Meadowbrook News
September 6, 2024
From Principal Natalie
Greetings Meadowbrook!
It's been a wonderful week as we settle back into the school routine. Thank you for sharing your amazing children with us!
As we navigate the usual transportation challenges that come with the start of the school year, we'd like to share some important reminders:
- Bus Stops: For the most up-to-date bus stop information, please visit eLink. The informtation you need to log in can be found in the Campus Portal. If you're concerned about a bus running late, you can check the Late Bus Listings. To request a bus stop change, please complete this form.
- Bus Passes: In the past, we've been able to provide same-day bus passes when students needed to ride home with another student. However, with many buses now at capacity, we need families to plan ahead. If your student needs to ride another student's bus home, please submit your request for a bus pass at least one day in advance to our office. We will check on capacity and let you know if we can accommodate your request.
- The Transportation Button below is a great resource for all things transportation!
I am also excited to share our new Meadowbrook Ways of Being. These principles guide how all members of our community can show up as our best selves. They help us feel good about who we are and how we treat others. When we follow them, we create a school environment where everyone can learn, have fun, and be safe. I encourage you to discuss our Ways of Being with your child—what might it look like, feel like, and sound like to act in alignment with these values? If you have any feedback about our Ways of Being, we'd love to hear it!
Thank you for your continued support!
In partnership,
Natalie
Meadowbrook Ways of Being
Drop Off and Pick Up Reminders
Anyone who has been to, driven by, or maybe even just heard of Meadowbrook is aware that student drop off and pick up are some of our busiest times of the day! Here are a few reminders to keep our traffic moving smoothly:
- Our school hours are 9:35am-4:05pm. Students are welcome to begin arriving at 9:15am.
- Parents are not allowed to walk their children into or out of the building before or after school.
- We ask that students who are driven to school be dropped off (and picked up) at doors specific to their grade level. Students in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades will use Door L and students in 3rd and 5th will use Door A. Families with multiple children can use either lot; just make sure to communicate with your children which lot you will use.
- We will not be releasing students for parent pick up until 3:50pm, unless leaving early for an appointment. We kindly ask you to not arrive for pick up before 3:45pm each day. This prevents those families who do have an end of day appointment from getting stuck!
- As you arrive to pick up your child, please place a sheet of paper with your child's first and last name, and grade in view for the staff in the parking lots.
- Please stay in your vehicle. As you may remember, our lots are quite full at the end of the day. Your safety and the safety of our students is priority, so please be patient.
- If your child uses a car seat or booster, it is helpful if you place them on the passenger side which prevents them from needing to walk between vehicles. Practicing how to buckle/unbuckle is also helpful.
- In order to keep the traffic flowing, we encourage you to give your goodbye hugs and kisses at home.
Minnesota Tax Benefits for Families, Renters, Homeowners, and Working Individuals
Please review this bulletin from the Minnesota Department of Revenue to learn how you may qualify for numerous tax benefits on your 2024 income tax returns. Important Tax Guide
Beginning during the 2023-24 school year, Hopkins Public Schools joined Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program. Under this program, all students can receive ONE breakfast and ONE lunch free of charge each day at school.
Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! Your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees at school. Your application may also help the school qualify for education funds, discounts, and other meal programs. You can complete the 2024-25 Free Meal Application for Educational Benefits form here.
Paper copies can be filled out and dropped off in the Meadowbrook office as well.
To Contact the Student Nutrition Office:
Email Nutrition@HopkinsSchools.org or call 952-988-4060
PTO Corner
Meadowbrook Carnival
We’ve filled about 30% of our volunteer slots for the Meadowbrook Carnival. This means we have 160 slots that need to be filled. We know we can rely on the incredible Meadowbrook community to help us reach our volunteer goal for the carnival! Many thanks to those of you who have already signed up. We are looking for 100+ more volunteers.
Ready to jump in and lend a helping hand? Sign up for your preferred time slot and activity today!
Wristbands are on sale now! Only kids participating in games and activities need a wristband.
Thank you to our 2024 Meadowbrook Carnival sponsors!
