Meadowbrook News
November 4, 2022
From Mrs. Sawatzky
Good afternoon Meadowbrook,
For the past 5 weeks, Student Leadership Teams have been working with our data specialist, Ia Vang to lend their voices to our school improvement. This week Mr. Lawson and I had the pleasure of listening to their presentations and what matters to them. We heard from these 3rd through 6th grade students that they see a need for increased recess supervision, colder water fountains, and a study hall option during recess. Our next steps include talking with staff and analyzing our budget!
As you've heard, Hopkins has made a change to our inclement weather policy (sometimes thought of as snow days). Starting this school year, when there is a need to close school due to weather, schools will shift to an eLearning day. If you would like to learn more about how to support your children on eLearning days, please join us on Tuesday, November 29 from 6:00pm-7:00 pm. Childcare will be available. Together we will:
- Help caregivers understand the expectations for students on eLearning days
- Help caregivers understand their role in supporting their children
- Help caregivers become familiar with frequently used Apps including Canvas and Google Meets
If you are interested in joining us, please complete this form to help us with our planning.
A huge thank you to Hopkins Education Foundation for funding a grant for our RISE program. With this grant, Mr. Bowes and Mrs. Halverson will be able to purchase tools for students to use in order to increase their emotional regulation in the classroom. This fall HEF awarded $129,000 in grants, the largest amount ever in an individual cycle. Thank you HEF for all of your support!
In partnership,
Natalie
P.S. Remember there is no school on Tuesday, November 8.
National Native American Heritage Month
November is National Native American Heritage month. People have lived in America long before the well-known date of 1492. We want to honor the countless contributions of all Native American tribes. One way that we do this regularly at Meadowbrook is with the use of Restorative Practices. Meadowbrook strives to use these practices to build community and to resolve conflict in a way that is meaningful and preventative.
Click HERE to learn about 10 Native American inventions that are used commonly today.
Click below to listen to We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom.
eLearning & Equitable Internet Access
Important: Open-Enrolled Families with Incoming Kindergartners!
Have an upcoming fall kindergartner? Even if you have students already enrolled in Hopkins Schools, you will need to submit an open enrollment form for your new kindergartner. Submit your Open Enrollment application by January 17, 2023, to be included in the first lottery. Find Open Enrollment forms online at HopkinsSchools.org/enroll. Questions? Please email Enrollment@HopkinsSchools.org or call 952-988-4110.
Kindergarten Information Sessions
Thursday, Nov. 10, 6-7:30 p.m. at Hopkins High School (2400 Royals Drive, Minnetonka) Brief presentation at 6:45 p.m.
Meet each elementary principal, learn about our kindergarten curriculum and program offerings, talk to current students, and learn about Vision 2031 from our superintendent Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed. This event is designed for parents/caregivers and their upcoming kindergartners.
Register Online here.
Virtual Kindergarten Immersion Information Session
Thursday, Nov. 17, 5:30-7 p.m. Online Event
Join Principals Eduardo Navidad and Melissa Ness on November 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. for an online information session focused on exploring kindergarten language immersion and answering all your immersion-related questions. All families interested in learning more about Juntos Spanish Immersion and XinXing Chinese Immersion at Alice Smith and Eisenhower Elementary are encouraged to attend!
Register Online here.
Community Service Night - November 18th
We are back together in person this year for Service Night! We’re looking forward to working on some fun and rewarding service projects together, and making a difference in our community! Look for a flyer coming home in you students backpack today!
5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. Dinner in the Cafeteria
Proceeds from dinner will be donated back into our school through the Meadowbrook Families Fund. The money raised will go to scholarships for Kids and Company, as well as grocery gift cards. If you would still like to donate, but won’t be coming to dinner, please follow this LINK.
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Service Projects/Stations in the Gym
We will have over 12 stations where families can sort, pack, create, and craft various things to give back to our community.
