From Principal Natalie
Greetings Meadowbrook!
It was wonderful to meet so many of you at our Open House; we are so excited for the first day of school! As a reminder, students in grades 1-5 will begin on Tuesday, September 2, and our Kindergarten students will start on Wednesday, September 3. Our team is ready to welcome your children back for another year of learning, growth, and connection.
This week's newsletter focuses on an essential aspect of our approach to education at Meadowbrook - our Progressive Response to Student Behavior. We believe in fostering a positive and productive learning environment for all students. To achieve this, we have established a comprehensive, progressive response to student behavior that aims to address and support students when their behavior may impede their own learning or the learning of others.
What is a Progressive Response to Behavior?
A Progressive Response to Behavior is a structured approach that helps us manage and respond to student behavior in a way that is supportive, fair, and consistent. Our goal is to understand the root causes of behavior and work collaboratively with students, families, and staff to promote positive changes.
Our Process:
- Observation and Documentation:
- Teachers and staff observe and document behaviors that may be disruptive to the learning environment.
- We collect detailed information to understand the context and triggers of the behavior.
- Initial Intervention:
- Staff members may use in-class strategies to redirect and support the student.
- Positive reinforcement and restorative practices are emphasized to encourage better behavior choices.
- We may also utilize out of class strategies to support the student, if the behavior causes a significant disruption or safety concern.
- Communication:
- We believe in open communication with caregivers. If a behavior persists, we will reach out to discuss our observations and collaborate on strategies to support the student.
- Caregivers are encouraged to share insights that might help us understand and address the behavior effectively.
- Individualized Support:
- For ongoing or severe behaviors, we may develop an individualized support plan.
- This plan might include additional resources such as counseling, behavioral interventions, or adjustments to the learning environment.
- Restorative Practices:
- We integrate restorative justice practices to help students understand the impact of their behavior, take responsibility, and make amends.
- These practices are designed to repair relationships and build a stronger, more empathetic community.
- Review and Adjustment:
- We regularly review and adjust our strategies based on the student’s progress.
- Our team remains flexible and committed to finding the most effective approaches to support each student’s success.
- In the images below, you can see how the adult response will progress if the student behavior persists.
Why This Matters:
We recognize that every student is unique and that behavior is a form of communication. By addressing behavior thoughtfully and proactively, we aim to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
Thank you for your partnership and support as we work together to ensure the best outcomes for all our students. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
In partnership,
Natalie
New Family Information
To all of our new families - WELCOME! It was fun meeting so many of you at our open house. As promised, I am including a link to the slides from the New Family Orientation here. Also, the contact information for staff present at the meeting are below:
- Natalie Sawatzky, Principal
- natalie.sawatzky@hopkinsschools.org
- 952-988-5101
- Trenton Lawson, Associate Principal
- trenton.lawson@hopkinsschools.org
- 952-988-5105
- Nicole Sobanski, School Counselor (Kindergarten)
- nicole.sobanski@hopkinsschools.org
- 952-988-4443
- Alex Wyss, School Counselor (1st-2nd Grade)
- alexandra.wyss@hopkinsschools.org
- 952-988-4818
- Julie DeGroot, School Counselor (3rd-4th Grade)
- julie.degroot@hopkinsschools.org
- 952-988-5113
- Suzanne Pakenham, Student Success Advocate (5th Grade)
- suzanne.pakenham@hopkinsschools.org
- 952-988-5099
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.
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.
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
Meadowbrook Carnival
Join the Fun on September 28 at the Meadowbrook Carnival! The first day of school is just around the corner. Make your Meadowbrook Carnival plans now! It's a great way to start the year off right.
Just Two Steps To Carnival Fun
- Buy wristbands for your students - Wristbands are on sale now. Get an afternoon of unlimited games, treats and fun for $15. Caregivers do not need wristbands!
- Select your volunteer slot - if you plan on attending the Carnival, plan on signing up for a volunteer spot. We need everyone to make this event a success! Kids can join you for many of the volunteer opportunities.
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. 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? Reach out to your child's teacher to let them know you would like your contact info added to the directory. 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!
- 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? Reach out to us at meadowbrookelementarypto@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook , Twitter, Instragram, or our PTO website
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.
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!
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