Graphic of 3 students reading with a backdrop of books.

Meadow Brook's Plan for Academic Success in ELA

Dear Meadow Brook Family,

In every Forest Hills school, our philosophy is that every child can learn and succeed. We also know that children learn and grow at different rates. When individual students need a little more time or support to learn grade-level content, Meadow Brook’s support system is structured to ensure that every student gets what they need to be successful.

After every NWEA MAP and DIBLES (literacy foundational skills) testing window throughout the school year, our teacher teams use the results to help identify students who may benefit from additional academic support. Students whose scores fall within the range indicating they are at risk for not achieving grade-level proficiency on spring Michigan Department of Education assessments are prioritized for supplemental General Education support. This support is always provided in addition to regular classroom learning time. No student receiving support misses grade-level core instruction or special area classes. Nor does this support ever conflict with the goals or instructional designs of students’ IEPs.

Academic support can be delivered in the form of a small group or 1:1 instruction both within and outside of the classroom. All instruction is provided by a highly-qualified teacher or paraprofessional depending upon the needs of the students.

The progress of students receiving academic support is continually monitored and adjusted. Classroom teachers will periodically share the students’ progress with families. In addition, your child's teacher will be sending "homework" home with ideas for how to support your student.

We are fortunate to have highly-qualified paraprofessionals on staff, some of whom are funded through specialized grants, such as Title I, that are targeted to help close achievement gaps. Students may have the opportunity to work with Mrs. Griffith, Mrs. Dodge or Mrs. Natale or Ms. Chrenka, all of whom Meadow Brook is lucky to have funded through Title 1 federal grant funds. Mrs. Schmitt and Mr. Haga also serve as behavioral support paraprofessionals on our team. Each of these individuals is highly trained and works directly with our instructional and behavioral coaches and classroom teachers to provide research based interventions specifically designed for student needs.

I invite you to contact your child’s teacher, Ms. Tamminga or me with any questions or concerns. Thank you for all you do to keep your children learning and growing.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Heerema

Principal

HUSKY HUSTLE!

Husky Hustle is only two weeks away!

This is the Meadow Brook PTO’s largest annual fundraiser where students walk through a local neighborhood, enjoying fun activities along the parade route. 100% of the money raised goes directly towards supporting our school, teachers, staff, and students!

We are just over halfway to our goal of 90% of pledge forms returned!
Please return your pledge form if you have not already.
Donations can be made electronically but we still need your pledge form turned in for tracking our progress towards 90% (https://2026-husky-hustle-donations.cheddarup.com)

CHANGE WARS!
One more week! Send your student(s) to school with spare change to drop into the Challenge Piggy Bank of their choosing. If 90% of the school return their pledge forms Mrs. Heerema will have to complete the most voted for wild challenge! The options are dying her hair, wearing an inflatable chicken costume, or dressing up as Mario with Ms. Tamminga as Lugi.

T-SHIRTS!
Family members have the ability to order their own HUSKY HUSTLE T-SHIRT (each student gets one for free). If interested, please view this link: https://huskyhike2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/ Orders are due by 9/21.

Thanks!

Mallory Davis

President, Meadow Brook Elementary PTO

Special Author VIsit Coming to School

"Chillers" author Jonathan Rand to visit Meadow Brook

We are so excited to host Jonathan Rand, author of the "Michigan Chillers" and "American Chillers" book series. He will visit Meadow Brook on the morning of Sept. 24 to speak to 3rd and 4th graders about his work. His presentation's message is, "If you can read and write, you can do anything!"

A book sale flyer will be sent home with students ahead of the visit. Return it with payment by Thursday, Sept. 24, to purchase autographed copies of his books to be delivered in October.

Mrs. Phillips - 4th Grade Teacher

I love reading and playing board games with my family. We just welcomed our first little one on July 22nd. His name is Bodie.

Mrs. Jung - Kinder Immersion

Hello! I’m Sarah Jung, the new Chinese Immersion kindergarten teacher! This is my 10th year teaching, and I’m thrilled to be part of the Meadow Brook family. I’m a proud mom of three teenagers, and I love spending time outdoors and traveling with my family. I look forward to creating a fun, nurturing classroom where students can learn, grow, and make wonderful memories together!

