Bulldog News

Note from Mr. Dubinsky

As part of our School Improvement Plan, we are honoring students with monthly ‘Top Dog’ awards. The award highlights students who showed significant academic growth or social-emotional behaviors that align with the CharacterStrong curriculum.

I’ll be handing out the October ‘Top Dog’ Awards on Monday, November 3, and I can’t wait to see the excitement -- not only from our award winners but also from their classmates who cheer them on!

WE DID IT! 🎉

We’ve exceeded our fundraising goal of $35,000!

Your generosity and participation will directly benefit our students with plans for a new playground that our students will enjoy for years to come. We couldn’t have done it without you!

We extend a BIG thank you to our amazing volunteers, Christyn Esposito, Meredith Mash, and the PTC, who played a crucial role in making this fundraiser a success. 🙌 THANK YOU!!

Monster Mash photo booth pictures

Monster Mash was a hit, and the photos are even better! 🎃 Scroll through to find your spooktacular shots!

Monster Mash Photos

Character Strong theme for November: Gratitude

We are looking forward to focusing on gratitude this month! One way to think about gratitude is “choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives.” Practicing gratitude can increase our well-being and our happiness.

Gratitude is one of three traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students be well. Throughout the school year, students will be developing skills like emotion regulation, positive self-talk, and stress management.

Students can get free dental exams at school in November

The DuPage County “Smile Squad” will be offering free dental exams at all five CCSD 89 schools. This exam will meet the state-mandated requirements for kindergarten, second, and sixth graders. All students can receive a free dental exam and toothbrush. A letter will be sent home with the exam results. If your child meets financial eligibility requirements, they can also receive a free cleaning, fluoride treatment, and sealants.

The dental health clinic for Briar Glen will be held Thursday, November 13.

Permission form: https://5il.co/3oj3h (Espanol)

Questions? Contact the health department at (630) 682-7400

Our family-engagement liaisons are here to help!

The CCSD 89 family-engagement liaisons help parents navigate and succeed in the school system. They are a multilingual team that can help connect families with resources.

Get to know our family-engagement liaisons:

Meet Phill Brown English

Meet Maria Collins English | Español

Meet Paolo DeAngelo English | Español

Reach out to any of our liaisons for support. Their contact information is at www.ccsd89.org/familyengagement

Job posting: Long-term substitute elementary art teacher

We are hiring a long-term substitute elementary art teacher to cover a maternity leave from approximately January 12 to April 15, 2026. The position serves both Arbor View and Briar Glen schools. Applicants must hold an Illinois Professional Educator License with an Art or Visual Arts endorsement. The daily pay is $180.

To apply, visit www.ccsd89.org and submit all required materials online.

Briar Glen is hiring a full-time instructional aide

Are you interested in working full-time at Briar Glen School? We have an instructional aide position available.

If interested, 👉 click here and apply today!

Upcoming Events

November 5: Picture retakes

November 12: Parent Series: What teens want you to know, noon and 7 p.m.

November 13: Smile Squad at Briar Glen

November 14: End of first trimester

November 14: Preschool developmental screening

November 14: No preschool

November 17: Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m.

November 18: Parent Series: The food-mood connection, noon and 7 p.m.

November 20: PTC meeting, 7 p.m. (in-person or join zoom)

November 20: Parent Series: Estrategias de motivación para el éxito escolar, 6 p.m.

November 24: Parent Series: Tackling tough topics, noon and 7 p.m.

November 26-28: No school (Thanksgiving break)

December 1-12: K-5 NWEA MAP Testing

December 2: Parent Series: How to better manage your emotions, noon and 7 p.m.

December 4: Parent Series: Porque la Universidad te Incluye a tí, 7 p.m.

December 4: Parent Series: Why college includes you, 7 p.m.

December 10: Parent Series: Find the college that’s right for you, noon and 7 p.m.

December 15: Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m.

December 16: Parent Series: Supporting your teen’s mental health, noon and 7 p.m.

December 17: CCSD 89 winter orchestra concerts, 6 and 8:30 p.m.

December 18: CCSD 89 winter band concerts, 6 and 9 p.m.

December 18: Parent Series: Elementos esenciales para niños felices y saludables, 7 p.m.

December 19: Preschool Winter holiday parties, 10 a.m and 2 p.m.

December 19: K-5 Winter holiday parties, 2:30 p.m.

December 22-January 5: No school (winter break)

January 6: School resumes after winter break

Parent Series: Principles for raising a self-driven child (November 5)

At noon and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, Professor William Stixrud and motivational coach Ned Johnson will discuss how you can help your child be resilient and ready to take on new challenges. Adults will learn the tools they need to communicate calmly with their kids, foster autonomy, keep anxiety under control, and develop a positive outlook. Preview Learn more: https://bit.ly/4oAAaBe

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