Dear Winnetka Families,
Although school has looked a bit different this school year and we are preparing for our merge next week, we must still begin our planning for the 2021-22 school year as we always do this time of year. To that end, please click here for access to an electronic Parent Reflection Form that invites you to share your thoughts about your child and his/her school experiences. We ask that this form be completed and submitted by Friday, April 30th to inform our placement process. We also ask that you complete this form on your own and without input from teachers, as we are interested in getting your individual point of view on your child's learning. As you have worked with your child(ren) at home over these past months, you may have developed even greater insight. Please note that current 4th graders will receive information about parent input for 5th grade from Skokie School in the coming weeks.
In forming classes, our guiding premise is that both teachers and families have valuable input regarding a child's placement. Both understand a child's educational needs, often in different ways. It is important to note that teachers are not in a position to ensure any placement requests and therefore should not be engaged in such discussions. As principal, it is our responsibility to organize the final class lists, support the professionalism of the teachers, and consider the input of the parents. Of course, there is not just one perfect scenario for your child. Our expectation is that all of our children are able to learn and grow, connect with their teacher and friends, and enjoy the learning process in any of our classrooms.
To that end, there is a considerable amount of time, thought, and passion that goes into forming positive, balanced classroom learning communities. Teachers approach these conversations with deep understanding of their students as learners and class members. The process is thorough and insightful and can be viewed if you click on this link. Indeed it is complex and, as a parent, we know it is not always easy to understand. There are a few questions that seem to come up each year around placement. Please click this link to see some FAQs. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions that may arise.
Finally, our apologies as we know there were some difficulties with the lunch survey link we sent last week. To that end, if you would like your children to come home for lunch each day from Monday April 19th - Friday April 30th, please complete this form (one for each student) by Wednesday April 14th. Thank you for your help with this.
Sincerely, Beth Carmody, Principal, Hubbard Woods School Julie Pfeffer and Larry Jouynt, Principal, Crow Island School Joshua Swanner, Principal, Greeley School Crow Island News Dear Crow Island Families,
We hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of spring. As we transition to a fuller day next week, we wanted to share a few important pieces of information. First, due to the shorter lunchtime and our desire to keep classes separated, we are transitioning our birthday lunchtime to a birthday breakfast (7:45 - 8:15 am) or after school snack time (2:45 - 3:15pm) to continue hosting these virtually via Zoom. An invitation will be sent home during your child's birthday month and each family will be able to choose whether their child attends the morning or afternoon birthday celebration. If neither time is possible, students will be invited to the following month's breakfast/snack time gathering. We hope to celebrate with as many students as possible before the school year ends.
Secondly, thank you to all the staff, students, and families that have been able to join us for our weekly Wednesday night Mystery Reader Zooms. We have been fortunate to have some 4th graders serve as mystery readers in the past and we look forward to continuing this leadership opportunity for them going forward.Please continue to join us on Wednesday nights from 7:00-7:15 pm for this fun family event.
Meeting ID: 830 4330 2657 Passcode: 931028
Finally, please note the Strategic Planning Survey in the District News below. Please take 5-10 minutes to complete the survey to help up prioritize our district needs to best meet the needs of the community. The survey closes this Friday, April 16th.
Winnetka community members:
Have a wonderful week.
Larry and Julie
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District 36 Strategic Planning Survey-Please Complete by Friday, April 16
Please take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete a survey regarding the District's 3-5 year Strategic Plan, which will be finalized by fall 2021. Your input will help the District prioritize its work to best meet the needs of our school community. The survey will close Friday, April 16.
2021-2022 Online Registration for New and Returning Students Begins April 12 Registration information for next year will be sent via regular mail and email on Monday, April 12. Look for these materials in your mailbox and inbox. Once you receive this information, you may contact District Registrar, Carolin Huh, at 847-446-9400 or carolinhuh@winnetka36.org, if you have any registration questions, or did not receive notification.
Please register early! Parents are asked to complete registration at their earliest convenience to help inform interest and need for optional services and programs for the 2021-2022 school year, such as bus transportation and the Right at School after-school care program.
This year families will not be charged for school activity fees. The School Board voted at its meeting on March 23, 2021, to approve a one-year moratorium on collecting activity fees for the upcoming school year.
Adventures in Learning 2021 REGISTRATION OPEN FOR WINNETKA RESIDENTS Program Dates: June 14, 2021 - July 16, 2021 Winnetka Public Schools Adventures in Learning Program will welcome students back to in-person summer classes! The structure of the program has been modified as we continue to navigate the impact of COVID--19 and prioritize the health and safety of our campers, families and staff. The in-person program options being offered adhere to the District's current mitigation plan and successful student cohort and pod framework. General Program Update: For campers enrolling in the general program (grades 2-8) This year's general program has been structured to prioritize the health and safety of our campers and staff and offer the variety of fun, rich and creative class experiences that Adventure campers look forward to! It was with that in mind that this year's 5-week session was originally separated into a 3-week and 2-week session of class pods. However, based on enrollment considerations, the general program will consist of one 5-week session with 1 class pod instead of 2 that had been planned. If you have already registered for the general program, you will be receiving an email confirmation of the Pod assigned by Monday, April 12. If you have any questions please contact the District office at 847-446-9400 or via email at adventures@winnetka36.org
Adventures in Learning Animal Care Opportunity ATTENTION all lovers of rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, reptiles, birds and other small animals! Winnetka's Adventures in Learning/AnimalCare Class is back this summer. If your child's small animal is due for a brief break this summer, please email Anna at animal.care.adventures@gmail.com. If it is time to pass your pet on to another loving family, we can also try to arrange adoptions.
Participate in the New Trier Day of Service on April 17, 2021
Access 2020-2021's District Parent Education sessions below:
Structuring Your Student's Time on Devices
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Replies to this email will be sent directly to Larry Joynt. If you would like to add other family members to receive the Crow Island School Update please hit reply. Please note that by adding names to the Crow Island School Update mailing list you are not updating any other mailing lists including your child's emergency contact information. Please also note that unsubscribing from this email will unsubscribe from all Winnetka school emails. Please contact Lindy Schmidt, Crow Island School secretary, to make changes to your child's records or if you have questions about other email lists.
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Dates to Remember
Mon-Fri, April 26-30
Map Testing - 3rd & 4th Grades
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The Winnetka Public Schools community empowers every student to flourish in an innovative, experiential environment. We support and challenge all learners to actively engage in continual growth and achievement to make a meaningful difference in the world.
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