October 23, 2020
Weekly Message
Good Morning,

Thank you to all of our families for your participation in parent /teacher conferences last week. While we would have preferred meeting with parents in person, the Zoom format offered flexibility for everyone. As always, your partnership is critical to your child's continued success. Thank you for your support!

We've completed the MAP testing for 2nd-5th grade students. The district will be sending out your child's MAP Report for reading and math the last week of October. Please look for this report via email. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly at pthome@northbrook28.net.

It was a typical October week, with huge temperature swings and mixed precipitation. We were fortunate to be able to be outside early in the week for lunch and recess. With colder weather approaching, our lunch plans will be changing. I will outline these changes in next week's newsletter.

With Covid-19 cases seemingly increasing everywhere, we appreciate parents being proactive in keeping children home when noticing any symptoms. We also appreciate your communication with our health room. This is crucial to the school remaining open. If you ever have any health-related questions, our health room number is 847-504-3615. Our nurse is Pam Streeter, and our health assistant is Barb Baerson. If they cannot answer a question for you immediately, they will find the answer and get back to you.

Have a relaxing weekend,

Pat
Important Dates
October 23 Meadowbrook Spirit Wear Day
October 30 Halloween Dress Up Day
November 3 No School, Election Day
November 6 Meadowbrook Spirit Wear Day
November 9 PTO Meeting at 9:15
November 13 Last Day of the First Trimester
November 13 Meadowbrook Spirit Wear Day
Meadowbrook Happenings
Erin's Law Information
Erin's Law requires that Illinois schools provide age-appropriate sexual assault and awareness education to all students K-5. In the past, we've had the presenter Victor Pacini come to work with students on this important topic through his Be Seen Be Heard presentation. Victor will be back on Tuesday, November 10 to provide the district with age-appropriate virtual sessions for our in-person and remote learners. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Michelle Boland (mboland@northbrook28.net), our school social worker. I've included a link to Victor Pacini's website for additional information.
Virtual Author Visit
As mentioned in previous newsletters, since we are not having in-person author visits this year, our librarians will keep parents up-to-date on virtual author visits as they come available. The Lincolnwood Library is hosting a Zoom session with Saadia Faruqi to celebrate the release of her middle grade books, "A Place at the Table" and "A Thousand Questions." Students in grades 3-8 are invited to attend on Wednesday, October 28th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Please see the flyer for more information.
Children's Choir Registration
Registration is now underway for the Northbrook 28 Children's Choir winter trimester. If your 3rd through 5th grader enjoys singing and they would want to be part of a socially distant, 100% virtual Children's Choir, please contact Mr. Bartunek (jbartunek@northbrook28.net). 5th grade meets on Tuesday, 4th grade on Wednesday, and third on Thursday after school from 3:45-4:30.
Halloween News
*repeat information
Unfortunately, due to social distancing restrictions, we will be unable to hold our annual Halloween parade around the neighborhood this year. However, we’re still excited to allow students the fun of observing Halloween during school. Here are a few notes about what Halloween will look like this year.

*Costumes will be allowed in K-5 for both in-person and RLA students. If your child chooses to wear a costume, please observe the following guidelines:

  • Costumes will be worn all day. We’re discouraging parents from picking up in-person students for lunch this year as this will create challenges for social distancing.
  • Costumes for ALL students must not be overly scary and may not include replica weapons or excessive blood and gore.
  • Costumes for in-person students must allow for the following:
  • Hands not covered and able to be washed/use sanitizer
  • Students should be able to sit comfortably for the day
  • Students should be able to use the bathroom without assistance
  • Students faces should be visible so that they are able to wear a typical face mask with their costume
  • Please avoid inflatable or extra large costumes

*In lieu of PTO-organized classroom parties, students will participate in fun, socially-distanced activities throughout the day. PTO volunteers will provide non-food related crafts for students. These crafts will be individually bagged and included for RLA students during materials pick up on October 28th.
Remote Learning Academy News
RLA Material Pickup & Library Reminder
The next materials pick up will be Wednesday, October 28, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. In addition to picking up new materials, please return library books so that we receive books back by their due dates. As a reminder, your child can place library books on hold through the end of the day today and they will be ready for the next pickup.
 
Erin’s Law Presentations
As mentioned by Mr. Thome, in-person students will be participating in an Erin’s Law presentation. RLA students will also join one of these sessions. Your RLA teacher will communicate the exact day and time of the presentation with you. Please click here for an important letter regarding Erin’s Law and upcoming presentations with Victor Pacini.
District News
Notice of Public Hearing to Discuss e-Learning Plan

The State of Illinois requires that a public hearing be conducted if any school district prefers to have the option of using an e-learning day in lieu of canceling school and using a scheduled emergency day due to a blizzard or extreme cold, for example.

