Volume 32 Issue 29 | March 17, 2023

Principal's Message


Dear Greenbriar families,


Our Science Night on Wednesday was a huge success thanks to our awesome PTO committee and all the families who participated! The students were so excited to share their projects and their learning. Big thanks to Kristen Schotke for taking photographs to document the evening. Check out her amazing photos here.


Thanks also to all the parents who submitted videos of how they use math in the real world. These were a great addition to our morning announcements and helped students celebrate International Math Day/Pi Day on Tuesday.


A gentle reminder with the weather warming up (we hope!) that although we love dogs at Greenbriar, we ask that you not bring your dogs onto school property during school hours, including arrival and dismissal times.


Please let your children's teachers know asap if they will be absent any days around spring break. We'll send out the weekly Gazette next Friday as usual and then we'll pause for spring break. The next issue will arrive on April 6th.


Have a great weekend,

Ginny

STATE TESTING BEGINS AFTER BREAK

Our state-required testing of 3rd-5th graders will begin on April 4th for 3rd and 4th and on April 5th for 5th. Each grade takes two sections of English Language Arts and three sections of Math. Fifth graders will also take the IL Science Assessment (ISA) which has three sections. All assessments are completed on iPads. IAR score reports are typically shared from the state and mailed to families in early fall. We appreciate parents' help in ensuring students are in attendance and that they get sleep and a good breakfast on testing days.


STUDENT COUNCIL NEWSLETTER, ISSUE #2

Please check out the latest issue of the Student Council newsletter.


HONORING MRS. PORCARO *repeat*

As we shared via email earlier this week, we have two upcoming ways to honor Mary Porcaro and her kind spirit.


MEMORY BOOK: Since Mrs. Porcaro made an impact on so many children and families, we'd like to collect tributes and memories about what Mary meant to our community and compile them into a book for her family. All families and staff are invited to write or draw thoughts to be included in this book. A few guidelines...

  • Please keep submissions to 8.5x11 size and one-sided.
  • Feel free to include photos, drawings, and words.
  • Hard copy submissions can be sent to the school with students. Electronic submissions can be emailed to ghiltz@northbrook28.net or uploaded to this folder
  • Please share your submission by March 24th.


CANDLELIGHT PATH:

The Greenbriar PTO and Greenbriar Social Committee are organizing a Path of Kindness event to highlight the infinite love and kindness Mary Porcaro provided to the Northbrook community from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 19 at Greenbriar School, 2195 Cherry Lane. The path will begin at the entrance to the school on Cherry Lane.


- Mary's kindness was felt by so many people in and around the Northbrook area. All are welcome to come and walk the path. We ask that community members walk the path, have a moment of reflection and then allow the path and surrounding area to be enjoyed by other community members. Please do not bring tokens of love (e.g, candles, pictures, flowers, posters, etc.) to this event. 


- We also highly encourage those who are within walking distance of Greenbriar to please do so as parking is limited. 


- The event will take place regardless of the weather, so please dress appropriately.


- Due to an overwhelming amount of interest from the Northbrook community, the Porcaro family has decided that this will be the only community-based event to honor Mary. Any future celebrations of life will be private and reserved for close family and friends.

Upcoming Events & Thank Yous

Mark Your Calendars for Important Events!

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?


  • 3/20--Beginning & Junior Bands concert @ 7pm
  • 3/22--Kindergarten Music Sharing & Art Show
  • 3/23--PTO Pizza Day and Spirit Wear!
  • 3/25-4/2--NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
  • 3/20--Beginning & Junior Bands concert @ 7pm
  • 4/4--IAR testing begins for 3rd & 4th graders
  • 4/5--IAR testing begins for 5th graders
  • 4/6--PTO Pizza Day and Spirit Wear!
  • 4/7--NO SCHOOL
  • 4/11--PTO Meeting @ 8:45
  • 4/13--Spirit Wear Day!
  • 4/14--PTO Bundt Cake Day!
  • 4/20--PTO Pizza Day and Spirit Wear!
  • 4/24-4/28--SHARK WEEK @ Greenbriar!
  • 4/24-4/28--5th Grade Musicals and Art Show this week
  • 4/27--5th Grade Green Cast Musical @ 7pm
  • 4/27--Spirit Wear Day!
  • 4/28--5th Grade Gray Cast Musical @ 7pm
Shout Outs
  • Thank you to Ali Franklin & Lizzie Zivin for their help with Blizzard Day!  Students loved their special treats!


  • Thank you to Urmi Graft, Ellie Foreman, Sara Kladis, Rachel Copenhaver, Lisa Seidenberg, & Lesley Allen for organizing opportunities to give back with our Family Service Initiative. The Greenbriar community has a generous heart.  


  • Thank you to Meg McAlarney, Gauri Brown, Stacey Burgardt, & Laura St. John for organizing our annual Science Night.  Greenbriar students worked hard to create some amazing science projects and it was awesome to see their work! Thanks to all families who participated and who came to support our budding scientists! 


  • Heartfelt thanks to Shelly O'Regan, Lori Green, Kim Yen, Jen Vorda, Jenny Sciortino, Marie Junkmann, Carrie Malnor, Kelly Melzer, & Kasey Atkison for their work on Sunday’s Path of Kindness.  We appreciate your time & dedication making this a special night.

