Greeley Greeting

Dear Greeley Families,

It’s been hard not to smile at the very convincing preview of spring we’ve been experiencing the past few days! The sunshine and warmer temperatures have brought an extra burst of energy to our days, and students have been soaking up the sunshine every minute of outdoor recess. While we know this “fake spring” may not last forever, we’re enjoying the reminder that brighter days are on the way.

As we move through the week, this is also the last chance to complete the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and contributes to our yearly Illinois School Report Card data. If you haven’t yet had a chance to participate, we would greatly appreciate you taking a few minutes to share your thoughts.

We also want to remind families that applications are currently open for both Acceleration and Adventures in Learning. These opportunities provide wonderful ways for students to extend their learning, explore new interests, and challenge themselves in exciting ways.

Be sure to read on for important details, upcoming events, and new opportunities for students and families in the weeks ahead.

With appreciation,
Lindsay

March

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

April

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
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

Greeley School Google Calendar

Lighthouse Moment from the Classroom

Second grade students recently wrapped up an engaging graphing unit where they applied their new skills to track gold, silver, and bronze medals for the top 12 countries competing in the Winter Olympics. As students collected and organized the data, their curiosity about the Olympics really took off!

Teachers noticed students eagerly discussing the events, learning about different Winter Olympic sports, and even using maps to locate the countries they were tracking. The activity not only strengthened their graphing skills but also sparked meaningful connections to geography, global awareness, and the excitement of international competition.

Health Office Reminders from Nurse Janda

As we head into a time of changing weather and spring travels, we want to remind everyone of our district health guidelines, pictured and linked below. Currently we are hearing about lice, coughs, and rashes. Please follow our health guidelines to ensure everyone stays healthy. Thank you!

District Health Guidelines

Winnetka Parent Institute

Not Quite Little Kid, Not Quite Teenager: The Developmental Progression of the Middle School Child (Virtual Zoom Event)

March 11, 2026

9:30 AM

Join Principal Cooney and Assistant Principal Castillo-Oh (The Skokie School) and Principal Livingston and Assistant Principal Horwitz (Carleton Washburne School) for an informational session focusing on the ins and outs of the growing middle school child. We will spend time exploring both the academic and social-emotional needs appropriate to 5th-8th grade children, how they change over that four year span, as well as the neurological changes that contribute to these needs. Parents with current middle schoolers, or soon-to-be middle schoolers, are encouraged to join us for an engaging, encouraging and educational hour together.

Join Zoom Webinar

https://winnetka36.zoom.us/s/84963728831?pwd=Iv7G7M94IfInv52SyxoPKaORMenmpd.1

Passcode:911400

Interested:

RSVP here

Important: Please Take 5 Minutes to Complete 5 Essentials

5Essentials Survey Closes Soon: We Need Your Feedback!

The Illinois State Board of Education annually asks families, students and staff to complete the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. Administered by University of Chicago, data gleaned from the survey directly helps the District prioritize goals and resources. Additionally, the quantity of parents who participate in the survey (or lack thereof) directly affects The Winnetka Public Schools’ Illinois State Report Card ratings.

The survey is linked here, takes about 5 minutes to complete, and is completely confidential.

Your participation helps the District gain actionable data to improve the student experience and ensure the Illinois State Report Card rankings accurately reflect Winnetka’s engaged parent community. The survey closes March 13, 2026.

5 Essentials Survey

Related Arts Spotlight

Greeley students in K-2 have been listening to and discussing the books that are nominated for the 2026 Monarch Award (the Illinois K-3 Readers' Choice Award). There are twenty books and we have read seventeen! If you/your student would like to listen to the other three, you can find all the books here with readaloud links to those we haven't read (our sixteenth book was chosen by each class from the remaining four).

We vote THIS WEEK. Ask your student about the nominated books. Ask which book they will be voting for. Suggest maybe you can vote as well. Your student should give a resounding "No! Only kids can vote." It really is a children's choice award and so empowering to our students.

- Brenda Glenn, Greeley Librarian

Monarch Read Aloud Links

Acceleration Request Window-Now Open!

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.

Request Form for Accelerated Programming

Adventures in Learning Registration-Now Open!

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:

STEAM Night Registration

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

Do you know any incoming kindergartners for next year? If so, please encourage them to register soon!

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.