Author Archives: SCarlson

Summer Reading

Posted on May 23, 2019 by SCarlson

Have you made your summer plans? Did you get into the camp(s) you wanted? Do you have your summer vacations planned? Great! Now, it’s time to think about how we are going to strengthen or develop healthy reading habits in … Continue reading →

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Principal for the morning

Posted on May 10, 2019 by SCarlson

Third-grade student Maddie served as Principal for the Morning. She did an amazing job! We led a walking school bus route, ran Friday Flag Raising, and took a building walk with Mr. Pablo. Later in the morning, Principal Maddie taught … Continue reading →

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Lew Blond Run

Posted on May 2, 2019 by SCarlson

Has your family participated in the Lew Blond Memorial 5K Run/Walk? This is one of the most special Northbrook/Glenview community events of the year. I highly recommend signing up whether your family runs or not. There is fun for everyone… … Continue reading →

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Poetry Cafe

Posted on April 17, 2019 by SCarlson

Willowbrook is celebrating National Poetry Month! Several grade levels have already moved into a poetry writing unit. Teacher Jen Schmidt and Librarian April Eichmiller have created an interactive poetry display outside the library. Students are jotting down small poems and … Continue reading →

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National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Posted on April 5, 2019 by SCarlson

I had the opportunity to attend the annual conference of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics this week. I joined a few other D30 administrators and teacher leaders. It was intellectually stimulating and reinforced that our math pedagogy and … Continue reading →

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Morning Greeting

Posted on March 19, 2019 by SCarlson

Our teachers work very hard to cultivate safe and joyful classroom communities. It begins by setting expectations, norms, and routines at the start of the school year. Social-emotional skills are taught throughout the year and classroom meetings promote understanding and … Continue reading →

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Student Recognition Breakfast

Posted on March 15, 2019 by SCarlson

The Illinois Principals Association – North Cook Region’s Annual Student Recognition Breakfast is one of my very favorite events of the year. Dr. Brown and I had the opportunity to each bring a 5th grade student to be recognized this … Continue reading →

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Play and Social Thinking in Kindergarten

Posted on March 7, 2019 by SCarlson

When our Kindergarten program shifted to full day, we had the opportunity to re-imagine the school day for our youngest students. Over the past 4 years, our teaching staff created a developmentally-appropriate program that meets the academic, social and emotional … Continue reading →

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Dancing through the decades

Posted on February 26, 2019 by SCarlson

Last Friday, the Willowbrook students and staff celebrated 50 years as a school community. Each grade level was assigned a decade (e.g, 5th grade had the 1960s, 4th grade had the 1970s). Students explored the popular culture, technology, fashion, and … Continue reading →

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A Reading Life

Posted on February 21, 2019 by SCarlson

When parents ask what they can do to support the teaching and learning at school, I think first of the importance of fostering a reading life. A passion for reading is one of the greatest gifts a parent can instill … Continue reading →

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