Volume 30 Issue 7 | October 2, 2020
Principal's Message

We have been busy at Greenbriar in-person and with our RLA team and have lots of information to share this week. Please take a moment to read through the updates below.

Today is National Custodial Worker's Day and we're fortunate to have the best team supporting our Greenbriar community. They have been integral to keeping us safe! A huge thanks goes out to our head custodian, Casey Murman, and his team: Mercedes, Saad, Richie, Pedro, Jules, and David!

Today we welcome back our Canines4Comfort partners who are visiting with a couple of service dogs. We're also excited for today's special staff lunch of Little Louie's food truck, hosted by the Len family and Tom Len Custom Homes. We've been overwhelmed by the generosity of our Greenbriar community in supporting our remote and in-person staff. Thank you all! Have a great weekend and stay safe.

Warmly,
Ginny

Greenbriar Service Dog Update
We have exciting news from our partners at Canines4Comfort! Due to a shift with another recipient of a service dog, Greenbriar is now in line to receive Krieger, a white Golden Doodle (pictured above) in the next month or so. Unlike Ozzie who we were slated to receive at the end of his training next year, Krieger is wrapping up his training next month. Krieger is familiar with Greenbriar as he visited us here multiple times last year during his training. He was always a student favorite so we are thrilled with the switch! Look for more information soon about how Krieger will be interacting with students when he arrives here full time.

Greenbriar Safety Spirit Week Next Week!
Next week, we'll be reminding students about safety tips each day on morning announcements and we'd like to invite students (and families!) to participate in our spirit week. The goal is to remind everyone about the importance of social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing, and keeping our community safe...plus we always like to have a little fun too! Check out this flier for details on our spirit week dress up days. These are optional for all students! RLA families, please feel free to email me photos of your students getting into the safety spirit!

Conference Scheduling for All
Parent-teacher conferences will take place via Zoom on October 14th and 15th. Parents should receive conference scheduling letters this weekend with directions on how to select a time. The parent portal will open for registration on October 5th at 7:00 pm through October 12th at 7:00 pm. As in years part, our specials teachers (Art, Music, Spanish, P.E.) will not schedule conferences with each student. However, if parents have questions or would like to check in with teachers, they will be available during the conference windows. Please contact the specials teacher directly to set up a time.

Virtual Author Visit Opportunity
Annie Barrows, author of the Iggy books, will be hosting a virtual discussion, via the Book Stall, on October 7th. Click on this flier for more information. Register at this link.

Halloween News for All *repeat*
Unfortunately, due to social distancing restrictions, we will be unable to hold our annual Halloween parade around the neighborhood this year. However, we’re still excited to allow students the fun of observing Halloween during school. Here are a few notes about what Halloween will look like this year.

*Costumes will be allowed in K-5 for both in-person and RLA students. If your child chooses to wear a costume, please observe the following guidelines:

  • Costumes will be worn all day. We’re discouraging parents from picking up in-person students for lunch this year as this will create challenges for social distancing.
  • Costumes for ALL students must not be overly scary and may not include replica weapons or excessive blood or gore.
  • Costumes for in-person students must allow for the following:
  • Hands not covered and able to be washed/use sanitizer
  • Students should be able to sit comfortably for the day
  • Students should be able to use the bathroom without assistance
  • Students' faces should be visible so that they are able to wear a typical face mask with their costume
  • Please avoid inflatable or extra large costumes

*In lieu of PTO-organized classroom parties, students will participate in fun, socially-distanced activities throughout the day. We will work with our PTO to provide individually-wrapped craft bags for our RLA students that will be available for pick-up on 10/28.


Fall Assessment News for All *repeat*
As shared previously, this year, all 2nd through 5th graders will take the MAP Reading and Math assessments this fall. The window begins next week for in-person students (see dates below). RLA students will also take MAP this fall. We'll also be reading with students using a common assessment tool to gauge approximate reading levels and areas of strength and for development. Our K and 1st students will be working with teachers 1:1 with the AIMSWeb+ benchmark assessment tool in both math and reading. All of these data points are joined together with the wealth of knowledge we're collecting about students in class to help teachers make instructional decisions. Please contact your child's teacher with any questions.

In-person MAP testing schedule:
  • 3rd grade: 10/2 & 10/7
  • 2nd grade: 10/9 & 10/13
Remote Learning Academy News
Library Books, iPad Case Returns and New Material Pickup
Just a reminder, our next material pickup is Wednesday, October 7 from 4:30-5:30p.m. Art materials, library books, and items from your child’s teachers will be ready for pickup. Please plan to return library books and original 5th grade iPad cases.  
**GREENBRIAR RLA PICK UP WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG GREENBRIAR LANE JUST PAST THE BACK PARKING LOT!** Please pull up heading northbound on Greenbriar Lane.

RLA Parent/Teacher Conference Scheduling
The conference scheduling system will open on Monday, October 5 at 7 p.m. and close on Monday, October 12 at 7 p.m. You will be receiving a letter with your account information. If you have questions about how to schedule your conference, please reach out to Vicky Mazur via email at vmazur@northbrook28.net or 847-504-3428. 
Upcoming Events & Thank Yous
Mark Your Calendars for Important Events!

