What is social-emotional learning, and why is it important? Host Dr. Jason Pearson, superintendent of schools, explores how and why the district has been focusing on plans to improve SEL over the past two years. You will hear from students and educators as we try to paint a picture of how the district is building belonging for students and staff, developing social skills and supporting emotional health, and focusing on enhancing student and staff member well-being.

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Dr. Jason Pearson chats with Chief School Business Official Jessica Donato and Director of Buildings and Grounds Joel Gallegos about the building issues, renovations, and additions that are in the $94.9 million referendum plans. #d28referendum

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Today we’re talking with Northbrook Junior High Principal Dr. Scott Meek and Greenbriar Principal Dr. Ginny Hiltz about their recent Family Engagement presentation on what is currently number 1 on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list, “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt.

This book has resonated with parents around the world and certainly here in Northbrook. Given the high interest of this issue, we thought this would be a great venue to share the key insights from their book discussion.

Helpful resources
CASEL: Advancing social-emotional learning
The Let Grow Experience encourages parents
Thanks to Dr. Lisa Novak and CATCH who started the conversation about The Anxious Generation in our community. Click here to access all of their outstanding resources.

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Welcome back to Season 2 of Insight 28! Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jason Pearson talks with Chief School Business Official Jessica Donato and two leaders of the community committee Building Tomorrow Together, Tamara Reese and Steve Szumokski. This episode will cover how the district determined the extent of building needs, funding issues and how the Board of Education involved the community in formulating a plan.
Visit northbrook28.net/referendum for more information.
Submit questions to d28communications@northbrook28.net

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Have a suggestion or comment about our podcast? Contact Terry Ryan, Communications Director

The 5th-grade musical in District 28 is a rite of passage, and parents and students alike reflect on it for a long time. In this episode, Dr. Pearson visits with each music teacher to talk about why it is an important component of the 5th-grade experience. You'll also hear students' perspectives. So let's have a little fun and experience what it's like to be on stage, what's behind all the effort and the lasting impressions it leaves on students.
You can find the performances on our school's YouTube Channel:
Greenbriar YouTube
Meadowbrook YouTube
Westmoor YouTube

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In celebration of National Library Week, Westmoor Librarian Tara LaCerra and her assistant Kim Burnson, organized a school-wide writing project. Over the course of a few days, each K-5 class added a sentence based on the previous sentence to build “More to the Story: A Westmoor Tale in 18 parts.”

It stars a central figure at Westmoor, head custodian Matt Kritzberg.

“They (students) were really thoughtful, how do we create an arc, add detail and dialog,” Ms. LaCerra said. “It was cool to see them incorporate things they were focusing on the classroom into the story. And it was really fun to see how they incorporated someone like Mr. Matt who is a household name around here. How they see him as a character and used what they knew about him – he’s a Sox fan, so they had him sing Go Cubs Go, and the 5th grade incorporated the musical. Everyone brought their own flavor to the story.”

Listen to the story as read by Ms. LaCerra….

Like what you hear? Check out our Insight28 Voices and Stories of Northbrook28 podcast. New episode on the 5th grade musicals coming soon!

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When the district implemented a one-to-one learning environment that provided iPads to all grades K-8, the goal was to ensure that technology was used to engage, enhance and extend student learning. This initiative is modeled after a framework developed by Liz Kolb, called “Learning First, Technology Second.”

There are some pretty cool things going on in the classroom that we are excited to share with you today. Instructional Technology Coordinator Judi Epcke and Instructional technology coach Kristin Cash will provide an overview of the initiative, and then we will visit with 4th-grade students to share their projects and hear from teachers Joanna Wsol at Westmoor School and Jamie Flood at Meadowbrook School to talk about how technology has enhanced, engaged and extended student learning.

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If you think school science fairs are little more than exploding volcanoes, listen in as students talk about their projects and how they implemented the scientific method of research. NBJH Science teacher Amber Paull shares what goes into these semester-long projects where Gold Award winners advance to the Illinois Junior Academy of Science regional competition on March 4th.

More about Northbrook District 28
Northbrook28.net; Facebook, Instagram
Contact Us
Have a suggestion or comment about our podcast? Contact Terry Ryan, Communications Director