Bulldog News

Note from Mr. Dubinsky

The start of the school year is just around the corner, and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome our students back! The Briar Glen staff has been busy preparing classrooms and getting everything ready for the start of the school year. In this newsletter you'll see introductions of our new certified staff as well as arrival and dismissal procedures.

First day for students: August 20

The first day of the 2025-26 school year for students will be a full day on Wednesday, August 20. Staff will start the school year with two planning days on August 18 and 19.

The 2025-26 school year calendar is available at: www.ccsd89.org/2526calendar

The school day for Briar Glen School students is 8:50 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.
The school day for morning preschool is 8:30 to 11 a.m.
The school day for afternoon preschool is 12:45 to 3:15 p.m.

Part-time Preschool Aide Available

Are you interested in working part-time at Briar Glen School? We have a preschool aide position available. If interested click here and apply today.

Meet-the-teacher and supply drop off

Meet-the-teacher and supply drop-off for students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be from 8 to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 19. Preschool will be from 8 to 8:25 a.m. (morning session) and 8:30 to 8:55 a.m. (afternoon session) on Tuesday, August 19. Stop by Briar Glen with your school supplies to lighten your load on the first day of school and meet your teacher.

We will be ending Meet-the-Teacher promptly at 8:30 a.m. so staff can get back to their professional development.

Our nurse will have a table to drop off the following items:

Kindergarten: medical, eye, dental forms
Second grade: Dental forms
Any emergency care plans (allergies)

Schedules, teacher assignments will be available August 15

At 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 15, families will be able to log in to their student’s PowerSchool account to see their teacher assignments and school schedules. You can find out more information about logging onto PowerSchool here. Families new to the school district were sent a letter in the U.S. mail with their PowerSchool log-on information.

Dates and other important information about Glen Crest Middle School, including schedule pick-up is available at: http://bit.ly/44MXaER

Kristi Haan - nurse

I am excited to join the team at Briar Glen! After almost a decade of teaching and taking time off to raise my family, I returned to school to pursue my bachelors degree in nursing from Loyola University. After spending some time working Labor/Delivery and Mother/Baby, I found my true passion as a school nurse. With degrees in both nursing and elementary education, I understand the importance of helping kids get back on their feet and back to their day as quickly as possible!

When I'm not at school, you will likely find me spending time with my fiance Nick, my three adult children, and our friends. I love entertaining! Most weekends we host some type of event at our home. Anytime we can find an excuse to throw a theme/costume party, we do it! I am also a travel enthusiast and am always planning our next trip!

Feel free to contact me with any questions: khaan@ccsd89.org or 630-545-3300.

Jesse Commo - second grade teacher

Hi, I’m Jessie Commo! I began working in the district as a substitute teacher in 2020 while also pursuing my master's degree in education. In 2022, I joined Westfield as a fourth-grade teacher, where I spent the past three years. I’m married and have two wonderful daughters, ages 15 and 18.

Outside of school, I love spending time outdoors, traveling, and going thrifting. I’m so excited to be joining the Briar Glen team. I’ve heard such great things about the staff and students, and I can’t wait to be a part of this amazing community!

Katelyn Jilek - resource teacher

Hi, my name is Katelyn Jilek, and I’m thrilled to be joining the team this year! I’ve been in education for 10 years, beginning my career as a kindergarten teacher before transitioning into special education. This year, I’m excited to serve as a special education teacher at Briar Glen and an interventionist at Park View.

I earned my undergraduate degree from Eastern Illinois University and recently completed my master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from National Louis University. Outside of work, I enjoy reading and spending quality time with my family and friends. I’m looking forward to a great year and getting to know everyone!

Suzanne Kimmerly - LMC teacher

My name is Suzanne Kimmerly and I will be the library media specialist at Briar Glen for the 2025-26 school year. This will be my 18th year teaching, but my first year at Briar Glen. I earned my undergraduate degree from Purdue University - West Lafayette and my master's degree from University of Illinois at Chicago as a reading specialist. Over the course of my career, I’ve been lucky enough to teach first through fourth grade.

I live in Wheaton with my husband Sam, our four children (Aaron, Nora, Anna, and Mia) and our furry children Millie and Coconut. When I am not at school, I love spending time with my family, playing and listening to music, walking outdoors with my friends, and watching my children in their extracurricular activities.

Door #1

Grades 4 and 5 will enter through door #1 at 8:40 a.m.

Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, and 5th walkers will exit door #1.

Door #2

Grades 2 & 3 will enter through door #2 at 8:40 a.m.

Only grades 1st and 3rd walkers will exit door #2.

Door #3

Preschool will enter through door #3 at 8:20 a.m. (AM session) and enter at 12:30 p.m. (PM session).

Kindergarten & 1st will enter through door #3 at 8:40 a.m.

All grades being picked up by cars will exit door #3.

Know which health forms your student needs

Students entering preschool, kindergarten or sixth grade, as well as students who are new to CCSD 89, must have a current certificate of child health exam and updated immunization record on file. All Illinois children entering kindergarten, second, and sixth grades are required to have a dental exam. An eye exam is required for children enrolling in kindergarten and students new to Illinois. Additionally, any Glen Crest students who want to try out for athletics have a pre-participation form filled out by a doctor.

Go to the CCSD 89 health page for forms, resources, and more information: www.ccsd89.org/health

Learn about low-cost dental and immunization resources: https://bit.ly/4miq4Ux

Learn about lunch

The cost for an elementary lunch will be $4, including a milk. The cost for a Glen Crest lunch will be $4, including a milk. If purchased separately, milk will cost 50 cents at both elementary and middle school. More information about the school lunch program is available at: https://www.ccsd89.org/page/food

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

When the school year starts, lunch menus will be available at www.ccsd89.org/lunch

2025-26 school supply lists available online

School supply lists for all CCSD 89 schools are available on the district’s website at www.ccsd89.org/supplies

Butterfield Park District, YMCA before- and after-school programs

CCSD 89 partners with organizations to provide before- and after-school programs for elementary school students. The Butterfield Park District (RecKids) and the B.R. Ryall YMCA (Safe 'n Sound) will both run programs for CCSD 89 students in the 2025-26 school year. You can find more information on both programs here: www.ccsd89.org/beforeafter

Families should contact the Butterfield Park District and B.R. Ryall YMCA directly with questions about those programs.

🎉 Back to School Ice Cream Social🍦

Kick off the new school year with sweet treats and fun!
Join the PTC for our Back to School Ice Cream Social
📅 Tuesday, August 19
🕓 4:00–5:30 p.m.
📍 Briar Glen School

Reconnect with friends, meet new families, and celebrate the start of a new school year.

Upcoming Events

August 18: Staff returns for 2025-26 school year

August 18: Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m.

August 19: Meet-the-Teacher - preschool to fifth-grade, 8-8:30 a.m.

August 19: Ice Cream Social at Briar Glen, 4-5:30 p.m.

August 20: Students return for the 2025-26 school year!

August 21: Parent Series: Organizational skills for school success, noon and 7 p.m.

August 26: Parent Series: Supporting students to aim high, noon and 7 p.m.

August 27: Blood drive at Glen Crest, 2 to 6:30 p.m.

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

September 1: No school (Labor Day)

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

Parent Series: Authors will share tips for student time management on August 21

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

This school year, the first speakers will be speech-language pathologists Sarah Ward and Kristen Jacobsen, co-creators of The Time Tracker Program, who will present at noon and 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 21. They will offer tools to help students develop time-management, planning, task-initiation, and sustained-attention skills. More info: http://bit.ly/4fcHUGa

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