Meadowbrook News
March 3, 2023
From Mrs. Sawatzky
Good afternoon Meadowbrook,
It was an exciting week at Meadowbrook! This week:
- Our students showed school spirit and dressed up in honor of 'I Love to Read' month (see pictures below). They also "shopped" the Book Swap. Due to your generous donations, each student brought home 2-3 books! I visited the swap with a 5th grade class and you'd be pleased to know that they were just as excited as our preschool students to read their "new" books. Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped to organize the donations and assist the children make great selections.
- We met so many of our incoming Kindergarten students and their families at Kindergarten Roundup. Our school was filled with excited and curious little humans just starting their Meadowbrook journey. And again, we had excellent volunteers helping everything run smoothly!
I also want to thank our PTO for the fabulous meals they provided to staff on our conference days. Whether it's providing meals, volunteering and/or donating to a good cause, or attending important events, it is clear that Meadowbrook would not be the school it is today without our community's support.
In partnership,
Natalie
Women's History Month
In 1982 it was declared that the week of March 7th was dedicated as Women’s History Week. During the next 5 years one week in March was continually assigned this title. In 1987 The National Women’s History Project petitioned for the entire month to be declared as National Women’s History Month, and was passed by Congress. Since then, each President has continued to do the same. This month we will acknowledge the countless contributions of women throughout history and the present.
Meadowbrook Mingle
Have you heard? The Meadowbrook Mingle is going live and in person this year! We’ll “mingle” at Brookview on March 25 from 6:30 - 10 p.m. with optional childcare available.
Join us for games like Singo (music bingo), food, and a cash bar while learning more about Meadowbrook’s unique qualities, offerings, and community. Explore opportunities for caregiver involvement in school-wide events, classroom settings or behind the scenes.
Early bird ticket pricing expires on Thursday, March 9 so don’t wait. Buy your tickets now!
Interested in being a Mingle volunteer? Great! We need “night of” volunteers, ideators and planners to build a memorable event, and an outgoing person or duo to host Singo. Get in touch and join our team!
MCA Testing for Grades 3-6
This spring, students in our district and across the state will be taking the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs). Students with significant cognitive disabilities take the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) instead of the MCA. These assessments are administered as part of federal and state law and are important tools to measure the progress of learning based on the Minnesota Academic Standards.
The MCA results are critical for our work in improving instruction, for supporting equity, and for providing another piece of information about individual students. The MCA results also represent our community to the public.
Although parents and guardians have always had the right to refuse standardized testing, administering the MCA is not optional for the district. A parent refusal form must be on file with the school the week prior to testing. If one is not on file, students will be assigned a test session. As a district, we are required by state statute to administer the MCA to our students. We believe that with strong test participation, we will be better able to equitably serve all of our students and to accurately represent the vitality of our schools.
Testing dates do not interfere with other critical assessments and allow our students to be refreshed for each assessment. There is no need for students to study for the MCAs.
We ask you to support your student's participation in this important test. If you have any questions about MCA testing and/or your student’s needs, please feel free to contact me or our district’s Innovation, Design, and Learning Department. The following link also has more information about the MCA (including translated materials): https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/
There's Still Time to Give to HEF's Special Appeal 2023
HEF's Step into a Brilliant Future Special Appeal 2023 is focused on strengthening students' reading and math skills while increasing their paths to future careers and further education.
Watch HEF's Step into a Brilliant Future video at HopkinsEducationFoundation.org and see for yourself the exciting ways HEF's Special Appeal is helping to impact, develop, and expand learning for our Hopkins students. Every student deserves to Step into a Brilliant Future. Donate today!
St. David's Center Gala
Did you know that Hopkins partners with The St. David’s Center to provide therapists for students in all 6 of our elementary schools? If you'd like to support St. David's or attend their annual gala, it is a very worthy cause. The Annual Make Them Shine Gala is a philanthropic event that supports the 4,000 children and families who benefit from St. David's life-changing early intervention services.
On March 11, 2023, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and 500 guests will attend the 34th Annual St. David’s Center Make Them Shine Gala held at the McNamara Alumni Center. Tickets are available – visit St. David's website for more information.
Hopkins Public Schools State of the District
Join Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools, school board members, and staff, for a comprehensive look at the present state of Hopkins Schools and where we are going. Dr. Reed will also provide a five-year progress update on Vision 2031, the District's strategic vision.
The State of the District will feature a 45-minute presentation and about 15 minutes to ask questions. Each session will provide the same content in a live format so that you can choose the virtual session that works best for your schedule. Sessions will be held virtually using Zoom. Register to attend the sessions at this link.
Session Dates:
Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m.
