NBJH Weekly Update 3/7/25

Hi folks,

Happy Friday everyone! I write to you today with a big smile on my face, largely because this was a week that highlighted arguably the best thing about NBJH -- our students! If you don't mind, let me walk you through a few of my experiences this week:

• On Monday, I met with two 7th grade students and our superintendent, Dr. Pearson, to discuss a project they had been working on for their Journalism class. The students had reached out to me previously about our school schedule and the possibility of an early release or late arrival, so we arranged a meeting with Dr. Pearson so students could share their ideas and also listen to perspectives from a district administrator. Brielle and Olivia were so impressive!
• After school on Tuesday I went up to the library to prepare for a Wednesday morning staff meeting. (It takes a little rearranging to prepare for a 70-person meeting.) I asked one 6th grade student who was attending after school study hall if he would help me move furniture around, and within ten minutes we had moved 20 desks and 20 chairs from the fiction room over to the main part of the LRC. Jacob sure earned his Trojan Ticket that day!
• Wednesday morning I received an email that one of our students who plays for the AAA Girls Windy City Storm hockey team won the State championship. Way to go, Alison!
• Yesterday we had our Class of 2025 students take their 8th grade graduation pictures. It's a day that warms my heart each year. There's just something about seeing them dressed up and putting on the blue graduation gown. I can't help but think back to when they entered the building as 6th graders and look at how much they have grown over the past 2.5 years. Wow.
• At this morning's PTO meeting, two of our 7th graders -- also in Journalism class -- presented to the Exec Board their idea of re-opening the School Store during lunches in the cafeteria. Emma and Lila were just too convincing...so we're looking to open the School Store once again!
• Finally, as I will mention later in the newsletter, this weekend include several opportunities for students to showcase their talents. We have students competing in the State Wrestling tournament, the State MathCounts competition, and the Regional Science Fair. We hope all of our students enjoy these special events and make the most of these opportunities.

Enjoy the weekend everyone. Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead Sunday morning. Although we lose an hour of sleep, we can look forward to additional daylight in the evenings!

Scott

• Thank you to our parent volunteers who assisted with yesterday's 8th grade graduation pictures. Rebecca B, Ashley, D, Jodi L, Lisa R, Sona Y -- thank you so much for your time and ensuring the process ran so smoothly!
• Good luck to Lucas G and Ilia K as they travel with Coach DeMattia and two other Maple wrestlers to the State competition in DeKalb today and tomorrow. We know they will make us proud!
• Good luck to our math team who is participating in the MathCounts State competition in Oswego tomorrow. Our 4-person team includes: Patrick L, Matt R, Deven S, and Eduard V. Wishing the team and Coach Heller all the best!
• A shout out goes to our NBJH families who quickly responded to Terry Ryan's message this week and took the time to complete the 5Essentials survey. We are so grateful for the feedback you provided and look forward to the report we will receive at the end of the school year. The survey remains open through spring break for those who would like to complete it.

The District will send home individual MAP reports to families at the end of the school day today. If you do not receive an email with your child's report this weekend, please reach out to us on Monday so we can follow up.

As spring approaches, it's not too soon to begin thinking about the outdoors. And what better way to spend the day outdoors than to hang out with your classmates at Six Flags? The annual Physics Day trip to Six Flags Great America is on Thursday, April 24. For important information about the trip, please read the Physics Day Parent Letter 2025. Registration opens Monday and is only open for one week as we need to purchase tickets in advance.

NBJH students will take the IAR tests during the mornings of April 7-10. There are two ELA subtests and three Math subtests. We will run special schedules on the four testing days; here is a preview of the IAR 2025 Testing Schedule.

We ask families to refrain from scheduling appointments on testing days. Absent students will complete make-up testing during the school day the following week.

• On April 1, Northbrook District 28 will ask voters to consider a bond referendum that will fund comprehensive updates to all D28 schools. Our buildings are 60 to 75 years old and they are showing their age. The building plan will update safety and security, make schools more accessible and ensure our classrooms are equipped to support today’s best practices in curriculum and instruction.
  

  Community Open Houses

  Attend one of our community open houses at Northbrook United Methodist Church, 1190 Western Ave, to learn more about our building improvement plans and ask questions.

  • 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 11
  • 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 18
    
    

  Virtual Information Session

  • Noon, Thursday, March 20
    RSVP to get the ZOOM link

  Learn more at northbook28.net/referendum where you can find updates:

  • Check out our Frequently Asked Questions gathered from school presentations

  • See detailed lists of building improvements by school

NBJH students will have Northbrook thinking pink when they present their production of Legally Blonde JR. March 12-15. The fun and upbeat musical follows the adventures of sorority girl Elle Woods who tries to win her ex-boyfriend back by earning a Harvard law degree. Once at school, she is challenged by her peers, professors and her ex, but with the help of some new friends, Elle realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.

