Bobcat Bulletin
Welcometo the 23-24 School Year!
Week of April 22nd
From the Desk of Principal Schmid
Hello Bobcat Families,
Wow--the talents of the Bobcats came alive this past week in the Bobcat Den! From the 2nd Grade Musical to seeing our "Fearless" performers in our "In Our Bobcat Era", it was so wonderful to see students experience performing in various ways! For many, it was trying something they had never done before! District 204's music program just received, for the 13th year in a row, the national award for Best Communities for Music Education, and elementary is where the music education begins! We are so fortunate we have opportunities for students to explore this and develop a love for the arts at Brookdale!
Not only does it take a great deal of courage and bravery to "take the stage", but I loved seeing how the Bobcats supported one another. From students who cheered on their fellow Bobcats or quietly supported (See photo below for a special moment captured!), to staff who were there to lend a helping hand, to our parents who supported students and staff alike. We are so fortunate to be part of the Bobcat family, who all share in a common goal of wanting students to thrive in all aspects of their life! A huge shout out to Mrs. Anton, Ms. Clavert, and Mr. Rust who make these opportunities possible for our students and pour their hearts and souls into this work--they inspire us!
This past week we also elected our new PTA Board for the 24-25 school year! It is a fantastic team of dedicated parents who look forward to partnering with our community to continue to be, as President Mantucca playfully stated, the "PTA Envy" of all the PTAs! We are so grateful to all of our PTA members who will be moving on to a new "era" at Hill next year and the many, many years they have given to Brookdale. We look forward to honoring them at our final PTA Meeting on May 21st; we hope to see you there!
We have had a lot of fun with our appreciation days this year! April was filled with appreciation for our amazing Mrs. Stepper during Assistant Principal Appreciation Day and our fabulous Teaching Assistants, all who give so much to Brookdale! We end our month of April this week with Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Tuesday and Administrative Professionals' Day (Thank you, Mrs Anemeone and Mrs. Fiala!) on Wednesday! We are so lucky to have an amazing Dream Team who invests in our Bobcats every day! Thank you in advance for checking out the PTA information below on how you can help support Teacher Appreciation Week coming up in May! I get the great honor of seeing the incredible hard work they pour into our Bobcats each day--they deserve it and more!
Happy Earth Day today! My Apple watch gave me a challenge of moving my body for 30 minutes today to earn the Earth Day Award--challenge accepted! I hope you can get outside and enjoy some fresh air with the family today, too! If the Solar Eclipse taught us anything this year, it is the world around us is truly amazing!
Thank you,
Mrs. Keeley Schmid
Brookdale's Proud Principal
Bobcats in Action!
Bluestem Book Club students get prepared to Battle the Books!
A Bobcat and Ms. Biggs Twining!
Ms. Monohan in action with 4L students--always learning and growing!
PTA President in Action at the "State of the PTA" Meeting Tuesday
We love our PTA Morning Greeter Volunteers! Thanks for all you do! You help our mornings runs smoothly!
Mrs. Schmid attends the 204 Job Fair to get awesome new teacher candidates! She's joined by the Still Middle School Principal and Director of Secondary Curriculum
Mr. Rust helps students find books that match their interests!
Our LMC is at the core of our building which represents all the learning that takes place throughout!
Every student receives an LMC lesson once per week! These students florish in the care of our LMC DIrector, Mrs. Furstenau!
2nd Grade Musical in Action: "It's a Jungle Out There"
Variety Show in Action and Behind the Scenes: "In Our Bobcat Era"
Bobcats supporting Bobcats!
Shout out to our amazing MCs for the night! They kept us laughing and entertained!
UPDATES
Race to Registration is BACK! Get the Engines Ready: Opens 5/1!
Registration opens on 5/1, and we are adding some incentives again this year to have some fun during the month of May! Our goal is to get all of our returning Bobcats registered by 5/24--last year we were 87% registered, we can beat it! By getting all of our students registered, it secures sections of classes, so we don't lose teachers and keep class sizes as small as possible!
- Be the very FIRST Bobcat to register on 5/1 (Time TBA) for the 24-25 school year and get "Lunch on Mrs. Schmid". Even better, the Bobcat can pick the spot of choice!
- Register by 5/10 and get three FREE tickets to our PTA Spring Fling! That's right---3 tickets will earn you a throw at the pie throwing station or many other fun stations at this show stopping event!