Mrs. Natale (Ms. Kari) - Paraprofessional

My name is Kari Natale, a new Parapro at Meadow Brook, and I have lived in Ada for just over 8yrs with my family. We moved here for the schools and the community, and couldn’t have made a better choice. My husband and I have three boys, twins and a singleton who attend Ada Elementary. So working here is a great blessing that allows me to be in their same schedule so I don’t disrupt their “mama time” bestowed upon them their whole lives.

As a family we love to travel (local) to the UP, other mid-west states, to sporting events, and the lakeshore for beach fun. A fun fact is that we traveled to all 5 Great Lakes summer 2025, and to Niagara Falls…something that took my husband over 45 years to accomplish!

Before landing at Meadow Brook, I was a butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker….well not really, but it feels that way sometimes. I’ve worked in retail, the restaurant world, been a tutor, an insurance agency, a telecommunications company for deaf/hard of hearing, an energy company, and even Amway. My last stop post Staying at Home with my boys, was a small private school as the lunch/recess lady along with an after care program.

I am excited to be here at Meadow Brook and can’t wait to meet everyone that makes the school amazing.

Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures - Please Read Carfully

CARLINE DIRECTIONS

Do not allow students to exit vehicles before 8:35, there is no supervision outside. If you REMAIN with your child, you are welcome to wait by the front doors.
Children MUST exit/enter the vehicle on the PASSENGER SIDE ONLY.
NEVER park in the traffic lane.
Do NOT exit your vehicle.
NEVER park in the handicapped spots unless you have a legal tag/plate. We have many families who need these spots and they should never be used for convenience.
DO NOT park in any "non" parking spots in the lot.
DO NOT drop students off in the parking lot without fully pulling into a parking space.
DO NOT allow children to walk through the parking lot unaccompanied at any time. WALK THEM TO/FROM THE CROSSWALK.

Thank you for your patience and for following these procedures. Please be sure to share this with any family, friends or childcare providers who might be driving to or from school.

Please refer to the MB Traffic Pattern Map below.

Here is a VIDEO that captures the drop off procedures.

Odyssey of the Mind

Calling all creative students, the Odyssey of the Mind (OM) season is here! If you love to tell stories, build cool stuff, perform or direct, create art, work with power tools, engineer treasures out of trash, make things explode, or otherwise use your limitless imagination, then you’ll love OM. No specific or prior skills required… just an open mind and willingness to try new things. Follow this link to the FHPS OM website to learn more or follow this link directly to the registration form. We can’t wait to see you in OM! Look for the link to the Parents Info Night on 09/29/26 coming soon!

Please contact Ren Brace (rbrace@fhps.net) with any questions.

FHPS OM Promotional Video

https://youtu.be/ZZbm0jGZd4k?si=2haswodqLqbk5nTc

Expectations for Students at Northern Athletic Events

Please take some time to read and review these expectations as a family before heading to any Northern athletic events.

Main Highlight for Elementary:

Jr. K–6th grade students must be accompanied by an adult when entering the stadium or gymnasium and must remain with their accompanying adult for the duration of the event. The accompanying adult is expected to remain at the event with the elementary student(s).
Elementary students are expected to sit with their accompanying adult and should not roam the facility or sit separately from the adult who brought them.

Third Grade YOU BELONG Event

Save the Date: 3rd Grade "You Belong Here" Experience!

Mark your calendars! On Friday, November 6, 2026, all FHPS 3rd graders are invited to the Fine Arts Center from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. for the free "You Belong Here" Experience, hosted by the District Shared Voices Committee.

During this special event, 3rd graders will explore meaningful ways to strengthen their school community. Students will learn what impacts a sense of belonging, how to foster inclusion in their own school buildings, and how to bring these important lessons back to their peers.

Permission slips will be sent home on October 5th.

Food Service

Both breakfast and lunch will be free this year again.

Menus

If your student has a food allergy and/or requires a special diet due to a disability or medical issue, please complete the Special Diet Statement Form and return the form to the Food Service Office.

Even though school meals are free for students this year, all families who qualify for free or reduced price meals should still complete a Free or Reduced Price Meal Application.

If you have questions, please contact the Food Service Office at (616) 493-3774.