Performance times:

• 7 p.m. Wednesday March 12 (Blue Cast)
• 7 p.m. Thursday March 13 (Blue Cast)
• 7 p.m. Friday March 14 (White Cast)
• 2 p.m. Saturday March 15 (White Cast)

All performances will be held in the small gym at Northbrook Junior High School. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the D28 payment portal or at the door for $8.

View the Cast List

Summer Enrichment courses are now available on our website.

Summer Enrichment and Extended School Year session will be held Thursday, June 5 - Friday, June 27 (No Summer Enrichment/ESY on Thursday, June 19, to observe the national holiday Juneteenth.)

Students in incoming grades 1-4 will attend at Westmoor School and incoming grades 5-8 will attend at Northbrook Junior High.

Registration for District 28 students opens on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 7 p.m. and closes on Friday, April 11, 2025.

A Safe Haven is a community organization that serves people suffering from social and economic challenges. Their mission is to restore hope and opportunity to individuals in crisis by providing treatment, housing, support services, and career pathways. A Safe Haven offers phased housing which consists of access to transitional, recovery homes, supportive, affordable, senior, and veteran housing. They provide adult residents and their children access to an assigned individual case manager to manage assessment and coordinated services. At A Safe Haven, they offer comprehensive behavioral health services for a wide range of conditions, whether you’re seeking support for substance use or other behavioral health challenges.

This Week...

03/10 - B Day

• Trimester 3 Begins

03/11 - A Day

• Referendum Community Open House @ Northbrook United Methodist Church 2:00-3:00p.m.
• School Board meeting 7:00 p.m.

03/12 - B Day

• Music Parents Club Meeting - H.O.H. Community Room - 12 Noon
• Northbrook Jr. High Musical - JH Gym - 7:00 p.m.

03/13 - A Day

• Northbrook Jr. High Musical - JH Gym - 7:00 p.m.

03/14 - B Day

• Northbrook Jr. High Musical - JH Gym - 7:00 p.m.

03/15

• Northbrook Jr. High Musical - JH Gym - 2:00 p.m.

Looking Ahead...

3/17 - A Day - Happy St. Patrick's Day

• Junior Band, Concert Band, Jazz Factory Concert - 7:00 p.m.

3/18 - B Day

• Referendum Community Open House @ Northbrook United Methodist Church on Western Ave. - 7:00 p.m.

3/19 - A Day

3/20 - B Day

3/21 - A Day

• Report Cards Released

Spring Break

3/24 - 3/28

3/10

• 6th Grade Boys' Volleyball NBJH vs. Gemini - 4:30 p.m.

3/11

• 6th Grade Boys' Volleyball NBJH vs. Maple - 4:30 p.m.

3/12

• Boys' Volleyball NBJH at Field - (7/8) - 4:30 p.m

3/13

• Boys' Volleyball NBJH vs. Springman - (8/7) - 4:30 p.m.

3/14

• Boys' Volleyball NBJH vs. Shepard - (7/8) - 4:30 p.m.

3/17

• Boys' Volleyball NBJH at Wood Oaks - 4:30 p.m.

District 28 invites local non-profit organizations and community government agencies to promote events for families and children. Each week, some event are highlighted in the newsletter. View the complete list of events on the Virtual Backpack web page. To submit an event, please email the web-friendly flier to Terry Ryan, Communications Director. All fliers are subject to approval.

What: My Kid's Been Ghosted! (a Lunch and Learn Event)

When: Tuesday, March 11, from noon to 1 p.m.

Where: via Zoom

How can you support your child when they face social setbacks, like being excluded from a lunch table or group chat? Join us for a Lunch & Learn focused on empowering parents to guide their kids through these tough moments with confidence and purpose. We’ll explore how values can serve as an anchor for approaching your child with empathy and fostering resiliency. Practical tools for managing the thoughts and feelings that can arise when kids are experiencing difficult social situations will also be discussed. Ashley Leja, PhD will be the featured speaker.

Register here

Oakton Community College is offering 23 affordable, fun, and educational STEAM programs offered in a college setting for ages 8 to 14. Visit Oakton College Summer STEAM Youth Camp Course information and Registration Links

Join the Northbrook Park District for the Boys Lacrosse League for the spring season. The league welcomes all levels of players.

Teams will participate and play in the Illinois Boys Lacrosse

Association (IBLA) league and instruction is provided by Glenbrook North Coaches. Practices are on Mondays and Wednesdays with games on the weekends. League begins March 17.

Register at nbparks.org

Registration is now open for Northbrook Baseball's 2025 Spring House League Season. All 3rd - 8th graders are encouraged to participate in the program, regardless of skill level or experience.

Registration Link

Registration will close in mid-February.

Dr. Scott Meek Ed.D.

NBJH Principal