NBJH Weekly Update 5/9/25

Hi folks,

We can't say thanks enough for how much our families contributed to our Staff Appreciation Week celebration. Whether you dropped off drinks, ordered in lunch, or helped stuff 'goodie bags', we are grateful for your time and effort. Our fabulous PTO is bringing in lunch today to cap the week off right. Today was a week to say thank you to our staff for all they do on behalf of our students. In return, we say thank you to our families for their continued support.

This morning was special as we were able to acknowledge some of our soon-to-be-retiring colleagues. Mr. David Carr was recognized as part of an energetic morning car line. David has been such an integral part of our custodial staff for the past three decades, and we are happy to honor him as his retirement draws near. Truly one of the best human beings you will ever encounter. Thanks for the cards, the honks, and the well wishes!

We were also able to honor Mrs. Sharon Gail at the end of our morning music assembly. Mrs. Gail is also retiring at the end of June after 41 years of service in District 28. Our instrumental music groups led the entire school in singing a very special song to her. Nobody has done more for this school and this district over the past four decades. We have been blessed by her presence, and we are forever indebted to her for all she has done to make NBJH such a special place.

Next week's highlights include MAP testing for 6th and 7th graders, the NBJH Art Show, the final choir concert of the year, and the NBJH Book Awards Cupcake Voting. Should be another fun week at NBJH!

Enjoy the weekend. We wish all of our NBJH moms a very Happy Mother's Day. We truly appreciate all that you do for your families and our community!

Take care,

Scott

Last month's award recipients include: Avi B, Marin B, Brady F, Ananya K, Nzaima O, Skylar S, Kai T, and staff members Mrs. Dazzo and Mrs. Heller. Congratulations to all of our April Trojans of the Month!

Northbrook Junior High students shine at the Illinois Junior Academy of Science State Fair! 🌟 23 students presented their projects and came back with 22 GOLD and 1 SILVER award. Talia Nayman won an Exceptional Project in Category Award for her research on sunscreen. Five students also received the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Award. We're incredibly proud of their hard work! Learn more about the program on our website news blog.

Our 6th and 7th graders will take the spring MAP tests on Tuesday (reading) and Wednesday (math). Testing will begin promptly at 8:35am; students should bring water, a reading book, and a fully charged iPad. Our 8th graders will participate in grade level activities with their teachers during the morning testing session. All students will follow a shortened schedule when testing ends at approximately 10:30.

There is still time to register your 8th grader for the pool party/picnic. If your child plans to attend, please register on the District 28 Webstore NBJH 8th Grade Picnic Page by Tuesday, May 13. No late orders will be accepted as we need to submit final numbers to the food vendors and the NB Park District.

Please take a few moments to respond to our parent communication survey. We want your feedback so we can best serve your needs. Our strategic plan includes a goal to create a supportive ecosystem for families that contributes to learner success. One of the strategies for that goal is to enhance two-way communication. Please help us by providing valuable feedback to help us evaluate what’s effective and where we can improve.

• School Supplies: Avoid the stores and get all your school supply shopping for next year done online. EPI school supply packs contain all of the top brands, and it also serves as a fundraiser for our PTO. Each pack comes with a set of headphones that connects directly into your student's school iPad port. Order now with our School ID of NOR623 at https://www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks/

• Parent Input Form: Please feel free to fill out this Parent Input Letter 2025 and submit it to Scott Meek (smeek@northbrook28.net) on or before May 16, 2025. We ask that you please adhere to the guidelines outlined on the form.

Registration for the 2025-26 school year is open. All families will receive an email from Powerschool (noreplyenrollment@powerschool.com) with the SnapCode necessary to register. You can review procedures, student fees and important back-to-school dates on our Student Registration webpage.

Peer Mentors lunched and played a series of Field Day games with special needs students during the Unified Games Field Day on Thursday. The wind was brisk but spirits were high as the students and staff worked together to play the bean bag slingshot game, parachute games, tug-of-war and a bouncy house. Thanks to all the student mentor volunteers and staff who participated and teachers Wendy Concklin and Matt Walz for organizing this special day. NBJH is proud to be a Unified Champion School by organizing events throughout the year.

This Week....

