Dear Crow Island Families,
This past week we had a great author visit coordinated by our Crow Island Resource Center in partnership with The Bookstall. The author was Alex Willan and our 1st and 2nd graders were super engaged in learning how to draw Gilbert the Goblin!
In addition, 3rd graders have read "Balloons Over Broadway" in the RC, which brings to life the inspirational story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons floating in the sky for the Thanksgiving Day parade. Over the last week, 3rd Grade students are in the process of designing and building their own balloon floats to participate in their own parade. After building the balloons, students learned about coding and coded a robot that carried their balloon in the makerspace. We have more parades happening this week!
Stay well,
Luke
- Thursday, December 22nd: Winter Sings
- Friday, December 23rd: No School; Winter break begins
- Monday, January 9th: School Resumes
- Monday, January 16th: No School Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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Winter Sing-a-Long:
We are looking forward to our annual Sing-a-Long at Crow Island. This is a time for students and families to celebrate the holiday season together. The Sing-a-Long will take place on December 22nd and follow the schedule below:
- 9:00am - Last Name A-G
- 10:30am - Last Name H-O
- 1:00pm - Last Name P-Z
This year the Sing-a-Long will take place in the auditorium.
Winter Singalong Request from Mr. Novello
The winter Sing-along is just around the corner! One of the many things that makes Crow Island special is that we are a school that sings together. The rationale behind a Winter Singalong (versus a concert) is for children to share this rich culture of group singing with their families. For that reason (with the exception of the 4th grade chorus and kindergarten) all the repertoire for the concert is widely known and meant to be sung by everyone. In that context, I want to ask you adults for a favor.
When you attend the singalong next week, please sing out. Sing like nobody's watching. Saying things like "You don't want to hear me sing'' or "I can't sing" actively fights the narrative we cultivate at school that, "everyone is a singer", which is crucial in childrens' musical development. I know this makes some adults uncomfortable- my hope is that this next generation won't feel that way :)
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.
WIN Parent Presentation:
Last week, Mr. Livingston, hosted a parent presentation for Crow Island families around WIN, the new initiative at K-4 schools in Winnetka. You can find the presentation slides here: WIN 22-23
Winnetka Voices Podcast Premieres!
Winnetka Voices is a podcast hosted by The Winnetka Public Schools, featuring candid conversations on issues relevant to education and shared resources to support our students and families.
NEW! Episode #2:
Prioritizing Social Emotional Learning & RULER in our Schools
Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, is joined by the District’s Social Emotional Learning coaches, Sachiko Kawata-Burke, Jennifer Knudson, Danielle Leitner, and Allison Szczecinski. The SEL coaches discuss the role they play in supporting students and teachers, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. The coaches also share the concept behind RULER, a research-based tool from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, that is currently being implemented in our schools.
Listen here:
LEARN MORE AT THIS UPCOMING WINNETKA PARENTS INSTITUTE SESSION!
Developing a Family Charter- District Implementation of RULER
Danielle Klimak (SEL Coach)
In this presentation we will be taking a closer look at one of the 4 RULER anchor tools: The Charter. A Charter is a tool that can be used to help create a positive and supportive social-emotional environment at school or home. A Charter helps to explore how we want to feel and what we can do to ensure that everyone has those feelings more consistently. In this presentation you will learn about the benefits of a Charter and how to create a Charter in the home setting.
December 12, 2022
9:00-10:00 AM
Resource Center at Washburne School (confirmed)
Interested:
Premiere Episode:
Fostering Post-Pandemic Growth & Resilience for our Children
Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, speaks with Ms. Carly Andrews, Executive Director of The Alliance for Early Childhood, on how we can best support our childrens’ social and emotional needs, academic growth, and socialization in the wake of the pandemic.
Listen here:
Click here for resources and events from The Alliance for Early Childhood.
Winnetka Parents Institute
The District is offering an array of upcoming educational sessions for families and community members. Click here for a complete list of session dates and more information. Fall sessions include SEL-related topics and technology tips for parents regarding maneuvering the ever-changing landscape of technology, social media, and phones. Up next:
Developing a Family Charter-District Implementation of RULER
Danielle Klimak (SEL Coach)
In this presentation we will be taking a closer look at one of the 4 RULER anchor tools: The Charter. A Charter is a tool that can be used to help create a positive and supportive social-emotional environment at school or home. A Charter helps to explore how we want to feel and what we can do to ensure that everyone has those feelings more consistently. In this presentation you will learn about the benefits of a Charter and how to create a Charter in the home setting.
December 12, 2022
9:00-10:00 AM
Resource Center at Washburne School (confirmed)
Interested:
A Message from The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation (WPSF)
WPSF is a non-profit volunteer organization that works to enhance the educational mission of Winnetka District 36 beyond the means of conventional public tax funding and PTO contributions. With generous support from our donors, WPSF provided $111,000 in grants to Crow Island, Greeley, Hubbard Woods, Skokie and Washburne in 2021-2022. For more information please check out the WPSF Annual Report.
Donations are always welcome! As the calendar year draws to a close, please consider a year-end, tax-deductible donation to WPSF. Donate 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.
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
TREX PLASTIC FILM CHALLENGE BEGINS
Time to Gather Up Your Plastic Bags...
The TREX Plastic Film Challenge Starts November 15th! Each year Go Green Winnetka and all District 36 schools participate in this program, which enlists schools to collect plastic bags and wrap, which are then recycled and made into alternate wood products. The Challenge runs through April 15, with winners announced on Earth Day. During this time, bins are placed at D36 schools to collect the *plastics listed below.
Grocery bags
Bread bags
Case overwrap (e.g. water, soda and juice bottles)
Dry cleaning bags
Newspaper sleeves
Ice bags
Wood pellet bags
Ziplock and other reclosable bags
Produce bags
Bubble wrap
Salt bags
Cereal bags
*Please note, all plastics must be clean, dry, and free of food residue.
https://www.trex.com/our-company/news/trex-launches-16th-annual-plastic-film-recycling-challenge/
Contact GoGreenWinnetka@gmail.com with any questions.
