Meadowbrook News
September 15, 2023
From Principal Natalie
Good Afternoon Meadowbrook,
It has been another amazing week! The excitement that comes with having your children back in school brings me so much joy. Thank you for sharing them with us.
It wouldn't be a beginning of the year newsletter without drop off and pick up reminders!
Drop Off Reminders:
- Students are welcome to begin arriving at 9:15am.
- Parents, please stay in your car.
- It is safest to have students exit the passenger side of the car.
- If you need to assist your child, please park your car in a parking spot and walk to the door.
- In order to keep our traffic flow moving in the morning and afternoon, parents are not allowed to walk their children into/out of the building before or after school.
Pick Up Reminders:
- Please pull your car ahead until you reach a stopped car.
- Please display a sheet of paper with your child's first and last name and grade
- All students report to their pick up location at 3:50pm and we kindly ask you to not arrive for pick up before 3:45pm each day.
At Meadowbrook, we do not allow edible treats in celebration of birthdays or other life events. This is in response to our district Wellness Policy and takes into consideration the various food allergies of our students. We recognize all students' birthdays by announcing their names over the morning announcements and providing a birthday pencil. If you would like to share something with your child's class in celebration of their birthday, we suggest things like stickers, pencils, erasers, or donating a book to the classroom. Thank you for your cooperation!
As you know, we've been working through transportation issues. For families that have already reached out to me, please know that I check for bussing updates daily and will be in touch with you as soon as I have an update for you. Thank you for your continued patience! Please use this Transportation Frequently Asked Questions as a guide to navigate any issues your family may be having regarding transportation and please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
L'Shanah Tovah to our families who will celebrate Rosh Hashanah this weekend. Cheers to a happy and healthy new year!
In partnership,
Natalie
P.S. Have you purchased your Carnival tickets or signed up to volunteer yet?
Meadowbrook Carnival
Thanks to the incredible Meadowbrook community, we are nearly halfway to our volunteer goal for the carnival! We are looking for 100+ more volunteers. Will you sign up today?
🎈 What's in it for you?
- Feel-Good Vibes: Experience the joy of contributing to a fantastic community event.
- Build Connections: Meet fellow volunteers and make new friends who share your passion.
📢 Ready to jump in and lend a helping hand? Sign up for your preferred time slot and activity at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040945AEA92FA1FC1-meadowbrook2#/
From Nurse Karen
Hello Meadowbrook Families!
Just a quick note about snacks and drinks here at Meadowbrook:
- Please send your student with a water bottle with their name on it. Water helps curb the mid-day slump!
- Water is the beverage of choice! We have been informed that some students are coming to school with pop or Prime Energy or Sports Drinks. First, it is policy at Hopkins that pop is not allowed. Although the Prime Energy and Sports drinks are sold at many stores, they are unsafe to anyone under 18 as they contain toxic levels of caffeine and vitamins. The base of the sport version also has coconut water which is an allergen to anyone with a nut allergy.
- Try to choose a snack that will boost your student's brain. Some great choices are fresh or dried fruit, cheese, yogurt, and whole grain crackers. Please be aware of any nut free classrooms.
As always, please fee free to call or email me with any questions or concerns!
Karen Tusa, School Nurse
952-988-5104
Mrs. Sobanski, Ms. Wyss, Ms. Pakenham, Mrs. DeGroot
Meet your Student Support Team!
Nicole Sobanski, School Counselor
I am Nicole Sobanski. I started my school counseling journey here at Meadowbrook in the winter of 2015. I am the point person for Kindergarten. I teach SEL (Social Emotional Learning) to all student's kindergarten through 5th grade. I love my role in the classroom as a specialist teacher. I use a variety of curriculum in my teaching- Second Step, Mind Up and new this year- Character Strong.
Contact information:
952-988-4443 (phone)
nicole.sobanski@hopkinsschools.org
Alex Wyss, School Counselor
My name is Alex Wyss. This is my first year at Meadowbrook and I am excited to be a part of this amazing team! I believe students learn best when they feel a sense of belonging and connection within their school and community. I am the point person for 1st and 2nd grade students but work with all students in the building. Please feel free to reach out to me or any member of the Student Support Team with any questions or concerns.
Contact information:
952-988- 4818 (phone)
Alexandra.Wyss@hopkinsschools.org
Julie DeGroot, School Counselor
My name is Julie DeGroot. I am a dedicated school counselor in my fourth year here at Meadowbrook. I have a passion for supporting student’s emotional and academic growth and could not be happier to be working with your student this year. I am the point person for 3rd and 4th grade learners, but work with all students in the building. Please feel free to reach out to me or any member of the Student Support Team with any questions or concerns.
Contact information:
952-988-5113 (phone)
Julie.DeGroot@HopkinsSchools.org
Suzanne Pakenham, Student Success Advocate
Hi everyone! My name is Suzanne Pakenham. I am Meadowbrook's Student Success Advocate and Restorative Culture Coordinator. Prior to this role I taught 1st and 3rd grade here at Meadowbrook. As a member of our Student Support Team, I work with students, families, and staff in order to improve the student experience so each child thrives at school and am the point person for 5th grade students. Through an anti-racist lens, I work to achieve and support equitable scholar achievement. In this work, I strive to exhibit vigilant equity, authentic inclusivity, optimistic innovation, humility of heart, love, and be intentionally adventurous.
Contact information:
952-988-5099 (phone)
HEF Rock-n-Royal
Gender Expansive Caregiver Group
FastBridge Screening from September 18 to October 13
Next week begins our first testing window for our FastBridge math and reading screener in grades K-8. FastBridge is a Formative Assessment System for Teachers (FAST) used to measure student learning over time. These assessments are a great place to start a conversation with your student’s teacher about your student’s learning.
Minnesota Department of Education's Digital Equity Survey
If you have not already, please participate in the Student Digital Equity Survey. This survey collects information on student access to the Internet and electronic devices used for schoolwork in the student’s home. Hopkins Public Schools may use this information to make sure all students can access learning opportunities outside the classroom or school building. We will never share your personal, identifying information provided in this survey with others without your consent. Please fill out the survey for each child here. It will take less than 5 minutes.
School Nutrition Educational Benefits Form
During the 2023-24 school year, Hopkins Public Schools is joining 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 2023-24 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
Registration Open for Hopkins Boys Travel Basketball
Calling all ballers in grades 3-8! Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of the great Hopkins basketball tradition. Visit HRBBAbasketball.net for more information about our travel program and to register.
PTO Corner
Join us for Restaurant Night:
Support our PTO while taking the night off from cooking dinner!
- Join us on September 21 at Davanni's Pizza from 4pm-9pm in Golden Valley.
- Davanni's will donate 20% of your total order before sales tax to Meadowbrook PTO.
- Customers can call ahead for take-out, dine in, or delivery. If ordering online, please indicate in the notes field of the fundraiser.
Online Directory:
To connect with other families at Meadowbrook, please register with our Meadowbrook Online Directory
How to Help:
- 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
Important Calendar Dates
September 21: Restaurant Night at Davanni's Pizza, Golden Valley
September 25: No School - Yom Kippur
September 28: Picture Day
September 30: School Carnival
October 16: No School: Staff Professional Learning
October 17 & 18: No School: Fall Caregiver Conferences
October 19 & 20: No School MEA Break
Meadowbrook Elementary
Main Office Line: 952-988-5100
Attendance Line: 952-988-5110
https://meadowbrook.hopkinsschools.org/families/attendance
Online Student Directory: www.meadowbrookpto.ptoffice.com
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