Meadowbrook News

Good afternoon Meadowbrook,

I can and can't believe the year is coming to a close. While September feels like years ago, this spring has accelerated quickly! You should be so proud of your children; they have demonstrated how resilient, creative, and brilliant they are.

Missing something? Please come and check the lost and found before the end of the school year. ALL lost and found items will be donated on Monday morning, June 10th. The last day to check for items is Friday, June 7th.

I'd like to share some staffing updates for the 2024-2025 school year. First, there are a number of staff members who will be leaving Meadowbrook after this year:

• Sam Ruff (Kindergarten) and Snoti Friday (1st Grade) have served as Long Term Substitutes this year and their positions have ended.
• As we return to 5 sections of Kindergarten, Olivia Benson and Ty Vandermyde will be pursuing other opportunities.
• From our Specialists, we are saying goodbye to Michelle Hetland (Enrichment), Peter Durow, (Music) and Tim Kennedy (Media).
• In our Special Education department, Sarah Schwanke has taken a Peer Coaching role within our district, Chris Johnstone and Alyssa Klover will be serving at other schools within our district, and Sarah Swanson is pursuing other opportunities.
• We will also say goodbye to our building substitutes, Kim Handren and Phil Homen.

Additionally, we have staff who will transition to new roles at Meadowbrook next year:

• Emma Miller (1st Grade) will serve as an Enrichment Specialist for students in grades K-1.
• Andy Jensen (Band) will teach 4th and 5th grade general Music classes in addition to Band.

And finally, we have excitedly hired new staff to join us:

• Jennie Dugan and Amelia Beard will join our Special Education team as School Social Workers.
• Amiee Kotten will join our Special Education team as a teacher in our Learning Center.

We wish all the best for those leaving Meadowbrook and welcome our new staff to the Meadowbrook team.

In partnership,

Natalie

Get a head start on the 2024-2025 school year by purchasing your fall school supplies now! Meadowbrook’s online school supply store with School Tool Box is up and running.

Visit schooltoolbox.com to get started. Each grade level box matches the teacher's approved list, is fully customizable and can ship directly to your home. Plus a portion of all sales comes back to the PTO!

We are excited to send off our fifth graders with an end-of-year party on their last day of school (Friday, June 7). This celebration will be a wonderful way for our students to commemorate their time at Meadowbrook and look toward their future.

Event details:

• 9:45-10:15 – Slideshow and breakfast in cafeteria
• 10:30 – Buses begin to arrive at Brookview Park in shifts
• 10:40-1:30 – DJ, games and crafts at Brookview.
• Pizza lunch will be served around noon.
• 1:30 – Buses load for Meadowbrook
• 2:00-3:00 Final classroom time with teachers
• 3:00-3:30 – Farewell Meadowbrook and popsicles on the school playground.
• Kids will return to their classrooms to wrap up the day

Caregivers are welcome to join their fifth graders for the slideshow in the cafeteria, or at Brookview for any part of the day. You are also free to greet them with homemade congratulatory signs when the bus rolls into Brookview Park. Plan to arrive around 10:15 to cheer them on near Brookview Parkway and Western Avenue; the bus will stop at the parking lot closest to the large pavilion. We are hoping to gather a big cheering squad, so come one, come all! Please remember to have your child dress appropriately for the weather, put on sunscreen at home, and bring a water bottle. We are looking forward to celebrating this milestone with our fifth graders and making it a day to remember.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact the planning committee at mb5thgradeparty2024@gmail.com. We are still seeking a few more volunteers – you can sign up at bit.ly/volunteermeadowbrook. If you still would like to contribute to cover the costs of the day, please do so at bit.ly/donatemeadowbrook.

Thank you,

5th grade party planning co-chairs

Nichol Hadler (Mom of Olin)

Meghan Kalinowski (Mom of Brandt)

Niki Kroll (Mom of Collin)

Jamie Nelson (Mom of Broden)

Here we are on the final week of school approaching. Here is a "TO DO" list for the last week and for the upcoming summer from the Health Office.

1. Please pick up any medications you have provided for your child here in the Health Office. If your child will be attending Kids and Company here at Meadowbrook, you still have to pick up their medications. You will then need to give them to the Kids and Company staff the first week of summer break.
2. Make sure your child's immunizations are up to date. Check with your child's medical provider to confirm any needed immunizations. Summer is a great time to schedule yearly check ups.
3. For children who need emergency action plans and asthma action plans, make an appointment for a checkup, and obtain a current asthma or allergy action plans. Please bring those with medications the first week of school.
   
4. Be active this summer! Make sure your child has a well-fitting helmet and life jacket for our Minnesota summers. Create time for reading. I have become a huge fan of our Library System here in the Twin Cities. There are so many libraries and free libraries. I already have a stack of books ready to jump into!!
   

Have a wonderful summer; stay safe and healthy Meadowbrook!

3 tips to continue math learning into the summer:

1. Set a Routine: Spend some time each week on math-related activities.

2. Use Online Resources: Find fun math games, learning, and practices online. Make sure to login to track progress!

1. Khan Academy Kids (K-2) Math+Logic

2. Khan Academy (Grade 3-12) Get Ready Courses

3. IXL (K-12) Summer Boost skill plans

4. Zearn (K-8) Summer Math Series

3. Incorporate Math into Life: Use math in cooking, shopping, and planning summer activities.

As the school year ends, we also want to encourage the continued practice of mathematician-like behaviors. Encourage your child to solve problems, puzzle, wonder, and examine their world to continue developing important math habits that build a strong foundation for future success. Here are some ways you can support your mathematician’s growth at home during summer break:

• Understand and Solve Problems: Encourage your child to understand what math problems are asking and to keep trying different ways to solve them. Tip: Create a daily math challenge for your child and praise their efforts.