Hopkins Schools Transportation now has live GPS information through My Stop
We are excited to share that Hopkins Public Schools is now able to offer caregivers and students access to live school bus GPS information through My Stop. My Stop is a web-based application that families can use to track their child’s bus in real-time. This service will be especially useful during days when winter weather has slowed transportation. You can access My Stop at this link or on our transportation webpage.
Parents can sign in to MyStop with their child's district username (which is their school email address before the @sign) and district password (which is their initials in capital letters and the last four digits of their school id). If you need support, contact the Hopkins technology help desk at 952-988-4111. You can also download the My Stop App on Apple or Android platforms.
Tech Support: For all questions regarding My Stop, please contact IT at mystop@hopkinsschools.org. Do not contact the transportation department, as they cannot answer questions regarding My Stop. Please send any feedback to mystop@hopkinsschools.org regarding your experience with the application. We will forward that information to the technicians.
5th and 6th Grade Caregivers
Please help us make this yearbook special for your kids by providing one picture of your child from their Kindergarten year. Use their first and last name as the file name, add 5th or 6th grade (accordingly) to the subject line, and email the image to: MBYearbook5430@proton.me. Images must be received by March 31, 2023.
6th Grade End of Year Celebration Planning
Thanks to everyone who has already expressed an interest and/or offered to help with the planning for the 6th grade celebration! We have been able to fill some committee spots and have heard a lot of great suggestions. If you are interested in helping or learning more, please visit our website, https://mbgrads2029.weebly.com, for more information. We cannot do it all without your help. Please consider joining a committee, volunteering on the day of or providing a donation for the students.
Additionally, we are looking to put together a slide show featuring all the kids of this class for their graduation party. In order to make that happen, we need your help. All you have to do is find two pictures of your child from their time at Meadowbrook that you want in the slide show, you can go to the link below to find out more information and where to upload them. Thanks so much. https://mbgrads2029.weebly.com/slideshow.html
5th Grade Year-End Celebration Planning
This is our 5th graders last year at Meadowbrook. Who else is crying already? We've kicked off planning to help our almost-middle schoolers mark the end of their time in elementary school. On Wednesday, June 7th, the last day of school, we hope the weather will cooperate so the kids (and any caregivers who want to tag along) can have a day of celebration!
We will be hosting breakfast in the morning, along with a slideshow from our student’s years at Meadowbrook. Buses will then take the kids to Brookview Park for a day outside together. A DJ will be playing, and a catered lunch will be served. Around 3pm we will head back to Meadowbrook for popsicles on the playground!
To pull this off, we need your help.
- Do you have experience with video editing to create a video or slideshow to showcase photos of our kiddos over the years?
- Do you have yard games or other activities for the kids to do while at Brookview? We will need help in sourcing the games, and with supervision the day-of.
- Join the planning committee to make sure no details are missed.
- Come along on Tuesday June 6th to celebrate with your child and help as needed.
Donations! We will not be able to host most of this day without donations. We will need to raise at least $3500 (still finalizing our budget) to provide the students with breakfast, lunch, a DJ at Brookview, t-shirts, bussing, and popsicles. To donate, please visit our planning website: mbgradpicnic2030.weebly.com or donate directly here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=G8U7MNEXBBZMA
One last request for all 5th grade caregivers: start looking through photos of your 5th grader. We'll be asking for up to three pictures of each student at Meadowbrook - one baby photo and two of them at school events (focusing on photos from school events will give us a more inclusive video). Once you find these photos, you can email them to mb5thgrade2023@gmail.com. Be sure to include the name of your student and their teacher.
If you want to get more involved in the planning process, please email meadowbrookpto@gmail.com or check out our planning website here.
Are you a caregiver of a Black or African Diaspora scholar?
Meadowbrook Plant Sale
Place your order today!
To place an order visit our Meadowbrook Plant Sale website.
Please look for a confirmation email after ordering to verify that your order has gone through. If you do not receive an email, please email us at MBPlantSale@gmail.com.
Details
Pick-Up: Saturday, May 7, from 9:30am-5pm & Sunday, May 8 from 9:30am-3:30pm.
Location: Meadowbrook Elementary Front Entrance.
Sign-Up: Select your pick-up time through the SingUp Genius link in your confirmation email.
*All plants subject to availability.* We are not able to guarantee plants due to supply chain issues, but will do our best to fill all orders. We will contact you if your order cannot be filled.
Questions? Email us at MBPlantSale@gmail.com.
Yearbooks
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!
Restaurant Night
- Noodles & Company: 7808 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley
- March 13th, 4-8pm
- If ordering online, use coupon code GIVING25
- If dining in, mention Meadowbrook Elementary
- 25% is donated to the 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
March 13: Restaurant Night @ Golden Valley Noodles & Co.
March 20-25: Meadowbrook Mingle Week
March 31: No School - Professional Learning Day for Staff
April 3-7: No School - Spring Break
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