Dear Crow Island Families,
Welcome back and Happy New Year! We are looking forward to having students back in school with us today and are excited to start 2023!
This week, students are spending time reviewing school-wide expectations around hallways, stairwells, and recess. Like academic school-work, we have a process in place to teach our expectations and that approach allows students to internalize expectations better and for longer. At Crow Island, we follow three expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe.
In addition, this week begins our winter assessment window. I also wanted to remind parents that tomorrow begins our winter assessment window. All students K-4 will complete universal assessments in reading and math. The data will be shared during conferences in February.
Welcome back!
Luke
- Monday, January 9th: School Resumes
- Monday, January 16th: No School Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Wednesday, January 25th: 3rd Grade Pioneer Room Open house 9-10am & 7-8pm
- Thursday, February 9th: No School Conferences
- Friday, February 10th: No School Conferences
- Monday, February 20th: Non-Attendance day for students
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Math Elementary Core Values ~ Perseverance
In an elementary Winnetka classroom, mistakes are embraced as an essential and expected part of the learning process. Brain research shows that children learn at the highest level when they come to an understanding of their own mistakes. Therefore, mistakes are always seen as an opportunity. This shift in thinking helps cultivate curiosity and reflection, as well as, reduce math anxiety. Perseverance, persistent effort to make sense of a problem, is another value in our classrooms and a key to mathematical achievement. Flexibility, curiosity, and a growth mindset are all components of perseverance we strive to model and cultivate in our students. This goal of our instruction shapes our responses to student work, thinking, and attitudes. Students are often asked to reflect on their work or a classmate’s work, to see if they can understand a different strategy or revise their thinking. A student’s ability to persevere is a key factor for their mathematical growth and achievement in the long run. We strive to cultivate this mindset early on in their journey.
Pokemon Club Starts Tuesday:
Pokemon Club will start at Crow island on Tuesday morning at 8:10am
- When: Tuesday @8:10-8:30 am, beginning Jan 10
- Who: 1st-4th graders
- Where: Downstairs lunchroom. Students will get dropped off or arrive in the front circle drive.
- What: come show your cards to students of all grades and battle your decks! NO trading of cards will be permitted due to issues in the past. Cards must be kept in students’ backpacks for the rest of the school day.
Questions you can contact Mr. Medina (jesusmedina@winnetka36.org).
Winter MAP 2023 Testing
We are approaching our second testing window for the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test, which will take place at Crow Island on January 18th (Math) and January 19 (reading) for third and fourth grade.
Similar to the fall, all students in Grades 3 - 8 will take one reading test and one math test. The MAP Assessment is designed to measure a student’s achievement level at different times of the school year and compute growth over time. MAP is a computer-adaptive test, which means every student receives a unique set of test questions based on responses to previous questions. This provides a personalized assessment experience by adapting to each student’s learning level.
The purpose of the second testing session is to provide teachers with midyear progress data that will help inform their instruction as they move forward into the school year. Winter student reports are not sent home. Student reports are sent home at the end of the school year with fall to spring growth measures. Additional information on the MAP Assessment may be found on our district website in the Assessment Section of ITL. If you need further information on your child’s testing session please contact your building principal.
Winnetka Parents Institute
Introduction to Kindergarten in The Winnetka Public Schools
Tuesday, January 10 at 6:00 p.m.
Greeley School
275 Fairview Avenue
Winnetka
This informational session is intended for Winnetka parents of preschool students who will be attending The Winnetka Public Schools. Parents will learn more about the support and services that the District provides to current preschool students attending local preschool programming. Additionally, families will receive a preview of:
The transition-to-Kindergarten process by Crow Island, Greeley and Hubbard Woods Principals,
The resources available to families from the Department of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion
Details on Kindergarten Connection that will occur in summer 2023
Highlights of a typical kindergarten day in The Winnetka Public Schools
We look forward to meeting new families at this event!
Acceleration in Winnetka 36
January 25, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
The Skokie School Community Room
Director of Innovation, Teaching, and Learning Dr. Becky Mathison will host this information session about the acceleration policy. The content will include a review of the purpose of the acceleration policy and a preview of updated procedures this year. Participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback on specific components including the initial request form.
Interested:
January 25, 2023
10:00-11:00 AM
Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):
For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.
Online Registration Open for Incoming Kindergarteners & New Students for the 2023-2024 School Year
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and students new to The Winnetka Public Schools in 2023-2024 is now open on the District website and via https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=30658&culture=en. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2023, are eligible to enroll.
The new student registration process is completed in three steps:
Complete new student pre-registration forms online beginning November 16, 2022.
Provide the original or certified copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate and a parent photo ID. The certified copy can be submitted in person at the District Office. If you have the original birth certificate, you may bring it to the District Office to be photocopied. The District Office is at 1235 Oak St., Winnetka.
Provide proof of residency and paper registration forms. For your convenience, all required residency documents may be uploaded during online registration. Click here to view the list of documents that will meet these requirements as well as the other forms required for registration (Registration Forms & Information).
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 contact the District Office at 847-446-9400.
Stay & Play Registration
Kindergarten students who are not currently enrolled in Stay & Play will have the opportunity to register for the 2nd half of the year after 8:00 am January 9th through this link. Please note that the registration period ends January 31, 2023 and will remain closed for the remainder of the year. The rates are prorated below. If you attempt to register before the 9th, you will receive an Item Unavailable message. 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.
Text-for-Help Available to Support Student Safety & Well-Being
Text-for-Help is is intended to provide confidential support to students at school. This resource is available 24/7, 365 days a year, completely anonymous, and staffed by fully-licensed counselors on the other end. Based on the students’ needs and preferences, a counselor will then direct the user to further assistance.
For further details about the tool, please review this recent Winnetka Parents Institute Session.
Follow us on Social Media!
Please follow the District via the following social media platforms in order to see day-to-day happenings and more.
Facebook and Twitter: @Winnetka36
Instagram: @WinnetkaPublicSchools
