Peers, Picnic and Pastries

This was the week of the 3!  It was also fun for me. I always enjoy whe I can steel a bit of time with small groups of kids.  

Peer Tutors

This week I worked with our 5th and 6th grades. About 80 students met with me in small groups to learn how to become a peer tutor for younger students.  This was review for some of our leaders since they were tutors last year, however this year we have a whole new set of volunteers.  The students spend about 15 minutes per day with their younger buddy and work on flash cards or side by side reading.  This little intervention has shown a huge benefit to our students.  The little ones really look up to the older students and can't wait to show them what they can do. Below are a few pictures from the trainings. 

Pastries for Parents

This year we decided to change our traditional Donuts for Dads and Munchkins for moms event to a Pastries for Parents morning event.  On October 18th Kindergarten through 3rd graders were invited with their parents, grandparents or another trusted adult to have a donut and conversation.  Thanks to the well over 200 people who attended the event. It was fun seeing you all.  Don't worry 4th -6th graders, your time will come in the spring!

Picnic

This week I also had a wonderful picnic lunch with the top 3 students who raised funds for the Bubble-a-thon. It was a beautiful, sunny 75 degree day too.  Congratulations to Aiden Shrode (5th grade), Emma Scholl (1st grade) and Aila Wilson (Kindergarten.)  

What a Week!

It was a full week at Glenbrook.  Fireman Tim, from the Streamwood Police Department stopped by to present some awards to students for their outstanding work in the Streamwood Fire Department's Fire Prevention Coloring and Poster Contest.  Congratulations to all of them.  Also this week we were honored to have author Celia Perez share her struggles and perseverance as she worked to publish her first book.  We ended our week on Friday evening with the Global Cardboard Challenge.  Take a look at some photos from all 3 events below. 

Streamwood Fire Department's Annual Coloring and Poster Contest

Thank you Fireman Tim for your support and dedication to our students.  This year's winners will have the opportunity to attend a Pizza Party at Fire Station 31 and then an awards ceremony at the Village Hall.  Congratulations to Mallory Gonzalez, Karina Covarrubias, Vanny Mien, Ruby Vega, and Juan Lopez.  We are so proud of you all!

Author Celia Perez

Thanks again to Glenbrook's PTA and Anderson's Books for sponsoring our author's visit. Celia Perez was engaging and inspiring. She shared her moments of rejection and how she worked through until she was able to publish her first book, The First Rule Of Punk.  The students enjoyed her presentation and many stayed after to have their own purchased copies autographed.

 Global Cardboard Challenge
For the 3rd year in a row, Glenbrook students have particpated in the Global Cardboard Challenge.  The idea originally comes from a young boy named Caine.  (See video link: http://cainesarcade.com/ )   Each year I am amazed at the wonderful creative ideas that our families and students have imagined and constructed. Thank you to Mrs. Smith for heading up the event and to all of the students and families for participating. This year we had over 120 attendies. All donations will go towards the purchase of STEM materials for our school.

Creations from arcade challenges, to robots, to costumes, to structures; anything goes when it comes to the cardboard challenge. That's the fun of it.  Some of the students worked independently, some as partners, some with their families and others as a class. Mrs. Chandler's class is continuing to work on their to scale model of Garden Circle to try to solve the traffic problem and safety issue with drop off and pick up. They are considering writing letters to the Village of Streamwood to support their proposal of making Garden Circle a one-way street during these times.