Meadowbrook News

August 23, 2024

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A stylized H with a gold star above the word Meadowbrook

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From Principal Natalie

Greetings Meadowbrook!

Our week started by welcoming our 'New to Meadowbrook' staff. Along with many classroom supplies, they brought their positivity and excitement; and it is contagious! We are so lucky to have this skilled group of professionals join our community. I just know you are going to love them! On Friday all staff returned for professional learning and beginning of the year preparations. It feels so good to be back in community together!

Next week brings some exciting events! Your child’s teacher will be reaching out to connect with you, and we’re also looking forward to our Kindergarten Playground Night on 8/27 and Open House on 8/29.

This year, we’re excited to welcome around 30 new families with students in 1st through 5th grade! To help you get started, we invite you to our New Family Orientation on Thursday, August 29th, at 4:30 PM in the cafeteria. We look forward to meeting you and sharing everything you need to know as you join our school community.

I can't wait to see you next week!

In partnership,

Natalie

Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, August 27: Kindergarten Playground Night, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

August 29: Open House, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

In order to address parking and traffic flow, we suggest that families with last names beginning with A-M come from 5:00 pm-6:00 pm and families with last names beginning with N-Z come from 6:00 pm-7:00 pm.
Families who are new to Meadowbrook with 1st-5th grade students are welcome to attend our New Family Orientation at 4:30 pm. We will meet in the Cafeteria.
During open house, you can meet with your child's teacher, get acquainted with the classrooms, and are welcome to bring in your school supplies.

September 3: 1st Day of School for 1st-5th Grade and Visiting Day for Kindergarten

September 4: 1st Day of School for Kindergarten

New Staff at Meadowbrook

Jeff Shepherd - 1st Grade

Suleqa Wayso - 1st Grade

Maya Ziegler - 1st Grade

Aimee Kotten - Special Education

Troy Windler - Special Education

Mikayla Wandersee - Occupational Therapist

Jennie Dugan - Social Work

Aurora Martin - Building Substitute

Katherine Jani - Special Education

Have You Moved?

If your family has moved over the summer, please make sure our office has your most current address. Use this link to update your information.

Meadowbrook Back to School Hub

From Nurse Karen

Hello From the Health Office!

In preparation for the upcoming school year, a few reminders about medications:

If a student requires the use of medication during the school day, those medications need to be brought to the Health Office. It is district policy that elementary students cannot possess medications on their person, and all medications are to be stored in the Health Office.

Medications require a current document from the child's physician within the past year to be eligible for distribution during the school year.

The medication must be in the original pharmacy container with the medication clearly labeled.

Caregivers need to fill out a Medication Administration form (these can be obtained in the Health Office).

All emergency action medications (asthma, allergy, anaphylaxis) need a current signed allergy/asthma action plan signed by their health care team. We do not have "stock" emergency medications in the health office (this includes Benadryl).

Now is also a good time to see that your child is fully vaccinated for the school year. Minnesota state law requires all students attending educational settings to be fully vaccinated for common childhood illnesses. The latest Minnesota Department of Health Vaccination Information sheet is linked below.

Please call or email me with any questions or concerns beginning August 23rd. I also will be at Open House on August 29th. If your child's medical condition requires more specific dialog, please reach out so we can arrange a meeting prior to the first day of school. My hours this school year will be 9AM to 4PM Monday through Friday.

Minnesota K-12 Immunization Law

School Tool Box - School Supplies

There are two ways for you to purchase school supplies for the upcoming school year.

1. You can review the list linked here and purchase them at a store of your choice.

2. The online store is open for parents to purchase school supplies for the 2024-2025 school year. Visit www.schooltoolbox.com to place your order and make sure to choose Meadowbrook Elementary Golden Valley, MN for the school. 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!

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

We will be collecting non-perishable, pre-packaged items to stock the staff lounge for the first week of school! Donations will also be used for Staff Appreciation events held monthly throughout the school year. Please bring any donations to the PTO table at Open House - near the Media Center. Examples of requested items:

K cups (coffee, tea, hot cocoa)
Bottles/cans of sparkling water, juice, etc.
Individually wrapped snacks (granola bars, cookies, chips, popcorn, etc.)
Instant oatmeal
Ramen and other instant lunches
Hand soap, hand lotion, and hand sanitizer (regular size, for use in the staff lounge)
Dishwasher detergent and dish soap (for use in the staff lounge)
Disinfecting wipes

Meadowbrook Carnival

Volunteers & Sponsors Needed for the Meadowbrook Carnival on Sept. 28!

We need your help to pull off Meadowbrook’s annual fall carnival on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 3-6 p.m. This is a time to have FUN, connect with the Meadowbrook community, and raise funds for our school PTO.

We need nearly 150 volunteers for this great event, so please plan to volunteer for a portion of the day. Kids are welcome to join you for volunteering! Sign up to volunteer NOW.

Are you a local business or community group? We still have sponsorships available! Message meadowbrookcarnival@gmail.com for more information.

We can't wait to see you at the carnival!

--

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. Look for a paper sign-up sheet in your child's classroom at Open House and add your families' contact information, if you would like it to be shared with other students in your child's class. A copy of your child's classroom directory will be sent home in September.

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!

How to Help The PTO

Volunteer with us! Click here to learn about our many volunteer opportunities. There is something for everyone!
Visit the PTO website, MeadowbrookPTO.weebly.com for info on all things PTO: who we are, what we do and ways you can get involved.
Sign up for the PTO’s monthly newsletter to stay in-the-know on all PTO events, activities and opportunities. Sign up here!

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.

Hopkins News

2024-25 District Calendar

Hopkins Education Foundation News

Hopkins Education Foundation hopes you all have a wonderful summer. We look forward to connecting with you again on September 7, 2024, for our annual 21+ block party, Rock-n-Royal. If you want to help us at our events or in our office next year, please sign up as a Hopkins Education Foundation volunteer.