  • 10/7--RLA student materials pick up @ Greenbriar from 4:30-5:30
  • 10/8--Spirit Wear Day!
  • 10/13--PTO Meeting @ 8:45
  • 10/14 & 10/15--Parent-Teacher Conferences via Zoom
  • 10/15--Half Day of School for Students, 12:00 Dismissal
  • 10/16--NO SCHOOL
  • 10/22-Spirit Wear Day!
  • 10/27--Board of Education meeting @ 7pm
  • 10/28--RLA student materials pick up @ Greenbriar from 4:30-5:30
  • 10/30--Halloween celebration
Shout Outs
  • Thanks to the Franklin, Auerbach, Markman, Pinchuk, and Raymond families for providing surprise Nothing Bundt Cakes for our staff this week!

  • Thanks to the Len family and Tom Len Custom Homes for an extra special lunch from Little Louie's food truck for staff today!
PTO News
Happy Custodial Workers Day~ Today, October 2nd!
This week we celebrate our custodians and give thanks for all of their hard work to keep the school clean. They are doing a tremendous job! The PTO gave each of our custodians a gift to celebrate them.
* Casey, Mercedes, Jules, Saad, Rich, David, Pedro
Masks
The tie dye masks were distributed this week. The emoji masks will be arriving soon.
There are a handful of kids tie dye masks left should your child still want one. Should you be interested in ordering a mask or an extra one, send an e-mail to: greenbriarptonorthbrook@gmail.com. Masks are $10 each.

Car Magnets
If anyone is looking for a Greenbriar car magnet, they are in the office. They are $5 each. Contact Diane Gillis or Katie Trout in the front office if you are interested in getting one.  

Upcoming Fun
The PTO is looking to schedule a carry out lunch/dinner fundraiser sometime soon with Grill House. Stay tune for details!

Have a great weekend!
Kim & Marie
District News
Schools Will Follow Travel Restrictions
Schools are beginning to receive inquiries about travel over the upcoming holiday seasons. Please review the District’s existing travel quarantine protocols. Our goal is to keep COVID-19 positive cases for students and staff to a minimum.
 
Travel within the United States
Students who travel to other states that are on the Cook County Department of Public Health travel quarantine list will not be allowed to return to school for in-person instruction until the 14-day quarantine period has been completed. The list is updated Tuesday of every week and goes into effect on Friday of the same week. 
 
International Travel
Likewise for international travel, any student who visits a country listed by the CDC as “Warning – Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel” will not be allowed to return to school for in-person instruction until the 14-day quarantine period has been completed. 
New Website Part of District Communication Improvements
After nearly a year of research and development, a new district website, northbrook28.net, launched Oct. 1.
This website was developed based on parent feedback through a communication survey conducted last fall and input from the Communications Advisory Committee. It is intended to help visitors find what they are looking for more easily and to prominently display new information.

The new website is part of three phases of improvement to communication tools. A new notification system is also being phased in that allows parents to opt-out of text messages rather than having to opt-in. Also, a mobile app is being developed that will allow parents to customize how they receive district information.
Submit comments or questions to Terry Ryan, Communications Director
Physical Exams, Immunizations Due October 15

As outlined in the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-8.1), students entering an Illinois school for the first time and all students entering kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades, as well as transfer students must submit evidence of a physical examination and a complete record of immunizations by October 15 of the current school year.

The State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination form must be completed within 12 months prior to the first day of school which this year was August 24. Unless an exemption or extension applies, the failure to comply with the above requirements by Thursday, October 15 of the current school year will result in the student's exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the District (Board Policy 7:100). 
28LearningTogether
What Do Students Learn in Remote P.E.?
The 2020-21 school year is unlike any other. Periodic posts will highlight innovation in teaching and learning, and how we are all adjusting to learning during a pandemic. 

What do first-graders learn during P.E. class in remote learning? Skill-building, yoga, mindfulness, health and free choice! Mrs. Schlesinger describes her journey of translating P.E. to remote. Read more.
Virtual Backpack
District 28 shares local non-profit and community partner flyers here in the District's "Virtual Backpack." This approach allows us to provide information about community programs in a way that is environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Please note that District 28 is making this information available as a courtesy and to provide information about local events and programs in our community. Materials posted on this page are the responsibility of the organizations represented. You can always check the Virtual Backpack webpage as a handy reference!
Register for Northbrook Action Baseball
Northbrook Action Baseball offers programming for children preschool ages through 2nd grade for boys and preschool through 3rd grade for girls.
In this pre-little league/softball league experience, children learn the basic fundamentals of the game including hitting, catching, throwing, running bases, etc.
To volunteer, please complete the sponsorship form.
Registration begins Oct. 1 and runs through January.
Resources for Parents
The Glenview Northbrook Council on Youth provides resources for parents to counsel children on choices.
 
Greenbriar School | Dr. Ginny Hiltz, Principal | 847-498-7950 | ghiltz@northbrook28.net | Website