Welcome back to a new school year! I hope you all had a fantastic summer and had the opportunity to relax, recharge, and prepare for the exciting year ahead.

During my break, I had the privilege of traveling with BYU to explore the stunning landscapes of New Zealand and visit the Stonefield School to learn more about Visible Learning. The experience was inspiring! The rest of my summer was spent at Meadow Brook and attending classes at BYU. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my education alongside a cohort of exceptional professionals from whom I am constantly learning.

This year, our theme and focus will be ELEVATE! Great joy comes as we look for ways to focus less on ourselves and more on others. As we elevate and strengthen each other, our Meadow Brook Team will find greater unity and success in meeting the needs of ALL students. Increased success makes our roles as teachers, students, and parents more meaningful and satisfying.

We can take inspiration from Nikola Jokić, the two-time NBA MVP, who led his team to become this year’s NBA Championship team. When asked what the MVP title means to him, he quickly discounts it, saying it is all about the team. Despite his impressive individual talents, he is known for his selflessness and team-oriented approach. Although he is a 7-foot center, he is one of the best offensive orchestrators the league has ever seen. His coach said, "One thing about Nikola is he takes great satisfaction in helping make plays for others...I think he takes more joy in that." Jokić says, “Passing makes two people happy. Scoring only makes one person happy.” Jokić doesn't care if he is the one that scores; his real interest is elevating the team.

As teachers and parents, we can help our students find greater joy at school by teaching them to elevate each other. Research shows that when people work with joy, all performance metrics improve. It creates a safe and connected environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing ideas, solving problems, and taking learning risks.

I feel immensely blessed and humbled to serve alongside dedicated students, parents, educators, secretaries, custodians, lunch workers, and paraprofessionals who selflessly work hard each day to elevate the lives of children! I am also excited about the new team members we've added, as their unique experiences and talents will undoubtedly enrich our Mustang team!

I want to extend a special shout-out to our amazing custodial staff for their hard work in keeping our school shining and our excellent secretaries for their dedication during registration. These are significant responsibilities, and I am truly thankful for their positivity and commitment. I also want to thank our team leaders for their efforts in creating a plan to move our school forward.

I am eagerly looking forward to another fantastic year at Meadow Brook, where we will continue to elevate each other and, in doing so, elevate our students. Joy and success are contagious, so let's pass on the joy we find to each other. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!

Principal Balli

Dear Kindergarten Families,

We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to you and your family, as you become a part of the Meadow Brook Family! We eagerly anticipate getting to know you and having your kindergarteners join us at Meadow Brook. We have some fantastic news to share - a few months ago, the state allocated funds to enable districts to offer full-day kindergarten sessions for students. While some school districts have chosen to delay implementing full-day kindergarten until they can work through the logistics, here at Nebo, we have decided to launch full-day kindergarten sessions for the 2023-2024 school year. Our team has been diligently working to accommodate everyone's preferences for either full-day or half-day kindergarten.

Given the influx of new kindergarten student registrations on a daily basis, it has been challenging to estimate the exact number of students we should plan for. If you have any new neighbors with kindergarten-age children, we kindly encourage them to register for school as soon as possible. Adjusting to this significant change involves various tasks, such as hiring new teachers, reallocating teachers within the district, securing additional classrooms, and ordering extra supplies. We genuinely appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate through these adjustments.

We are delighted to inform you that by the end of Monday, July 31st, we expect to be able to fulfill full-day kindergarten requests for all those who have asked for it. After August 1st, any remaining availability will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on class capacity.

Class placement is a vital aspect of creating an optimal learning environment for all our students. We take this responsibility very seriously. To ensure we address your placement needs effectively for the upcoming school year, we invite you to schedule an assessment with a kindergarten teacher (Assessment Sign-Up here). Following the assessments, we will proceed to finalize the kindergarten class assignments. Rest assured, we will do our utmost to accommodate your family's preferences.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We are committed to providing a nurturing and supportive learning environment that sets them up for a successful academic journey. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Looking forward to an exciting and fulfilling school year ahead! Below, we've outlined our timeline for your reference:

Exciting news for 1st-5th grade parents and students!

On Monday, August 7th, you'll be able to view your class assignments by simply logging into iCampus and clicking on the "schedule" tab. This will give you a sneak peek into the wonderful academic journey that awaits you in the upcoming school year.

Additionally, we kindly request your support in spreading the word to any NEW neighbors who may have children in these grade levels. Encouraging them to register for school as soon as possible will greatly assist us in making necessary preparations, including the possibility of hiring new teachers to ensure all our students receive the best possible education.

The anticipation is building, and our Mustang teachers are eager to meet you! We extend a warm invitation for you to join us during our Open House on Monday, August 14th, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. This will be a fantastic opportunity for you to familiarize yourselves with our school and get to know the teachers who will be guiding your children's education.