05/12 - A Day

• NBJH Choir Tour of Schools

05/13 - B Day

• MAP Testing for 6th/7th grade - Reading - 8:35 a.m.
• NBJH Art Show @ JH - 4:30-6:00 p.m.

05/14 - A Day

• MAP Testing for 6th/7th grade - Math - 8:35 a.m.
• Music Parents Meeting - H.O.H. Community Room - 12 p.m.
• 6th Grade Chorus and Concert Choir Concert - JH Large Gym - 7:00 p.m.

05/15 - B Day

05/16 - A Day

Looking Ahead....

05/19 - B Day

• 7th Grade Field Trip to Cantigny

05/20 - A Day

05/21 - B Day

05/22 - A Day

• Starfish Presentation - 1:15 p.m.

05/23 - B Day

• Talent Show - 8:45 a.m.

05/12

• Girls Conference Track Meet at Attea Middle School - 4:30 p.m.

05/13

• Boys Conference Track Meet at Attea Middle School - 4:30 p.m.

The runners have run, the tallies are in, and today we celebrate another successful HOH5K. Many thanks to Cari Raymond Stoneburner, and the HOH5K committee who made it possible. This event would not be successful without the community business sponsors and, of course, everyone who participated! This year, there were 329 participants, and the event raised about $18,500 for college scholarships!!! The next round of scholarships will be awarded at the Glenbrook North Senior Awards ceremony on May 23rd.

Northbrook 28 elementary schools Greenbriar, Meadowbrook, Westmoor invite graduating seniors to visit at 2 p.m. Friday, May 30th. Take a walk through the school where it all began to INSPIRE young students, VISIT teachers, and CELEBRATE your accomplishments with classmates.

It’s fun and easy…meet at your elementary school dressed in your cap and gown. You can wear a t-shirt under your gown representing your next adventure!

• Greenbriar Alumni are invited to the Northbrook Public Library at 1 pm for a viewing of their 5th-grade video before heading over to Greenbriar. Parents are welcome to join for the library portion.

• Meadowbrook, Greenbriar, and Westmoor Grad walks begin at 2 p.m. **only graduating seniors will be permitted inside; parents can gather in the parking lot for photos.

• Northbrook Junior High welcomes all alumni to visit with teachers and students from 2:30-3 p.m.

Pass along to any families who may be interested!

Gratitude Generation (g2) provides community service opportunities in the Chicago area for children, families, and organizations. Their mission is to instill gratitude in future generations through education and service. g2 offers several signature programs that are designed to ensure consistent support for a broad swath of communities in need in areas such as food insecurity, personal care, education and leadership, and student support. Feel free to check their website for service project opportunities or ways to support this local organization.

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.

North Suburban YMCA is sponsoring its final Navigator Night of the school year with a lock-in Saturday, May 17 from 8-11 p.m. Learn more and register by emailing rgonzalez@nsymca.org

The GBN Career & Technical Education (CTE) Department is offering a FREE one-day STEM minicamp on May 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. where students will learn about STEM opportunities in the GBN CTE Labs. Participants will receive an introduction to using Acetylene torches and laser engraving, and walk away with a custom piece of jewelry and a keychain. Parents can tour the lab at the end of the day. No experience is needed!! This camp is the perfect opportunity for beginners to try out, create, and explore new activities in the Career and Technology Education Department.

Registration will open at 8:30 am on May 2 and is limited to 20 students due to space. Click to register.

AI Pathways initiative at Oakton College, which is funded by an Illinois Community College Board Trades School grant program, called "Taking Back the Trades, Round 2". The objective of this program is to increase awareness of and access to sustainable wage employment in the trades. Oakton's program specifically aims to equip youth in our district with the skills needed to thrive in the emerging field of AI, offer hands-on experiences and provide career exploration for middle school and high school youth.

Oakton College hosting a Summer AI and Robotics camp for middle school students. The camp will be held from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, June 9th - 12th, at the Skokie campus of Oakton College. The program is intended to support students of underserved populations as they explore career options in the trades involving Artificial Intelligence. The goal of this program will primarily serve students from families that qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Interested students should register by June 2nd.

Dr. Scott Meek Ed.D.

NBJH Principal