The Buzz at Westbrook
February 28, 2020
From the Principal...
Dear Westbrook Families,
Making Learning Visible
At Westbrook, we strive to foster a deep love of learning within each of our students. John Hattie, an educational researcher, spent over 15 years analyzing the most effective teaching and learning strategies. He explained the importance of making teaching and learning visible. When learning is visible, the student knows what to do and how to do it. The teacher knows how learning is occurring and how to help students to continue to grow. We can make our learning visible by asking questions, seeking feedback, articulating what we are learning and why, asking for help, and supporting our peers in learning new things!
Growth Mindset
We want our students to realize that effort and hard work helps our brains to grow!
The term “growth mindset” comes from Dr. Carol Dweck from Stanford University. People who have a “fixed mindset” believe that intelligence or talents are static. People who have a “growth mindset” believe that their talents and intelligence can grow! Research shows that through practice, our brains actually change! The neurons in our brains build new connections and strengthen others when we practice! We can make our brains strong by working hard, trying our best, and learning from our mistakes!
Westbrook Student Learning Goals
Based on the principles of Visible Learning and Growth Mindset described above, we have established the following learning goals for our students. Although we have organized each goal by grade level, we understand that children are progressing through this continuum at times. Our hope is to purposefully build awareness and competencies into our students, which will provide a strong foundation from which all future learning can bloom.
Parking Lot Safety
Please take a moment to review the following reminders. Thank you for doing your part to keep our parking lot safe.
Always use the crosswalk at arrival and dismissal times.
Do not park in the handicap parking spots...unless you have the proper pass.
Please only park in an actual parking spot...do not create your own space in an aisle.
ALWAYS keep your children close (holding hands is best!) —nothing causes us greater fear than a child running unattended through the lot when cars are backing out of spaces.
No cell phone use in the parking lot---your alert attention is requested and appreciated.
Be courteous to others...we are all on the same team with the same mission—keeping our students and families safe and arrival & dismissal times smooth and efficient!
Instagram & Twitter
Are you following us? Check out what’s happening at Westbrook on Instagram or Twitter! Our username is: westbrook_d57.
Thank you for your partnership!
Kind regards,
Kristin Vonder Haar
An Important Reminder From Our Nurse
Just a reminder on district policy when your child is allowed to return to school after being ill. Also, doctor's note needed after an injury requiring a cast, sling, elastic bandage wrap, and/or stitches.
A child must be:
- Fever free for 24 hours (without fever reducing medication)
- No vomiting for 24 hours
- No diarrhea for 24 hours
This is a must before sending your child back to school.
Any rash or skin eruption must have a doctor's note stating that your child is not contagious and can be at school.
Also, please notify the school of your child’s illness when the absence is reported. A notification letter may need to be sent out to the rest of your child’s class pending the illness.
Please notify the nurse should your child have any type of cast, sling, elastic bandage wrap, and/or stitches after an injury. A doctor’s note is required whether or not your child may participate in PE and recess.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Julie Tworek, RN
Westbrook School Nurse
Kim Finnerty, RN, District Nurse
Westbrook Calendar:
February 28...........................................................................................Report Cards Distributed
March 4................................................................................................First Grade Special Lunch
March 5...................................................Board of Education Community Forum, Lincoln, 7pm
March 10................................................................................Ed Foundation Meeting, LRC, 7pm
March 12..............................................................................................Westbrook's Steam Night
March 17.....................................................................................No School - Institute Day
March 18.................................................................................................PTO Meeting, LRC, 7pm
March 19.................................................................Board of Education Meeting, Fairview, 7pm
March 23-27...............................................................................Spring Break - No School
March 30............................................................................................................Classes Resume
April 1...................................................................................................First Grade Special Lunch
April 2......................................................................Board of Education Meeting, Fairview, 7pm
April 9....................................................................................Half Day for First Grade Only
April 9.....................................................No School for Circle of Friends and Kindergarten
April 10.................................................................Non Attendance Day - Buildings Closed
April 14..................................................................................Ed Foundation Meeting, LRC, 7pm
April 15...................................................................................................PTO Meeting, LRC, 7pm
April 16....................................................................Board of Education Meeting, Fairview, 7pm
May 4.......................................................................First Grade Visits to Lions Park or Fairview
May 5...............................................First Grade Spring Concert, 6pm or 7pm, Fairview School
May 5................................................................................................Capannari's Coolest School
May 6...................................................................................................First Grade Special Lunch
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