Meadowbrook Star News

There are still two opportunities left in our Family Engagement Series. Dr. Hiltz and Dr. Meek will be facilitating learning on the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt on January 22, 6:00-7:00 @ NBJH. If you haven't signed up yet, please do so by RSVPing here.

This is an enlightening text to read on your own, if you're not able to attend. Please see this flyer for additional information.

Our winter assessment window opens on January 21st. Students in grades 2-5 will take the NWEA MAP assessments--see dates below for each grade.

MAP Schedule:

2nd grade math--1/22

2nd grade reading- 1/30

3rd grade math--1/22 (Butler/Tampier, Barus), 1/23 (Tompkins, McElvain), 1/24 (Macaione)

3rd grade reading--1/29 (Butler/Tampier), 1/20 (Barus, Tompkins, McElvain). 1/30 (Macaione)

4th grade math--1/21 (Yanai), 1/22(Mann, Wetter, Robison)

4th grade reading--1/29(Yanai, Wetter), 1/31 (Robison)

5th grade math--1/23

5th grade reading--1/28

Online registration for children who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2025 will be held February 3, 2025-February 10, 2025.

Parents can prepare for online registration by downloading and completing the registration forms listed on the Kindergarten Registration webpage. If you are unsure which school your children will attend, review the the district boundary map.

Please visit the Kindergarten Registration webpage for more information.

If your child is not currently placed in advanced math and you wish to request a math placement review, a parent nomination form must be completed and returned to the building GT services coordinator by Monday, January 13, 2025.

Please visit our website for additional information on the district’s Gifted and Talented Services and District Assessments.

If you have a child in grade 3 or grade 5, you should have received an email on November 18th with information on placement review. For grade 5, this includes a review of all students for math placement in the winter and spring of their 5th-grade year. This process determines placement for 6th grade into one of three math courses: Grade 6, Accelerated 6, or Pre-Algebra 6.

We are getting excited about our visiting author, Matt Eicheldinger! His first book, Matt Sprouts and The Curse of the Ten Broken Toes is on the Emerald Gem list. Our Librarian, Mrs. Benz has been talking to the students about him during library and literacy times.

He will be here live and in person on Tuesday, January 14th.

Mark your calendars for a night of fun and excitement! Join us for Family Bingo Night on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Bring the whole family for games, prizes, and plenty of laughs. Stay tuned for more details—we can't wait to see you there!

• Order Pizza Day lunch now!

• Marla’s Lunch Winter Menu is LIVE! Lunch service will begin January 6, 2025. The ordering deadline for the first week of school is January 1, 2025. Order Marla’s Lunch now!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the Meadowbrook staff gift pool! Your generosity allowed us to show our amazing school staff just how much they mean to our community. We couldn’t have done it without your support—thank you for making this possible!

As this school year approaches its second half, we are already planning for the next, and we need your help! Many of our current PTO Executive Team members are retiring from their roles or moving on to Northbrook Junior High. This creates a wonderful opportunity for new voices and fresh perspectives to step up and shape the PTO for the 2025-2026 school year.

Why join the PTO Executive Team?

• Make a Difference: Your involvement directly impacts our students, teachers, and school community.

• Meet Other Parents: Build meaningful connections with other families.

• Leave Your Mark: Bring your ideas and energy to continue our school’s traditions and create new ones.

Whether you're great at organizing events, managing budgets, or simply passionate about supporting our school, there's a role for you. We’ll guide and support you as you step into a leadership position.

To learn more about each role, read our PTO ByLaws.

Open Positions:
President, VP of Administration, Treasurer, Media Relations Manager, VP of Room Parents, Recording Officer, and a co-Website Manager

Interested or have questions?
Email us at d28.meadowbrookpto@gmail.com or join us for our next meeting on January 8, 2025 to learn more about how you can get involved.

Together, we can keep our PTO strong and vibrant for years to come!

📰January PTO Newsletter

Check your inbox - The January PTO newsletter will be sent out on Monday, the 13th.

Stay connected with us on Facebook - MeadowbrookPTODistrict28

Interim Principals Dr. Wennstrom and Ms. Banas met with the PTO on Wednesday,

Please join us for our second Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting this school year on Thursday, February 6, 2025! The meeting will take place at the District Office, located at 1475 Maple Avenue, in the HOH room, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Please complete this brief survey by Monday, February 3.

January 14

• Author Visit Grades 3-5- Matthew Eicheldinger

January 17

• Half Day- Noon Dismissal

January 20

• No School- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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.

Northbrook Park District annual Summer Camp Open House will be held on Thursday, January 16 from 5:30-7:00pm at Techny Prairie Activity Center. More information

Discover how to stand strong against peer pressure, set awesome goals and make dreams come true in a series of classes for students in grades kindergarten through 5th grade at North Suburban YMCA.

Dream Big, Stand Strong will meet 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursdays from Jan. 9 - March 20.

The District 27 PTA is excited to invite the Northbrook community to its annual Wellness Fair! With over 25 vendors and school-sponsored activities on site, you’ll have the opportunity to learn, engage, and access valuable resources to support your family’s well-being. Parents and kids are welcome!

Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Date: Saturday, February 22 Location: Wood Oaks Junior High, 1250 Sanders Road, Northbrook

Why Attend?

◦ Discover Resources: Gain access to a wide range of mental health and wellness resources tailored for both parents and children - from anxiety to ADHD to mindfulness and much more!

◦ Interactive Learning: Participate in engaging activities and workshops designed to educate and empower families.

◦ Community Connection: Meet and connect with other families in our community, fostering a supportive network.

◦ Expert Advice: Speak directly with professionals and experts in the field of mental health and wellness.

◦ Plus, Raffle prizes, swag & snacks!

Come and get ideas to support your school community and help you partner with your child’s teacher. In this presentation, participants will learn about recent research on inclusive classrooms and be introduced to related supports, tools, and practices. Video clips, stories, and classroom examples will be used to answer questions such as “What is inclusion?”; "How does inclusion benefit all?"; and “How can I support my child’s inclusive education experience?”

Please Note: This is an in-person event!

Register here