The Bulldog Banter
Meadowbrook's Weekly Newsletter - September 6, 2019
Important Dates to Remember
12 - PSA Meeting @ 6:00 pm in the library
20 - Picture Day
Read 20 & The Bulldog Way T shirt order forms due
27 - NO SCHOOL
September Breakfast and Lunch Menu
New Visitor Procedure
Help us make a difference at Meadowbrook!
Thank You Volunteers!
Attention Parents of 3rd and 4th Grade girls!
We are excited to announce that Girls on the Run will be offered at your school! Meeting at your school,, the GOTR team will meet twice a week for 90 minutes. The season concludes with a celebration 5k run Saturday, November 9th at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. Registration for the program is available online now at www.girlsontherunnew.org, and the season begins September 9th. (Please use a computer when registering instead of a cell phone) Spaces are limited, and they are filled on a first-come first-served basis. The full program fee is $150.00; however financial aid is available to those who need assistance. No one is ever denied access to the program based on financial circumstances. Simply check the box requesting financial assistance when you register. The program fee includes 20 lessons, handouts and supplies, registration in the 5k event, 2 t-shirts, water bottle, healthy snacks at each practice, finisher’s medal, and a 5k goody bag.
What is Girls on the Run? One girl said this: “At Girls on the Run I learned to be the boss of my own brain.” We couldn’t say it any better. Utilizing a fun, experience-based curriculum, the program creatively integrates running to inspire 3rd through 5th grade girls to be joyful, healthy and confident. Meeting two times per week in small teams of 8-15 girls, we teach life skills through dynamic, conversation-based lessons and running games. The 20-lesson curriculum is delivered by certified Girls on the Run® coaches and includes three parts: understanding ourselves, valuing teamwork and understanding how we connect with and shape the world at large.
We believe that life-changing experiences can be fun too—for everyone—the girls, coaches, families and other volunteers. A typical Girls on the Run practice will include laughter along with self-reflection, beaming smiles and radiant faces. Here, girls learn that there are no limits and no constraints. Only opportunities to be remarkable. At Girls on the Run, running is not just a metaphor. We use this activity to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. We invite you to learn more about our program, locations and the many ways you can get involved with Girls on the Run by visiting us at www.girlsontherunnew.org or “like” us on Facebook.
We are looking forward to seeing your girls in the future!
Meadowbrook Logowear
Students and staff will have the opportunity to order a Read 20 and/or a Bulldog Way T shirt to show their school spirit! Bulldog Way apparel is worn on the first school day of each month; as that is the day that our Bulldog Bashes are held. Read 20 shirts can be worn on the designated Read 20 date each month. Order forms can be printed below, and you can send them with your student along with cash or check made payable to Meadowbrook Elementary. Deadline to order is Friday, September 20th.
New Meadowbrook Parking Lot Procedures
We are excited that our new parking lot has taken shape. As we begin our new school year, we ask that you pay close attention to the new parking procedures so that children are safe and vehicles are able to exit the parking lot smoothly. Please refer to the map below (or see attachment) for specific details.
In an effort to maintain safety and efficiency during drop-off and pick-up times, please drive slowly, be cautious of students and adults when driving, and follow the arrows as noted on our map.
The Meadowbrook parking lot is now sectioned into Areas:
Area A: This is a designated parking area for parents and guests. If you plan on coming into the building, you may use this area to park your vehicle.
Area B: This is a drop-off/pick-up lane only! You may not park your vehicle here. If you need to get out of your vehicle, please use the parent/guest parking lot (Area A). The right lane is for drop-off/pick-up and the left lane is the passing lane.
Important: Never double-park and have your child exit or enter your vehicle using the passenger side.
Area C: This is a designated parking area for teachers and staff only.
Area D: Lamers Buses use this lane to drop off students. Please keep this area open for buses only.
Area E: Student bike racks are located in this area.
Area F: The crossing guard is located in this area.
Thank you for your patience during drop off and pick up times. Safety is our top priority and we appreciate you slowing down as you pick up your student/s and for following our new parking lot procedures. Doing so has helped the flow of vehicles run smoother and in return we have been able to get our students to you in a timely and safe manner.
Meet our New Stars!
Hello, olá, and hallo! I am Magdalena Sander, the new World Cultures teacher at Meadowbrook Elementary. I previously taught in Green Bay as a bilingual (Spanish/English) elementary classroom teacher. I graduated from Valparaiso University with History, German, and Modern European Studies degrees. Before I began teaching I worked in museums including as an educational costumed interpreter at Heritage Hill and in finance. I'm a transplant to the Green Bay area from Milwaukee where I grew up. I have a passion for travel, language, and spicy food! In the new World Cultures class I look forward to exploring the music, traditions, food, language, and art of different regions and countries. Contact me at 920-662-5013 or magdsand@hssdschools.org.
A note from your School Board Representative
Before anything else, preparation is the key to success. -Alexander Graham Bell
School District and School Board Summer Highlights
This summer our learning community was energized with opportunities for children of all ages and abilities as
the District welcomed over 3,200 students enrolled in summer school classes. However, students were not the
only ones engaged in learning this summer. Below are a few highlights of District educator and School Board
activities during the last three months.
