Westmoor Weekly 08/22/2025

Dear Westmoor Families,

This week went so smoothly, and it was such a joy to walk through the building and see students smiling, practicing routines, and starting the 2025–2026 school year in such a positive way. Their energy and excitement have truly set the tone for a wonderful year ahead.

Yesterday, we held our booster rotations, where students reviewed the expected behaviors in key areas of the school—such as the hallway, cafeteria, and bathrooms. This helps everyone begin the year with clear expectations and a shared understanding of how to take care of our school community. In addition, today we practiced our inclement weather (tornado) drill, and the students did an excellent job following directions and showing that they know how to stay safe in an emergency.

I’ve included a few pictures of our garden above—it’s in full bloom, just like our students as they grow and settle into the new year. 🌱🌸

A huge thank you to our PTO for hosting lunch for our teachers on Tuesday. It was the perfect boost of energy and encouragement as we put the finishing touches on our classrooms and prepared to welcome our students. We are so grateful for your support!

As the school year gets rolling, the classic “How was school today?” often leads to a one-word answer. Instead, try asking your child questions that spark conversation and give you a glimpse into their day. Here are some ideas:

1. What was the best thing that happened at school today?
2. What made you smile today?
3. What made you feel proud today?
4. Tell me something that made you laugh today.
5. Did you learn something you didn’t understand?
6. Teach me something I don’t know.
7. Can you show me something you learned today?
8. What part of school is your favorite?
9. Did you help anyone today?
10. What’s your favorite time of day at school?

I hope you have a great weekend!

At our October Bulldog Pack meeting, we will tie-dye shirts as a Pack. Please submit your child’s t-shirt size on this Google Form by August 29th so we can ensure all students get the appropriate size. Submit a separate Google Form for each child in your family.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher.

Each week students may submit a positive quote that captures and motivates their peers to persevere and feel good. We then showcase the quotes throughout the school building. Students may submit a quote, using this link.

The safety of our students and staff is always our highest priority. As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen school safety, we want to share that this school year, our district has updated our emergency protocol language.

We have adopted the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation, which is used by schools across the country. This protocol provides simple, clear terms to help everyone—students, staff, families, and emergency responders—understand what to do in different types of situations. Here are the five standard terms students may hear:

1. Hold: followed by the Directive: “In Your Room or Area” and is the protocol used when hallways need to be kept clear of occupants.
2. Secure: followed by the Directive: "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors" and is the protocol used to safeguard people within the building.
3. Lockdown: followed by "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight" and is the protocol used to secure individual rooms and keep occupants quiet and in place.
4. Evacuate: may be followed by a location, and is used to move people from one location to a different location in or out of the building.
5. Shelter: state the Hazard and Safety Strategy for group and self-protection.

If you would like to view more information about the five standard responses, please view this video produced by "I Love U Guys". We appreciate your partnership in keeping our schools safe and supportive places.

District 28 has a robust curriculum review cycle in all subject areas to ensure that our curriculum is dynamic and meets the needs of students. We’re excited to share that this school year, our K–5 classrooms will begin using a new English Language Arts curriculum, Into Reading, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Click here to learn more by reading a message from the district's Teaching & Learning Department.

September 3

Curriculum Night will be held this year on Wednesday, 9/3 from 6:30-7:30. Parents can choose to attend one of two identical sessions with their child’s teacher, either 6:30-6:55 or 7:00-7:25. Our PTO will be presenting in the small gym, please stop by to hear all about our PTO and the wonderful events and programs that they sponsor for our students and families.

As mandated by state law, our school will conduct its annual safety drills within the first two weeks of school. Here’s the schedule:

• Fire: Wednesday, August 27
• Lockdown: Thursday, August 28

The Lockdown Drill is about making sure everyone knows what to do if we ever need to stay put and stay safe. Teachers will lock their doors, and our resource officer and an administrator will make sure students are out of sight and the doors are locked tight. We'll let everyone know when the drill is happening, and teachers will explain it in a way that makes sense for everyone's age. During the drill, students will practice following what their teachers say, but there won't be any pretend situations or leaving the building. A representative from the Northbrook Police Department will be here to help with this drill.

Per state law, parents can choose to opt their students out of the lockdown drill. If you would like to do this, please email me at meck@northbrook28.net by 3 p.m. on 8/27. Your child may stay at school and will be supervised by a staff member in a location in the building but will not participate.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in ensuring a safe environment for all students.

Access fun games and earn prizes while playing math outside of school! Check out what's new.

We are looking for some volunteers to help with Marla's Lunch -https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4BA4A822A1FB6-57869927-marlas#/

Monday 8/25 - Chick-Fil-A, Jamba Juice

Tuesday 8/26 - Panera

Wednesday 8/27 - Culver's, Oki Sushi

Thursday 8/28 - Rosati's - Pizza Day

Friday 8/29 - NO LUNCH, 12PM Dismissal

Order by Tuesday at 12pm for the following week

To order click on the link below. If you are new to Marla's Lunch, use code NPS302 when creating an account.

We are always so grateful for the volunteers that make everything the PTO does possible! Ahead of the school year starting, we had a number of volunteers help get the school year ready! Our Hospitality Chair, Tina Bissell, hosted a luncheon for the Westmoor staff; our baking committee baked delicious treats for our staff to enjoy after their lunch; our School Supplies coordinator, Anna Baharian, helped distribute supplies to the teachers, and our Spirit Wear Coordinators, Rachel Brady and Katie Mankoff, set up our Fall Spirit Wear!!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the ice cream social today at 3:30pm!!

• PTO Back to School Packet: Make sure you review the back to school packet! It will be your handy reference guide for all the PTO events for the year! CLICK HERE if you missed it

• Volunteer: We have some urgent needs for volunteers for the fall! Please sign up so we can keep having great, community events for our kids! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080F4CA8AA2FA1FE3-50540887-westmoor
• Birthday Signs: Order Birthday Signs for your kiddo by September 12th! IF YOUR CHILD’S BIRTHDAY IS IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER, PLEASE ALSO EMAIL wptobday@gmail.com
• Spirit Wear: We are partnering with Snflr Swag for spirit wear! You can order now until September 8th at https://snflrswag.com/collections/westmoor

August 22: PTO Ice Cream Social - 3:30-4:30pm; PTO 5th Grade Pool Party - 8:15pm

August 26: Beginning Band and Orchestra parent meeting @ 6pm @ NBJH

August 29: Half Day, Dismissal at 12:00pm

September 1: NO SCHOOL

September 2: Fall assessment window opens (teachers will share specific dates)

September 3: Curriculum Night 6:30-7:30pm

September 5: PTO Meeting @2:15pm

September 9: Bulldog Pack Meeting

September 10: Picture Day (Details in next weekly)

September 20: PTO Bulldog Bash @11am

September 23: NO SCHOOL

Signups for the Northbrook 28 Children's Choir is currently underway. Choir starts the week of September 1 and there are multiple options for District 28 children in first through fifth grade. Click through the link below to sign your child up for choir and please contact Mr. Bartunek (jbartunek@northbrook28.net) with any questions.

NB28CC Sign Up