• Think About Numbers: Help your child understand how numbers work together and apply math to real-life situations. Tip: Talk about math during everyday activities, like shopping or cooking.

• Explain and Discuss: Have your child explain their math thinking and discuss different solutions. Tip: Talk about math problems and share your different ways to solve them.

• Use Math to Show Ideas: Show your child how to use math to represent real-world situations. Tip: Solve math problems together using drawings or objects to represent your thinking.

• Use Tools Wisely: Teach your child to use mathematical tools. Tip: Let your child use tools like rulers, measuring cups, and calculators for measuring or checking work when solving problems.

• Be Precise: Encourage your child to be careful and accurate with their math work. Tip: Have your child double-check their work or compare it to an estimate, and talk about why accuracy is important.

• Find Patterns: Help your child recognize patterns and structures in math, which can make solving problems easier. Tip: Play games that involve finding and extending patterns.

• Notice Repeated Steps: Encourage your child to notice when they use the same steps and think about faster ways to solve similar problems. Tip: Talk about repeated patterns you observe and explore how these can help solve other problems.

By supporting these practices, you can help your child continue to learn and grow throughout the summer months. Thank you for making math a fun and important part of your child's summer learning!

Let's work together to keep our school grounds clean and beautiful. Introducing the Meadowbrook School Grounds Clean Up Program! This green initiative aims to foster a sense of environmental responsibility, inspiring our young students to care for the earth and our community.

Learn more and sign up with your student, family, or group here.

Restaurant Nights

• Upcoming Dates:
• June 6, 2024, Time: 9am-8pm @ Nautical Bowls; 11301 MN-7 Hopkins, MN 55305

• Nautical Bowls (Hopkins) will donate 15% of fundraiser sales to the Meadowbrook Elementary PTO!
• In-store: Mention “Meadowbrook” at checkout
• Online order: Enter “Meadowbrook” in the notes section

• What are Restaurant Night funds used for? The sales from Meadowbrook Restaurant Nights are used for PTO funds. These funds provide many opportunities for all students and teachers. This includes, but is not limited to field trips, equipment for classrooms and the media center, artist residencies, and transportation costs for events and field trips.

• How much has Meadowbrook family's contributions to Restaurant Nights made so far? We have raised a total of $1881.50 for the Meadowbrook community! As you can see, these nights are of great benefit to the students and staff at Meadowbrook, and each time you dine to donate it is greatly appreciated.

Online Student Directory

Visit HopkinsMeadowbrookPTO.org for access to the Online Meadowbrook Student Directory.

To sign up:

• Current Users: If you had a log-in from the previous directory, visit the website. Click the “Forgot Password” link to reset your password and gain access.

• New Users: Visit the website. Click the “Sign up” button. To create your account, enter your full name and email address, and create a password. Including your full name will help staff verify that you are a Meadowbrook caregiver.

How to Help The PTO:

• Volunteer - Complete this form to express your interest: https://forms.gle/4G39cpzZQ8kddGXs7

• Download the Box Tops for Education app and scan your receipts after shopping. Any qualifying purchases will go directly to Meadowbrook PTO- no need to 'clip' anymore!

Any questions? Reach out to us at meadowbrookelementarypto@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook , Twitter, Instragram, or our PTO website

We are creating 5 Exploratory Teams to do short-term work this summer and into the fall. Part of the reason is to identify budget efficiencies as we head into next school year. The other reason is to identify creative solutions to important challenges. Follow this link to learn more about these topics:

1. Elementary Specials

2. Utilities Feasibility Studies

3. 6-12 Schedule and Alignment

4. Transportation

5. Restorative & Personalized Support for Secondary Scholars in Need

If you wish to participate as a volunteer member, please complete this form. We’ll need to know who you are, what your interest is, and how to contact you. Thank you!

Congratulations to all the 2024 Hopkins High School graduates! Hopkins Education Foundation wishes you well on your next endeavors and welcomes you to the alumni family. Graduates (and parents): we invite you to check out the Hopkins Alumni Network and join this group of Hopkins grads for networking, socializing, job search support, mentoring, reunions, and more.

At the December 12 School Board Meeting, the Hopkins School Board approved the 2024-25 calendar. Over the next few weeks, we will add these dates to our digital calendar and provide a printable PDF.

June 6: Restaurant "Night" @ Nautical Bowls, Hopkins 9am-8pm

June 7: Last Day of School

Main Office Line: 952-988-5100

Attendance Line: 952-988-5110

https://meadowbrook.hopkinsschools.org/families/attendance

Online Student Directory: https://hopkinsmeadowbrookpto.org/

Email: natalie.sawatzky@hopkinsschools.org
Website: https://hopkinsschools.org/schools/elementary-schools/meadowbrook-elementary
Location: 5430 Glenwood Avenue, Golden Valley, MN 55422, USA
Phone: (952) 988-5100
Facebook: facebook.com/HopkinsMeadowbrook
Twitter: @MeadowbrookGV