For families with kindergarten students, we have a dedicated Open House on Tuesday, August 22nd, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. This will be a special time for you and your little ones to explore the kindergarten classrooms and interact with the teachers who are thrilled to welcome them into their educational journey.

We are eagerly looking forward to seeing you all there! These Open House events will be filled with valuable information, fun activities, and a chance to connect with the school community. It's the perfect way to start off the new school year on the right foot.

Join our PTA and become an essential part of our school community! We strongly encourage all of you to consider becoming a member of our Parent-Teacher Association. The PTA offers opportunities for everyone to get involved, and your help is invaluable to us during this upcoming school year.

Don't miss the chance to sign up for a PTA membership! Visit the PTA table during MB's Open House, where you can register and learn more about how you can make a positive impact on our school and support various events and activities.

Together, as a united team, we can achieve great things and elevate the learning environment for all our students.

Supporting our school through donations is of paramount importance. These generous contributions play a significant role in enriching the educational experience for our students. With the funds received, we can organize exciting field trips, procure essential classroom supplies, and conduct enjoyable classroom activities that enhance their learning journey.

Making a donation is quick and convenient. Simply log into your account on iCampus, and on the right-hand side, click on "More." You'll find a dedicated "Fee" section where you can easily make a donation. Your support, no matter the amount, goes a long way in making a positive impact on our students' education.

We are immensely grateful for your generosity and belief in the value of education. Together, we can continue to create a nurturing and inspiring learning environment for all our students.

To determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals for the 2023-24 school year, we kindly request you to submit a Meal Benefits Application. Qualification is based on various factors, including household size, income, participation in assistance programs like SNAP, FDPIR, and TANF, as well as specific living situations such as homelessness and migrancy.

A friendly reminder: households must apply annually to confirm eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Please note that any application signed before July 11th will not be applicable to the 2023-24 school year. To access the application, simply go to your Infinite Campus Menu, scroll down to "More," and click on "Meal Benefits."

If you find that you do not qualify for free or reduced-priced meals, rest assured that school meals are available at the paid breakfast rate of $1.50 and lunch at $2.00.

We value your participation in our meal program and are committed to ensuring that all students have access to nutritious and affordable meals. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Mark your calendars for the exciting First Day of School!

• *Wednesday, August 16th @ 9:15 am: First Day of School for 1st-5th grades.
• *Wednesday, August 23rd @ 9:15 am: First Day of School for Kindergarten.

To make this momentous occasion even more memorable, we will be rolling out the red carpet for our students on the front side of the school (east side). Parents, guardians, and family members are warmly invited to capture these precious moments by taking pictures of your student's first day.

Let's make this day extra special as we kick off the new school year with enthusiasm and a warm welcome.

• SEP dates for the year (Please do everything you can to be there!)

• Oct 12th

• Dec 14th

• March 7th

• Picture Days:

• Fall Picture Day- Sept 26, 2023

• Make-Up Picture Day- November 8, 2023

• Spring Picture Day- February 8, 2024

*Link to District Calendar (pictured below)

*If you are new, you can add our school’s Google Calendar (from our school website...it is on the left hand side of the front page) where you will find all school events.

A generous donor has donated 30-40 backpacks. If you are in need, please come get one.

School safety is an issue that weighs heavily on our minds. As a school, we are doing all we can to ensure the safety of our students. As we start a new school year, I want to inform our new and remind our returning Mustang families of some of our safety protocols. For more information about school safety, morning protocols & safe school walking route click on the picture below.

At Meadow Brook, we deeply cherish the spirit of collaboration among students, staff, and parents. We understand that ongoing communication between home and school is fundamental to providing an excellent education for your child. To facilitate this connection, you will receive a "Monday Message" from the principal every other week, keeping you informed about school events and updates.

If you haven't been receiving these emails, we kindly request you to ensure that your email address is up-to-date in our iCampus system to avoid missing out on important information.

Furthermore, you can expect regular communication from your child's teacher throughout the school year. Should you have any questions, concerns, or ideas you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child's teacher. We are here to support you in every possible way.

To stay well-informed about school happenings, our school website (meadowbrook.nebo.edu) is a valuable resource that we keep updated regularly. It provides a plethora of information to keep you in the loop.

Additionally, we encourage you to connect with us on social media. Follow our school Facebook page, Instagram account, Twitter handle, and YouTube channel to stay engaged and stay connected with our vibrant school community.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and our school website!

Email: heather.balli@nebo.edu
Website: Meadowbrook.nebo.edu
Location: 748 South 950 West, Springville, UT, USA
Phone: 801-489-2897
Facebook: facebook.com/MBelementary
Twitter: @meadowbrookmagic