Meadowbrook Star News 10/24/25
Krieger's Crew: A School Facility Dog's Journey
I'm excited to share that I have published a picture book about Krieger, our school facility dog. Many of the students have seen the book around school and are asking about it. Parents are able to order a book online at kriegerscrew.com/shop and I will send a signed copy home with your student. Please choose the "school visit or family friend" option for delivery. I will be reading the book to all students during a special library event in January and you can order at that time as well. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Canines 4 Comfort, the organization that trained and donated Krieger to District 28. Please email me, ghiltz@northbrook28.net, with any questions. Thanks!
Husky Houses *repeat*
Husky Houses are houses around Meadowbrook where a trusted adult is available in the mornings before school (8-8:30) and in the afternoons (3:30-4:00) as children may be making their way to and from school on their own. The responsibility of the Husky House adult would be to assist in the event of an emergency and to help the child connect with their parents or the school. Houses will have signs placed in the front windows to let students know that it is a safe house at which they can ask for help. This is a variation of the "block parent" program that has been in use for years across many school districts.
What the Meadowbrook Husky House Adult Should Do:
1. For a lost child, call 9-1-1.
2. Please attend to a slightly injured child (e.g., band-aid). Contact the childās parent (if you have info or the child can share) or contact the school to let us know.
3. For a seriously injured child, call 9-1-1 then the parent or school.
4. For a child who has been frightened by a stranger, call 9-1-1 then the parent or school.
What the Meadowbrook Husky House Adult Should Not Do:
1. Do not provide food or beverage because of possible food allergies or dietary restrictions.
2. Do not provide toilet facilities.
3. Do not provide transportation.
If you're interested in serving as a "Husky House" please click here to sign up. Signs will be sent home with students and should be placed in a front window visible from the street.
Halloween Details *repeat*
It's time to start planning for Halloween! Meadowbrook is excited to celebrate with our students on Halloween, October 31st. Students in 1st-5th will change into their costumes after lunch to prepare for our PTO-sponsored classroom parties from 2:15 to 3:00 for kindergarten and 2:30-3:00 for 1st through 5th grades. The parties will be immediately followed by the Halloween parade. Kindergarteners are invited to wear their costumes to school for the whole day.
Parade Details:
Due to construction, we will parade around the red/west playground area this year. We invite parents/guests to assemble on the playground beginning at 2:45, leaving a path for students to walk on either side of the blacktop. The parade will begin at 3:00 and we will follow a path on the west side of the blacktop toward the Marcee Lane path and then loop back through the grass to the east side of the blacktop and back into the building.
**Parents CANNOT pick up students directly from the parade. We need all students to dismiss according to our procedures to ensure student safety. Parents are welcome to wait on the blacktops following the parade to meet students at 3:30. Please alert your child's teacher if your child will be dismissed a different way than normal (e.g., you pick up instead of the child riding the bus) on 10/31.**
Costume Reminders:
- Students should bring their costumes to school to be ready to change into them after lunch. Students should be able to change on their own. Unfortunately we are unable to help with hair or makeup.
- We do not allow replicas of weapons with costumes.
- Please avoid overly scary costumes, costumes referencing alcohol or tobacco, or costumes with full face masks.
- Students should also be able to move comfortably in their costumes and take them on/off if needed to use the bathroom, etc.
Please note, if you prefer that your child does not participate in the Halloween parade or classroom party, Mrs. Karabatsos and Ms. Collins are hosting an alternative option. Students are invited to Room 218 where they can enjoy fall themed activities instead. Please let your child's teacher know if you'd like them to participate in this alternative option.
Crews Continue Work on New Gymnasium
Itās exciting to see how quickly our new gymnasium is taking shape! Over the past two months, construction crews have made tremendous progress and are now finishing the gym walls. Next week will bring another milestone as steel is installed to close the final section. Click the link above to watch the latest time-lapse video of the transformation!
Projected Construction Timeline
- March 2026: Meadowbrook gymnasium completed & construction of the new Meadowbrook School begins
- August 2027: New Meadowbrook School completed
Young Explorers Community Play Date
Are you seeking a nurturing and engaging early childhood program (ages 2-5) for your little one? Come enjoy a cup of coffee and donuts while you meet the caring staff from District 28's Young Explorers Program! See how the program inspires young minds through fun and education at a FREE community play date on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Westmoor School, which houses the program.
- Tour classrooms and program spaces with the program's dually-certified teachers (Early Childhood and Special Education)
- Learn how the program embeds lessons from the teamās specialists (Speech Language Pathologist, School Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker)
- Experience how the program teaches the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards through play!
Music Parents Club Wreath & Coffee Sale
š PTO Food Drive Runs Nov. 17-Nov. 21 š
Join us in supporting the Northfield Food Pantry by donating essential items during our upcoming food drive! Collection bins will be located outside the school and inside by the office. In addition, volunteers will collect goods in the morning car line (between 8:10a-8:30a), starting Nov. 17.
Most Needed Items: Juice & Juice Boxes (100% juice preferred), Boxed Cereal, Rice Mixes (e.g., Benās, Zatarainās), Baking Supplies (cake/cookie mix, sugar, flour, etc.), Condiments, Spices, Snacks (granola bars, pretzels, mixed nuts, etc.), Tea & Instant Coffee, Cleaning Products and Personal Care Items (soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, etc.).
Keep this list in mind on your next Costco run - or set items aside when cleaning out your pantry this weekend!
Affy Tapple Caramel Apple Fundraiser *repeat*
Searching for the perfect Thanksgiving host gift? Need a bribe for the long drive to Grandmotherās house?
Better yet, treat yourself to a bite of nostalgia with Affy Tappleās festive caramel apples - in Original Peanut, Original Classic and Autumn Sprinkles flavors - for $3 per apple.
Place your order by November 3rd - and apples will be delivered to the classrooms by November 18th. Get all the info (including ingredients) HERE.
To purchase through the PTO Website: Log ināFor SaleāScroll to āMeadowbrook Affy Tapple Fundraiserā and pick your flavor(s)!
October 24: Picture Retakes
October 24: Husky Pack meeting
October 28: Beginning Band Demo Night @ NBJH @ 7pm
October 29: String, Philharmonic & Chamber Orchestra Concert @ NBJH @ 7pm
October 31: Halloween! Parties @ 2:15 (K), 2:30 (1-5); Parade @ 3pm
November 6: PTO Pizza Day
November 10: NB28 Children's Choir Concert @ 7pm @ Greenbriar (Gleo and Something More)
November 11: NB28 Children's Choir Concert @ 6pm @ Greenbriar (Singers)
November 11: NB28 Children's Choir Concert @ 7pm @ Greenbriar (Laetus)
November 12: PTO meeting @ 9:30 (and via Zoom)
November 13: D28 Faculty Recital @ 7pm @ NBJH
November 14: Last day of trimester 1
November 14: Spirit Day: Crazy Sock Day!
November 18: Junior Band & Concert Band Concert @ 7pm @ NBJH
November 19: Culture Fest @ 5:30-7:30
November 20: PTO Pizza Day
November 21: Husky Pack meeting!
November 21: NB28CC Something More at Illuminate Northbrook @ Village Green