We’ll see you on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 3 - 6 pm!
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Angela Higgins & Amy Becklund
Meadowbrook Carnival Co-Chairs
Monthly Newsletter
Student Directory Update
In response to caregiver feedback that the online student directory was not serving the needs of our community, the directory was closed in June when the program was up for annual renewal.
This year, the PTO will be coordinating a directory for students within each classroom. If you would like your families' contact information to be shared with other students in your child's class, but you weren't able to attend Open House or missed the paper sign-up sheet? Don't worry, you'll have another opportunity at October conferences. After that, paper copies of the directory information will be sent home.
Restaurant Nights
- 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 did Meadowbrook family's contributions to Restaurant Nights make last year?Through June, 2024, we raised a whopping $4,801.06 for the Meadowbrook community (not including our June Nautical Bowls fundraiser)! From the Culver's event alone, our community received $2,500! As you can see, these events are of great benefit to the students and staff at Meadowbrook, and each time you dine to donate, it is greatly appreciated!
- Tuesdays at The Local: Tell your friends, tell your neighbors! This year Meadowbrook is partnering with the Local in the West End; every time you or someone you know dines or gets take-out at the Local, mention "Meadowbrook PTO" and a portion of the proceeds will be provided to the Meadowbrook! This is an on-going partnership, taking place every Tuesday!
- September Restaurant Night: Punch Pizza (5799 W 16th Street, St. Louis Park, MN)
- Date: Thursday, September 19th, 2024
- Time: 4:00pm – 8:30pm
- Meadowbrook PTO is organizing a fundraiser with Punch Pizza which will result in 20% of our proceeds going to the school.
- Place your dine-in or takeout order in-store or online – no code needed! Just be sure to MENTION that you are with Meadowbrook Elementary. The event will be a fun night for all at the West End Punch Pizza location. Students, parents and all those supporting us will enjoy an evening of delicious Neapolitan pizza!
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? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at MeadowbrookElementaryPTO@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram, or our PTO website.
District News
Hopkins Education Foundation News
Get your tickets now for Rock-n-Royal, Hopkins Education Foundation’s annual 21+ block party and school year kick-off event. Join us on September 7 from 6-10 p.m. at Downtown Park in Hopkins and listen to live music from Watson while celebrating Hopkins schools and supporting our grants that bring unique projects to our students.
Your $30 ticket includes food and drinks from Bear Cave Brewing, BLVD Kitchen & bar, Thumbs Up Jamaican Jerk, Pink Ivy Kitchen & Bar, Pub 819, and Unmapped Brewing Co. & The Vine Room. Plus, you have a chance to toss your way to becoming a cornhole master in our tournament. https://bit.ly/HEFRocknRoyal
Community Sponsored Activities
Girls on The Run
Attention all third, fourth and fifth graders! Do you like to run and be active? Do you like making new friends? Do you want to learn more about yourself and how to be a kinder person towards others? Then Girls on the Run is the right activity for you!
Girls on the Run will be starting the fall season Monday Sept. 9. The team will meet Monday and Wednesdays afterschool until 5:30. Registration is currently open!
Hope you'll consider joining in the fun!
Hopkins Boys Travel Basketball Registration Open (Grades 3-8)
Come be a part of the great Hopkins basketball tradition!
Visit www.hrbbabasketball.net for more information and to register for the 2024-2025 travel season. Open to all boys in the Hopkins district grades 3-8.
Important Calendar Dates
September 12: Fire Drill
September 18: Lockdown Drill
September 19: Restaurant Night - Punch Pizza 4:00pm-8:30pm
September 26: Picture Day
September 28: Meadowbrook Carnival 3:00-6:00pm
October 3: No School - Rosh Hashanah
October 8: Fire Drill
October 14: No School: Professional Learning
October 15-16: No School: Fall Conferences
October 17-18: No School: MEA
October 25: Fire Drill
Meadowbrook Elementary
Main Office Line: 952-988-5100
Attendance Line: 952-988-5110
https://meadowbrook.hopkinsschools.org/families/attendance
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