Bobcat Bulletin
Week of August 26th
Teachers Investing in their Own Learning in AVMR Training
Dr. Schmid Celebrating Mrs. Hillman, Fry Elementary's Principal, on Behalf of the Illinois Principal's Association as Elementary Principal of the Year!
Mr. Hopkins, new Schoolwide Facilitator, has been a great addition to the team!
PAW Pull Winners and the Pledge? Can you ask for a better day?!
Princpals learning and growing at the district office, where Dr. Schmid is part of the District Leadership Team helping lead continuous improvement for D204!
Safety Patrol Pledge Leaders on a Bobcat "Fri-Yay" with the Bobcat Chant!
4B Receives a Visit from Mrs. Nylen, Digital Learning Director, to learn about 4B's exploration of Sam Labs and Coding!
Welcome to the Bobcat Den, Logan and family!
Ms. Turska shares her 3D Art lesson with Dr. Schmid. We are so lucky to have her creative exploration of art at Brookdale!
Positive Office Referrals?! Look at all these amazing Kinder Bobcats celebrating wtih Mrs. Stepper!
"Turkey Caroling" for the office from 1B!
Mr. Watson taught the students who to make their own Stick Dog and Stick Cat!
We had another author in the Den, too, in KC: Mr. Scarpino!
IPSD 204 is accepting donations from the community to help support families in need. Donations can be made through the IPPC Families Helping Families program or the IPEF Kid Essentials program. If you are aware of a family that needs support, please direct them to their school social worker.
Incelement Weather Update
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we reviewed how our district responds to inclement weather. In the past, our only options were to either close schools for the day or remain open. This year, for the first time, we are adding two additional choices: a delayed opening and an early dismissal.
A delayed opening means schools will begin two hours later than normal. This option allows time for road conditions to improve and for our crews, along with local municipalities, to clear and treat roads, parking lots, and sidewalks. Schools will still dismiss at their regular times.
An early dismissal means schools will open on time but end two hours earlier than normal. For example, if your child’s school typically dismisses at 3:00 p.m., an early dismissal would mean a 1:00 p.m. release. On these days, all afternoon activities and clubs will be canceled.
We understand that any change to the school day impacts families. We encourage you to consider now who could pick up your children if an early dismissal is called, or who could be with them in the morning if we have a delayed opening and you need to leave for work. Making a plan in advance will help ensure a smooth transition if we need to use these options.
As always, our top priority is the safety of students and staff. We will make decisions as early as possible, ideally the evening before. However, changing weather may sometimes require a decision the morning of school.
These new options align our practices with those of other districts in Illinois and across the country. They also give us more flexibility than the traditional “open or closed” approach.
For more details, please visit the inclement weather webpage and the e-Learning webpage.
Sincerely,
Adrian B. Talley, Ed.D.
Superintendent
What: Math Kangaroo is a worldwide math competition consisting of challenging multiple-choice word problems. Math Kangaroo focuses on learning how to use deductive reasoning, problem-solving, and creative thinking to solve challenging math problems.
Who: Grades 2nd-5th.
Cost: The cost of the competition is $18 through December 31st. Late registration is accepted from January 1st to February 1st for $35. You will have the opportunity to order a Math Kangaroo T-shirt at a later date for an additional cost.
Competition Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 3:35-5:30.
Practices: Once students have registered, we will offer practice dates starting mid-January by grade level on Wednesday afternoons from 3:35-4:30. Dates will be announced once we have the number of students participating. Practices are not required to participate in the final competition. Students signed up after December 31st are not guaranteed a spot in the practice times.
Online Registration Directions to Register for Math Kangaroo
https://mathkangaroo.org/mks/registration/
Select on the left side: Register at proctored in-person or online center: Registration Website
You will need to create a login.
Private Center Invitation Code for Brookdale: BROOKDALE@2026math
Registration cost through December 31st: $18
Registration cost January 1st - February 1st: $35
For more information about the contest, please visit: https://mathkangaroo.org/.
If you have any questions, please email kristin_cibulka@ipsd.org.
Mark You Calendars for 11/17 to order TX Roadhouse famous bread and butter for the December holidays! Support Brookdale PTA by giving the gift of TX Roadhouse!. Scan the QR code to place your e-gfit card order / frozen bread and honey cinnamon butter orders. The fundraiser will go live on 11/17 and run through 12/1. Frozen bread and butter pre-orders must be picked up by 12/9 from 3:00 - 8:00 PM at RX Roadhouse Aurora (986 N IL Rte 59)
Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping while also supporting the Brookdale PTA. Consider stocking up for options for your Bobcat to wear on Spirit Fridays. Spirit wear makes great gifts for the entire family including options for Mom, Dad, Parent, Grandma, Grandpa, Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, Brother and Sister. Enjoy 25, free shipping on $75 or over and guaranteed delivery before December 24!
*Volunteer Approval Process (Above) Required Prior to Volunteering!
Calling all enthusiastic and caring male role models (dads, grandfathers, uncles, etc)! Ignite a positive impact in your child’s educational journey through our remarkable Men of Brookdale (MOB) program.
Join in on the playground and in the lunchroom and help play games, open containers and have fun with your child and peers. Please sign up at the link below and timing is flexible. There are two sessions each day: 10:50am-12:25pm (Grades 2/3/4) and 12:15pm-1:50pm (Grades 5/1/K).
Volunteers can sign up for one or both sessions Men of Brookdale - Sign up. Dates are available a couple Friday’s each month – it’s fun, simple and rewarding! If you have any questions, email Ben Kalnicky at bkalnicky@uwalumni.com
