Bulldog News

Note from Mr. Dubinsky

We're looking forward to seeing all the parents at Briar Glen's Curriculum Night for preschool through fifth-grade families on Thursday, September 4, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The evening will start with a presentation in the gym from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Then, there will be two 30-minute sessions to follow. If you have more than one child at Briar Glen this will allow you to rotate to multiple classrooms.

Please note: Curriculum Night is designed for parents/guardians only.

CCSD 89 schools closed September 1 for Labor Day

All CCSD 89 schools and the district office will be closed on Monday, September 1, for Labor Day. School will resume on a regular schedule on Tuesday, September 2.

Reminder: Phones, smartwatches should be off and out of sight at school

Students have been receiving and sending messages from family and friends during the school day. These messages disrupt the learning environment for your child, their classmates, and the teacher. If you need to reach your child during the day, please contact the main office.

Cell phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must be kept out of sight in a backpack, purse, or locker during the school day. If a student violates these rules, the device will be confiscated and there may be disciplinary action.

Please have a conversation at home about the appropriate use of technology at school and why it is important that all students are able to focus on their learning.

More information is available on page 42 of the Student/Parent Handbook, CCSD 89 Board of Education Policy 7:192 – Student Use of Mobile Telecommunication Devices, and Board Regulation 7:192-R.

Board of Education seeking applicants for vacancy

The CCSD 89 Board of Education is accepting applications to fill a vacancy. The new board member will be appointed by a vote of the other six board members and would fulfill the remainder of a term that expires in April 2027.

Anyone interested in being considered for the appointment must submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and a candidate information form. The deadline to submit an application is 4 p.m. Monday, September 8. More information: https://bit.ly/45Pk1Au

Notes from the nurse

Welcome back to school! We are already seeing many students out with various illnesses. I have attached some guidance to help you determine when your child should stay home from school. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Kristi Haan RN, BSN

Briar Glen nurse

Students can get free dental exams at school in November

The DuPage County “Smile Squad” will be offering free dental exams at all five CCSD 89 schools. This exam will meet the state-mandated requirements for kindergarten, second, and sixth graders. All students can receive a free dental exam and toothbrush. A letter will be sent home with the exam results. If your child meets financial eligibility requirements, they can also receive a free cleaning, fluoride treatment, and sealants. The dental health clinic for our school will be held Thursday, November 13.

Permission form: https://5il.co/3oj3h (Espanol)

Questions? Contact the health department at (630) 682-7400

Briar Glen is hiring a full-time instructional aide

Are you interested in working full-time at Briar Glen School? We have an instructional aide position available.

If interested, 👉 click here and apply today!

How to report an absence at Briar Glen

To report an absence, call our school’s main number, then follow the prompts to the attendance line. Our school has a voicemail that will record absentee information.

Briar Glen (630) 545-3300, press 1

Please do your best to contact the school before 8:30 a.m. if a child will be absent for the morning session or the entire day.

Interested in volunteering?

If you are interested in volunteering please scan the QR code or click here.

Some volunteer opportunities:

Book fair
Bulldog Run
Picture day
Plant sale
Spiritwear
Teacher appreciation
Yearbook
Boosterthon Fun Run
Field day
Fifth grade fling
Treat cart

Classroom party volunteer sign up

Let's party! Parents can volunteer at classroom parties. Scan the QR code or click here to sign up.

CCSD 89 school celebrations will no longer include food

Snacks from families will no longer be handed out to students during holiday parties at CCSD 89 schools. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, food treats will not be a part of in-school classroom celebrations on holidays such as Halloween or Valentine’s Day.

Families handing out food in schools has raised issues with managing allergies throughout the classroom, safe food preparation, and room cleanliness. The focus of the classroom celebrations will shift away from food and focus on activities that the entire class can participate in.

Celebrations can still include other small, non-food items such as stickers, valentines, or pencils. Water will continue to be available to students throughout the school day, including during holiday parties.

How to view school lunch menus

Families can check school menus by going to www.ccsd89.org/lunch and then choosing our school. The lunch service company has a new website this year, so parents who bookmarked the page will need to update to the new site for our school:

Briar Glen: https://www.myschoolquest.com/briarglenelementary/menus

By going to our school's site, you can scroll through the weekly menus. You can also see the full month's calendar by selecting the "Download" button on the right side of the page.

The cost for an elementary lunch is $4, including a milk. If purchased separately, milk will cost 50 cents. You can pay directly through MySchoolBucks. Some families prefer to link their MySchoolBucks and PowerSchool accounts, but it is not required.

Instructions for linking your PowerSchool and MySchoolBucks accounts

Upcoming Events

August 25-September 5: NWEA MAP testing grades 1-5

September 1: No school (Labor Day)

September 3: Fire drill, 1:30 p.m.

September 4: Curriculum Night - preschool through fifth-grade, 6-7:30 p.m.

September 6: Kindergarten Playdate at the Briar Glen playground, 9-11 a.m.

September 9: Fall picture day

September 12: Preschool developmental screening

September 12: No preschool

September 15: Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m.

September 17: Parent Series: The secret strengths of introverts, noon and 7 p.m.

September 18: Parent Series: Herramientas prácticas para el bienestar, 7 p.m.

September 25: Parent Series: Raising addiction-resistant kids, noon and 7 p.m.

September 30: Parent Series: Understanding inflexible children, noon and 7 p.m.

October 2: Parent Series: Smart and healthy discipline, 7 p.m.

October 7: Parent Series: Break the cycle of worry, noon and 7 p.m.

October 9: Parent Series: Career planning for the next generation, noon and 7 p.m.

October 10: No school (Teacher Institute)

October 13: No school (Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day)

October 15: Parent Series: Communicating with young people, noon and 7 p.m.

October 16: PTC meeting, 7 p.m.

October 16: Parent Series: Aprenderán acerca de la admisión a la universidad de principio a fin, 7 p.m.

October 17: Boosterthon Fun Run

October 20: Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m.

October 21: Parent Series: Raising spirited children, noon and 7 p.m.

October 23: Evening conferences

October 24: No school (conferences)

October 30: Preschool Halloween parties

October 31: K-5 Halloween parties

Families invited to Cub Scout Donut Hike on September 14

Future Cub Scouts, current Cub Scouts, and their families are invited to a donut hike hosted by Cub Scout Pack 382 at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, at St. James Farm Forest Preserve. The hike is open to anyone who is interested and would like to learn more.

Cub Scouts is open to all children in kindergarten through fifth grade, and their families. Scouts encourages discovery, friendship, and most of all: getting out and having fun!

To RSVP for the hike or learn more information about Scouting, please fill out this Google Form.

Parent Series: Author will share tips for combating anxiety on September 3

At noon and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, author Dr. Martha Beck will explain why anxiety is skyrocketing and how the latest neuroscience and coaching strategies can provide practical tools for successfully combatting anxiety and fostering innovative problem solving. Video preview. More info: https://bit.ly/4mySaM3

The GPS Parent Series hosts free presentations with insights on students and parenting. See the full schedule of 2025-26 speakers at: https://gpsparentseries.org/

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