District 28’s public hearing on its proposed e-learning plan will be held at 7:15 p.m. on October 27 at the regular Board of Education meeting held via live-stream video link on the District’s YouTube channel. Public comment can be submitted via Google form found on the Board Meeting Public Documents page, which will be active on October 27, 2020 from 6 p.m. until 7:20 p.m.
 
Questions can be directed to Dr. Larry A. Hewitt, Superintendent of Schools, at (847)498-7900.
Coronavirus Community Update
The district will send the Glenview/Northbrook Coronavirus Task Force community update at 4 p.m Friday.

News included a new COVID dashboard of township elementary districts and Halloween events planned with the Village of Northbrook.
PTO News
PTO News and Notes

Volunteer to help distribute RLA Student Supplies! You will be standing outside the front of school in order to hand supplies to Remote Families as their cars pull up. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 28, Nov. 18, and Dec. 9 at Meadowbrook. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit Meadowbrook PTO and click on Volunteer/RLA Supplies.

Here are this week's PTO News and Notes.
District PTO Council Fundraisers
Families are lined up where the students normally have recess at Spurgeon's Academy. There are 400 students at Spurgeon's so currently the school is feeding only the most needy.
Our Sister School in Kenya Needs Your Help! 
District 28's Sister School in Kenya, Spurgeon's Academy, is in urgent need of donations to help feed its families.
Due to the pandemic, the vast majority of the families in our sister school in Nairobi are unable to work and as a result, cannot feed their families. 
Spurgeon's Academy is providing weekly food packages to students and their families. Each package contains flour, corn, rice, beans, cooking oil, tea and soap and costs $15/week to feed a family of 8 people. 
If you would like to send a food package or want to learn more about our sister school, please visit www.fredouta.org
Give a Gift That Gives Twice

Gift Card Plus is a District-wide fundraiser by the PTO. The program offers District 28 families and friends the opportunity to purchase gift cards from various retailers, including movie theaters, hotels, gas stations, restaurants, and specialty stores. The program also features local businesses Sunset Foods, La De Da, and The Book Bin.

There are three ways to shop and give credit to the PTO. Download the flier for details.

Gift Card Plus revenue allows the PTO Council to host family and parent programs, and make a significant donation annually to the Homer O. Harvey Scholarship Fund. 
Music Parents Club Fundraiser
Support Music Programs With
Wreaths, Coffee and Sweets
The annual Music Parents Club Wreath & Coffee sale is online and ongoing through Oct. 30.
Order beautiful wreaths, sweet treats and coffee products with proceeds benefiting the District 28 music programs. This fundraiser makes many of the out-of-classroom experiences possible. It pays for field trips, guest conductors, uniforms and so, so, much more. 
 
Due to COVID restrictions, all sales will be electronic. By visiting the Wreath & Coffee sale site, customers can select items, give credit to specific students or credit the organization in general. Student sales will be delivered directly to the customer's home by the student. Or, if the sale goes to the organization in general, customers will pick up items on Nov. 17 at Northbrook Sports Center, located at Pfingsten & Walters between 2 and 6 p.m.
Virtual Backpack
District 28 shares local non-profit and community partner flyers here in the District's "Virtual Backpack." Materials posted on this page are the responsibility of the organizations represented. You can always check the Virtual Backpack webpage as a handy reference!
Northbrook Blood Drive Oct. 31
The Northbrook Rotary Club and Culver's are sponsoring a community blood drive from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at a Bloodmobile that will be at Culver's, 4105 Dundee Road. 
Donors will receive a coupon for a pint of Culver's Frozen Custard. Download the flier for appointment information.
Virtual Scouting Event Oct. 28
The Boy Scouts of American Northeast Illinois Council is holding a live stream event at 8 p.m Oct. 28 for families interested in learning more about Scouting and upcoming events. View the flier for more information.
Halloween Happenings in Northbrook
The Village of Northbrook has established guidelines for safe trick-or-treating on October 31, and other Halloween celebrations. 
Halloween Spooky Trail
Northbrook residents and businesses can decorate their porch, house, front yard, or front window, and sign up to be listed on the Spooky Trail Route and be eligible to win prizes from local businesses
Then, on Saturday, October 31, residents can drive the Spooky Trail. Start your adventure between 4-6 p.m. at the Northbrook Library, 1201 Cedar Lane, where there will be live music, glow bracelets, and Spooky Trail route maps, along with People's Choice award ballots. Then drive the trail through Northbrook to see some creative Halloween displays and vote for your favorite. The route ends at the Park District Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Ave., with giveaways, spooky fun, and participant photos ending at 8 p.m.
Meadowbrook School | 1600 Walters Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 | Pat Thome, Principal
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