Dear Crow Island Families,

Over the weekend you received a message from Dr. Tess about an incident that occurred in our Winnetka community. This incident occurred outside of school, but our schools are taking steps to support the need for our students to feel safe at school.

This morning, we gathered as a school community for an assembly. We did not share any information about the incident and instead focused on how we can feel safe at school and in our community. We will reinforce the message that if students “see” something then they should “say” something to adults who can help keep them safe. As a school community, we all share the responsibility to keep our community safe. It is our intent to let students know their safety is of the highest importance while also making sure they feel empowered to say something when they recognize something is wrong.

We appreciate your partnership to help support our students and school community. We have linked the assembly presentation below so you can see what was shared with students and reinforce at home.

Stay well,

Luke Livingston

• Monday, October 3rd - Friday, October 7th: Walk & Bike to School Week
• Wednesday, October 5th: No School, Yom Kippur
• Thursday, October 6th: Run-a-Thon (details below)
• Tuesday, October 11th: 4th Grade Trip to Snake Road
• Thursday, October 13th: Early Dismissal at 11:20 AM, Conferences in the PM
• Friday, October 14th: No School, Conferences
  
• Monday, October 17th: District 36 Referendum Info Session @ Crow Island 9:30am
• Monday, October 17th: Annual Crow Island Food Drive (all week)

Today’s Assembly Presentation

Students and staff gathered together for a morning assembly at all five schools today. The presentation included information about seeing something and saying something, being an up-stander and what steps to take if you are in an unsafe situation. While this was a natural opportunity for us to review these things with our students, we made it clear that there are situations in which the safest way to be an up-stander means calling for help–whether that is dialing 911 or getting an adult. We also wanted to recognize that there are going to be instances that if unreported, could escalate into something worse, and want our students to know who they can go to in their school for help. Today’s presentation slides are linked below.

K-4 Presentation

Lockdown Drill Practice:

This week we will be practicing lockdown drills at Crow Island. This year, we are shifting our practices slightly to ensure that students have the opportunity to talk with teachers during the practice situation. Below are some notes about the lockdown drills:

• We will communicate with our students in an age-appropriate manner about what to do in the event of a lockdown situation. For example, teaches might say "We are practicing what we would do to stay safe in the event of a lockdown. We use safety drills to practice how we would respond in an unexpected event. Today, we are practicing what we would do in a lockdown."

• There WILL NOT be any simulations, gunfire or otherwise, during these exercises.

• Students and staff are invited to engage in appropriate discussion during the drill to address questions and alleviate any concerns this may bring up for students.

We will be practicing our drills on the dates below:

• Wednesday September 28 ~ At 9am, Teachers will practice a lockdown drill with their students, talking them through an unsafe situation.

• Thursday September 29 ~ The entire school will practice a lockdown situation with the Winnetka Police Department supervising.

After each drill, Mr. Livingston will follow-up with families so they can have conversations at home. In addition, Mr. Livingston will push into classrooms to talk with students.

Run-A-Thon Schedule (October 6th):

We will be running the schedule below. All visitors will go to the back playground area of the school to view the Run-A-Thon.

• 9:15-9:45 1st soccer field and 2nd Park District
• 10:00-10:30 3rd soccer field and 4th Park District
• 10:45-11:15 Kdg soccer field

2022 Downsized Capital Improvement Plan: Referendum

As a member of The Winnetka Public School community, we want to ensure you are informed about the improvements to all five schools as part of the 2022 Downsized Capital Improvement Plan: Referendum, which was adopted as a resolution by the School Board on August 16th and will be on the ballot November 8th. You are invited to attend an upcoming informational session, in person or via Zoom. Please see the image below for further information, or visit our website at www.winnetka36.org.

Student Growth & Achievement Reporting

There are several opportunities throughout the year to receive formal standardized reporting related to your child’s growth and achievement on standardized assessments. Additionally, there are designated times at which you will receive formal reporting on your child’s growth and achievement in the classroom. Please note the following dates coming up this fall. You are encouraged to reach out to your child’s teacher with any questions.

• Spring 2022 IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) Reports Mailed Home

• Week of September 16

• Fall 2022 MAP Reports Printed and Shared at Fall Conferences

• Thursday, October 13 or Friday, October, 14

• Fall Conferences

• Thursday, October 13 or Friday, October 14

• Progress Reports Sent Home

• Friday, December 9

REGISTRATION REMINDER

The deadline for registering for Kindergarten Stay and Play is on 9/30/22.

If you would like to sign up, please follow this link and log into your Revtrak account.

Parent Education Sessions from District Partner Family Action Network (FAN):

For upcoming events, access FAN’s website here.

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