Hi folks,



How do you stay warm during a particularly cold week in the winter? You hold a Spirit Week! A huge thank you to our Student Council for planning this week's Spirit Week activities. In addition to the dress up days, StuCo organized door decorating activities, the designing of MarioKarts and the sales of neon spirit wear for today's afternoon assembly. While this week's focus is on fostering school spirit and creating a sense of belonging for our students and staff, we are also able to raise money for our Charity of Choice, the Heartland Animal Shelter. We're looking forward to today's first all school spirit assembly in three years!

Shout Outs

Congratulations to Coach DeMattia and several of our NBJH wrestlers who competed at last weekend's Johnsburg Invitational. NBJH is one of several middle schools in Northfield Township who are part of the wrestling co-op at Maple School. NBJH wrestlers helped Maple earn an overall 6th place finish in a highly competitive 16-team field. 

5Essentials Survey is Open

Each year public schools in Illinois participate in the 5Essentials survey through UChicago Impact. For NBJH, this includes students, staff and parents/guardians. The survey remains open through February and most of March. It's an opportunity for families to provide anonymous feedback on their experiences with our school. In turn, we are able to analyze the feedback as part of our continuous improvement process. Students will have the opportunity to take the survey on Monday during X-Block. Parents can access the survey using the following link: 5Essentials Parent Survey 

6th Grade Families Only

Dance Assembly registration is now open. Log in to your PTO Membership account at www.nbjhpto.com, go to "For Sale" and then "6th Grade Dance Assembly". Dates of the classes are Saturdays, February 25th to March 18th  from 6:00-7:15 pm. The cost is $65 per student.

8th Grade Baby Pics for Yearbook

Class of 2023 families...February is the final month for you to submit a baby photo of your soon-to-be-graduate for this year's yearbook. The Yearbook Baby Pic Information provides a step-by-step process for how to upload and submit photos by the February 28 deadline.

Enjoy the weekend...

Scott

Scott Meek, Ed. D., pHCLE

NBJH Principal

smeek@northbrook28.net

(847) 504-3501

Did you know you can synch calendar items to your phone calendar through the District 28 Mobile App for iPhone or Android or from the website?

Important Dates

02/06 A Day

02/07 B Day P.T.O. Council Meeting in the H.O.H. Community Room - 9 a.m.

02/08 A Day J.H. P.T.O. Meeting in the NBJH Conference Room - 8:45 a.m.

Music Parents Club Meeting in the H.O.H. Community Room - 12 p.m.

J.H. Session 3 Elective Classes Ends

02/09 B Day

02/10 A Day

02/11 Band, Choir and Orchestra Solo and Ensemble Festival -1 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Congratulations to the 25 students who received Gold Awards at the NBJH Science Fair. They advance to the regional science fair, which will be held on March 4th at Niles North High School. thanks for all the support from our ISR teacher Lauren Johnson, Fred Yoon and Amber Paull.

Learn More How Students Apply

Multiple Skills to Science

Hear from teachers, students, and judges as they talk about their experiences participating in the NBJH Science Fair on Dr. Pearson's latest episode of the podcast Insight28! Download the episode for a great weekend listen!



District 28 and our school principals invite you to participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This opportunity allows you to share your views on important elements of school effectiveness.

Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be conducted through March 31. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.

Student Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to District 28’s first-year orchestra director Alex Hibbard-Brown for being named the Student Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA). She received her award at the ILMEA conference in Peoria last week. “It was most meaningful to me to receive this award just to promote the Illinois State University's string program. It is an amazing program,” Ms. Hibbard-Brown said. She said that coming from a family of educators, she always knew she wanted to teach. A cello player, she completed her student teaching here at Northbrook Junior High, and was hired this school year as a first-year teacher. She works with students in grades 3 through 8, providing small group lessons for the elementary grades and directing the Philharmonic Orchestra.

Above, Alex Hibbard-Brown accepts the Student Teacher of Year Award at the Illinois Music Educators Association conference in Peoria.

District 28 invites local non-profit organizations and community government agencies to promote events for families and children. Each week, some events 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.

Northbrook Cultural Fair Feb. 26

The Northbrook Community Commission Presents a Cultural Fair from 3 to 5 p.m. on February 26 at the North Suburban YMCA, 2705 Techny Road.

The event will bring together a variety of cultural organizations in the area to celebrate the cultural backgrounds of Northbrook residents. Come out to enjoy dances, musical acts, art displays, food (samples), and arts & crafts! Admission is free and open to all ages.

Lunch & Learn: Social & Friend Drama

More than ever, our kids are navigating drama amongst peers and friends. It's difficult to escape due to technology and social media, and it can have a significant impact on their mental health. Join CATCH and learn how to help your child navigate different scenarios, when to step up, and when to step back. for a Lunch & Learn online conversation at noon on February 21. Register today.

Jr. Football & Cheer Registration Open

Registration is now open for Northbrook Jr. Spartan Football and Cheer Spring 2023 programs, including 7-on-7, Co-Ed Flag, Girls Flag, and Cheer. Learn more by visiting Jr. Spartan website.

Spring Softball for 2nd through 9th grade

Registration is now open for the Northbrook Girls Softball Spring 2023 House League Season! NGSA’s House League accepts girls in 2^nd through 9^th grade regardless of experience or ability. The main priorities of the league are having fun while participating in low-pressure softball instruction. Visit our website for information and registration.

Bluehawks Parents Night Out Fundraiser

Come out and support the Northbrook Bluehawks Hockey Club for their first annual Parent Social and Fundraiser. 

Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023

Location: Studio One, Highland Park

Time: 7-11 p.m. 

The event will feature Radio Gaga—a Queen and Lady Gaga cover band offering a full concert-like experience, cocktails, ‘Taste of Northbrook’ catered dinner from GrillHouse, Kamehatchi, Little Louie’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Crumbl and ice cream, silent auction with big-ticket items: a Grand Cayman getaway, rare and valuable sports memorabilia, local business gift cards, designer sunglasses, Bluehawks merch, fun and creative themed basket gifts, Park City, Utah summer getaway, Chicago sports tickets and more. 

Buy Tickets

 Dr. Scott Meek, Principal | Northbrook Junior High | 847-498-7920 | www.northbrook28.net

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