Crow Island School Update
June 1st, 2020
 





 

Dear Crow Island Families,
 
I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful weekend. This is typically the email when I share staffing plans for the coming year.  However, I first would like to pause and recognize what a unique and different year this has been all of us.  Thank you for partnering with us over the past several months to best support our children's learning and social and emotional well being.  I know it has been a challenge and your efforts do not go unnoticed.  Thank you for your support, your understanding, your flexibility and your hard work during these unprecedented times.  At this time, we do not know exactly what the fall will look like.  However, we will be working all summer and aligning ourselves with the most up to date health and safety guidelines as we plan.  The district will be in touch throughout the summer to update families on its planning process.

Now, a moment to reflect on our staff...

Eva Tarini , one of our first grade teachers is retiring after 31 years at Crow Island and we wish her happiness and joy as she looks forward to more time with her friends and family.  We thank her for her years of service and commitment to making Crow Island the "best school ever made".  
 
We will be saying goodbye to another teacher, Michelle Ney, who will be moving out of state.  We wish her every happiness as she embarks on her new journey. 
 
We also have teachers leaving us to share their expertise at other schools and in other positions within the district. One of our amazing KW teachers Kate Wilkinson , will be moving to Skokie School where she will be part of their KW team. Our need for 2 full time teachers in the gym has shifted as we implement redistricting.  I know our students will enjoy seeing her as they transition to Skokie. Social Worker, Ellie Hotchkiss , will be moving to Washburne to support our middle school students. Again, our students will be happy to reconnect with her at Washburne. Our Literacy Facilitator, Jen Fiegen, will be taking over the role of Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) where she will be working with teachers across the district. We have some associates that will also be moving on to other positions in the district.  We thank our teachers and associates for their hard work and wish them all the best in their new schools and positions.
 
As we look forward to next year, based on our current enrollment numbers, we project that we will have three sections in kindergarten and first grade, and four sections at second, third and fourth grade. We are happy to welcome our Kindergarten students back to Crow Island next year.  Veronica Petrillo will be moving down from first grade to teach kindergarten again.  Missy Parks, who has spent the last three years teaching kindergarten at Greeley will be coming back to Crow Island, and we welcome Heather Farnham, who was part of the kindergarten team at Hubbard Woods.  Tammy Kerouac will be joining our first grade team after spending several years in the TOSA position.  Previous to that, she taught at Hubbard Woods for many years.  We also welcome Melissa Cook who will be joining our third grade team.  Melissa is coming to Crow Island after teaching third grade at Greeley.  Liz Marut will be joining us from Washburne in our Literacy Facilitator position.  We also welcome Andrea Strening , who will be moving from Skokie School to teach KW part time with us.
 
Here is a current plan for next year:
 
Staffing Plan for 2020-2021
 
Kindergarten:
Mrs. Heather Farnham
Mrs. Missy Parks
Ms. Veronica Petrillo
First Grade:                             
Mrs. Eve Creelman
Mrs. Marie Dickey
Mrs. Tammy Kerouac
Second Grade:                               
Ms. Joan Elliott
Mrs. Debbie Martin
Mrs. Eva Petersen
Ms. Melissa Wimer
Third Grade:                            
Mrs. Deb Ambrose
Mrs. Melissa Brody
Ms. Melissa Cook
Ms. Karyn Keenan
Fourth Grade:                     
Ms. Sidney Dechovitz
Mr. Mike Dugo
Mr. Brendan Dunn
Ms. Kate Miller
Library/RC:                                
Ms. Mindi Maneck
Technology Director
Mrs. Amy Banas
Kinetic Wellness:                    
Mr. Bob Sweene
Ms. Andrea Strening
Art:                                          
Mrs. Lillian Johnston
Music:                                      
Mr. Alex Novello
Elementary Strings:
Mrs. Sheryl Nussbaum
Spanish:                                    
Señora Rebecca Landor
Señora Liz Winitz
Science Facilitator:                 
Mrs. Jean Bierner
Literacy Facilitator:                  
Ms. Liz Marut
Math Facilitator:                
Mrs. Anne Hazelwood
Math Interventionist:               
Mrs. Tanya Layne
Social Worker:                    
Mrs. Jori Schwartz
Student Support Team:                   
Mrs. Terri Atkinson
Mrs. Katherine Schuler
Mrs. Katie Zohn
Mrs. Virginia Cardoza
Ms. Ashley Voelker
Speech/Language:                   
Mrs. Rosemary Tuma
Ms. Michelle Tregloan
Reading Support:                    
Mrs. Christine Ng
SEL Coach:
Ms. Allie Szczecinzski
Psychologist:                           
Ms. Dana Ruecker
School Nurse:                          
Mrs. Chrissie Hahn
Principal:                                 
Dr. Julie Pfeffer
School Secretary:                     
Mrs. Lindy Schmidt
Entrance Monitor:                     
Mrs. Christine Demas-Hall
Head Custodian:                       
Mr. Jesus Medina
Custodians:                                 
Mr. Felix Velasco
Mr. Reinaldo Mora
 
We would also like to introduce a new staff member.  Ms. Allie Szczecinzski will be joining us in the newly created role of SEL Coach. The SEL Coach will be working with all of our teachers to promote SEL practices and supports in all of our classrooms.
 
