The Buzz at Westbrook School
February 16, 2024
FROM the PRINCIPAL...
Dear Westbrook Families,
I hope this message finds you well and filled with the warmth of the recent Valentine's Day celebrations. Our students shared their Valentine's cards with such joy. A heartfelt thank you to our Parent-Teacher Organization for providing memorable activities for every classroom at Westbrook. Your efforts truly made the day special for all.
Last week, we gathered as a school in the gym for a Hot Reads Assembly. A "Hot Read" is a beloved children’s book selected by our staff to foster a love for reading within our Westbrook family. Each chosen book is accompanied by a display featuring the staff member’s name, photo, and a vibrant flame, symbolizing the enthusiasm for reading. These assemblies offer a unique opportunity for our school to come together and enjoy a story read by a "surprise" staff member. We thank Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Coughlin for sharing their Hot Reads.
A special acknowledgment is due to our incredible instructional assistants. Their dedication to supporting our teachers and students helps ensure a nurturing educational environment. We look forward to celebrating Instructional Assistant Appreciation Day on February 23rd.
The second trimester ends today. Distribution of report cards for our first-grade and kindergarten students will occur on Friday, February 23rd.
Please note, in observance of Presidents Day, there will be no school on Monday, February 19th. We hope you enjoy the extended weekend. We look forward to having the students back on Tuesday, February 20th.
First-grade students will have an opportunity to visit community helper stations on Monday, February 26th. Stations will include presentations from the Mount Prospect Republic Services, Police Department, Fire Department, and an arborist from the Morton Arboretum. There will also be time for play during the class rotations. Presentations will take place in the music room, art room, classrooms, and outside. Classroom teachers and administrators will be with students throughout their community helper experience. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with further questions. If you would like to opt your child out of any of the community helper events, please click here.
For your children,
Danielle Crandall
5 Essentials Survey
Please click on the link below to a letter regarding an important survey for our school. The results of this survey will be included as a portion of our official School Report Card and school ranking next fall.
The survey will be open until March 29, but please take a few minutes to complete the survey as soon as possible. It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
5 Essentials Survey Letter with Link to Survey
Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions regarding the survey.
Mark Your Calendars
Friday, February 16th - Half Day, First Grade Only
End of Trimester 2
Monday, February 19th - No School, Presidents Day
Wednesday, February 21st - PTO Meeting, 7 PM
Tuesday - Thursday, February 20th-22nd - PTO Tasty Bites
Friday, February 23rd - Report Cards Go Home
Monday, February 26th - First Grade Community Helper Day
Friday, March 1st - First Grade Special Lunch
Friday, March 8th - Half Day, First Grade Only
For more dates, check out the district calendar: D57 Calendar
NEWS from...
Mrs. Meyers in ART
What have students learned so far this year in ART…
First graders have been introduced to the building blocks used by artists to create a work of art including: line, shape, texture, color.
We have learned about famous artists and their styles to inspire creativity.
All the young artists have had the chance to create with a variety of materials such as: watercolor, tempera paints, oil pastels and crayons.
We are excited to show off all our art projects during the ART SHOW on April 30th!
If you would like to “check in” about your students’ progress in ART, please email to schedule a time to have a phone call or zoom. I’ll also be able to talk at the art show about your amazing artist!
Marti Meyers
Mrs. Mongovan in MUSIC
What have students learned so far this year in MUSIC…
- First graders have been working on the foundations of music in learning steady beat and matching pitch. Solfege syllables and hand signs have been introduced (and really enjoyed by the kids!) We are getting comfortable with quarter notes and eighth notes (ta’s and ti-ti’s) and can identify the direction of music.
- We have learned about famous composers and their genres and started talking about instrument families we hear in their works (especially the strings family).
- All of our budding musicians have had multiple chances to play a variety of simple classroom instruments and have a turn on the piano as well as leading the class as the “teacher” in our hello song!
- We do lots of moving and singing everyday and have learned about a capella versus music with accompaniment.
We are excited to show off all our favorite songs during the MUSIC SHOW on May 7!!!
If you would like to “check in” about your students’ progress in music class, please email to schedule a time to have a phone call or zoom.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sara Mungovan
Music Teacher
Westbrook School
Mrs. Capra in the LIBRARY
Let's Leap Into Literature on Leap Year Day!
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We're bringing Leapin' Into Literature to the LRC.
Leapin' will happen during checkout days beginning on Thursday, February 29th and will continue through March.
