On behalf of the staff at Brookdale Elementary, I am happy to welcome you to the 2022-23 school year! We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure your children can achieve their highest potential.

We recognize that in order to be successful in school, children need support from both the home and school. We know a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education. As partners, we share the responsibility for your children’s success and want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities. Regular communication between home and school is vital! Be sure to check-in regularly with your child’s teacher. We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she:

1) Attends school daily and arrives on time, ready for the day’s learning experience – after all, “Brookdale Bobcats are on time, every day, ready to learn!”

2) Completes all homework assignments given by teachers, this includes reading to and/or with you each night. Any homework that is given will be a review of concepts already learned in class and will not be new learning for students.

3) Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life – all it takes is asking your child questions. Here is a link to 15 Questions to Replace to How Was School Today.

4) Knows that you expect he/she to succeed in school and go on to college

We warmly welcome the following staff members to our Brookdale community: Ms. Robb, kindergarten; Mrs. Toomb; Kindergartn; Ms. Colley, first grade; Ms. Rummel, fourth grade; Ms. Schatzabel, fifth grade; Ms. Ohlemiller, resource; Ms. Trejo, office assistant; Ms. Laurila, Speech; Mr. McNeil, Assistant Principal

We also welcome our new paraeducator - Mrs. Cram

September 2 ~ NO SCHOOL

September 5 ~ NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

September 14 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 2:35

September 21 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 2:35

September 28 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 2:35

October 3 ~ NO SCHOOL

October 4-7 ~ Student-led Conferences - EARLY RELEASE - 12:35

October 13 ~ Picture Day

Brookdale will host a new before and after school care program on-site for our students this year. The care is provided by Right at School. Right at School provides a safe environment to learn, to play, and to grow. Click here for more information and to register. Enter WASAVE50 for a $50 discount!

Please be patient, the first couple days of school the busses might be running late. We have a very helpful transportation department; if you have any questions, issues about something that happened on the bus or at the bus stop, or concerns about a late bus, please call the transportation office directly at 253-298-3865. To cut down on the number of calls received in the office daily we ask that if you wish for your child to ride a bus other than the one they normally ride, or get off at a bus stop other than their normal stop, you must send a note. The same holds true if you want your child to walk rather than ride their normal bus. Without a note, we will not allow students to walk or change their regular bus, bus stop, or end of the day routine.

Please be aware that any bus-riding kindergarten student that is not met at the bus stop after school will be returned to Brookdale for parent pick-up. It is very important to meet your students at the bus stop on time!

1. If you need to come into the building, please press the intercom button on your right as you look at the front door. This will enable the office to see and hear you and buzz you into the entry if needed.
2. Please notify the office of any changes in the way your child will go home at the end of the day. We need this information before 3:30 so we have time to get a note to the teacher.
3. Call the office if your child will be absent. If they have an appointment, please ask the doctor, dentist, counselor, etc. for a note for school. Offices that treat children are used to giving notes to students for excuses!
4. If you need to take your child out of school early, please make sure to come to the office at least 35 minutes before dismissal time. On a regular school day, please be in the office by 3:30 and on an early dismissal day, be in the office by 2:00. You will want to make sure to come early enough so that we can locate your child and so you won't be trapped in the after-school pick-up line! You will need to sign your child out and wait for them to come from their classroom, so allow plenty of time. Thank you for your help!
5. If your phone number, email address, or home address changes, please let us know so we have the most up-to-date contact information for you. If your child becomes ill, or otherwise needs your help, we need a way to contact you! Thank you!

We are pleased that Brookdale will once again be participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Program as part of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program.

In a CEP school, ALL enrolled students receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost during the school year, regardless of family income.

If your child brings a lunch from home and wishes to have only milk, it will cost $.60. Milk by itself is not free in a CEP school. Student meal accounts are still available in CEP schools if parents wish to put money on accounts to purchase milk.

If you have any questions concerning school meals or CEP please contact the Nutrition Services Department at 253-298-4618.