Principal's Message
We're excited to begin the second semester on Tuesday! It's hard to believe that we are halfway through this unique year. I'm looking forward to seeing many of our Greyhounds back in-person on Tuesday. Krieger, our Greenbriar therapy dog, will be with us next week to welcome kids back and support anyone having a more difficult time with the transition.
Thank you to all of our families who stepped up to support students during the adaptive pause. This year has truly shown the value and outcome of our partnership in support of our students. Thanks for all you have all done and continue to do to help your kids be successful in school.
As a reminder, we have a half day today with dismissal at 11:40, and no school on Monday. Please enjoy your long weekends and stay safe.
Warmly,
Ginny
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Snow Gear Essential for In-Person Students
We will continue taking students outside for recess and P.E. when the "feels like" temperature is above 10 degrees. If there is snow on the ground, students will need to wear snow pants, boots, coats, gloves, and hats. Students who do not have snow pants and boots will sit out on the sidewalk/blacktop.
Materials Return for In-Person Students
For those students returning in-person on Tuesday, please send back iPads, iPad chargers, and curriculum materials (as directed by your child's teacher). The iPads AND chargers are essential to return as we have a short supply of spares in the building. If your child brought home headphones, please send those back as well.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Group--Volunteers Needed
We are looking for 5-6 parent volunteers to support the district's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. This group will be tasked with reading and providing feedback on materials created by the DEI steering committee. All of the work will be independent with specific timeframes in which to submit comments. No meetings -- virtual or in-person -- will be required. Volunteers need only have an interest in supporting the district's DEI efforts, though perspectives from volunteers of diverse ethnic, cultural, and family backgrounds are always appreciated. Please click here if you'd like to volunteer.
Winter Assessment Information--In-Person Students
The following dates are when students in 2nd-5th will take MAP Reading and MAP Math assessments and when 3rd and 5th graders will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). For 3rd and 5th graders, the MAP and CogAT tests are used as data points in the review for placement into appropriate course pathways. Please contact your child's teacher with any specific questions about testing dates/times. Please note, we will not allow gum or mints during testing due to a possible choking hazard because children will be wearing masks while testing. **New information from the state: the testing window for the IL Assessment of Readiness (IAR) for 3rd-5th graders will take place in April-May this year.
2nd grade MAP: 2/17 & 2/18
3rd grade MAP: 2/22 & 2/23
3rd grade CogAT: 2/17, 2/18 & 2/19
4th grade MAP: 2/2 & 2/3
5th grade MAP: 2/4 & 2/5
5th grade CogAT: 2/9, 2/10 & 2/11
Valentine's Day Updates
With our continued focus on safety precautions, we will not be able to allow students to exchange Valentine's Day cards this year. Teachers will still find ways to celebrate the holiday and our PTO will provide crafts for each student to enjoy for all in-person and RLA students.
Hot Chocolate Challenge
If your child participated in the Hot Chocolate Challenge over winter break, s/he will be receiving a coupon on Tuesday, January 19th, for a FREE 8 oz. hot chocolate from the Starbucks at 820 Skokie Boulevard in Northbrook. The coupon needs to be redeemed by Tuesday, February 16th, 2021. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to this Starbucks location for supporting our students and our reading program!
Photos Requested by PTO
Please help our Greenbriar historians collect photos for the creation of our yearbook! The committee is looking for photos of 5th grade students with birthday signs. Please email your photos to greenbriarhistorian@gmail.com.
Updated In-person Health and Safety Guidelines *repeat*
The guidelines have been updated with the latest health protocols and modifications we have made to accommodate the colder weather.
CrisisGo emails will be sent at 6:30 a.m., along with a reminder text from the district. Please make sure you complete the health certification form before sending children to school.
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Greater Chicago Food Depository
Giving Campaign*repeat*
We know many families have been impacted by the pandemic and associated economic concerns this year. The elementary schools in District 28 are hoping to work together to bring food, dignity, and hope to our neighbors across Cook County who are experiencing hunger. Please join us in a virtual food drive! Every $1 can help provide 3 meals!
Our goal is to raise $28,000 for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
We are extending the fund-raising drive until Jan. 22. So far, we have raised $8,090. We can do this!
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4th Grade Placement Update |
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*REPEAT*Fourth Grade: Requests Due for Advanced Placement
If your child is not currently placed in advanced math and you wish to request a math placement review, a parent nomination form must be completed and returned to the school principal and the building GT services coordinator by January 19, 2020.
Please note, all students are reviewed for math placement in the winter and spring of their 5th-grade year. This process determines placement for 6th grade into one of three math courses: Grade 6, Accelerated 6 or Pre-Algebra 6.
