Meadowbrook News
January 20, 2023
From Mrs. Sawatzky
Good afternoon Meadowbrook,
I am excited and proud to share that 5th grade student, Sam
Schwartzentruber was named as one of the winners of the Golden Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Human Rights contest!
Inclusion, equality, and, justice were the themes for the contest, which was open to students in grades Pre-K-12 who live in Golden Valley, attend a school in Golden Valley, or attend a Robbinsdale District or Hopkins District school. Quotes from Dr. King and the over-arching themes were provided as a starting point for youth participating in the contest. Sam wrote and submitted the poem below, titled: Love is the only thing holding us together. Once again, I am reminded by Sam's words that our future is in good hands. Congratulations, Sam!
Below are pictures from 3rd grade's visit with Chameleon Concessions as part of their taco truck unit. Students learned how they build food trucks to meet their customer's needs. Students also received a small squishy food truck to decorate, similar to what Chameleon Concessions does when they design the truck wraps!
Lastly, don't forget there is no school next Friday, January 27 due to Grading Day. Staff will be working on students' report cards, which will be sent home on February 3rd.
In partnership,
Natalie
Love is the only thing holding us together
by Sam Schwartzentruber
Why do we love
Why do we hate
Why do we include
When others negate
Why do we bully
Why are we mean
Why do we do this It isn’t serene
Why do we welcome
Why do we not
Why do we do some things that others cannot
Why do we stand there and wait
Why don’t we stand up
Don’t wait!
Don’t wait until it’s over
Stand up!
Act!
If we want bullying and racism to end
Act!
For even the meanest of bullies have an opening
Only to be found by the warmest of love
As warm as fire pit burning amongst the evening stars
As warm as a beautiful geyser erupting from the lake of warm water
As the love pierces through the bad it opens up more good
The more the love
The stronger it grows
The warmer the love
The faster it goes
Soon the enemy becomes a friend
And boom you’ve done it
You have a new friend
For if I were to write a letter to love
I would know exactly what I would say
Dear love:
You are what brings peace to the world
You are what makes this world so brilliant
Out of everything you stand out the most
I hope someday that bullying and racism can be stopped
Permanently
6th Grade End of Year Celebration Planning
Thanks to everyone who has already expressed an interest and/or offered to help with the planning for the 6th grade celebration! We have been able to fill some committee spots and have heard a lot of great suggestions. If you are interested in helping or learning more, please visit our website, https://mbgrads2029.weebly.com, for more information. We cannot do it all without your help. Please consider joining a committee, volunteering on the day of or providing a donation for the students.
Additionally, we are looking to put together a slide show featuring all the kids of this class for their graduation party. In order to make that happen, we need your help. All you have to do is find two pictures of your child from their time at Meadowbrook that you want in the slide show, you can go to the link below to find out more information and where to upload them. Thanks so much. https://mbgrads2029.weebly.com/slideshow.html
School Start Time Information for 2023-24
As we continue to prepare for the 6th and 9th-grade transition, we have a few important updates regarding transportation and its impact on school start times. In our last communication, we shared the 2023-24 calendar, which has been adopted by our School Board. We are now able to provide the anticipated start times for our elementary schools, middle schools, and high school. Please note, we will be moving forward with a three-tier bussing schedule, which impacts start and end times. Read about anticipated start times here.
HEF’s Royal Bash 2023
HEF’s Getaway Raffle - Royal Bash 2023
Dreaming of a sandy beach or skiing in Colorado? Don’t miss your chance to win HEF’s Getaway Raffle at this year’s Bash! Raffle tickets are now available for purchase but won’t last long. The winner will choose their destination with a Create Your Own Adventure package! Only 100 raffle tickets will be sold so hurry and get yours before they’re gone!
One winner chosen at the Royal Bash will receive:
$800 travel voucher
2 nights or 80,000 points at any Marriott PLUS
and a $1000 Visa gift card*
Don’t delay…Call the HEF office to get your raffle ticket(s)!
Cash, check and debit card payments only. $100 each.
HEF’s Royal Bash – Adventure Awaits! is set for Feb 25th @ 6pm! For more info and to get Bash tickets visit https://bit.ly/HEFBash23
We can’t wait to see you there!
Get Tickets and more info: HopkinsEducationFoundation.org
Glen Lake takes another giant leap forward toward accessibility!
Last week, scholars of Glen Lake Elementary surpassed their goal of raising $300,000 for a new and more inclusive playground. After a generous donation of $200,000, the school is still looking ahead to further fundraising in order to make the entire playground accessible.
