Meadowbrook Star News 8/29/25

Hello Meadowbrook Families!

It was an exciting (almost) full week of school as students got to engage in all of their specials classes, began to dig into each subject area, and found a little time for some extra recesses in this beautiful weather. Thanks to all of the parents and caregivers who took time to join for our "Coffee with the Principal" on Wednesday and to Bean Bar for donating the coffee! I truly appreciate everyone's warm welcome and all of the feedback that you have provided as we have gotten underway this year.

This morning, we will host two welcome back assemblies for students to have some fun and generate a little school spirit. We'll also participate in our lockdown drill with the support of the Northbrook Police Department. As a reminder, our students will dismiss at noon today so our teachers have the opportunity to learn and collaborate together around our new social emotional learning curriculum resources this afternoon. Please let your child's teacher know if there is a different plan for pick up today.

I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday!

Warmly,

Ginny

Fall Assessment Window Opens 9/2

Our fall assessment window opens next week. Students in kindergarten and first grade will work with teachers to complete the AIMSWeb+ early literacy and early numeracy assessments. These are useful assessments as teachers begin to understand the students as learners and develop plans for differentiating the curriculum for individual student needs.

Students in 2nd through 5th grade will take the NWEA MAP assessment in reading and math. Teachers will share specific dates/times when their class will be taking the assessments. MAP is a nationally normed, adaptive, digital assessment that students will take on their iPads. It is untimed. Parents will receive students' MAP score reports after the window closes and district norms are determined.

Standardized assessments are one point of data that help teachers to better understand how to support students. Classroom work and curricular assessments as well as teacher observations are all important data points as well. For more information about all of the assessments District 28 uses, please visit the district's website here.

Smart Watches at School

With the rise in popularity Apple watches, we have all been tasked with learning the best ways to manage this ever-present technology in school. We certainly understand the convenience of being able to connect with children during after school hours and, as with cell phones, many students are able to manage the technology appropriately, refrain from using it during school hours, and/or keep it on silent. Unfortunately, we have also had a number of instances of inappropriate use such as calling and texting during the school day.

As parents, caregivers, and teachers, it is our responsibility to help students learn to manage technology appropriately. If you choose to provide your child with a smart watch, please have a conversation about expectations for non-use during the school day. If your child needs to reach you or another caregiver, he or she should come to the nurse or front office to get support. We also ask that parents refrain from texting or calling their children during school hours for any reason. If you need to reach your child regarding after school plans or an emergency, please contact the office and we will either deliver the message or bring the child to the office to talk with you. Please ensure your child's watch and/or phone are set to "school mode" from 8:30-3:30.

If we see that a student is using a smart watch to communicate throughout the school day, we will ask the student put the watch in their locker or to turn in the watch to a staff member. Repeated warnings may result in holding the watch in the office for parents to pick up at the end of the school day. Here's a link to the District 28 acceptable use policy for electronic devices. We appreciate your support.

Construction Safety Update repeat

A few updates as we continue the next phase of construction, excavation...

Semi trucks will be hauling soil away during the excavation phase. This will happen between 8:30-3:00. The main entrance to the parking lot will be changed to "exit only" for the trucks. If you need to get into the parking lot between 8:30-3:00, please use the center/bus lane. We will close the gates during lunch recess to ensure student safety or, if needed, we will close the playground area during that time.
Please remember to ensure students are not arriving before 8:10am without adult supervision!

Picture Day--September 18th repeat

See the attachment below for details about Meadowbrook's Picture Day on September 18th!

pdf

insert_drive_file

Picture Day Meadowbrook School.pdf

Download

250.7 KB

Student Lunches--Deliveries Not Allowed repeat

Unfortunately, we are unable to manage individual Door Dash or Uber Eats or other delivery services for students' lunches. The lunch hour is extremely busy in our main office and we can't ensure that deliveries are found/accounted for and delivered to students. Please plan to send lunches with your child, drop them off personally during the morning, or utilize Marla's to order. Thanks for your help with this!

Behavior Support Update repeat

As we move into our first full week at school, we'll continue to share information with students about behavior expectations. We also want to make sure parents are informed about our procedures when students need support with behavior.

We believe that behavior is communication and that kids do well when they can. Students who display inappropriate or unexpected behaviors often lack the skills to behave appropriately. We will continue to support students with teaching and practicing expectations while also providing appropriate consequences.
The district's behavior matrix is included below. This should help parents understand the varying categories of behavior and who may be involved in responding to the behavior. If your child engages in a category III behavior, you will always be notified by an administrator or designee. When children engage in category I or II behaviors, teachers may handle those in class and may contact parents with updates as well.
Consequences for behavior will range based on the behavior and the student's needs. New this year, we will be using a consequence called "reflective lunch." This is an opportunity for students to meet with an administrator or designee in the office during their normal lunch time. The student will eat lunch while talking through their behavior and making a plan for change. Parents will be notified if a teacher assigns a child a reflective lunch. Students who attend reflective lunch will still attend recess as normal.

