Spring Brook Weekly News

August 17, 2026

Happy First Day!

Hello Spring Brook Families,

What a beautiful start to our school year! Our students did a wonderful job coming into the building, finding their classrooms, and helping one another along the way. Mrs. Konecki and I had the opportunity to visit every classroom and we loved seeing so many happy, excited faces. It is wonderful to have our building full of energy and laughter again. After such a great first day, we can already tell that this is going to be a fantastic year. Go Huskies!

Important Information

Elementary Early Release Dates and After School Care

This school year, elementary students will participate in scheduled early release days, with dismissal at 1:00 PM on September 24, 2026, December 15, 2026, and February 4, 2027. This dedicated time allows elementary teaching teams to analyze student assessment data and collaboratively plan targeted instruction to support every child's academic growth.

On-site childcare will be available during early release afternoons through our community partnerships with Y Safe 'N Sound and Right at School. Families can sign up for just the early release dates. They do not have to be a regular attendees.

Registration details for childcare programs will be provided in upcoming communications. Please contact the main office with any immediate questions.

Art Update from Mr. Mills

Hello Spring Brook Parents---

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Mr. Mills, and I am the art teacher at Spring Brook. Like all educators, I am consistently looking for ways to improve my instruction. I am excited to share with you that in art this year, I will be making a major shift in how I teach art. In short, I will be moving from a project-based curriculum to a choice-based curriculum. There will be no set art projects. Students will still learn the standards as well as about artists and art history. Plus, they will learn about various art techniques and have to complete short activities focused on different art skills. However, the students will get to decide what art-making they focus on during their work or studio time.

Even though students will not have set art projects, a choice-based art curriculum will benefit your child in the following ways:

Students will be in control of their own learning.
Instruction will be more individualized because it will focus on their interests.
Higher-order thinking skills are the norm for independent work.
Build habits and skills that will help them in any discipline.

I am looking forward to a shift in my instruction and allowing students more ownership of their learning! If you have any questions, please email me at joseph_mills@ipsd.org or come visit me during Curriculum Night on September 2nd. Thank you for your time.

Kindergarten Color Days

Kindergarten is learning to read, write, and identify their colors. Help us support them by wearing wearing certain colors on the following days:

Tuesday, August 18: red

Thursday, August 20: orange

Monday, August 24: yellow

Wednesday, August 26: green

Friday, August 28: blue

Tuesday, September 1: purple

Friday, September 4: Rainbow

Forgotten Items

Please drop off any forgotten items (lunches, water bottles, etc) by 10:45am to ensure we are able to deliver items to your student in a timely fashion. Thank you!