Crow Island PTO Page

Welcome to the Crow Island PTO page. The PTO works to ensure that Crow Island remains the best school ever made. To do that we rely on your support and volunteerism throughout the year. So please get involved...

School Hours and Access
During the school year, Crow Island School hours of operation are:

Monday
AM Session | 8:37am - 11:10am
Lunch Recess | 11:10am - 12:12pm
PM Session | 12:12pm - 2:45pm
Tuesday through Friday
AM Session | 8:37 am - 11:25am
Lunch Recess | 11:25am - 12:27pm
PM Session | 12:27pm - 3:15pm

Please note that access to the building is controlled via a monitored and locked front door. For drop off and pick up the door will be unlocked and under school supervision from:

Monday
AM Session | 8:20am - 8:37am
Lunch Recess | 11:10am - 11:20am and 12:02pm - 12:12pm
PM Session | 2:45pm - 3:00pm
Tuesday through Friday
AM Session | 8:20am - 8:37am
Lunch Recess | 11:25am - 11:35am and 12:17pm - 12:27pm
PM Session | 3:15pm - 3:30pm

We seek your cooperation in ensuring that children are not dropped off in the mornings prior to 8:20am as they will not have access to the building. At other times students, parents and visitors must "buzz and sign in".

Traffic Reminders and the "Circle"
With the school's location on Willow Road, it is important that those dropping off or collecting students follow the Crow Island Traffic Rules. These rules are for everyone's benefit and ensure that students are safe.

  • Circle driveway
    • To ensure that the circle moves smoothly, please follow this process:
  • First 5 cars into the circle must move into the circle and circle until your child arrives on the steps.
  • Drop off and pick up occur in 3 spots at the base of the steps. Please wait until your child arrives before pulling in. Please do not park in these spots.
  • During drop off or pick up, please do not exit your vehicle to help your child. Staff are on hand for this purpose.
  • Beware of child and vehicle movements while in the circle driveway. You may not use a cell phone, text or other electronic devices on school property. Also ensure that your child has exited or entered the vehicle fully before moving.
  • Circle driveway is not a pedestrian right of way ... vehicles only! To access the school's main entrance, please use the sidewalk and paved path from Willow Road. From Glendale Avenue, cross the Kindergarten playground to the front of the school.
  • Willow Road
  • Westbound Traffic: You are turning across Willow Road into Glendale Avenue to reach the school. At times this may be difficult due to eastbound traffic on Willow Road. Once you have entered Glendale Avenue, you may not at any time then turn right into the school circle driveway. Please proceed down Glendale to the rear of the school.
  • Eastbound Traffic: Eastbound traffic may turn right onto Glendale Avenue and then turn right into the school circle driveway. Prior to entering Glendale or the circle driveway, please use the Willow Road pullout for waiting. Vehicles should not block the flow of traffic or the pedestrian crossing area on Willow Road. If this is a possibility or occurs please circle the block. The crossing guard may also instruct you to circle.
  • Glendale Avenue
    • As this is a residential street, we seek your cooperation regarding traffic movement:
  • Eastbound traffic off Willow Road should not stop on Glendale prior to entering the school's circle driveway. Please wait in the pullout on Willow Road until you can access the school driveway.
  • Westbound traffic off Willow Road must proceed down Glendale to the rear of the school for drop off or pick up.You may not turn left into the circle.
  • Morning and afternoon drop off and pick up occurs toward the rear of the school. Please wait on the right side of the road.
  • There is no lunchtime pick up on Glendale. Please collect your child from the circle.
  • Student Wheels ... Bikes, Scooters and other wheels
  • School rules state that 1st and 2nd graders may not ride bikes, scooters or other "wheels" to school. Students may begin to ride their "wheels" to school after the bicycle safety unit at the end of 2nd grade.
  • Any rider (of any "wheels") must wear a helmet at all times.
  • On school grounds, riders must dismount. Storage is in designated areas only, and for security the "wheels" should be secured. Please note the area next to the "Crow" is not a storage area.

    • Calendar
    For upcoming dates, please refer to the District and School calendar. Selected dates are also published in the Crow Island Bulletin and posted to the Crow Island section of the district website as a PDF.

    Please remind your children that every Friday is Spirit Day at Crow Island.

    Getting Involved
    Throughout the year there are many opportunities to help out at Crow Island. These opportunities range from PTO involvement to classroom assistance. For details on specific opportunities keep an eye on the Crow Island Bulletin and/or your child's take home folder/bag.