Building Social-Emotional Skills Across All Grades

This year, District 28 is excited to introduce two new social-emotional learning (SEL) programs that will support our students from early childhood through junior high

For our youngest learners in Early Childhood through Grade 2, we are using Everyday Speech. This program gives students the tools to practice foundational social and emotional skills in fun and engaging ways. Through short videos, modeling, and interactive activities, students learn important everyday skills such as taking turns, expressing feelings, making friends, and solving problems in positive ways. These lessons provide a strong foundation for healthy relationships and confident learning.

In Grades 3–8, we are launching Wayfinder, a curriculum developed by educators and researchers at Stanford University. Wayfinder focuses on six Core Skills: Self-Awareness, Adaptability, Empathy, Collaboration, Agency, and Purpose. Each week, students will participate in interactive lessons and discussions that help them connect with themselves, their peers, and their community. Wayfinder gives students a sense of belonging and purpose while also strengthening the skills that support success in school and beyond.

Together, Everyday Speech and Wayfinder will help students at every grade level build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop the social and emotional tools they need to thrive. When students feel connected and supported, they are more engaged in class and better able to reach their full academic potential.

Northbrook 28 Children's Choir repeat

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

Each week we'll be providing a Meadowbrook update on the district's Build 28 construction initiative, made possible by the community's support of the $94.9 million referendum last spring. Information will also be posted on the Meadowbrook section of the district's Build 28 webpage.

We were excited for the first official phase of construction, excavation, to begin this week! Students were thrilled to see the construction equipment appearing in the back field and seeing that our new gym is underway! We're also working to set up cameras in the construction zone to capture time-lapse photos of the progress. Keep an eye out for those photos and more information on our District's Build 28 website!

Meadowbrook Build 28 Website

Meadowbrook PTO Website

Stay connected with us on Facebook - MeadowbrookPTODistrict28

And on Instagram - d28.meadowbrookpto

We Need You: New Volunteer Opportunities Available!

Are you free to help treat our teachers at Curriculum Night next

Wednesday, 9/3? That and many other one-off volunteer

opportunities and committee sign ups are still open on our website -

with new slots just added, especially in the coveted area of

Hospitality!

Once logged into the PTO Website, when you click the Volunteer

Tab, you will see these new chances to help out in the drop down

menu. Sign up now to get your first choices for events, assignments

and/or dates!

In particular, the Birthday Sign Committee requires more volunteers in the following neighborhoods: Downtown, Midway, Shermer/Dundee, Voltz and Sunset Ridge. This committee is low commitment (~2 sign runs per month) and a great way to get involved. Let’s keep this beloved tradition alive with your help!

Back to School Social - Sep. 11th, 5:30-7p

Kickoff the new school year in style! Join us Thursday, Sep. 11th from 5:30p-7p (sensory-friendly 5p-5:30p). The sought-after Teacher Experience Raffle is back! Other fun features include:

delicious eats from Little Louie’s & cold treats from Culver’s (CASH ONLY)
a fist-pumpin’ Bach to Rock DJ set
an inflatable obstacle course hosted by Hi-Five Sports Zone,
2 GRAND PRIZE Second Chance Family Raffle Baskets &
a photo booth for goofy faces & lasting memories!

RSVP, buy raffle tickets and volunteer HERE!

Limited Time Discount at Hi-Five Sports Zone, a D28 Partner!

As part of a District 28-wide partnership, Hi-Five SportsZone is offering a 10% discount (retroactive credit if you are already registered) on all Fall Classes!

Hi-Five Sports Zone Northbrook Court offers year-round sports programming, birthday parties and day off school camps - all designed to keep kids active and engaged. Grab the 10% off before the deal expires on 9/1!

Find the details and register HERE!

PTO Meetings

The PTO meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month. Please join us for our first PTO meeting on September 10th at 9:30 in the staff lounge. You can also join us via Zoom at this link: https://northbrook28-net.zoom.us/j/83074635789?pwd=oE9SuuEHSktrOinyj5KryV8j4Z7L1X.1

Subscribe to the Meadowbrook calendar at this link!

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

August 27: Principal Coffee/Chat @ 9:30 @ Meadowbrook

August 29: Krieger's birthday!

August 29: Half Day, Dismissal at 12:00

September 1: NO SCHOOL

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

September 3: Curriculum Night (6-6:25: specials teachers available; 6:30-6:55: first session; 7:00-7:35: second session)

September 11: First PTO Pizza Day

September 11: Back to School Social @ 5:30-7PM- Sensory Friendly Time from 5-5:30

September 12: School-wide Spirit Day: Favorite Sports Team

September 18: Picture Day

September 23: NO SCHOOL

September 26: Husky Pack kick-off meeting

October 2: NO SCHOOL

District 28 invites local non-profit organizations and community government agencies to promote events for families and children. Each week, some event are highlighted in the newsletter. View the complete list of events on the Virtual Backpack web page. To submit an event, please email the web-friendly flier to Samantha Scheinman, Communications Director. All fliers are subject to approval.