Bulldog News

Note from Mr. Dubinsky

It’s been a wonderful week back from winter break! Students quickly settled back into their routines, and staff members are looking forward to the remainder of the school year.

As I popped in and out of classrooms, students were eager to share all the fun things they did over the break, from vacations and sleepovers to playing games and even staying in their PJs all day. I’m so glad that, even with all that fun, students were excited to return to school… at least that’s what I’m telling myself! 😂

Winter MAP reports will be coming home today for students in kindergarten through fifth-grade. Teachers will use MAP results to identify reading and math skills to focus on and to help plan instruction for the remainder of the school year. Please keep in mind that MAP is just one assessment that provides a snapshot of your child’s learning at this point in time. We encourage you to review the report and reach out to your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions.

Lost and Found Items

Are you missing a hoodie, jacket, hat, or gloves? Scroll through the photos or stop by the Lost and Found just inside Door #1. Thank you Sarah for all your help in taking the pictures and organizing our Lost & Found.

Briar Glen Lost and Found

Students, families invited to District 89 Day of Service on January 19

CCSD 89 students and their families are invited to participate in the District 89 Day of Service on Monday, January 19, at Park View Elementary School. Students and adults will have the opportunity to make crafts and assemble care packages to benefit others at this free event. Families can sign up to participate from 9 to 10 a.m. or 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Both sessions have the same activities.)

Sign up to participate in the event

Sign up to volunteer at the event

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4qcWvX0

Order forms for Amy Logan author visit due January 12

On Thursday, January 15, local author Amy Logan will visit Briar Glen students. Logan has written multiple books that teach the power of everyday kindness. This will be a wonderful opportunity to start our new year with a reminder of spreading kindness in all that we do.

Below is an order form if you would like to purchase a signed copy of one of her books at a discounted price. Please have all order forms in no later than Monday, January 12. Cash and checks are accepted; however, no change will be given.

Please reach out to Mrs. Kimmerly in the LMC if you have any questions: skimmerly@ccsd89.org.

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January 16 is deadline for families to take strategic-plan survey

CCSD 89 has begun the process of creating the district’s next strategic plan, and feedback from families is an essential part of this work. The strategic plan is a document that will guide the big-picture work of the district over the next five years. Families are invited to share their feedback through this survey: https://bit.ly/ccsd89familysurvey

The deadline to complete this survey is 5 p.m. Friday, January 16.

Learn more about the strategic plan work at www.ccsd89.org/strategicplan

2026-27 preschool pre-registration will open January 14

Families interested in having their child attend CCSD 89 preschool in the 2026-27 school year will be able to fill out pre-registration starting Wednesday, January 14. There are limited openings available 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.

Visitors cannot use Illinois digital ID to check in at schools

Although Illinois residents can now store their license or state ID on some phones, visitors must continue to bring their physical license to check in at CCSD 89 schools. The district’s security screening system cannot accept digital IDs.

Anyone who is visiting a CCSD 89 school during the day or picking up students early must check in using the iPad in the school’s lobby with their non-digital ID (license, state ID, passport). The check-in/check-out process takes less than two minutes and is an important part of our safety system.

Learn about the student check-out process: https://youtu.be/gxFvHH5UZL4

Learn about the visitor process: https://youtu.be/Q814enw_x7A

More info: https://bit.ly/3URo8ql

Thank you for helping keep our students and staff safe at all times.

Vision and hearing screening at Briar Glen on January 14

The following students/grades will be screened starting January 14:

Vision

Kindergarten, 2nd grade, 4th, new students, students receiving special education services, foster children, and students referred by a teacher or parent.

Hearing

Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, new students, students receiving special education services, foster children, and students referred by a teacher or parent.

Students who have submitted an eye examination report within the past year, will not be screened for vision.

Children who have glasses should bring them to school for the screening. School children who are wearing glasses will have their glasses checked, but will not be screened for vision. If you are aware of a special problem your child may be having, please contact the nurse.

The parent or legal guardian of a student may object to hearing or vision screening tests with a written note or email to the nurse prior to the screening day.

You will be notified if your child requires further testing and evaluation. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Briar Glen nurse Kristi Haan at (630) 545-3300.

Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor.

Elementary families invited to register for new District 89 Soccer League

Families of CCSD 89 elementary school students can now register their children for the spring season of District 89 soccer. The soccer league is independent from the district but focused on serving CCSD 89 students. This is a recreational league focused on player growth and development with friends. No experience necessary. The league will play from April 11 through June 6 at Glen Crest Middle School.

The deadline to register is March 20. More information and registration: www.synergysoccerclub.com/d89league

Community invited to donate blood January 14 at Glen Crest

Looking for a New Year's resolution that will make an impact? Why not start the year by donating blood? Community members are invited to donate between 2 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, at Glen Crest Middle School. Register

More info: www.ccsd89.org/blood

Parent Series: Guiding teens to develop independence (January 13)

At noon and 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, pediatrician Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, author of “Lighthouse Parenting”, will discuss how to fostering essential life skills such as independence creates a blueprint for an unwavering, loving relationship with your child. Learn more: https://gpsparentseries.org/events/ken-ginsburg-2025/

Upcoming Events

January 14: Vision and hearing screening

January 14: Preschool registration opens

January 15: Author Amy Logan will be visiting Briar Glen

January 15: PTC meeting, 7 p.m. (in-person or zoom)

January 16: Preschool developmental screening; no preschool attendance

January 19: No school (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

January 21: Parent Series: Fostering confident athletic performance, noon and 7 p.m.

January 22: D89 Music Boosters meeting, 6 p.m.

January 22: Parent Series: Parents’ guide for flourishing families (Urdu and Hindi) 7 p.m.

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

February 4: Kindergarten/new student registration opens

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 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