    To give you a taste of the opportunities that are open to parents take a look at the list below. As you can see there are many opportunities to get involved:

    Hospitality Committees
  • New Family Mentoring & Welcome Activites
    • Timing: Late summer and early fall, then ongoing throughout the school year
    Description: Match incoming families with current Crow Island families; plan welcome activities for new families.
  • Spring Luncheon
    • Timing: Spring
    Description: Plan spring appreciation event at Crow Island for faculty and parents.
  • Crow Island Picnic
    • Timing: Spring
    Description: Plan event and recruit volunteers to help with Crow Island family picnic in the Crow Island woods.
  • Teacher Appreciation
    • Timing: Fall and Spring
    Description: Provide lunch during conference and refreshments as needed for the faculty throughout year and organize a thoughtful event during Teacher Appreciation Week in spring.
    Community Affairs and Communication Committees
  • Bulletin Editor
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Assist with publication of weekly Crow Island Bulletin and Calendar. Plus help maintain PTO web site. Position works closely with the PTO VP of Publicity and is a jumping of point for filling that role.
  • Community Outreach
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Coordinate and assist with school-wide service projects. Attend Faculty/PTO Diversity Committee meetings.
  • Directory
    • Timing: Late summer through start of school.
    Description: Update, edit and publish Crow Island Directory.
  • Kindergarten Census
    • Timing: Early December.
    Description: Run the Kindergarten registration process and help retrieve demographic information about incoming kindergarten students in the Crow Island community.
  • Lost & Found
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Maintain Crow Island lost and found area. Put up "lost item" display table during Winter Sing and Conferences.
  • Walk to School Week
    • Timing: Fall and spring.
    Description: Coordinate National Walk to School Week and encourage students to walk to school throughout the year.
  • Northern Suburban Special EDucation District (NSSED) Representative
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Represent Crow Island School in the community, attend meetings and share information gathered.
  • Winnetka Alliance
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Represent Crow Island School in the community, attend meetings and share information gathered.
  • Winnetka Public Schools Foundations
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Represent Crow Island School in the community, attend meetings and share information gathered.
  • Family Awareness Network (FAN)
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Represent Crow Island School in the community, attend meetings and share information gathered.
    Finance Committees
  • Book Fair
    • Timing: Spring.
    Description: Coordinate with outside vendor and recruit volunteers for school wide book fair. Additionally, work with teachers to generate literature recommendations.
  • Landscaping
    • Timing: Fall and spring.
    Description: Act as liaison with contracted landscape firm to organize routine maintenance and spearhead seasonal and special projects on school grounds.
  • Lunch Programs - Hot Lunch/Pizza Lunch
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Spearhead, implement and build lunch program options (including Hot Lunch, Pizza Friday (Monthly) and Green Bad) for Crow Island students. Involves liaison with vendors plus recruitment of volunteers for lunch room help.
  • Gift Wrap
    • Timing: Fall.
    Description: Coordinate annual gift wrap sale.
  • Logo Wear
    • Timing: Summer through early fall.
    Description: Design and coordinate sale of Crow Island logo wear (clothing) to Crow Island families.
  • Parent/Teacher Party
    • Timing: Fall through winter. Party held in Winter.
    Description: Plan winter social event for parents and faculty. Position may include fundraising responsibilities.
  • Plant Sale
    • Timing: Spring and Fall.
    Description: Work with local nursery to provide nursery fundraising options.
  • Run-a-thon
    • Timing: Fall.
    Description: Coordinate and recruit volunteers for school-wide major fundraising event.
  • School Supplies
    • Timing: Next spring and summer.
    Description: Coordinate school-wide purchase of student school supplies.
  • Food for Funds
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Collect Grand Food receipts and arrange their redemption.
    Education Committees
  • Art Appreciation
    • Timing: 1 volunteer per grade. Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Organize recruitment of volunteers to help Art Teacher (Mrs, Johnston) with a variety of art projects.
  • Chess Wizards
    • Timing: Fall, Winter and Spring.
    Description: Coordinate program with the Chess Wizards organization.
  • Diversity
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Attend Faculty/PTO Diversity Committee meetings and explore ways to bring curriculum-related examples of diversity to Crow Island students.
  • Parent/Child Math
    • Timing: 2 volunteers; 1 covering 1&2 grade, the other covering 3&4 grade. Winter through spring
    Description: Plan and lead parent/child math programs for 1st & 2nd grade or 3rd & 4th grades. As this is an evening event, its a wonderful Dad orientated position!
  • Field Day
    • Timing: Spring.
    Description: Assist KW faculty with school field day plus recruit volunteers to staff event.
  • Junior Great Books
    • Timing: Winter: 6 week program./dd>
    Description: Coordinate and recruit volunteers to run Great Book program for 3rd and 4th graders.
  • Peace Power Representative
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Help with school-wide Peace Power activities and assist the 4th grade Peace Power Task Force (students) in coordinating Peace Power events.
  • Pioneer Room
    • Timing: 3rd Grade Program. January through spring.
    Description: Help prepare the pioneer room for use: Open house for District 36 3rd grade parents and maintenance of room as it's used by 3rd grade students.
  • Read to Succeed
    • Timing: Winter.
    Description: Coordinate this reading incentive program school-wide.
  • Readers are Leaders
    • Timing: 4th Grade. Winter.
    Description: Help coordinate this event which brings speakers into the classroom to share how reading is relevant in their workplace.
  • Resource Center Coordinator
    • Timing: Kindergarten & 1st grade. Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Recruit and schedule volunteers to assist students with computer lab activities. Work with Crow Island Resource center staff, the Book Stall and the Winnetka Public Library to help organize visiting author events.
  • Science & Math Expo
    • Timing: Winter.
    Description: Organize and recruit volunteers for school-wide science and math fair. Work with faculty and the science facilitators.
  • Suzuki Liaison
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Serve as liaison between Suzuki string instructor and parents.
    Administrative Committees
  • Bus Liaison
    • Timing: 2 Volunteers. Start of school year and as necessary throughout the school year.
    Description: Act as liaison between parents, school bus drivers and bus company. Must be able to periodically ride the bus as drivers becomes familiar with routes and students.
  • Fall Picture Day
    • Timing: Fall.
    Description: Coordinate with photographer and faculty as needed on picture day.
  • Health
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Assist school nurse as needed with vision, hearing screening and lice checks etc.
  • Class Historian(s)
    • Timing: Volunteers need for each grade (K - 4). Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Coordinate with teachers the documentation of special events for the grade with photos and video, which will be used for the 4th grade DVD project. This is an ongoing K through 4th grade position.
  • Lunchroom
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Recruit and coordinate volunteers for lunchroom duties for all-teacher meeting days.
  • Bike Safety
    • Timing: 2nd Grade. Spring.
    Description: Coordinate and run bicycle safety and inspection program with crossing guard.
  • Traffic/Safety
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Liaison with local police, residents, parents and faculty to manage traffic and parking issues on and around the school.
    Fourth Grade Events
  • Immigration Day
    • Timing: December.
    Description: Coordinate with 4th grade parents to provide immigration luncheon for 4th grade students.
  • 4th Grade DVD
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Coordinate production of 4th grade DVD, based of photos and video captured by Class Historians since Kindergarten.
  • 4th Grade TShirt
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Coordinate design, sourcing and production of 4th grade TShirt for sale to 4th grade students and others.
  • 4th Grade Party
    • Timing: Spring.
    Description: Coordinate end of year 4th grade party for their graduation.
    PTO Executive
  • Nominating
    • Timing: February - March.
    Description: Work with previous PTO president and other Crow Island parents to identify and assemble a slate for future PTO executive board members.
  • Interest Sheets
    • Timing: Spring.
    Description: Assist with collection and collation of PTO Interest sheets for next year.
    Other
  • Room Parent(s)
    • Timing: Ongoing throughout the school year.
    Description: Coordinate with teachers various events throughout the school year. Also act as liaison between teachers, PTO and classroom parents. This is a highly sought position and unfortunately we are unable to accommodate all requests ... we strongly recommend that you also select an alternative position to get involved.
  • Committee Reports & Folders
    • Timing: Spring.
    Description: Assist with collecting and collation of PTO Committee report.