Parents / guardians can choose a book from the 40 new titles and read it to their child and the class. All books will be available for students to check out after Spring break.
To read to the class, please sign up through the PTO Page.
Thank you to our wonderful Westbrook PTO for funding the purchase of these books to add to our school library collection.
Mrs. Capra
24/25 Registration & Enrollment
Current WESTBROOK 1st Graders
Current WESTBROOK first graders moving to 2nd grade next year, do NOT need to do anything at this time to register at Fairview or Lions Park.
More information will be sent to families near the end of this school year with regards to registration for the 2024 / 2025 school year.
All Incoming Kindergarteners & NEW to Westbrook 1st Graders
We are currently pre-enrolling all Kindergarten & NEW to Westbrook 1st Graders! (Current kindergarteners moving to 1st grade at WESTBROOK do NOT need to do anything at this time.)
If your student will be a kindergartener next school year OR if you will have a 1st grader who will be NEW to Westbrook next year, please visit the WESTBROOK website for all the details. Look for the information under the 2024-2025 Registration and Enrollment header.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Westbrook office at wb-office@d57.org or call (847) 394-7340.
Recognize a Staff Member
Westbrook teachers and staff work hard to support students and staff daily. We invite you to click on this LINK if you would like to recognize a teacher or staff member for their hard work and dedication. We will pass on the good news to them.
Thank you in advance for sending an encouraging word, as we know it will mean so much.
HR Imaging Yearbook Orders
Don't forget to order your 2023/2024 school yearbook.
- Use the link provided in the email sent directly to your family from HR Imaging.
- Order online at book.hrimaging.com
- Please contact the office at wb-office@d57.org for paper forms.
Cost is $13.00 each.
ORDER DEADLINE: March 22, 2024
Yearbooks will be delivered to school in late May and distributed through classrooms.
If you need assistance with language translation for any of the information or flyers in this newsletter, please reach out to the Westbrook office at wb-office@d57.org.
FIRST Grade Students
The Westbrook PTO provides a FREE spirit wear t-shirt to outgoing first graders for their new school. **All students will be automatically given a size YOUTH MEDIUM shirt unless you request a different size. ** If you would like a medium shirt for your student, do nothing. If you would like a different size for your child, please request that using this form.
All forms must be submitted by Thursday February 29th.
"Under the Sea" Family Fest!
Join us for this FREE family event hosted by the Westbrook PTO!
Thursday, March 7th, 2024
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Lions Recreation Center
411 S. Maple Street, Mt. Prospect
Music. Dancing. Magic Show. Crafts & Family Fun!
Please RSVP via this google form by Thursday, February 29th.
February PTO Meeting
We're excited to announce that we will be hosting our next meeting at Mrs. P and Me! The back room is reserved starting at 7pm. Our meeting will end no later than 7:55pm so all those who would like can stay for Trivia Night. Each attendee can have their own tab to order food and/or drinks.
We're looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, February 21st. Please RSVP by Monday, February 19th to ptowestbrook@gmail.com if you plan on joining.
SPECIAL LUNCH
A reminder to First Grade families: the next Special Lunch is Friday, March 1st from Tortorice's Pizza.
Please Join District 57
District 57 & Rogers Behavioral Health invite you to another School-to-Family Engagement event!
Rachel Lee & Constance Manske from Rogers Behavioral Health present "Anxiety Unmasked," a special webinar that teaches practical strategies for identifying and managing anxiety at home.
Tuesday, February 20th, 6:00-7:00 pm - https://buff.ly/3vXwWlg
On Wednesday, March 13 at 6 PM for an in-person special screening of the film "Like."
Find out why the co-inventor of the “Like” 👍 button wants you to stop worrying about likes.
This D57 School-to-Family Engagement Event will take place at Lions Park Elementary School.
From the Village Of Mt Prospect
The Village of Mount Prospect is conducting a bike study. The study that can develop safe ways for students to bike to school.
Here is a flyer detailing a Community Open House on February 21st.
Village Hall
1st Floor Community Room
50 S Emerson St
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Community Events
Here are neighborhood events for students from Prospect High School and the Mt. Prospect Park District.
PHS Theater Angels - Parents Night Out
PHS Band Boosters - Dynamic Duo Knight Out
PHS Choir Department - Princess Dance
MPPD Summer Camps
MPPD / Green White Soccer
ECDEC partners with Districts 23, 25, 26 & 57 to provide preschool education at no cost to families. Please contact Brygida at bszoepe@ecdec.org for more information.
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
Westbrook School - Mount Prospect School District 57