Meadowbrook News
December 16, 2022
From Mrs. Sawatzky
Good afternoon Meadowbrook,
Welcome to my last newsletter of 2022! As we close out 2022, I want to share how grateful I am for the honor of not only serving, but also learning and growing with your children. Every day, they teach me so many things! Thank you for sharing them with us.
Today our teachers and staff spent the day learning and collaborating around our school goal of transforming instruction through project based teaching and learning. Our learning centered around making learning relevant to students lives now and in the future. This means, tackling questions and issues that students are concerned about, situating learning in 'real life' or simulations, and using tools and processes that they will use in the future, as adults. And, we could use your help! If you have an expertise, special talent, or interest and would be willing to collaborate with teachers and students, please let us know by completing this form.
Please remember there is no school from December 22nd through January 4th. School resumes on Thursday, January 5, 2023. During this break, the Meadowbrook office will be closed.
To our families who will begin celebrating Hanukkah this weekend, may this festival bring many blessings to your family. I also hope all families celebrating Christmas during Winter Break have a merry Christmas filled with love and peace. And, to those celebrating Kwanzaa, I wish you much warmth and togetherness.
In partnership,
Natalie
P.S. If you are looking for opportunities to develop your antiracist mindset and skillset, please complete this form to help us plan an event for caregivers.
HOPKINS NORTH INVITES ELEMENTARY FAMILIES TO SAVE THE DATE!
Families are encouraged to bring their rising 6th and 7th-grade scholars.
6:00 PM - 6:50 PM: Rising 6th-grade students
7:00 PM - 7:50 PM: Rising 7th-grade students
WE ARE SUPER EXCITED TO MEET ALL OF YOU!
Important: Open-Enrolled Families with Incoming Kindergartners!
Have an upcoming fall kindergartner? Even if you have students already enrolled in Hopkins Schools, you will need to submit an open enrollment form for your new kindergartner. Submit your Open Enrollment application by January 17, 2023, to be included in the first lottery. Find Open Enrollment forms online at HopkinsSchools.org/enroll. Questions? Please email Enrollment@HopkinsSchools.org or call 952-988-4110.
What's next for our soon-to-be middle schools?
As our junior highs prepare to transition to middle schools next year, Principal Eromosele and Principal Kampfe update us on where they are in the process and also share their excitement for what's still to come. Currently, 6th-grade educators are touring the junior high buildings to get a feel for where they could be teaching next year.
HEF Gratitude Gifts
HEF knows how tough it is to get everything done, especially during this time of year... So, we've added a few extra days for ordering your Gratitude Gifts!
We are here to help you finish the calendar year strong! Simply donate and order your Gratitude Gifts for those special Hopkins teachers and staff members by midnight this Saturday, Dec. 17th and we'll deliver a fun and sweet surprise before winter break! With Great Harvest Bread Co. Minnetonka doing the cookie baking and HEF delivering, you'll have one thing checked off your list! Plus, Gratitude Gifts will keep on giving long after the cookies have been eaten. Come spring, the donations from Gratitude Gifts will help to fuel funding for more inspiring HEF grants! HopkinsEducationFoundation.org
Girls wrestling is gaining momentum in Hopkins, state
Hopkins is hosting its first girls-only wrestling tournament this weekend at Hopkins High School! The girls wrestling team will take to the mat at the Hopkins Athena Invitational on Dec. 17 where they will compete against more than 130 girls. About 17 teams will be coming from across the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Watch the video to learn about the exciting program as they get the season underway and continue to grow the sport they love. And if you can, get out and support our girls wrestlers at the competition. Let's go Royals!
DECA students need your thoughts!
A group of Hopkins DECA students is currently working with a food company in Minnesota on how they use data to personalize consumer experiences. They are specifically looking at the food company's loyalty app. The students need your opinions on the topic and have developed a survey that takes less than 3 minutes to complete. The students would appreciate your time and thoughts. They will evaluate the results of the survey to develop a strategic plan. Here is the survey link.
MLK Human Rights Contest
The MLK Human Rights Contest provides a path for children and youth to follow as they grow. Quotes from Dr. King and the over-arching themes give children and youth a starting point on the path to understanding Dr King's message to the world. Students may submit any kind of original work that exemplifies the themes, including artwork, essays, poetry, songs, raps, videos, and more. Students are encouraged to base their entries on these specific themes and prompts:
- Pre-K-K: "We cannot walk alone." (Theme: Inclusion)
- Grades 1-3: "If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way." (Theme: Equality/Justice)
- Grades 4-7: "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." (Theme: Equality/Justice)
- Grades 8-12: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." (Theme: Equality/Justice)
Prizes will be awarded to two students in each of the following grade groupings: Preschool-Kindergarten, 1-3, 4-7, and 8-12.
Submissions are due by 4pm on December 21, 2022, to Tara Olmo at 7800 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley, MN 55427 or tolmo@goldenvalleymn.gov.
The contest is sponsored by the City's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission. for more complete entry information about entering, visit www.goldenvalleymn.gov/DEIC
eLearning & Equitable Internet Access
Yearbooks
Wrestling Programs (PreK through Grade 6)
Did you know Hopkins has youth wrestling programs for both boys and girls for grades PreK through 6? Offered in partnership with Hopkins Community Education, the wrestling program introduces wrestling concepts through fun games and activities geared for all skill levels. The head instructors are former collegiate-level wrestlers that also teach Physical Education in Hopkins and Minnetonka school districts. We even have some national champions coaching!
Register using the links below:
If you have any questions please contact youth@hopkins-wrestling.com.
Metro Transit Assistance Program
The Transit Assistance Program (TAP) is designed to make public transit more affordable for residents of lower income. TAP provides a reduced fare pass on a Go-To Card and allows customers to use a bus or train for just $1 per ride — even during rush hour — with a 2.5 hour transfer. Signing up can be done in-person at a Transit Facility location or through the link below. Visit https://www.metrotransit.org/tap-riders for more information!
Supporting Gender Expansive Kids Parent and Caregiver Group
Are you the parent or caregiver of a child who transcends traditional binary gender roles? Hopkins Schools offers a supportive, ongoing group for parents and caregivers to ask questions, share ideas, and support one another. Click here for more information.
Meadowbrook PTO
Please visit our website for all things PTO!
Volunteer
If you would like to be a room parent in your child’s class or help in a variety of other ways this school year, let us know! Complete the volunteer interest form here: https://forms.gle/AZiPf7kamK6Z317Q7
Online Directory
To connect with other families at Meadowbrook, please register with our Meadowbrook Online Directory. *Please note this is different from the forms you completed for your teachers! This directory will allow you to search for other MB families, and for others to find your information if you choose.
Any questions? Reach out to us at meadowbrookelementarypto@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook , Twitter, Instragram, or our PTO website
Important Calendar Dates
December 22-30: No school - Winter Break
January 2-4: No School - Winter Break
January 5: School Resumes
January 16: No School - In Honor of MLK Jr.
January 27: No School - Grading Day
Lost & Found
Meadowbrook Elementary
Main Office Line: 952-988-5100
Attendance Line: 952-988-5110
https://meadowbrook.hopkinsschools.org/families/attendance
Online Student Directory: www.meadowbrookpto.ptoffice.com
Email: natalie.sawatzky@hopkinsschools.org
Website: https://hopkinsschools.org/schools/elementary-schools/meadowbrook-elementary
Location: 5430 Glenwood Avenue, Golden Valley, MN 55422, USA
Phone: (952) 988-5100
Facebook: facebook.com/HopkinsMeadowbrook
Twitter: @MeadowbrookGV