To view more coverage of the event, you can watch and read these great news stories by CBS Minnesota and KARE 11. To donate or read more information, please visit the Glen Lake PTO website.
Mathematics in Hopkins
Think back to when you were in math class. How did you feel? This question often elicits strong feelings one way or another. Do you tend toward “I loved it” or “I loathed it”? In Hopkins, we strive to cultivate critical thinkers who are empathetic, confident, curious, and empowered in math.
Last year, Hopkins launched an E-12+ Math Committee with representatives from all schools. The goals of this committee are to: align math teaching with best practices, deepen and strengthen personalization in mathematics, and develop math teacher leaders across our system. We want students to have a positive association with mathematics as a result of their experiences in our schools!
Hopkins High School Student Tour Video
Welcome to Hopkins High School! Explore the school via this personal at-a-glance tour hosted by senior scholar and Student Board representative Isabella. In Hopkins, we offer opportunities for every student to discover their talents, develop their strengths, and find their purpose. Let’s find yours! You can request a full in-person tour of the high school here: www.hopkinsschools.org/tour
eLearning & Equitable Internet Access
Yearbooks
Hopkins Fastpitch Softball
Registration is now open for Winter clinics and Summer Ball for Hopkins Girls Softball. Hopkins Fastpitch strives to provide a positive, competitive experience for players of all abilities, with emphasis on teaching the fundamentals of the game. We serve all levels starting at T-Ball through Kid Pitch. Sportsmanship, teamwork, and skill development are stressed. Hopkins Fastpitch is a parent and volunteer organization committed to building an appreciation for softball through parental involvement and quality coaching.
Hopkins Ultimate
Registration is currently open and includes both the winter training/practices as well as the spring season. For more information about our league, schedules, or to register, please visit our website hopkinsultimate.com or reach out to Camie Mayer - Hopkins Ultimate Recruitment at camiermayer@gmail.com.
Metro Transit Assistance Program
The Transit Assistance Program (TAP) is designed to make public transit more affordable for residents of lower income. TAP provides a reduced fare pass on a Go-To Card and allows customers to use a bus or train for just $1 per ride — even during rush hour — with a 2.5 hour transfer. Signing up can be done in-person at a Transit Facility location or through the link below. Visit https://www.metrotransit.org/tap-riders for more information!
Supporting Gender Expansive Kids Parent and Caregiver Group
Are you the parent or caregiver of a child who transcends traditional binary gender roles? Hopkins Schools offers a supportive, ongoing group for parents and caregivers to ask questions, share ideas, and support one another. Click here for more information.
Meadowbrook PTO
Please visit our website for all things PTO!
Giveaway!
If you have volunteered with the PTO in ANY capacity in the past year, please use the link below to register for a drawing for 2 tickets to the Hopkins Education Foundation Royal Bash. This is an awesome opportunity to connect with the larger Hopkins Schools community and learn about the amazing things being funded by HEF. The Royal Bash is on February 25th. Find out more about the foundation and the bash via their website (https://hopkinseducationfoundation.org/).
If you are interested in the tickets, please use the link below to enter your name in our drawing. We will announce the winner during our February 2nd PTO meeting.
https://forms.gle/TW3497e4pMWut3y97
Restaurant Night
Thursday, Feb 16, 11am - 8pm
LeeAnn Chin in Golden Valley
- 7650 Olson Memorial Highway, GV, 55422
- LeAnn Chin will donate 20% to Meadowbrook PTO
- Must show flyer or digital image of the flyer (below)
Volunteer
If you would like to be a room parent in your child’s class or help in a variety of other ways this school year, let us know! Complete the volunteer interest form here: https://forms.gle/AZiPf7kamK6Z317Q7
Online Directory
To connect with other families at Meadowbrook, please register with our Meadowbrook Online Directory. *Please note this is different from the forms you completed for your teachers! This directory will allow you to search for other MB families, and for others to find your information if you choose.
Any questions? Reach out to us at meadowbrookelementarypto@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook , Twitter, Instragram, or our PTO website
Important Calendar Dates
January 24: 5th Grade Band Concert 7:00pm
January 27: No School - Grading Day
February 20: No School - Professional Learning Day for Staff
Lost & Found
Meadowbrook Elementary
Main Office Line: 952-988-5100
Attendance Line: 952-988-5110
https://meadowbrook.hopkinsschools.org/families/attendance
Online Student Directory: www.meadowbrookpto.ptoffice.com
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