Donations
We are asking for donations for our diaper & wipes drive, our toiletries drive, as well as the Homeless Care Kits. We are collecting:
New winter hats & gloves for adults
New socks for adults
Lip balm
Single sized tissue packs
Band aids
Granola bars
Individually wrapped beef jerky
Hand warmers
Single serving packets of trail mix
Diapers (larger sizes especially)
Pull-ups
Baby Wipes
Full sized toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, lotion, etc)
Three Ways To Donate
Purchase items at your favorite store and drop items off in the office November 7th-16th
Donate money directly to Service Night and let us do the shopping! Either donate via Paypal, or check made out to PTO- memo line Service Night.
Shop from our Amazon Wishlist and have items delivered directly to school
Event Volunteers Needed
Service Night can’t happen without volunteers. We need around 30 people to help out on November 18th. Slots range from 45 mins- 1.5 hours long. The Sign Up Genius is up and ready! Please click on the link to volunteer! Thank you!
Click here to check for details on the Service Night blog.
If you have any questions please contact Angela Johnson @ acjohnson8588@gmail.com
Yearbooks
Feedback needed for superintendent engagement sessions
Supporting Gender Expansive Kids Parent and Caregiver Group
Are you the parent or caregiver of a child who transcends traditional binary gender roles? Hopkins Schools offers a supportive, ongoing group for parents and caregivers to ask questions, share ideas, and support one another. Click here for more information.
Hopkins Spirit Wear
Saturday Pop Up at the Spirit Shop: November 5th 10:00am - 2:00pm
Order Online: Visit our store website at https://hopkins-high-school-spirit-shop.square.site/. We offer convenient pick up options, ordering gear has never been so easy!
Shopping Appointment/Letter Jacket: Visit us during shop hours or fill out the following form to request an appointment https://forms.gle/xE4R1uoLba5SP8VC7
Special Orders/Fundraising: We can help with your group’s special order needs. Follow the link to find out more information about special orders/fundraising. https://hopkins-royals.com/special-ordersteam-apparel/
Contact Julie with any questions at spirit.shop@hopkinsschools.org
Meadowbrook PTO
Please visit our website for all things PTO!
Restaurant Night
- November 10 between 4:00pm and 8:00pm
- Rōti at 1620 Park Place Blvd in St. Louis Park
- Order online at roti.com and use promo code at checkout rotigivesback100
- Order in person and mention the fundraiser for Meadowbrook Elementary
- 25% of the proceeds will be donated to Meadowbrook Elementary School PTO!
Volunteer
If you would like to be a room parent in your child’s class or help in a variety of other ways this school year, let us know! Complete the volunteer interest form here: https://forms.gle/AZiPf7kamK6Z317Q7
Online Directory
To connect with other families at Meadowbrook, please register with our Meadowbrook Online Directory. *Please note this is different from the forms you completed for your teachers! This directory will allow you to search for other MB families, and for others to find your information if you choose.
Any questions? Reach out to us at meadowbrookelementarypto@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook , Twitter, Instragram, or our PTO website
Lost & Found
Important Calendar Dates
November 8: No School: Staff Professional Development
November 11: Restaurant Night 4pm-8pm @ Roti
November 15: PTO Meeting 7pm
November 18: Community Service Night 5:30pm-7:30pm
November 23-25: No School - Thanksgiving Break
November 29: Caregiver eLearning Event 6:00pm-7:00pm
Meadowbrook Elementary
Main Office Line: 952-988-5100
Attendance Line: 952-988-5110
https://meadowbrook.hopkinsschools.org/families/attendance
Online Student Directory: www.meadowbrookpto.ptoffice.com
Email: natalie.sawatzky@hopkinsschools.org
Website: https://hopkinsschools.org/schools/elementary-schools/meadowbrook-elementary
Location: 5430 Glenwood Avenue, Golden Valley, MN 55422, USA
Phone: (952) 988-5100
Facebook: facebook.com/HopkinsMeadowbrook
Twitter: @MeadowbrookGV