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Remote Learning Academy News |
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Second Semester Begins Tuesday, January 19
Just a reminder, there will be no school for students on Monday, January 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tuesday, January 19 will begin the second semester of the school year. This marks a transition for some Northbrook 28 students who may be starting onsite instruction or joining RLA. We would like to thank our RLA families who have students transitioning to onsite instruction. We appreciated your support during the first half of the school year. To new families joining RLA, welcome! Please check this section each week for RLA news and notes.
CogAt Testing in February for 3rd and 5th Grade
Parents of 3rd- and 5th-grade students should have received an email last week about CogAT testing that will take place in February. In order to ensure a successful testing experience for all, we are planning to administer the CogAT in-person at school, including for RLA students. Third-grade students will test from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 1, Tuesday, Feb. 2, and Wednesday, Feb. 3. Fifth-grade students will test from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, Tuesday, Feb. 9, and Wednesday, Feb. 10.
Our principals have identified testing locations that will have safety protocols in place, including 6-foot social distancing, face coverings, and sanitizing of testing locations. At Greenbriar, we will test in the multi-purpose/lunchroom. Students will enter through the back parking lot door (our KidCare drop off/pick up door) and will proceed directly to the multi-purpose room. Each student will sit at his/her own table. While at school, RLA students will not interact with in-person students or staff, except for the staff proctors. You will receive additional reminders and information closer to the testing dates. Please contact your principal if you have questions.
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Upcoming Events & Thank Yous |
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Mark Your Calendars for Important Events!
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1/15--1/2 Day of School for students, dismissal @ 11:40
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1/18--NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- 1/19--Start of Semester 2, return for in-person learners
- 1/22--Progress reports available to parents online
- 1/26--Board of Education meeting @ 7pm
- 1/28--Spirit Wear Day!
- 2/1--MAP & CogAT assessments begin
- 2/3--RLA materials pick up @ 4:30-5:30
- 2/9--PTO Meeting @ 8:45 via Zoom
- 2/10 & 2/11--Parent-Teacher Conferences
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2/11--1/2 Day of School for students, dismissal @ 12:00
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2/12--NO SCHOOL
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- Thanks to Urmi Graft and Jessica Lensch-Falk for facilitating our RLA materials exchange on Wednesday!
- Thanks to all parents who attended our virtual PTO meeting this week!
- Thanks to all families who supported students in making kindness rocks to welcome back Greenbriar staff members!
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Thank you to all who attended this week's virtual PTO meeting on Tuesday! Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 9th at 8:45 a.m.
Kindness Rocks: Thank you to those who worked on Kindness Rocks! The deadline to turn these in is 3:00 p.m. today.
We look forward to the return of in-person school next Tuesday and give thanks to our Greenbriar staff! Enjoy the long weekend everyone!
Thanks,
Greenbriar PTO
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Substitutes Needed!
District 28 needs substitute teachers and substitute classroom aides. To substitute teach, individuals need an Illinois Substitute Teaching certificate. Learn more about substitute teaching.
To qualify as an aide, individuals need 60 semester hours of college credit or a high school diploma and either the WorkKeys or Parapro test.
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Kindergarten Registration Opens Feb. 2 |
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All children who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2021, should register for kindergarten. Parents have the option to select a full-day or half-day option. For health and safety accommodations, parents will be invited to register online and upload required documents between February 2 and February 7. Visit the kindergarten registration webpage for details.
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Young Explorers Enrollment Open for Fall |
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The Young Explorers Early Childhood Program is now enrolling students for the AM and PM sessions of fall 2021.
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 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 his/her 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, 2021 and Sept. 1, 2022.
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District 28 shares local non-profit and community partner flyers here in the District's "Virtual Backpack." Materials posted on this page are the responsibility of the organizations represented. You can always check the Virtual Backpack webpage as a handy reference!
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Winter Gear Drive at NBJH |
Clean out your closets and donate to a good cause!
The Northbrook Junior High Builders Club is collecting gently used coats, boots, and other winter gear for Cradles to Crayons charity Jan. 13 - Jan. 22. Drop off your items at the main entrance after school.
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NSYMCA Offers Remote Learning
Child Care
The NSYMCA will be offering Remote Learning Days for families that need supervision and care for their 2nd-8th grade student. Click for details.
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Spring Softball Registration
Registration is now open for the Northbrook Girls Softball Association's Spring 2021 House League Season for girls in 2nd grade through 8th grade. Download the flier for more details.
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Baseball for early grades
Northbrook Action Baseball offers programming for children preschool ages through 2nd grade for boys and preschool through 3rd grade for girls.
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