Bulldog News

Note from Mr. Dubinsky

District 89 preschool held its bi-annual fashion show as the culminating event for the clothing study. During this unit, students learned how clothes are made, the different ways garments are fastened together, and how clothing varies for special occupations or events. Students selected outfits that were meaningful to them, helping them develop their own preferences and express themselves through their clothing. The runway was filled with students proudly showcasing their individual cultural attire and personal style!

Families can provide 5Essentials feedback starting Monday

Starting Tuesday, February 3, families of CCSD 89 students can help improve our school by providing feedback through the state’s 5Essentials survey at: https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/

After selecting the "Parent Survey", choose "DuPage" as the county. When you begin to type our school’s name, it will appear in a drop-down list. One parent per household may participate in the survey. If you have more than one child attending the same CCSD 89 school, you can participate in the survey more than once.

Students will take the survey at a later date. Families will be notified before the 5Essentials is administered to students.

Students will participate in BESS screener next week

Next week, students in third through eighth grades will again be participating in the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System, commonly known as BESS. Students in the same grades participated in BESS at the start of this school year.

BESS is not a tool for making a diagnosis, and there is no grade associated with it. BESS will give the school data about how your child internalizes feelings, self-regulates, and establishes good relationships. This data will be paired with class observations to help track student growth within the school year and from year to year. If the BESS screener shows any immediate concern for your student’s emotional health, a social worker will reach out to you.

If you have any questions or do not want your student to participate in BESS, please contact principal Mitch Dubinsky as soon as possible. We are excited to have this opportunity to support your child’s social and emotional development.

Learn more about BESS here: English Español Hindi Urdu

Video explanation: https://youtu.be/SmK_ODZdQ5c?si=p0X0Zeo9ZcAazsjP&t=791

Last Call for Lost & Found Items

Our lost and found is overflowing! Please take a moment to scroll through the pictures using the link below and see if anything belongs to your child. Items are located just inside Door #1. All unclaimed items will be donated by Friday, February 6, so be sure to check before then.

January 30 Lost and Found Photos

We’d love to share these Valentine’s Day reminders

Valentine’s Day is approaching and we’re excited to celebrate a day of friendship. A few reminders:

Time will be scheduled in class on February 13 for students to exchange valentines, if they would like to participate. If your family needs help getting valentines, please reach out to the school social worker.
No candy or other food items can be sent to school or attached to valentines.
Valentines should promote kind words and friendship.

Any specific grade-level information will be shared by your child’s teacher.

Board approves 2026-27 school calendar

At Monday’s meeting, the CCSD 89 Board of Education approved the 2026-27 academic calendar. You can view the calendar here: www.ccsd89.org/2627calendar The first day of the 2026-27 school year for students will be Thursday, August 20. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4bk3TLF

Pre-registration for 2026-27 kindergarten, new students opens Wednesday

Families with students who will be starting kindergarten or new to CCSD 89 in the 2026-27 school year can begin the pre-registration process at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4. Registration for returning students will open April 8. More info: https://bit.ly/3O8Y7Te

Reminder: Families can track bus arrival, travel with free app

In this cold weather, families are reminded that they can track their student’s bus trips to and from school with the free FirstView 1.0 busing app. The app can track the bus, show an estimated number of minutes until the bus will arrive, and send a notification when buses get to school.

Families using the FirstView app from last school year need to download the new version called “FirstView 1.0”. The app will track both regular-education and special-education busing. The code for CCSD 89 is: N6N3I

More information, including instructions on downloading the app, are available at www.ccsd89.org/busapp

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

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.

Parent Series: Raising tomorrow’s leaders (February 4)

At noon and 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 4, Amy Blankson, co-founder of the Digital Wellness Institute and author of “The Future of Happiness”, will discuss how to inspire young people to navigate the digital age wisely and step forward as thoughtful, empathetic leaders who can shape the future. Preview. Learn more: https://bit.ly/45AaTjO

Upcoming Events

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. and 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)

March 3: Parent Series: Raising terrific kids in terrifying times, noon and 7 p.m.

March 4: Spring pictures

March 5: Preschool open house for new families, 6-7 p.m.

March 6: All Abilities Fair

March 6-13: Anderson's Book Fair

March 11: Parent Series: Memoir of a chef, noon and 7 p.m.

March 12: Family Literacy Night, 5:30-7 p.m.

March 13: Last day to fill out 5Essentials survey

March 14: VIP Dance, 5-7 p.m.

March 16-27: IAR Testing for grades 3-8

March 16: Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m.

March 17: Parent Series: Creating healthy connections, noon and 7 p.m.

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

March 20: Preschool developmental screening (no preschool)

March 24: Parent Series: College admission essentials, noon and 7 p.m.

March 25: McTeacher Night, 4-6 p.m.

March 30-April 3: No school (spring break)

April 6: No school unless more than one emergency day has been used

April 6-10: IAR makeup testing

April 8: 2026-27 registration opens for all students

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