August 12, 2020 at 2:11pm
From sharing facilities and green space to providing care for school age children, the Northbrook Park District has been a partner with many Northbrook school districts for decades. The Park District has made a commitment to continue and expand upon these cooperative efforts as students return to school this fall in Northbrook.
In an effort to provide more physical space for its youngest students, Northbrook School District 27 approached the Park District regarding the use of space at the Leisure Center for their Kindergarten students. This new Kindergarten campus will allow kindergarteners in District 27 to attend school daily while also increasing physical distancing space at District 27 facilities. This cooperative venture brings a long-standing partnership full circle, as the Park District obtained the facility, formerly Indian Ridge School, from District 27 in 1984 after the approval of a referendum to purchase the school and surrounding land.
In response to requests from several school districts including Northbrook District 28 and Northbrook/Glenview School District 30, the Park District created Community TIES, a day program for children in grades K-8 with hybrid school schedules. This program will meet the needs of Northbrook residents as well as the teachers in Northbrook area schools. Children will have the opportunity to engage in virtual learning with adult supervision and assistance as needed as well as participate in activities including indoor and outdoor games, sports, arts and crafts and fun challenges. Registration for this program closes on Friday, August 14 at noon.
To utilize outdoor space to help provide additional physical distancing for District 28 students, the Park District will be providing space at Meadowhill Park for the placement of tents. In addition, the Park District has agreed to provide picnic tables at District 28 school locations to create teacher spaces for outdoor learning.
In downtown Northbrook, the Park District will be providing space at Village Green Park for St. Norbert’s physical education classes.
In addition to the new opportunities listed above, the Park District will continue to offer Adventure Campus before and after school care for School Districts 27, 30 and 31. Flexible scheduling will help families meet the hybrid schedules being offered for students.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with the Northbrook Park District with our Adventure Campus Program,” said Northbrook School District 27 Superintendent David Kroeze, PhD. “We see this program as such a valued service for our families who can depend on quality child-care before and after school. The Park District is such an essential part of our daily lives in Northbrook, and we are grateful for this partnership with District 27.”
Registration for Adventure Campus will close at noon on Friday, August 14.
For more information on Community TIES or Adventure Campus, visit nbparks.org.
The Mission of the Northbrook Park District is to enhance the community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.