Greenbrook's Mission Statement

The mission of Greenbrook Elementary is to create and maintain an environment that ensures every member of our school community reaches a high level of academic achievement as determined by state and national standards. We commit to comprehensive system of support to assure this outcome. Use this website to find all the information you need. Most school related events are listed under the PTA or Parents page.

When we opened our doors in August, we celebrated over 33 years of Greenbrook Elementary excellence.  Our community, our passion for our students, our commitment to excellence in education, our concern for the environment, and our enthusiasm for educating children about how they can make a difference in our world are what make Greenbrook Elementary a very special place to be. 

We accomplish this only by the hard work of parents, staff, and students – working together for our common goal. As a newcomer, I have been astounded by the tremendous commitment and dedication by our staff and parents in providing this quality educational environment for the Greenbrook students. During the entire month of August, teachers were in and out, early and late, getting rooms ready, collaborating with colleagues and getting to know their new principal.

This year, we welcomed three new staff members.  Michelle Cowles joins 3^rd grade teacher Holly Ravin.  In addition to her teaching certification from the University of Iowa, Michelle has a MA in Guidance and Counseling from Northeastern Illinois. Heidi Smutney returns to Greenbrook as a job share with Jen Parlett. Heidi has her BS from the U of A and her teaching credential from St. Mary’s.  She was a 1^st grade teacher at Greenbrook from 1998-2004.  And our newest addition, Bay Area native, Ms. Lauren Chase, joins the 5^th grade team.  At Cal Poly, she majored in journalism and played lacrosse, graduating in 2003.  After receiving her teaching credential, Lauren taught 1^st, 2^nd, and 4^th grade and has taught English as a Second Language to students in Prague and Morocco. 

I also want to welcome our new families to Greenbrook and urge you to get involved on campus. PTA has offers a wide variety of volunteer activities.  Our EAGLE fund provides much needed fundraising activities for essential programs, and Site Council develops and oversees school goals for academic achievement. Volunteer to work in the library or in your child’s class room, drive on a field trip, during lunch, or join a committee.  We know that your involvement makes a difference in the experience of our Greenbrook students.

We know that the support we receive from parents through PTA is essential to the success at Greenbrook. Under the direction of President Angie Ransweiler, the Association is forward thinking, active, has a tremendous “can-do” spirit, hard working, dedicated, and thoughtful in the planning of all activities. These activities bring us together as a school, providing parents, students, and staff an opportunity to get to know each other in a relaxed, social environment.  Equally impressive are the large number of enthusiastic volunteers who, through PTA, really make our school that special place. Thanks to the many who have already volunteered an incredible number of hours.

Thanks for your precious donation of time and talents to all of the many programs that we sponsor here at Greenbrook, including the EAGLE fund.  Through your continued support, we are able to provide essential opportunities for your child.  During these tight budget times, funding is even more crucial as we look ahead to ensuring that even with budget cuts that we are educating our children for the 21^st century.  Your EAGLE donation goes directly to programs such as science, music, reading intervention, art, library, technology assistant, and student support in the classroom through Para educators.  The EAGLE board, under the direction of Marilyn Lucey, is a dedicated group meeting monthly to ensure that your dollars are hard at work. EAGLE will continue to raise funds throughout the year in order to meet our 2009-committment.

During our staff meeting and a PTA/EAGLE meeting, we watched “The Connected Classroom” on Teacher Tube or also can be found on YouTube.  It causes us to pause and reflect how our world is changing and asks how we will meet the needs of our children in the 21^st century.  Watch it if you get a chance.

Thank you for partnering with us in your child’s education.  It is thrilling to be a member of this partnership and to be leading Greenbrook during these exciting times of change.  Collectively, we strive each day to offer an amazing educational experience for each and every one of our students.

 

Sincerely,

Jenise Falk