    Most of the above positions operated on a committee basis, allowing you the opportunity to participate at the level that works for you. Generally there is a committee chairperson supported by a number of volunteers. Working together, parents bring great value to the school and their children's experience at Crow Island.

    Additionally, the Crow Island PTO board has the following positions and we invite interested parties to join:

    • PTO President
    • PTO President Elect/VP Room Parents
    • VP Programs
    • Treasurer
    • Assistant Treasurer
    • Secretary
    • Communications

    The PTO board meets monthly (usually the 2nd Wednesday @ 8:45am) in the School Foyer and you are welcome and invited to attend.

    To volunteer, please download and complete the
    PTO Volunteer Interest Form (PDF)
    Completed forms can be returned to the PTO mail box at Crow Island.

    PTO Lunch Programs
    Throughout the 2011 - 2012 school year, the PTO is pleased to offer lunch programs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. These programs are a great way to support the PTO, offer your child some new lunch choices, and take a break from packing lunches. The offerings are:

    Green Bag Lunch (Mondays)
    Organic lunches are available to order on a weekly basis from Gourmet Gorilla.
    Hot Lunch (Wednesdays and Fridays)
    Using local providers the PTO arranges the delivery and distribution of a hot lunch each Wednesday and Friday.

    Please check the Bulletin for enrollment information, deadlines, and costs.

    Crow Island Bulletin
    The Crow Island PTO publishes the Crow Island Bulletin biweekly, on the first school day of the week.
    Deadline for Bulletin submissions is Friday, 12 pm, for the following week's Bulletin. Email submissions are preferred - cibulletin@comcast.net. Submission criteria are: Articles should use Arial font, 10 pt. As well, please provide your name, contact telephone number, date(s) article is to appear, and any artwork. Submissions should be typed exactly as you wish them to appear. Please proofread before you submit. All submissions are subject to editing to meet space and style requirements.

    Please note: 1) All non-school articles must be approved by the District Office prior to submission; email cibulletin@comcast.net for details. 2) Photos showing identifiable individual(s) (particularly children) must be submitted with a signed model release form for each identifiable person approving use of the photo in the bulletin or other District communications. For children, the signed model release form must be signed by a parent and/or guardian.

    If you have questions please email us at - cibulletin@comcast.net