The Panda Post
2/25/2022
Important Dates
Friday, March 4
No School - Parent/Teacher Conference
Monday, March 14
Board of Education of Meeting @ 7:30pm
Monday, March 21 - Friday, March 25
No School - Spring Break
Message from the Principal
Westbrook Families,
I hope you all are doing well. February is always a busy stretch at school and February has quickly come and soon will be gone! I am certainly looking forward to some longer days and warmer temperatures as we move into March.
In anticipation of the mask optional change that begins on Monday, we here at Westbrook have implemented some SEL(social emotional learning) lessons with our students to help in the transition to a "new" learning environment. Given that we’ve worn masks in our schools for the last 2 years, it will certainly change the way things have looked at Westbrook. Additionally, we know it’s a change that is being met with excitement for some and anxiety for others (adults and children alike). No matter what your beliefs or feelings are on the matter, it will be a change for our entire community both inside and outside the school walls.
Given the change to our learning environment I ask for the support of our parents and guardians during this transition. What we say to our children matters. How we frame this change in our homes will certainly impact the way kids experience it at school. Our message to all of our students will be clear: we will respect everyone’s family choice.
This week student have engaged in lessons, listened to morning announcements and talked inside their homerooms about the change that will occur on Monday. Please take a moment this weekend to discuss this change and talk with your student(s) about your family's choice. We all made the transition to mask wearing in our school successfully, I know we will be able to do the same as we move to an optional environment.
Thank you for your support, patience, and understanding as we work through this transition in our schools. The support in our community is tremendous and I appreciate you all for that.
Patrick
Board Action: Masks Optional But Recommended Beginning February 28
MASKING
Starting on Monday, District 34 recommends, but does not require, staff, students and visitors to our buildings to wear masks in most situations. Masks are recommended in the current environment because, based on CDC data, the transmission level in our area is substantial (down from “high” in recent weeks). In addition, IDPH and CCDPH also recommend mask use indoors at this time.
Please be aware of two important points:
- Beyond reminding students to follow their family’s wishes, teachers and staff will not track parent wishes or monitor mask use of students
- There will be no segregating of students based on mask use
Masks will continue to be required in the following settings:
- On buses due to federal mandate for masks on public transportation.
- Physical therapist, occupational therapist, social workers, psychologists, speech pathologists, and any staff member for whom the District receives federal medicaid funds must wear masks when working with students.
- Health offices and SHIELD testing; masks will be available outside the health office door and at testing location.
- When a person who tests positive returns on day 6 must wear a mask on days 6-10; if not, they must continue to isolate for 10 days (returning on day 11).
Each school building has a sufficient supply of surgical masks for students and staff who need them.
Window Coverings have been removed!
Register NOW for Full Day Kindergarten To Receive a Discount
Tell your neighbors and friends! When you register for 2022-23 Kindergarten NOW (before March 31) you receive an early bird discount!
Want to know more about FULL DAY vs. HALF DAY options? Click below to check out Frequently Asked Questions – or – to register!
Your Input on Your Child’s School: 5Essentials Survey
Have you taken the 5Essentials Parent Survey yet?
Your input on this statewide survey -- given to parents of all students throughout the state of Illinois -- allows us to help us improve our schools for our students. As a parent, taking the survey will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. The statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered for the Illinois State Board of Education by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
- Effective Leaders
- Collaborative Teachers
- Involved Families
- Supportive Environments
- Ambitious Instruction
Prior research in more than 400 schools shows that schools strong on at least 3 of the 5Essentials are 10 times more likely to improve student outcomes.
Please click here to take the parent survey. We ask that you take the survey for each school in which you have a child. We will be pleasantly persistent in the coming weeks as we hope to reach 100% participation before the survey closes on March 11, 2022. We plan to use the results of this year's survey to give us a clear picture of our schools' climate and culture. If at least 20% of parents participate in the survey, a parent supplement report will be generated and we will share these results with the community.
Staffing Shortages: How You Can Help
District 34 still is experiencing critical staffing shortages and the need for substitute teachers continues to be high. Becoming a short-term substitute teacher is one easy way to help our schools and students. A short-term substitute teacher only needs:
- 60 university/college credits in any content area
- To complete a required three-hour training ($25)
- Get a Short-Term Sub license with ISBE ($25)
The North Cook Intermediate Service Center (our regional office of education) is hosting a session of the required training on March 4, 2022 from 12:00-3:30 p.m on Zoom. Preregistration is required. Register here.
Lost And Found
Construction Update
Car Drop Off/Pick Up
One of the challenges of Westbrook School (which will be changing with our construction for the 2022-2023 school year) is our morning and afternoon car drop off and pick up. We have two lanes at Westbrook, one for our early childhood students and one for our kindergarten-second grade students. These two lines will cross when a traffic supervisor gives you permission. Please remember to drive carefully and stay in your vehicle during arrival and dismissal. A staff member will be able to help your student in and out of the vehicle. A great tip for all is to please work with your students to help them learn how to buckle and unbuckle from their car seats or boosters!
Facebook & Twitter Accounts!
We are now on Facebook and Twitter!
Share the News! LIKE and follow WB on Facebook to keep up with all the school fun, photos and happenings at WB! Our goal is to reach 200 Likes! We are now a little past 100!
Twitter - @WestbrookD34
Patrick Hoeft - @phoeft34
Martha Rode - @RodeMartha
Maggie Wade - @MaggieOConnorW1
Westbrook School
Dr. Maggie Wade, Assistant Principal
Martha Rode, Assistant Principal
Website: https://wb.glenview34.org/
Location: 1333 Greenwood Road, Glenview, IL, USA
Phone: 847-657-2491
Glenview District 34
Our Mission
Aspire. Explore. Discover. Connect.
1401 Greenwood Road, Glenview
847-998-5000