District News

KidCare Registration Opens April 17th


KidCare is District 28's before- and after-school care program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The goal of the program is to provide a fun, safe environment with opportunities including crafts, games, and study time. Students also participate in physical activities while having time to play outside each day, weather permitting.

Registration for 2023-24 opens April 17 at 7 p.m. Visit the KidCare webpage for details.

Young Explorers Announces

Expanded Transportation Options


The Young Explorers Early childhood program offers programming for special needs, at-risk and typically developing students in a blended classroom model. Children attend a half-day session five days a week following the school year calendar. The morning session is for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds and the afternoon session is for children who will be 5 years old after September 1.



Starting in August 2023, Young Explorers Early Childhood program will provide transportation to and from the following locations:

 

Bright Horizons at Northbrook

1101 Techny, Northbrook

 

Bright Horizons at Lake Cook

1650 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield

 

Creme de la Creme

2401 Patriot Blvd, Glenview

 

JCC-Apachi

3050 Woodridge Lane, Northbrook

 

Please visit the Young Explorers webpage for more information.


Summer Enrichment Courses Now Listed


The Summer Enrichment session will be Wednesday, June 7 through Friday, June 30. Registration opens at 7 p.m Monday, April 3 and closes at 7 p.m. Friday, April 14.


Visit our Summer Programming page for course descriptions and more information. Course descriptions are grouped by age. Please review before registration and select 2nd and 3rd choices because some courses fill quickly.


Please see Frequently Asked Questions for Summer Enrichment and Extended School Year general information.  

District PTO Council

District PTO Family Fun Day For Sister School in Kenya


Family activities include inflatables and games for children 9 and under and open gym with kickball and basketball organized by age on Friday, April 7, from 10 a.m. to noon at The Athletico Center. $10 admission. Proceeds benefit the District 28 Sister School in Kenya.

PTO News

WATERWAY - FULL SERVICE CAR WASH SALE *repeat*

After these long winter months, who doesn't love a clean car? We are currently fundraising with waterways. 50% of all money raised will go back to the PTO to help support field trips, student activities, and staff appreciation. Coupons are $24.00 each and never expire. Sales can be found on the PTO website & are open until March 22nd.  All coupons purchased will be sent home in students' green home folders the week of April 3rd. Buy today for your family, friends, and/or gifts for teachers!!!


SCIENCE NIGHT, MARCH 15TH

Calling All Scientists!! We are very excited for Science Night to come back to Greenbriar. 

Join us for Science Night, Wednesday March 15th from 6-7pm at Greenbriar's gymnasium.

We are looking for volunteers!  If you are able to help on Science Night, please sign-up here!


DID YOU KNOW? DISTRICT 28 SPONSORS SISTER SCHOOL IN KENYA

We wanted to share this post as we expect to hear more in the future about this amazing relationship with our sister school in Kenya. More information to come, but enjoy reading a little more about it on the District website. We hope everyone will join in the special event on April 7th at Athletico to benefit our sister school.


DID YOU KNOW? PTO MEETING MINUTES 

If you cannot make it to PTO meetings on the second Tuesday of the month, all meeting minutes can be found on the PTO website under "More Information" and then the "Meeting Minutes" tab. Staying up-to-date on all things PTO is only a few clicks away.  

Just a reminder that all meeting are in-person at the school but Zoom is always an option as well.  


Not sure if you ordered pizza or a treat? *repeat*

To double check your orders, click on this link, log into the PTO website, and look under "my account" and then "my orders."


IMPORTANT LINK

Greenbriar PTO: https://www.greenbriarpto.com/


As always, please reach out to Lori or Shelly should you need anything at greenbriarptonorthbrook@gmail.com.

Virtual Backpack

District 28 invites local non-profit organizations and community government agencies to promote events for families and children. Each week, some event 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.

Spring Hockey Registration Now Open

Looking to get your child to try hockey or get your player geared up to play in the fall? Come try our Spring Mini-Mites/Mite House/Squirt House Programs! These are our entry-level hockey programs for our youngest players, where they will work on skating, learn basic hockey skills, and have fun! This program will run once a week April-May. Come join us!

 

Visit  Northbrook Bluehawks for more information.


Is My Kid OK?

When our kids are struggling with their mental health, they may not have the skills to explain their challenges. Instead, they often send a message through their behavior.

 

Join CATCH Tuesday, March 21 at noon via Zoom and learn about the early signs and how to support your child. Speaker: Jodi Salata, ALMFT,

Cutting Edge Counseling

Register today

Northbrook Symphony Concert Features Maestro Chen

The Northbrook Symphony Orchestra (NSO) announces the third performance of its 43rd season at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at Sheely Center for the Performing Arts, 2300 Shermer Road.

Adults and children of all ages are invited to attend the Spring Concert featuring world-renowned musician and leader, Maestro Robert Chen. Mr. Chen has held the role of Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) since 1999 and was named

NSO’s Artistic Creative Partner in the 21/22 season. Within NSO, Mr. Chen performs as a soloist, advises with programming, and participates in community activities.

For more information visit www.northbrooksymphony.org. or call the Symphony office at 847-272-0755. Tickets for children are complimentary.

Greenbriar School | Dr. Ginny Hiltz, Principal | 847-498-7950 | ghiltz@northbrook28.net | Website

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