A Positive Message 

We work hard to help our students learn both academically and socially. This week, even the adults were reminded of a few very important life messages that are easy to put to the back of our minds. Matt Wilhelm, BMX Flatland rider and motivational speaker, spent about 45 minutes with each student group to share his very inspirational message and perform some amazing and  crazy tricks.

Matt's message has 3 major theme's, the first, "Never give up!" Matt begins his story by showing the students some of the tricks that led him to win his first X-Game Championship. Matt is actually a World Championship Silver Medalist and two-time United States National Champion. He talks to the students about how the first time he competed in the X-Games he came in last place. He could have given up, but instead he worked harder and the next year he came in first place. Matt also appeared on America's Got Talent. 

Matt also gave some students a chance to "try their best" with some tricks.  

A second important theme to Matt's message was kindness to others. Matt talked about being bullied as a child because he was different. Some kids teased him because they thought his ears looked funny and thus nicked named him "ears." Matt looked for someone to be his "superhero" and stand up for him. Well he found that hero in another student who ultimately became his friend. Matt taught students how the power of words can effect people. Some words can really hurt and make people feel worthless, while others can turn poor behavior around. We all have the power to use our words to help others.

Matt's final message was that practice makes success and that all people have talents, they just need to keep working at it.  He reminded students that working hard in school and at their talents will help them to become great at whatever they want to do.  Matt told them that he went to college and graduated with honors, even getting a college scholorship. The students listened intently.

Matt finally showed the students his greatest trick of all, which he hoped to be able to perform successfully. That trick involved jumping over 3 teachers.  3 brave teachers, at each assembly, took on the challenge and with several near misses of practice, Matt completed his successful jump!!!

If you'd like to learn more about Matt and his message, check out his website at:

http://www.mattwilhelm.com/

Glenbrook's Amazing Parent Teacher Association

(PTA)

We are very fortunate to have a wonderful partnership with our parents at Glenbrook. The Parent Teacher Association is extremely active at Glenbrook helping us each and every day to improve the education of our students.  This Thursday, September 8, at 7:00 PM will be our first PTA meeting, held in the school's library.  The meeting is open to all Glenbrook parents, guardians, teachers, staff, and community members who are interested in helping improve the academic and social opportunities for all students at Glenbrook.  Below are just some of the things that the PTA has sponsored at Glenbrook.

With lots of fundraising, our PTA purchased 15 laptops which are housed on a rolling cart. This cart travels between classrooms for all students to use.  

The PTA hosts many events for our families, just for fun.  The Halloween Bash is by far the most popular.  Watch for information on this year's Bash which is already set for October 21.

 The annual Family Fun Fair, Munchkins for Moms, and Donuts for Dads are 3 more popular events that are sponsored by the PTA.   All of these events are supported in part by the fundraising that all Glenbrook families and teachers participate in each year.

Family Reading Night, Scholastic Book Fair, Spanish Book Fair, and the Math Night/Ice Cream Social are fun ways for the PTA to combine academics and entertainment.  

Our 6th graders always enjoy an end of the year celebration with an assembly and "graduation T-shirts" which are provided by our PTA.  It's a great send off for the students who have been with us for so long and been the leaders during the school year. 

DARE students in 5th grade also get a DARE Graduation shirt which is sponsored by the PTA. It's
a wonderful celebration of all that they have learned.  

Our PTA is very supportive of our library as well. Each year they give a bit of money to purchase man books from the Battle of the Books collection as well as some for our younger readers.  

The PTA also likes to support the community with a can food drive and other events. Each year we head out to Park Blvd. during Streamwood's Luminaria event and light it up. We then head to the village hall and join in the holiday celebration.  

Already this year the PTA has been hard at work filling Friday folders, organizing the Cookie Dough Fundraiser and getting ready for our first assembly which will be held next Thursday morning.  Matt Wilhelm is a BMX Biker who does amazing tricks with a great message for students. Ask your students about the assembly, they are sure to enjoy it!

           

                                                           

PBIS: Training in Hawk Pride

With our final student count at 550 students, it's important that we teach children the expectations of our school wide behavioral system.  Glenbrook's Hawk Pride Mantra is:

As a Glenbrook Student I will be

Respectful

Responsible

and Real Safe

I will do my best at all times 

Wherever I go

To show Hawk Pride.

This Mantra is posted at the front office in both English and Spanish and is repeated daily on the intercom.  Additionally, we remind students of the expectations and we use positive rewards as they show Hawk Pride.  Below are some pictures of students practicing at the training. Thanks to our 6th graders for doing an excellent job leading the training this year.

Mrs. DeRoo met with each grade level individually to share a presentation on how to be safe coming to school, while at school, and when going home from school. She talked about avoiding strangers and going straight home.  Mrs. DeRoo also shared with the children important information about bullying and how to report a bully.  Students in grades 4 - 6 learned about cyber bullying and safety on the internet, including phone use and the danger of certain apps to young students. 

Kicking Off A Great First Week Of School!

The 2016-2017 school year is off to a great start! Our new full day kindergarten students are tired, but handling the full day very well. They are already learning the routines and procedures and having fun too!  The first graders have jumped right into their new full day experience with grace.  Take a look at a few pictures from the first week.

  

Just prior to school starting, new families were invited to Glenbrook for an ice cream social so that they could ask questions and meet other new families. It was a nice way to help the kids see that they were not the only "new kids on the block."

                 

Purposeful play is learning in kindergarten. Our children are already developing social skills while learning to read, write and understand mathematical concepts. The teachers guide their play, ask questions and help them when they struggle.  

Mrs. Smith's IGNITE Class visited Sunrise Camp to get to know each other. Many of the students in her 4th grade class are coming from different schools. This is a big adjustment, so spending the day together at camp will really help to build their learning community. 

                         

All of our classrooms spend time getting to know their teacher, each other and the routines and procedures this week. The students are well on their way to learning what it means to be Respectful, Responsible and Real Safe, our Hawk Pride mantra.