monitor duties. Please be sure to include Ms. Rah-Khem on any emails related to attendance. Her email address is danarahkhem@winnetka36.org

If you know of anyone who may be interested in this position, we encourage them to apply through our district website. We are hopeful to fill the role as quickly as possible.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

School Hours:

8:20am | Morning supervision begins

8:30am | School Doors open

8:37am | School promptly begins

2:10pm | Regular Extended Day Kindergarten dismissal (Monday-Friday)

2:45pm | Grades 1-4 & Stay and Play kindergarten dismissal (Mondays only)

3:15pm | Grades 1-4 & Stay and Play kindergarten dismissal (Tuesday-Friday)

Office Email: danarahkhem@winnetka36.org

Location: 275 Fairview Avenue Winnetka, IL 60093
Phone: (847)-446-6060