- Registration Race—Just like last year, we will have a friendly class competition to see which class can "win the race" of the most students registered by 5/24--will 4th grade win again this year?! The winning class earns a Pizza Party! To include all of our Bobcats, even those not returning, if you let the office know your student is not returning, your student will be included in the count! SInce we cannot track 5th graders' registration, they will get to earn a pizza party connected to iReady growth during spring benchmarking!
*As a reminder, fees and medical forms do not need to be paid or uploaded at the time of registration.
Team IPEF: Let's Earn Pop-Up Challenge #3 and Bring Home $300!
Let's get the most team members to join by 4/26 and earn $300 back to Brookdale!!!
The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) invites you to come run or walk with Team IPEF 2024! This is our eleventh year as a charity partner with the Endeavor Health Naperville Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K race, which takes place on Sunday, October 20. Join our team of community members, parents, teachers, staff, and students to proudly represent and raise funds for your school and the programs of IPEF. Visit our Team IPEF Information and Registration Page for more information.
KidLITapalooza
A mini-book festival put on by Anderson's Book Store for all school-aged kids in grades 1-8 and their grownups*!
Bring your favorite notebook that you love to write or draw in and join us for an afternoon of book joy and creation! All kids will work with a beloved creator of children's literature and meet their favorite authors at a book signing! (*All attending kids must be accompanied by a supervising adult.)
Registration is $10/kid and $5/per adult.
See ticketing link here: https://KidLITapalooza2024.eventcombo.com
Congratulations Music Education in D204!
Congraulations, Mrs. Anton and Ms. Calvert!
Thanks for all you do for the Bobcats!
I am pleased to let you know that IPSD 204 has been named a Best Community for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM)
for the thirteenth time!
Recipients are selected using an extensive annual survey that evaluates funding, staffing, participation, opportunity, standards, community, facilities, and other factors affecting access to comprehensive K-12 music education.
This honor is only possible because of our district’s ongoing commitment to Fine Arts education, our talented and dedicated music educators, and supportive administrators.
Thank you for continuing the great work and congratulations!
REMINDERS
Parent Input Form 24-25 School Year
A great deal of time and thought goes into making class lists each school year. This process includes collaboration that takes place with your child's current teacher/team as well as specialists and interventionists that work with your student. There are no legacy placements that are granted as each student is unique and thrives in different learning environments. However, as a partner in this process, your input is valuable. Each parent input form is reviewed and considered prior to class lists being finalized.
Reminders from the Nurse's Office
Dental and Eye Exam Reminders:
Kindergarten Students, Students New to Illinois, Students being enrolled in a public school for the first time
- A vision exam by an eye doctor on an Illinois Eye Exam form dated within the previous year or later. This was DUE by October 15, 2023 (This is different from the vision screening done in school).
- A dental exam on an Illinois Dental Exam form dated between November 15, 2022 and May 15, 2024: DUE by May 15, 2024.
2nd Grade Students
- A dental exam on an Illinois Dental Exam form dated between November 15, 2022 and May 15, 2024: DUE by May 15, 2024.
Please turn in the required health forms at your earliest convenience. Thank you!
Trophy High Tuesdays
We know our Bobcats are showing the Bobcat Way all throughout our community as they are busy in many extra-curricular activites. We would love to give our Bobcats shout-outs during Trophy High Tuesday on the annoucements! It could be for an individual or groups of students. Submit a trophy high in the link below. We look forward to celebrating all the great things our Bobcats are doing outside of the Bobcat Den!
BROOKDALE PTA
Congratulations New Exec Board 24-25!
These candidates were voted in by the Brookdale PTA on Tuesday! Congratulations and thanks for all you will do for Brookdale!
Are You Ready for It? In Our Appreciation Era!
BROOKDALE BOBCATS
ARE YOU READY FOR IT?
IN OUR APPRECIATION ERA
Brookdale School is celebrating Staff Appreciation Week May 6-10. Join us in saying a BIG THANK YOU to our amazing staff!! These ways of celebrating are completely optional; please feel free to participate in any way on any day:
MONDAY
- “Begin Again”: Let’s kick off the school week with a fresh start! Parents, please consider donating coffee and breakfast treats (maybe Taylor’s favorite - cinnamon rolls) Sign-up here).
- “You Belong With Me”: Students thank your teacher with a gift of gratitude (Suggestion: Refer to your teacher’s list).
TUESDAY
- “Look What you Made Me Learn”: Tell staff they are appreciated. (Suggestion: Parents and/or students, write a note or card about why you think they are so awesome. No time to handwrite a note? Send them an email!).
