The Buzz at Westbrook School
February 12, 2021
From the Principal...
Dear Westbrook Families,
While in a first grade classroom this week, I heard a first grader read aloud from a poster at the front of the classroom:
“I think people are happier when they make friends, what do you think?” - Ruby Bridges
After reading the quote, he said, “My friends make me smile.” He then asked his teacher, “Who is Ruby Bridges?” The teacher shared that they would be learning about Ruby Bridges and her story later in the day. After hearing the story of Ruby Bridges, the class had a discussion around these three questions:
What does this make you think?
What does this make you feel?
What does this make you want to do?
At Westbrook, we are guided by our three rules of being safe, kind, and ready. By hearing the voices and stories of people from our history, it helps students to understand the world around them. Discussions allow students to practice empathizing and thinking critically about what it means to be a good friend and what they can do to help make the world a better place.
In addition to continuing to celebrate Black History Month, our Westbrook friends celebrated being “100 days brighter” with the 100th day of school! We are so proud of our students! We also had some fun celebrating Valentine’s Day!
Mount Prospect Public Library
The Mount Prospect Public Library has a lot of wonderful resources for families. We encourage you to get a library card for your child!
May get a physical card by going to the registration desk
Temporary cards are available to access web resources, including: e-books & e-audiobooks. TumbleBooks & PebbleGo are great resources!
Available for check-out:
Books, movies, audio, video games, STEAM kits, and more!
Book bundles: contain 5 themed picture books & an activity
Zoom programming available - mppl.org/kids
PreK videos made by Mount Prospect Public Library Staff
Social-Emotional Learning Resources
At Westbrook, we help our students to build social-emotional skills, including identifying feelings, managing emotions, establishing and building relationships, and making responsible choices. We do through this through a variety of ways, including class meetings, community building circles, social-emotional lessons, and more.
This link provides tips to help children be successful in learning and managing their feelings and behavior. We encourage teaching students the words to express their feelings and how to show feelings in appropriate ways.
This link provides a chart of feeling faces, including: frustrated, embarrassed, mad, scared, loved, happy, and more! We find it helpful to notice or name what students are doing when they are expressing an emotion. If a child is mad, we may say “Your face is going like this (while we furrow our brows and pout or lips) and your hands are going like this (with clenched fists). You are mad. You are mad because someone knocked over your snowman.”
Parking Lot Safety
Please take a moment to review the following reminders. Thank you for doing your part to keep our parking lot safe.
Always use the crosswalk at arrival and dismissal times.
- Do not park in the handicap parking spots...unless you have the proper pass.
- Please only park in an actual parking spot...do not create your own space in an aisle.
- ALWAYS keep your children close (holding hands is best!) —nothing causes us greater fear than a child running unattended through the lot when cars are backing out of spaces.
- No cell phone use in the parking lot---your alert attention is requested and appreciated.
- Be courteous to others...we are all on the same team with the same mission—keeping our students and families safe and arrival & dismissal times smooth and efficient!
Help Needed!
We currently have instructional assistant openings at Westbrook! If you or someone you know are interested in becoming a part of our school community and supporting our students, please fill out an application by clicking here. If you have questions about this role, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!
Enrollment for Kindergarten and Circle of Friends
Information regarding Kindergarten and Circle of Friends enrollment for next school year can be found on our school website.
Calendar Reminder
There is no school on Monday, February 15th due to Presidents Day.
Wishing you and your family well,
Kristin VonderHaar
Follow Us on Twitter and Instagram
Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram! Our username is: westbrook_school_d57
Our wonderful PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) also has an Instagram account! Their username is: westbrookpto
Safety Procedures Regarding Student Illness
Resources and Reminders for In-Person Learning
Upcoming Westbrook Dates
February 15 - Presidents Day - No School, Buildings are closed
February 17 - PTO Meeting
February 19 - End of 2nd Trimester
February 23-25 Preschool Lottery for 2021/22 - Appointment only - More information below
March 5 - Half Day 1st Grade Only - Remote
March 5 - No School for Circle of Friends and Kindergarten
March 22- March 26 Spring Break, No School
March 29 - Classes Resume
April 2- No School - Buildings Closed
April 6 - Staff Institute Day - No School
Friday, March 5 - Calendar Reminder
Circle of Friends - NO SCHOOL
Kindergarten - NO SCHOOL
1st Grade Remote Learners - Students will login for synchronous instruction with their teacher in the morning from 9-11am.
1st Grade Hybrid Learners - Both AM/PM students will receive instruction remotely in the morning from 9-11am. Students will receive synchronous instruction with their teacher during this time.
Circle of Friends Lottery - February 23, 24, and 25
District 57 is Hiring - Click Picture for Details
If you are interested in being an instructional assistant, or substitute feel free to contact Tom O’Rourke at the District 57 Administration Office (847-394-7300 x1010) for more information, or please click here and start an application.
Westbrook School for Young Learners
Email: wb-office@d57.org
Website: https://www.d57.org/westbrookschoolforyounglearners_home.aspx
Location: 103 Busse Road, Mount Prospect, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 394-7340
Twitter: @westbrook_d57