Bulldog News

Note from Mr. Dubinsky

I hope everyone was able to stay warm today under these crazy cold conditions. Although school was closed, our e-learning day was a success. I was so impressed with how well our students adapted and stayed engaged in their learning from home. Thank you to our students, families, and staff for your flexibility and support. Have a wonderful weekend.

Preschool Pre-registration is Now Open for 2026-2027

Families interested in having their child attend CCSD 89 preschool in the 2026-27 school year can now fill out pre-registration. This is for students who will be new to the district in 2026-27.

There are limited openings for 3- and 4-year-old children. The program features a developmentally appropriate curriculum delivered by certified early childhood educators. CCSD 89 preschool is held at Briar Glen. More info: https://bit.ly/4oW002w

Pre-registration for other students who will be new to the district in 2026-27 will open February 4. Registration for returning students will open April 8.

Be prepared for winter with accurate contact info, warm clothes

When school buildings need to close due to extreme weather, information will be released through a phone message, as well as the district’s website (www.ccsd89.org) and Facebook page (facebook.com/CCSD89). The district’s messaging system uses contact info supplied by guardians, so it is important you contact the school and update your records if they have changed.

Even when school is open, students will continue to go outside for recess as long as the weather remains above 10 degrees. If your family needs winter clothing, our school can help; please call the school’s main number and ask to speak with our social worker.

Volunteers need All Abilities Fair on week of March 2

Briar Glen is looking for parents to help with the second annual All Abilities Fair on Friday, March 6. Students will have hands-on activities that will help them develop acceptance, inclusion, and respect for disabilities and other differences.

grades 1-3 will be in the morning
grades 4-5 will be in the afternoon

Families are needed to help run stations in either a morning session (8-11:45 a.m.) or afternoon session (12:35 to 3:30 p.m.). If you are interested in volunteering please SIGN UP HERE or need more information, please contact Mrs. Miller at jmiller@ccsd89.org.

Families can buy ‘awesome’ shirts to support 2026 All Abilities Week

CCSD 89 will once again host an All Abilities Week in March. Families who want to support this event can purchase a shirt for themselves or their student from “The Awesome Company”, an Ohio business that employs adults with autism.

Order the shirt at: https://bit.ly/3NcW5RN

The 2026 shirt will say “Choose to Include” and will be a different color than the 2025 shirt.

Orders are due by January 28. The shirts will be delivered to schools in February so they will be ready to be worn during All Abilities Week.

Parent Series: Helping checked-out and stressed-out students (January 27)

At noon and 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, Jenny Anderson and Dr. Rebecca Winthrop, authors of “The Disengaged Teen”, will share a toolkit for parents of checked-out kids and stressed-out teens. The toolkit will show what to do – and what not to do – to support a love of learning. Preview. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3YQvDju

Upcoming Events

January 26: Board of Education meeting 7 p.m.

February 4: Kindergarten/new student registration opens

February 10: Parent Series: Navigating children’s mental health, noon and 7 p.m.

February 11: Parent Series: An entrepreneurial journey, noon and 7 p.m.

February 12: Preschool Valentine's Day classroom parties (10 a.m. & 2 p.m.)

February 13: Valentine's Day classroom parties, 2:30 p.m.

February 16: No school (President's Day)

February 19: PTC meeting, 7 p.m. (in-person or zoom)

February 19: Parent Series: Strategies to improve academics, noon and 7 p.m.

February 23: Board of Education meeting 7 p.m.

February 26: End of second trimester

February 26: Team Day

February 26: Evening conferences, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

February 27: No school (Teacher Institute Day)

Follow Briar Glen on Instagram!

Check out what's going on at Briar Glen and get announcements too! Click here to follow @briarglenschool on Instagram.

Follow Briar Glen on X!

Check out what's going on at Briar Glen and get announcements too! Click here to follow @BriarGlenSchool.

Students, families can report crises and threats through Safe2Help

Students and families can confidentially call, email, or text the Safe2Help tip line to report bullying, threats, or classmates in crisis. Students or families can call (844) 4-SAFE-IL, which is (844) 472-3345; text SAFE2, which is 72332; email Help@Safe2HelpIL.com; or submit tips through the online form. Safe2Help submissions are monitored every hour of every day. More info: https://bit.ly/3BPxObO