Volume 31 Issue 19 | January 21, 2022
Principal's Message

Greenbriar was busy during this short week! We are wrapping up CogAT make up tests for 3rd and 5th graders and will begin MAP testing at the end of next week. We started a new cycle of Science/Social Studies instruction and 3rd and 5th graders began visiting the Science Lab again this week. Kindergarteners and 1st graders are working through AIMSWeb+ assessments and many classes have earned positive rewards like pajama days and extra recess time. We're hopeful for some warmer temps in the coming weeks so we can get back outside soon for recess!

We have PTO Pizza Day on Wednesday. Please make sure you have submitted your orders--the deadline is today. Have a great weekend!

Warmly,
Ginny
Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences on February 16th & 17th will be held virtually again. Conference scheduling will begin on Wednesday, Feb 2nd at 7pm, and close on Sunday, Feb 13th at 7pm. Parents will receive an email with a reminder and link to schedule conferences.

IL Assessment of Readiness & IL Science Assessment Update
Students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades will complete the IL Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in the weeks following spring break. More details on the specific schedule will be provided as we get closer to the testing window. Fifth grade students will also take the IL Science Assessment during the last week of April 25th. Again, more details will be shared as we get closer.

Valentine's Day Update *repeat*
We will host classroom Valentine's Day parties on 2/14 following the same format as our Halloween and winter holiday parties. Thanks in advance to our parent volunteers! As well, students will be allowed to share Valentine's Day cards with one another this year. A few reminders:
  • If your child would like to give out valentines, please make sure there are enough for every student in the class. Teachers can provide a list of student names.
  • No food or candy can be given with valentines.
  • Students will exchange valentines in a safe way in class and will bring them home to be opened.
  • Please refer to your child's teacher's update on specifics about how and when valentines should be brought to school.

World Read Aloud Day *repeat*
We are excited to be celebrating World Read Aloud Day on February 2nd. Please check out this flier for additional details about the activities students will be participating in starting on January 31st.
Upcoming Events & Thank Yous
Mark Your Calendars for Important Events!

  • 1/26--PTO pizza day!
  • 1/27--Spirit wear day!
  • 1/31-2/2--World Read Aloud Day activities
  • 2/1-2/6--Kindergarten registration for 2022-23
  • 2/8--PTO meeting @ 8:45 via Zoom
  • 2/9--PTO pizza day
  • 2/10--Spirit wear day!
  • 2/14--Classroom Valentine's Day parties @ 2:30-3:15
  • 2/16 & 2/17--Parent/Teacher conferences
  • 2/17--Half Day for students, dismissal at 12:00
  • 2/18--No School
  • 2/21--No School
  • 2/22--Board of Education meeting @ 7pm
  • 2/23--PTO pizza day
  • 2/24--Spirit wear day!
  • 2/25--End of 2nd trimester
Shout Outs
  • Thank you to everyone who attended last week's PTO meeting!
District News
Online kindergarten registration Feb. 1-6

Kindergarten registration will be conducted online February 1-6, 2022 for the 2022-23 school year for all children who will be 5 years old by September 1. The registration link will be live beginning at 8 a.m. Feb. 1 and stay open through Sunday, Feb. 6. 

This is the first step in the registration process for kindergarten, which is to establish residency. In order for your student to be placed in a class, you will complete enrollment in April when fees will be collected.

New! COVID Protocol Flowchart
The updated guidance published by the Illinois Department of Public Health for COVID-19 positive cases (isolation) and close contacts (quarantine) has added another layer of complexity. We've created a flowchart to help parents and staff understand What to do if their child has a positive case or is a close contact. This is posted on our website under COVID Information. There is also a chart to help you determine when your child can return to school.
 
COVID Dashboard
The district is maintaining a COVID dashboard to publish more detailed information on positive cases and student quarantines for close contact and travel. The dashboard is updated daily with newly reported positive cases of both students and staff as well as student quarantine daily averages.
Participate in 5Essentials Survey
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey of staff, students, and parents is being conducted January 11 through March 11. This is the tenth statewide survey of school climate and learning conditions administered by the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey is a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to help provide input on a school’s organizational culture in measuring five ‘essentials’ critical for school success:
  • Effective Leaders
  • Collaborative Teachers
  • Involved Families
  • Supportive Environment
  • Ambitious Instruction
Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand your perspective and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
If at least 20 percent of parents complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated for administrative review. The parent data will not be reported on the State Report Card. The survey is open through March 11, 2022.

Follow the survey link and select the appropriate school to begin.

You can view previous reports on the Illinois School Report Card under School Environment.
PTO News
Pizza Day
Our next pizza day will be on Wednesday, 1/26. All orders will need to be in by 5 p.m. on Friday 1/21.

** Important Reminder** Please remember that after selecting items for sale on Paperless PTO, you need to check out. Orders won't be processed without going through this step and selecting payment. Where to order?  GreenbriarPTO.com.

Bundt Cake Day
We will be having a bundt cake day on 2/16. Stay tuned soon for sale details.

Interested in Subbing?
Thank you to all of the parents who sub- You are truly helping keep our schools running. We appreciate YOU! There is a HUGE need for subs in the district. Should you be interested in getting your sub license, please consider. Here's the link to ISBE to get started.

As always, should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Kim Yen or Marie Junkmann at greenbriarptonorthbrook@gmail.com
Virtual Backpack
Materials posted are the responsibility of the organizations represented. View all Virtual Backpack listings on our website.
Register for Northbrook Girls Softball

The NGSA House League is designed for girls in 2nd-9th grade regardless of experience, ability or residency. Have fun and learn about fast-pitch softball without pressure. Register by Feb. 15. Clinics begin in early March. Click for details.
Register for Little League through Jan. 31

Northbrook Action Baseball is accepting registration for preschoolers through 2nd grade for boys and through 3rd grade for girls. January is the final registration period. Click for the program details Download the registration form
What's Happening at the Y

Learn about winter programs and summer camps in the winter newsletter from the North Suburban YMCA.
CATCH Parent Groups Forming

When your child is struggling with their mental health, you can help them by getting support for yourself. CATCH is forming Parent Connect groups now.
Greenbriar School | Dr. Ginny Hiltz, Principal | 847-498-7950 | ghiltz@northbrook28.net | Website