In Case You Missed It

Posted Date: 03/06/2023

March 3, 2023

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. 

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

– Dr. Seuss, American Author

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We had a nice surprise this week with our snow day, albeit right after a week off;  I hope you all enjoyed some quality time with family.  I suppose we will need to remember the joy of this snow day when we are in school one more day in June. (The last day in school is now June 16, 2023.)

This week the administrative team shared information about the final two schedule options that are being considered for next school year.  First at a parent meeting and then at the BOE meeting.  Parents and board members asked thoughtful questions, and we were happy to clarify and explain the schedules for all present.  We shared a slide deck that shows the new schedule next to our current schedule and compares the options we are considering.  Here is that slide presentation.  Please reach out for any clarification/questions.   

Thanks to Michelle Krupa, I will join the Cider Mill PTA meeting on March 14, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. to discuss the Middlebrook schedule for next school year.  We hope that Cider Mill parents will join us to hear more about the schedule.   

Reminder: There is a shortened school day for students on Wednesday, March 8.  Dismissal is at 12:35 p.m.

The quote at the top of the letter is a hint.  Happy Birthday (March 2, 1904) to Dr. Seuss, who published over 60 books during his career, had 11 television specials, five feature films, a Broadway musical and four television series.  Dr. Seuss wrote in a simplified- vocabulary manner that to this day helps young children learn to read.

This Week’s Topics:

• Reflections’ Results Correction

• Scott Driscoll Presentation on Internet Safety - March 7, 2023

• Middlebrook Arts Festival

• Special Schedules for March

• Best Thing I Saw/Heard This Week 

Reflections’ Results Correction

There was a mix up with a parent's and a student's name in the Reflections Results. The 2nd Place in Visual Arts winner was Raima K.  Congratulations, Raima!

Scott Driscoll Presentation on Internet Safety

Please join us on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the  Middlebrook auditorium to learn about the ever-changing world of internet safety and social media. Scott Driscoll, President of Internet Safety Concepts, will share important information to help you guide your children to make safe online choices. You can learn more about Scott’s background and Internet Safety Concepts here.  Scott’s presentation to students last month was very well received, and students were very responsive to his message.  Thank you to the Middlebrook PTA for providing the funding for this important presentation. 

Please register using this EventBrite Registration Link to participate on March 7: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scott-driscoll-internet-safety-tickets-537775861077

Please park in the large parking lot near drop off/pick up and use the canopy door to enter the building.

Middlebrook Arts Festival

For the first time, we will be hosting the Middlebrook Arts Festival! We are excited to make this a true Middlebrook experience through our artists, musicians, ISTEM and culinary students.  The show will be on Wednesday, March 29, and will showcase the work from four STRIDE disciplines.  We hope that this show will give families the opportunity to celebrate the arts and to get an insight into your child's curriculum and to see first hand the work that they have created so far this year. 

Curated by each art class, there will be a self-selected piece of artwork from each student artist.  In addition, families will be able to enjoy small snacks prepared by the culinary department, listen to musical ensembles, and look at engineering projects. Due to the number of students involved in the festival, we will be holding three separate time slots, one for each grade level. 

Please park in the large parking lot near drop off/pick up and use the canopy door to enter the building.

Date: March 29,2023

Place:  Middlebrook Cafeteria

Times: Grade 6  6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

           Grade 7 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

         Grade  8 7:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you all at the festival! Please save the date.

Art: Sue LaBarbera, Karen Golder, Joanna Lepore

Culinary: Frank Ponto

I - Stem: Adam Shopis

Music: Janet Nobles, Michael Gordon,  Malcom Karlan, Jennifer Ginsberg, Angelica Jara, Francesca Grey

Special Schedules for March

March 8, 2023    12:30 Dismissal Professional Learning

March 28, 2023  MAP Testing - Reading

March 30, 2023  MAP Testing - Math

Best Thing(s) I Saw/Heard This Week

I had the pleasure of chatting with a sixth grade student, Bella S., about her experience as a member of a nationally ranked all-girls hockey team and the team’s success at the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in Canada where they went 4-1-1.  Quite an accomplishment! It was another wonderful reminder of our extraordinarily talented students and their lives outside of school. I am blessed to hear stories from students and happy to share Bella’s news. I encourage your children to share their stories with me, too.

Repeated for Your Convenience:

Please Join the PTA 

Link and information to join: www.middlebrookpta.org/jointhepta. 

More about SEPTA - you can join there too! www.wiltonsepta.org

As always, we at The Brook continue to be thankful for the continued support of our families.  

Stay safe and have a fantastic week!

All the best, always and all ways, 

Jory

Jory Higgins, 

Principal