- Gift of Time for our Staff: The PTA will host a Game Show Assembly to entertain the kids. Parents, please consider volunteering to be a monitor during the assembly to give the teachers a break. (Sign-up here).
WEDNESDAY
- “Our Teachers Never Go Out of Style”: Students wear their favorite color and show them how much you value your teacher! (Refer to your teacher’s list – See QR Code on Back).
- “Shake it Off” – Lunch is served!: Jason’s Deli will cater a pasta bar, and sandwich/salad platters to celebrate our staff! Parents consider sponsoring a staff member’s lunch ($12 suggested amount or any amount of donation is appreciated) to support the PTA! Donate here: Givebacks (memberhub.com)
- Staff are invited to wear their favorite singer/band t-shirt or dress like their favorite rock star.
THURSDAY
- “A Lot Going On At the Moment – Give Them a Snack Break”: Teachers & Staff, enjoy sweet savory snacks in the lounge. Parents, please consider donating snacks! (Sign-up here)
- “Blank Space “Get Creative and Express Yourself”: Students let your creativity soar by creating something special for your favorite staff member(s)! (Drawings, paintings, friendship bracelets, handmade cards, etc.)
FRIDAY
- “In Our Rose Era” – Buy a Rose for the Staff Bouquets! Order a Rose to show your appreciation! Roses can be purchased for any Brookdale staff member for $1.50 each. All orders must be received by Monday April 29 in member hub. This is a pre-order from a florist. Buy a Rose Here: Givebacks (memberhub.com).
Parents, we need helping hands to deliver all the Rose Bouquets to staff on Friday, May 10th from 9 – 10:30AM. Any amount of time is appreciated, teachers (and your kids) love seeing parents at this event! (Sign-up here)
Connect with Classmates through Directory Spot!
We are thrilled to be able to once again offer a searchable directory for Brookdale. As your PTA, we strongly believe in bolstering community with our Bobcat families and understand that a current directory is vital to unlocking new friendships and strengthening our connections. We'reproud to have this opportunity to bring us together once again.
To access the Brookdale School Directory, you need to download the DirectorySpot app from your mobile device store. Once you create a password and login, you will be able to search by student name or family name for their contact information. Searching by teacher allows the user to see the students in that teacher's class. Please note: the information in this directory was what each family chose to share with the district during registration. There are some families who opted out of sharing their contact information and have been omitted from this directory. If you would like to be included in the directory please contact the PTA at pta.brookdale@bobcatgmail.com.
Fifth Grade Parents - Order Your Free Tshirt and Class of 2024 Yard Sign
Show off your Bobcat Pride for your Fifth Grader by ordering a "Class of 2024" yard sign by April 30! Signs are $25 per student, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the fifth-grade end-of-year class party. This is a great way to support your student and celebrate their big milestone! Signs will be distributed to students at school in May. Order now: https://brookdale.memberhub.com/store/items/988945
This Week's Snapshot
Monday, April 22nd
Bluestem Book Club @8:00am
Brainfuse Club @3:35-4:50pm in 4S/4O
Tuesday, April 23rd
- Bus Driver Appreciation Day!
- Spring Chorus @8:15am
- 2nd Grade Field Trip @9:45-12:00pm
- APPLES Club @3:35-5:00pm
Wednesday, April 24th
- Administrative Professionals' Day!
- Brainfuse Club @3:35-4:40pm in 4S/4O
- Young Rembrandts @3:40-4:30pm
Thursday, April 25th
- IPEF Running Club Begins @7:45-8:45am
- Team IPEF Bubble Gum Fundraiser is Back! @3:35-3:45pm
Friday, April 26th
- No School-SIP Day
Upcoming May Dates:
- 5/1 Registration Opens: Let the Engines Roar!
- 5/2 Spring Benchmarking Begins
- 5/3 Spirit Day/Last Busy Bobcat Store/Men of Brookdale
- 5/6 IPSD 204 Board Meeting
- 5/6-5/10 Staff Appreciation Week
- 5/10 Men of Brookdale
- 5/17 Spring Fling
- 5/18 Fine Arts Festival
- 5/20 IPSD 204 Board Meeting
- 5/21 Last PTA Meeting
- 5/27 No School-Memorial Day
- 5/30 Field Day
- 5/31 Last Day of Student Attendance-5th Grade Celebration!