December 3, 2021
Hi folks,

It's been a nice "Welcome Back" week at NBJH. Hopefully our families enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. We also wish a Happy Hanukkah to our families who are celebrating this week.

Since we are in the midst of the holiday season, we like to view it as a season of giving too. One opportunity we have each year is to participate in the holiday drive sponsored by Youth Services. Drama teacher David Downing has helped coordinate our school involvement, and we're proud to say that various X-Blocks and school groups came together to create more than 20 holiday "Boxes of Joy" for less fortunate families in the area. Each box was packed with donations of gift cards, blankets, games and other goodies in hopes to spread a little holiday joy this season.

Speaking of the holidays, you can give your child the gift of a great read this holiday season with personalized book recommendations from the NBJH Library staff. Complete this form to receive personalized, developmentally appropriate book recommendations based on your child's interests and past favorites. Please contact Claire Greene, NBJH Librarian, with any questions.

For families whose children have received vaccination shots recently, the district will be sending communication next week on how to upload your child's vaccination card. This would exempt them from weekly SHIELD testing and it could also impact their need to quarantine if considered a close contact.

Have a great weekend...
Scott


Scott Meek, Ed. D., pHCLE
NBJH Principal
(847) 504-3501
Online Lunch Ordering Deadline
Reminder! Get your student lunch orders in for the week by Noon Sunday! (deadline extended one day). Review the menu, which is published every Tuesday, then place the order by noon Sunday.
Important Dates...
12/06 A Day
12/07 B Day - JH Session 2 Ends for 8th Grade Elective Classes
12/08 A Day - Music Parents Club Meeting in Room 410 - 12 Noon
12/09 B Day
12/10 A Day

Lost and Found
If your child has lost an article of clothing such as a jacket, hat, P.E. uniform, a book, folder, lunch bag, water bottle, etc., please have them check in the Cafeteria lost and found. There are quite a few items there!!!

Happenings at NBJH
Flutist Chosen for Elite State Band
Eighth-grade fluist Ava Paek will travel in January to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to participate in the All-Illinois Junior Band festival. She will rehearse and perform with other top middle school musicians from across the state, and perform in a world-class concert hall. 

Being an exceptional musician is a family trait for Ava, whose sister plays flute in the Glenbrook Symphony Orchestra.

“It’s really satisfying when you’re playing a piece and you’re able to control it and make the sound you want,” she said. It is the sound of flute that keeps her practicing and striving to play more difficult pieces.
Students were selected for the All-Illinois Junior Band strictly through their audition score from a recording submitted to the organization. The band members will come together January 14-15 to play with similarly talented peers under expert leadership. The weekend culminates in a performance at the Krannert Center. 

“The privilege and honor of being selected for this highly selective ensemble cannot be overstated,” said NBJH Band Director Keri Stone. “Ava’s exemplary efforts and musicianship have awarded her this high honor. The D28 Band Team is extremely proud that Ava will be representing the Northbrook District 28 Band Program.”
PTO News
Fresh Midwest is an online grocery delivery service focused on bringing the best of fresh to you. We cut out the middleman to connect you directly with farmers, restaurants and artisans. Use D28HOH and 3% will go to college scholarships for D28 grads. Click for details.
District News
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.

COVID Vaccination Verification Dec. 9
District 28 will send an email through CrisisGo to all parents on Dec. 9 with a unique link to upload children's COVID-19 vaccination cards. Once a student is fully vaccinated, which is two weeks after the second dose, they are no longer eligible for SHIELD Testing. They will be automatically purged from the roster.
Virtual Backpack
Materials posted are the responsibility of the organizations represented. View all Virtual Backpack listings on our website.
Junior High Adventures Group Focuses on Social Skills
This group is for students in 6th-8th grade who are working on improving their social skills and building positive peer relationships. Participants meet in person every Thursday from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Each week focuses on a different social theme, such as nonverbal communication, flexible thinking, and team building. Masks required. 
Contact Nelida Figueroa for more information at nelida.figueroa@ysgn.org. 

CATCH continues its Holiday Lunchtime Coffee Talk Series Dec. 8 and 15. Come for one or all! Click for more information and to register.
 Dr. Scott Meek, Principal | Northbrook Junior High | 847-498-7920 | www.northbrook28.net