● Strategic Direction: Administration attended the School Administrator Institute for Transformational
Leadership (SAIL). This organization is designed to assist school and district leadership teams in
creating a coherent and connected plan for transforming education at the local level within a complex
environment, and in the process, instill confidence throughout the system for powerfully moving
forward;
● Professional Development: Instructional staff members expanded their horizons through coursework
and training by attending Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at Work Institute, June 24-26,
Minneapolis, MN, with a focus on learning, building a collaborative culture, and results orientation –
specific, practical, and inspiring strategies for transforming the district into a place where all students
learn at high levels;
● Innovation: A team of District leaders, principals, and teachers attended the National Council of
Supervisors of Mathematics Leadership Academy (NCSM) July 22-24 in Madison;
● Continuous Improvement: Routine maintenance, repair, landscaping, and cleaning of the community’s
eight school facilities, totaling more than 1-million square feet, keeps our sites operating safely,
efficiently and effectively throughout the school year;
● Compassion: The Howard-Suamico Education Foundation partnered with Green Bay Community
Church, businesses, employees, and other civic organizations in providing over 400 economically
disadvantaged students with backpacks and essential school supplies. Also, 280 students from 10
different states were housed at Lineville Intermediate School for one week in partnership with Group
Mission Work Camps and Trinity Lutheran Church. The students did area yard and home repair for
dozens of homes owned by the elderly, disabled veterans and economically disadvantaged neighbors;
● Leadership: Board of Education members attended the Wisconsin Association of School Board
(WASB) 2019 Summer Leadership Institute in July. The Board of Education also met to discuss and
develop its own goals for the coming school year.
The District and Board seek to use frequent and varied methods of communication to inform our community.
Please let us know how we are doing and if there are other ways you would like us to consider.
For more information about the Howard-Suamico School District governance system, please visit our website at
www.hssdschools.org or for additional information regarding this article, contact school board member Vanessa Moran at vanemora@hssdschools.org
Reading Olympics Celebrates 20 years!
The 2019-2020 Reading Olympics is right around the corner! Reading Olympics is an optional activity open to any 3rd or 4th grade student at Meadowbrook. Students who join agree to read 8 pre-selected books and meet at Meadowbrook on Friday mornings beginning October 4th from 8:00-8:30 to discuss a different book each week. After discussing all 8 books, we hold three book challenges. At that time, we will divide into teams. Each team will be asked questions about the books and can answer as a group.
The list of books that you will need to read is included on the Meadowbrook Library webpage. You need to read all eight of the books to qualify for a team. Upon completing each book, you will also need to complete a page in your Reading Olympics Journal. Please print a journal page for each book. The journal will help you log your reading and assist you in recalling the details of all the books that you read when it comes time for our discussions. This will be a good study guide to assist you in preparing for the book challenges we will have in December and January..
We will officially begin our Reading Olympics book discussions in October. If you would like to participate, please complete the participation agreement form found here by Friday, September 20 . All students who participate in this event by reading the books, completing the journal, attending the morning discussions, and competing in the challenges will receive a reading award and be entitled to attend the reading celebration at the end of the program.
We are very excited about this program and hope you consider participating. The books are available in print, eBook and/or audio format in our school library, as well as, Brown County Library. Books in the school library are on a first come, first serve basis. Because of this, we encourage you to begin reading the books as soon as possible, rather than waiting to read them the week before the scheduled discussion..
Please contact Mrs. Wick at 920.662.5091 or michwick@hssdschools.org if you have any questions about Reading Olympics.
Looking forward to reading and enjoying books together,
Mrs. Wick - Library/Technology Integration Specialist
Mrs. Huhtala - Literacy Specialist
Mrs. Thibaudeau - Literacy Interventionist
Mrs. Eickholt - Gifted and Talented Specialist
New Online Book Resource
Great news! We have a new way to access eBooks and audiobooks. Sora will give you access to Meadowbrook’s Overdrive eBooks and the Overdrive eBooks and audiobooks from the Wisconsin School Library Consortium! Students may access these eBooks from any location with or without wifi.
Setup of the Sora app is easy.
Download the Sora app from the App Store.
Open Sora and choose Wisconsin Schools Digital Library Consortium.
Choose Howard Suamico Elementary Schools.
Sign in with your district username and password.
Search for great eBooks!
Please contact Mrs. Wick, Meadowbrook Library Media Specialist, at michwick@hssdschools.org if you have questions about Sora.Community Corner
The Howard - Suamico School District partnering with local organizations features a Community Page that includes a list highlighting events for families in the villages of Howard, Suamico and Green Bay, i.e. scouting, festivals, parades, etc.
Saturday, September 14 - Please join us for the 2019 Pirate Baseball Golf Outing! Spots available for foursomes. 9 hole and 18 hole options! Register your team at: www.bayportyouthbaseball.com