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Hi folks,
Well, we've made it! To the halfway point of the school year, that is. Today marks the official end of Quarter 2 PE and Health classes, with term 3 exploratory classes for our 6th and 7th graders ending next Wednesday. As I sit here shaking my head wondering where the time has gone this year, it's a nice time to reflect on all that has taken place in the past five months. We hosted our first ever Art Community group for staff and students in a partnership with Twist Out Cancer. We held our first all-school assemblies in nearly three years, one of which was the Veterans Day ceremony to honor our local vets. We also brought our parent community back into the building for Curriculum Night and Parent-Teacher conferences. We had 13 students participate in the AreteLabs AMC Math competition -- an online competition for middle schools across the country -- and we brought home the 1st place prize for our division! Recently our PBIS committee launched a successful Hallway Heroes campaign as a way to ensure safe and appropriate hallway behavior. I haven't even mentioned that food sales are at an all-time high since we reopened the cafeteria.
So yes, we've had a busy, productive and fun start to the school year, and we're excited about what lies ahead for the coming months. Enjoy the long weekend...and we'll see everyone next Tuesday, January 17th.
Take care,
Scott
Parent Recommendations Forms Due Today!
For current 6th and 7th grade families who are interested in pursuing an Advanced Math or Advanced LA placement for their child next year, parent recommendation forms are due today. Please refer to the ELA & Math Placement section below for more details.
PTO Cookie Sale
The PTO will be sponsoring a cookie sale for Valentine's Day. Orders are due by January 26 and cookies will be distributed to students on February 14th at lunch. Families can place their order at the PTO website: nbjhpto.com.
For Current 7th Grade Families
7th grade parents should have received an email from 2023nbjhtrips@gmail.com with information regarding the parent run trip to Washington, D.C. on October 11-14, 2023. If not, please email 2023nbjhtrips@gmail.com. Erin Dineen and Mindy Hong will host an informational meeting for parents on Wednesday, January 18th at 7:00 pm via Zoom. Registration will open on Tuesday, January 24th at 8:00 pm.
Scott Meek, Ed. D., pHCLE
NBJH Principal
smeek@northbrook28.net
(847) 504-3501
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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? | |
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Important Dates
01/16 B Day NO SCHOOL - MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
01/17 A Day
01/18 B Day MAP Testing - JH Term 3 Classes End
01/19 A Day MAP Testing
01/20 B Day
Sports Information
01/18 Boys' Basketball vs. OLPH (7/8) - 4:30 p.m.
01/18 Girls' Basketball at OLPH (7/8) - 4:30 p.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)
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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.
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Eighth-grade Algebra students problem-solve together during class. Student Collaboration is a key aspect to the new math program. | |
Transforming Math Learning | |
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When Northbrook District 28 implemented a new math program in 2020, there was an intentional shift to develop students into problem-solvers rather than simply answer-getters.
The new program was the product of two years of research by district and high school educators and input for parents and students.
“We found a really strong consensus that developing confident mathematicians was a high priority,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kris Raitzer. The committee’s work was ready for implementation in 2020. Despite the pandemic, teachers of all grades rolled up their sleeves and embraced “Bridges in Mathematics” for elementary grades and an updated version of “Big Ideas: Modeling Real Life” for grades 6-8.
The new program has changed math from step-by-step demonstration and instruction to rich math environments where students work together using a variety of math models to solve problems and develop a deep understanding of math operations.
Elementary classrooms use “workplaces” where small groups of students work together on various games and activities to practice and enhance skills while teachers work directly with other students to differentiate instruction and assess understanding.
At the junior high, working from the textbook has been replaced with small group work around new concepts and sharing their thinking on problem-solving strategies.
The revised math program has improved students’ confidence in math and also increased standardized test scores across the board, both at individual schools and district-wide.
“Undoubtedly we know the real credit goes to teachers who embraced changes in math teaching, especially during the most challenging of times as we worked through the pandemic, and to our incredible students who’ve persevered along the way,” Dr. Raitzer said.
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Hear More on Our Podcast: Insight28
Episode 3: Transforming Math Learning
Learn about the thinking behind our math program changes, hear from teachers and students, how success is measured, and how to support your children at home. A great weekend listen!
Download now or look for it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music.
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COVID Dashboard
The district is maintaining a COVID Dashboard to report average cases per day by school and weekly averages districtwide. This information is updated daily.
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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. | | |
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Northwestern Youth Soccer Camps
Wildcats Youth Day Camps will be offered June 26-29 and July 24-27 for boys and girls in grades K-8. There are both half-day and full-day programs.
Register at northwesternsoccercamp.com
For additional questions, contact Ricardo Pinto at msoccer@northwestern.edu
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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
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