Hi folks,

Welcome back from winter break...and Happy 2023! It's been a welcome sight to have our staff and students back in the building and feeling the energy they brought back to school. We're looking forward to a great second half of the year and hope that the next few months are filled with good health and positive experiences for your child and your families. 

A few of the highlights we will see during the month of January include wrapping up our basketball seasons and moving to boys volleyball, kicking the 8th grade high school registration process into high gear, hosting our local Science Fair and holding a winter Spirit Week at the end of the month. Sounds like a great way to start the new year!

Shout Outs

Thank you to the NBJH PTO for bringing in pastries and coffee for our staff members. What a nice treat during the first week back at school!

8th Grade Families - Curriculum Night at GBN on Jan 10

Our 8th grade families should have received information from the high school about this Tuesday's Curriculum Night at GBN. Both students and parents are invited to attend this event. The meeting starts at 6:30pm in the CPA and is expected to conclude at 8:30pm after families have the opportunity to meet with the Instructional Supervisors of the different content areas. For students who have an IEP, an informational meeting will be held starting at 5:40pm in the GBN library. Please plan ahead for VERY crowded parking lots that evening!

Important Information Below in the Newsletter

Please note in the bottom portion of the newsletter some timely and relevant information about boys volleyball tryouts, how to opt in for SHIELD testing, and submitting nomination forms for next year's consideration for advanced LA and Math placements.

Sad News

Unfortunately some of our NBJH staff members experienced a loss over the winter break. Deb Starkman's mother-in-law passed away; Geremy Kudert's father passed away; and Sharon Gail's husband, Peter, passed away. Please keep Deb, Geremy and Sharon (and their families) in your thoughts and prayers.

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

01/09 A Day

01/10 B Day - Incoming Freshman Curriculum Night at GBN - 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.

01/11 A Day - Music Parents Club Meeting @HOH Community Room - 12p.m.

01/12 B Day

01/13 A Day - Teacher Institute Afternoon - School Dismissed at 11:30a.m. - JH Quarter 2 Ends

01/16 - NO SCHOOL - MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

Sports Information

01/09 - Boys' Basketball vs. Wood Oaks (8/7) - 4:30p.m.

01/09 - Girls' Basketball at Wood Oaks (7th only) - 4:30p.m.

01/10 - Boys' Basketball at Wilmette (7/8) - 4:30p.m.

01/10 - Girls' Basketball vs. Wilmette (7/8 - 4:30p.m.

01/12 - Boys' Basketball at Maple (7/8) - 4:30p.m.

01/12 - Girls' Basketball vs. Maple (8/7) - 4:30p.m.

Boy’s Volleyball Tryouts 

Anyone interested in trying out needs to have a current physical on file with the nurse. 

And, fill out the Sign Up Form. See all details on the Boys Volleyball webpage.

7th graders / 8th graders 

Monday, January 30th - Tryouts 3:45 - 5:15 p.m.

(Student-athletes need to attend both dates) 

Tuesday, Jan. 31st -Tryouts 3:45 – 5:15 p.m.

(Student-athletes need to attend both dates) 

6th Graders 

Monday, January 30th – Optional Clinic 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. 

Tuesday, Jan. 31st -Tryouts – 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. 

(Student-athletes need to attend both dates) 

Wednesday, Feb. 1st – Tryouts - 3:45-5:15 p.m. 

(Student-athletes need to attend both dates)

Parent Nominations for Language Arts and Math Placement Review Due Jan. 13 *repeat*

For Current 6th- and 7th-Grade Families: 

Each winter, parents/guardians can recommend that their 6th- and 7th-grade student(s) be re-evaluated for language arts and/or math course placement for the next school year. Students in the following courses may be recommended for re-evaluation:

• Core Language Arts for placement into Advanced Language Arts
• Math 6 Core for placement into Math 7 Pre-Algebra
• Math 6 Accelerated for placement into Math 7 Algebra
• Math 7 Core for placement into Math 8 Algebra

Please read the language arts and math documents to review the process for identification. Complete the parent nomination form if you would like your child re-evaluated. This information is hosted on the Gifted and Talented Services page on northbrook28.net. Paper copies are available at the NBJH school office by request. The completed form is due by Friday, January 13, 2023.

The receipt of nomination forms will be confirmed via email. If you submit a nomination form but do not receive an email confirming its receipt, please email Laura Cohen, G/T Services coordinator at NBJH. You may also contact Mrs. Cohen if you have any questions about the process.

As the district prepares to continue the SHIELD Testing program for COVID-19, we are asking all families to confirm participation or sign up to participate for the remainder of the year. PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM by Jan. 10 if you wish your student to continue with SHIELD Testing, or begin testing on January 31, 2023. Please complete the form even if you participated last semester. There is no need to respond if you do not wish to participate.

SHIELD Testing will continue as an optional in-home test. Samples must be dropped off at school on Tuesday mornings. Families will receive test packets for four weeks at a time. The next set of test packets will be distributed the week of Jan. 23.

Young Explorers Enrollment Open for Fall

The Young Explorers Early Childhood Program is now enrolling students for the AM and PM sessions of fall 2023. 

Young Explorers features a blended model to serve students identified as typically developing, at-risk, and in need of special education services. The program is located at Westmoor School and is open to all students who live within District 28 boundaries. 

Young Explorers utilizes rolling enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis. Families interested in the program need to sign up for a free screening by contacting Helene Josephson at 847-504-3809.

The AM session is for 3- and 4-year-old children. A child can start on their 3rd birthday. Parents can register for a screening six months in advance of a child's 3rd birthday.

The PM session is for children who will turn 5 years old between Sept. 2, 2023 and Sept. 1, 2024.

More details are available on the district website, northbrook28.net/YE

Register For House League Baseball

Registration for Northbrook Baseball’s Spring House League Season is open now through January 31. Northbrook Baseball encourages boys and girls of all skill levels in Grades 3-8 to play. You can read more about the program on our website: northbrookbaseball.com

Girls Invited to Sign up for Spring Softball

Registration is now open for the Northbrook Girls Softball Spring 2023 House League Season! NGSA’s House League accepts girls in 2nd through 9th 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.

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

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