Of course, we continue to enjoy the support of our wonderful associates many of whom will be returning next year.
 
The office will officially close on July 1 st and reopen on August 3 rd .  We will be in touch throughout the coming months as we get more information about what our school year will look like in the fall.
 
We wish you all a safe and happy summer.
 
Fondly,
 
Julie Pfeffer, Principal



PTO News:
 
Deadline Extended To Order School Supplies! 
Orders need to be in by June 5th

The Crow Island PTO is offering prepackaged school supply kits for your convenience through Educational Products, Inc. The supply kits are sold at cost and delivered to your child's classroom before the school year begins. Be certain to take advantage of this opportunity for easy online ordering!  The sale is now open through June 5th

To place your order, simply  CLICK HERE and enter the School ID: CRO020

If you wish to purchase supplies independently, a copy of the supply lists can be found  HERE.

Questions? Contact  crowislandprograms@gmail.com.

June 1 Grey Day: FIELD DAY
  Click here for the letter detailing our Field Day Grey Day on June 1. The District is sharing this letter early so parents have time to review the supply list and activities.

Parent Education and Entertainment Opportunities this Week
The Winnetka Public Schools and The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation (WPSF) are partnering to support our students, staff, and families with fun and educational virtual events this spring. For more information click here

This week, our spring series concludes with the following events:

June 1 at 1 p.m.
Leadership, Character and Wellness with Jim Davis of the Good Athlete Project 
How does your emotional state connect to performance and wellness? Join a discussion that focuses on leadership, character, and social-emotional learning in a refreshing and empowering context, beginning with "bedrock" principles of the body and mind. The session is led by Jim Davis, former professional football player and champion powerlifter turned nationally recognized coach. He is a graduate of Harvard University, Northwestern University and Knox College and serves as the Director of the Good Athlete Project and the Staff & Student Wellness Coordinator at New Trier High School. At New Trier, Jim leads one of the largest and most successful strength programs in the nation and was honored as 2018 NASA National Coach of the Year. This presentation is geared for middle school students and their parents. 
Join here:
Password: D36Live

June 1 at 6 p.m.
Transform Stress Into Strength During these Challenging Time with Dr. Matt Dewar
As parents, teachers, and coaches, our responses to stress and adversity are instructive to the children and young adults under our guidance and in our care. Through the practice of mindful attention and through the development of healthy and sustainable stress-managements skills, Dr. Dewar with share how we can build resilience in ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Join here:
Password: D36live

June 2 at 1 p.m.
An Afternoon with Mandy Harvey
All families are invited to an incredible virtual assembly with America's Got Talent Finalist and Golden Buzzer winner, Mandy Harvey . Ms. Harvey is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and inspirational speaker who lost her residual hearing at the age of nineteen. She tours the world performing her original music and presenting her inspirational story of never giving up. This is the perfect way for students and staff to wrap up a unique school year feeling empowered and inspired!
Join  here:
Password: D36Live

Registration Open for 2020-2021 School Year
Registration information for next year has been sent via regular mail and email. Look for these materials in your mailbox and inbox. If you did not receive notification or have any questions related to registration, you may contact District Registrar, Carolin Huh, at 847-446-9400 or carolinhuh@winnetka36.org . Registration should be completed and submitted by June 28, 2020.
 

You will need to have your registration letter that includes your login information and snapcode handy. 

When registering, please be sure to include all email addresses for every parent/family member who should be receiving school and District communications.

During the registration process, you will be asked some questions that may be tricky to answer given our current unknowns. For instance, when prompted to choose transportation or before- and after-school care, please indicate the preferences you currently anticipate for your family. We recognize some programs or services may be impacted this fall based on what transpires over the summer. The District will provide refunds as necessary.

Registration Open: Adventures in Learning (AIL) Remote Learning Program
From July 6-24, 2020, the District is offering families a reimagined version of AIL with creative classes from a remote platform. Details are as follows:
  • Each class will run the 3 weeks and be offered via synchronous learning 30-minutes per day ( Period 1 will be from 9:00- 9:30 a.m., with Period 2 from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m.)
  • Students grades 3-8 have the choice of up to two sessions per day (July 6 - 24)
  • Class size will range from 5-10
  • Classes are $100 per class 

Summer iPad Return Process

Family Resources

Winnetka Residents' Survey raises key questions about D36 schools-Please Complete by June 14
 
Every year there is an Annual Survey of residents organized by the Winnetka Caucus Council (WCC), a volunteer bi-partisan group that helps with local governance. This year's survey is asking for Residents' thoughts about key issues impacting our Parks, Library, Village and The Winnetka Public Schools. Please note that the WCC is very keen to hear from families with children in local schools because, typically, less than 50% of survey respondents have school-age children.
 
To participate in the Survey (current Winnetka residents only please), you can click on this link . To learn more about the WCC (including volunteer opportunities) you can  visit their site here .
 
Residents have until June 14th to complete the Survey.


Replies to this email will be sent directly to Julie Pfeffer. If you would like to 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. 

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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.