Volume 22, No. 5 | November 27, 2018
News From the November Board Meeting
2019-20 School Calendar Taking Shape
The first glimpse of the 2019-20 school calendar shows no major changes from the current calendar. The proposed calendar was introduced to the Board of Education at the Nov. 20 meeting and will be reviewed and approved at the Dec. 11 meeting. School is currently scheduled to begin on a Wednesday after two institute days open the year for teachers.

The start and end of the school year mirrors the current year and is aligned with Glenbrook High School District 225. The high school district had been reviewing a move to start school earlier in August so that students could take final exams before the holiday break. However, the district did not make changes for the 2019-20 school year.

One proposed change for the 2019-20 school year on the District 28 calendar is moving a half-day institute day previously scheduled for April to January 2020, the Friday before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The administrative team decided a professional development day earlier in the second semester would be more productive.

The final calendar will be available after board approval in December.
District Happenings
Give the Gift That Gives Twice
Gift Card Plus is a District-wide fundraiser administered by the PTO Council with help from each of the individual PTOs.

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 such as Sunset Foods, La De Da, and The Book Bin.

Gift Card Plus revenue allows the PTO Council to host family and parent programs, publish the calendar and directory App, support the Traveling Art Show, and make a significant donation annually to the Homer O. Harvey Scholarship Fund.

Holiday sale  
Orders must be submitted to your school by Monday, Dec. 3.   Download the order form here.   Online orders will be accepted through Dec. 4. Gift cards will be available for pickup by Dec. 12. To order online, follow these directions:
A LOT MORE GIFT CARD OPTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE! 
Step 1: Go to:  https://shop.shopwithscrip.com
Step 2: First-time users will need to register – select ‘REGISTER’ in the top right of page.
Step 3: Select ‘JOIN A SCRIP PROGRAM’
Step 4: Enter enrollment code: BD68CB5E55861
Step 5: Complete enrollment information. At the end, you will be asked for a contact number. You
will receive a verification code which you will need to enter.
Step 6: You can now shop…select ‘SHOP’ from the ribbon on top.
'Coat Off Your Back' Drive
Collection barrels are stationed at each of District 28's schools to collect new and gently used coats and clothing items for Northbrook Rotary Club's 53rd Annual 'Coat Off Your Back" Clothing Drive.

All donations must be received by Dec. 20 and left in the collection barrels at each school. The items will be distributed by the Rotary Club in partnership with local charities.
Project RED Uses Dumplings to Celebrate Diversity
Meadowbrook PTO creates a new program each year around Project RED (Respect Each Person's Differences). This year's theme was Dumpling Day: There's Pierogi, Ravioli, Potstickers, Empanada, Kreplach, Samosa, Gyoza, and Banh Boa.
All similar but different, and all delicious!

Students made clay dumplings and explored different stations about cultures and differences on Nov. 16.
Greenbriar Service Project
Benefits Animal Shelters
Quake the greyhound visited with Greenbriar Greyhound students the week of Nov. 12 and returned with several friends for the Family Service Night on Nov. 14.

More than $500 raised for various animal shelters and rescue organizations and countless pet supplies donated as well.
Winter Sings & Holiday Concerts Brighten the Season
The public is welcome to celebrate the season at any of the upcoming Winter Sings or choral/instrumental concerts.

  • Nov. 29 - NBJH Collage Concert, Featuring the jazz bands and percussion ensemble. The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the Northbrook Junior High gym.
  • Dec. 6 - Cadet, String & Philharmonic Orchestra Concert begins at 7 p.m at NBJH gym.
  • Dec. 7 - Westmoor School Winter Sings, Grades 1-2 at 9 a.m., Grades 3-4 at 10:30 a.m.
  • Dec. 10 - Beginning & Chamber Orchestras. Concert begins at 7 p.m. in the NBJH gym.
  • Dec. 11 - Choir Concert - 7 p.m. at NBJH gym
  • Dec. 13 - Beginning & Junior Band, 7 p.m., NBJH gym
  • Dec. 14 - Greenbriar Winter Sings, 1st Grade at 9 a.m., 2nd Grade at 10 a.m., 3rd Grade at 1:30 p.m., and 4th Grade at 2:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 19 - Meadowbrook Winter Sings, 1st Grade at 10 a.m., 3rd Grade at 2:15 p.m.
  • Dec. 20 - Meadowbrook Winter Sings, 2nd Grade at 10 a.m., 4th Grade at 2:15 p.m.
HOLIDAY BREAK DEC. 24 - JAN. 4
#TLC28 #Innovate28
District 28’s official hashtags! You can search the hashtag on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram to monitor posts from teachers, administrators and the district accounts. These hashtags help us tell the story of Teaching, Learning and Caring in District 28 and the innovative teaching and learning around Learning First.