Happy Friday,

We've had a fun week celebrating our National Blue Ribbon award from the Department of Education. If you didn't have the opportunity to watch our whole school assembly, you can find a recorded version on the Westmoor Youtube page.

Westmoor School Custodian Matt Kritzberg raises the National Blue Ribbon Flag at while special guests and representatives from each grade level look on. Read more about the school celebration and a special video below.

In honor of Veterans Day, there will be a ceremony today at NBJH beginning at 10:30am. Please follow the link below to stream the ceremony live.

It's hard to believe, but Thanksgiving break is almost here! Today marks the end of trimester one. Over the two Institute Days on November 21 and 22, staff will participate in professional development and have time to finish report cards. Report cards will be sent home electronically on Friday, December 2.

Please visit the School News section below for information on CogAT testing for 3rd & 5th-grade students. There will be additional information coming soon from our Gifted and Talented department.

Have a great weekend,

Mary

MONDAY 11/14

• Marla's lunch - Jade's Chinese Cafe

TUESDAY 11/15

• Marla's lunch - Corner Bakery

WEDNESDAY 11/16

• Marla's lunch - Little Louie's

THURSDAY 11/17

• Pizza Day
• 3rd Grade Field Trip

FRIDAY 11/18

• Marla's lunch - Jimmy John's

CogAT Schedule:

In December, the 3rd & 5th grade students will participate in the Cognitive Abilities (CogAT) as one part of the Gifted and Talented placement for next year. There will be additional information coming on the Gifted & Talented process and other data that is utilized to determine placement. I've listed the dates below for families so you can plan accordingly. There will be makeup days offered for any students absent on testing days.

3rd Grade: Thursday, December 1 & Friday, December 2

5th Grade: Thursday, December 1 & Friday, December 2 & Monday, December 3

Please visit our website for additional information on the district’s Gifted and Talented Services and District assessments.

Math Workshop for Parents/Caregivers:

If you have more than one child it is only necessary to attend one of the sessions that are offered. This event is for adults only and is offered by Rebecca Stowell and Danielle Rubel.

Cold Weather and Snow

Now that the unseasonal warm weather has gone away, we would like to remind families on the weather policy.  The District 28 weather policy is: Students go outside for recess every day as long as the "feels like" temperature is above 10 degrees.  Please send your student daily with the items they will need throughout the day. Once we have snow on the ground students must have boots, snow pants, and gloves to play in the snow. 

School Arrival/Tardiness

This is just a friendly reminder that all students should be arriving to school between 8:15am and 8:25am. Classes begin at 8:30am so any students walking in the door at that time or after are considered tardy. Being tardy is part of your child's permanent school record. Please plan your morning accordingly. With the cold and snowy weather approaching you will need to allow more time to drop off your students. Please do not drop your child off by the curb in front of the driveway or attempt a left hand turn out of the driveway. This is a safety hazard.

Volunteers Needed!

Planning is underway for STEM night in January! Please join the committee to help us plana fun and engaging night for our kids!

Spiritwear

Spiritwear is here and was passed out on Wednesday OTHER than sweatpants which are on backorder! Thanks to Kelly Parikh for all her hard work!

PTO Upcoming Dates and Events!

• December 9th: Winter Sing for grades 1st through 4th
• December 16th: Holiday classroom parties - 2:45-3:30pm

If you want to know more about your PTO and want to get involved, email [email protected].

Lindsey Baker and Diana Horwitz

PTO Co-Presidents

MONDAY 11/21- FRIDAY 11/25

• NO SCHOOL - FALL BREAK

MONDAY 11/28

• Marla's lunch - Upper Crust Bagels

TUESDAY 11/29

• Marla's lunch - Panera
• Board of Education Meeting @7pm

WEDNESDAY 11/30

• Marla's lunch - Josh's

THURSDAY 12/1

• Pizza Day
• 3rd Grade Field Trip

FRIDAY 12/2

• Marla's lunch - Potbelly
• Trimester 1 report Cards emailed home

Westmoor School students and staff gathered for an all-school assembly on Monday, Nov. 7 to celebrate receiving the National Blue Ribbon School Award as an Exemplary High Performing school.

Westmoor Schoo was one of 17 schools in the state and 297 nationally to receive the 2022 award. Principal Mary Sturgill, Superintendent Dr. Jason Pearson and veteran teacher Beth Coughlin, attended the U.S. Department of Education ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Friday, returning with the award plaque and flag.

“I am so proud and excited to be here this morning to recognize the accomplishments of Westmoor School’s students, staff and families for receiving the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award,” said Board President Tracy Katz Muhl a the assembly. “The Board of Education believes the learning culture here at Westmoor School reflects the values of the entire community.”

Congressman Brad Schneider also attended. “The quality of a school is built on the excellence of passionate teachers, engaged staff, supportive communities and of course hard-working students. The work here at Westmoor is truly an inspiration for all of us,” he said.

Following a short program including a performance of the 5th-grade chorus and band, representatives from each grade level joined Ms. Sturgill and special guests around the flagpole to raise the National Blue Ribbon School flag.

What makes Westmoor a National Blue Ribbon School?

The district is excited to celebrate Westmoor School receiving the National Blue Ribbon School award. The Board of Education and administration are proud of the accomplishments of the Westmoor school students and staff. We feel it is an extension of the positive learning environment we strive for throughout our district.

In this video, Westmoor staff and students talk about what they think makes Westmoor School A National Blue Ribbon School.

New INSIGHT28 Podcast!

Superintendent Dr. Jason Pearson showcases stories, people and programs of Northbrook School District 28 in the newly launched podcast, Insight28.

In episode one, hear from the teachers and students involved in the NBJH Community Art Club and how it made an impact on their lives.

Insight28 is available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify or where you find your podcasts. Click to subscribe or search "Northbrook."

Openings for Early Childhood Program

Young Explorers Early Childhood program is currently accepting 3- and 4-year-old children for the morning session, which runs from 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. 

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, 2500 Cherry Lane, Northbrook, and is open to all students who live within District 28 boundaries. There are several spots currently available.

The program has rolling enrollment so students can enter any month of the year, space permitting. Interested parents should make a screening appointment by contacting Helene Josephson at 847-504-3809. Children must be 3 years old on the day of their screening. 

If you are interested in enrolling for next school year, please contact Helene Josephson to schedule an upcoming screening. Young Explorers has spots available for both the AM (3- and 4-year-olds) and PM (Pre-K) sessions for the 2023-2024 school year.

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. 

Materials posted are the responsibility of the organizations represented. View all Virtual Backpack listings on our website.

Lunch & Learn: How to Find Joy in Your Kids When They Aren't So Enjoyable!

Connecting with our kids isn't always easy, especially when they are pushing ALL of our buttons. Join Susan Millner, LCSW, and learn some helpful tips for finding joy with our kids... even on the hard days. Join Susan Millner, LCSW, Tuesday, November 15th @ 12 p.m. via Zoom and learn some helpful tips for finding joy with our kids... even on the hard days. Registration is required.

Westmoor School | Mary Sturgill, Principal | 847-498-7960 | Email | Website