Crow Island Update
April 26th, 2021






 




Dear Winnetka Families,

It was wonderful having the majority of our 1st-4th grade students here for our first week of modified full days. Students and staff did a great job adjusting to the merging of our pods, the longer day, and most students having lunch on campus. We are also so thankful to all of the parents who have helped to make this possible by volunteering to help us supervise our lunch and recess. A special thank you to our parents assisting our remote students as we adjusted our schedule.  Our students, staff, and families have continued to impress us with their flexibility and resilience this year. 

With May just around the corner, it's a very busy time in all of our schools with different events and celebrations taking place. In addition to our various traditions, we also have MAP and IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) testing taking place over the next few weeks for our 3rd and 4th graders. We know that these tests can bring about some feelings of stress and anxiety, especially as this will be the first time any of our students will be taking the IAR. With those things in mind, below are some tips and resources you can use to help your child(ren) feel confident and prepared for taking these tests.

Our SEL Coaches compiled these resources to explain test anxiety and provide tips for managing it effectively. Some of the tips included to help your child(ren) feel more confident and relaxed before and during a test are:
  • making sure they have plenty of rest each night 
  • eating a good breakfast each morning 
  • reminding them to take their time and try their best 
  • encouraging them not to compare themself to others or look to see when classmates may be finishing a test
  • encouraging them to use positive self-talk to build their confidence 
  • encouraging them to focus on slow, deep breathing to stay calm 
Thank you for your partnership in helping our students do their best to show what they know, and preparing them to do so with confidence.

Finally, we have information for our 4th grade parents about the transition to Skokie. Please take a moment to review this important information about the transition to Skokie that Betty Weir, The Skokie School Principal, sent to fourth grade families last week. 
 
Sincerely,

Julie Pfeffer and Larry Joynt, Principals, Crow Island School
Joshua Swanner, Principal, Greeley School
Beth Carmody, Principal, Hubbard Woods School

Crow Island News
Dear Crow Island Families,

We have so enjoyed having our students back on campus for a longer day!  We anticipate that students may be tired as they get used to a longer day and the weather starts to warm up.  Please make sure you talk to your child's teacher or us if you or your student needs any help with this transition.  We are thankful that we have so much outdoor space at Crow Island, as we have ample space for the students to spread out and eat outdoors as well as play during our lunch/recess period.  As we move into May, please help us maximize instructional time by ensuring the following:
  • Students are certified in Crisis Go by 8 am each day - this prevents students from having to wait in line outside of the building to get checked in individually by a principal, nurse or health clerk.
  • Students have 2 water bottles with straws - this will prevent students having to refill water bottles at school and will keep them well hydrated as the weather warms up.
As always, thank you for your partnership.

Sincerely,
Larry and Julie

Parent Focus Group Opportunity
As we plan ahead for the 2021-2022 school year, we anticipate and are planning for a more typical schedule. To inform our efforts, we plan to bring together various perspectives of parents, staff, and students to ensure a cohesive approach for our August plans. Parents interested in serving on a joint staff/parent focus group are invited to  fill out this form by Friday, April 30
.  These virtual focus groups will be hosted in May.  This was an approach we used last spring which proved beneficial.


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

Click here to learn more and to view the course catalog for the general program.  Click here to register.
 
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.
 
 
Join the Winnetka Earth Day Challenge from April 16-30



Family Action Network (FAN) is featuring several acclaimed speakers this spring. Click here to check out the FAN schedule, comprised of award-winning authors, educators, corporate leaders and more. 


Access 2020-2021's District Parent Education sessions below:

Structuring Your Student's Time on Devices







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 emailsPlease contact Lindy Schmidt, Crow Island School secretary, to make changes to your child's records or if you have questions about other email lists. 
 
Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   View on Instagram   View our videos on YouTube    
  

Dates to Remember

Mon-Fri, April 26-30
Map Testing - 3rd and 4th Grades

Mon-Fri, May 3- May 14
IAR Testing - 3rd and 4th Grades




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.