Insight 28

Build 28: NBJH Design Process 🦺🛠️

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0600

In 2026, construction is up at all Northbrook School District 28 schools thanks to our community’s support of a $94.9 million referendum last spring. We have branded this construction our Build 28 initiative.

In the fourth Insight 28 episode of the 25-26 school year, Host Dr. Jason Pearson, Superintendent of Schools, sits down for a discussion with Dr. Scott Meek, Northbrook Junior High Principal, Heather Juhl of Architect from DLA Architects, and Jessica Donato, Chief School Business Offiical, to discuss how the renovations and additions at NBJH are going to enhance teaching and learning for students and staff.

LEARN MORE: www.northbrook28.net/about-us/build28

More about Northbrook District 28
Northbrook School District 28 is a distinguished PK-8 school district located approximately 20 miles northwest of Chicago, near the heart of downtown Northbrook. We serve approximately 1,800 students across three elementary schools (grades K-5) and one junior high school (grades 6-8). Northbrook 28 also serves our youngest learners with an innovative early childhood program located within Westmoor School. Upon graduation from Northbrook Junior High, our students attend Glenbrook North High School. Visit: www.northbrook28.net.

Contact Us
Have a suggestion or comment about our podcast? Contact Samantha Scheinman, Director of Communications & Community Relations at sscheinman@northbrook28.net

Build 28: Westmoor Design Process 🦺🛠️

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0600

In 2026, construction will be ramping up at all Northbrook School District 28 schools thanks to our community’s support of a $94.9 million referendum last spring. We have branded this construction our Build 28 initiative.

In the third Insight 28 episode of the 25-26 school year, Host Dr. Jason Pearson, Superintendent of Schools, sits down for a discussion with Maria Eck, Westmoor Principal and Heather Juhl, Architect from DLA Architects, to discuss how the renovations and additions at Westmoor are going to enhance teaching and learning for students and staff.

LEARN MORE: www.northbrook28.net/about-us/build28

Build 28: Greenbriar School Design Process 🛠️🦺

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0500

This is a particularly exciting year in Northbrook School District 28 as we kick off construction at all of our schools thanks to our community’s support of a $94.9 million referendum last spring. We have branded this construction our Build 28 initiative. To keep you informed about the projects, each podcast this year will focus on what is happening at our four schools.

In the second episode of the 25-26 school year, Host Dr. Jason Pearson, Superintendent of Schools, sits down for a discussion with Dr. Danielle Moran, Greenbriar Principal, Jessica Donato, Chief School Business Official, and Heather Juhl, Architect from DLA Architects, to discuss how the renovations and additions at Greenbriar are going to enhance teaching and learning for students and staff.

LEARN MORE: www.northbrook28.net/about-us/build28

Build 28: Meadowbrook School Kicks off Construction 🦺🛠️

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 13:00:00 -0500

The first construction project underway is our new gym at Meadowbrook School. In the first episode of the 25-26 school year, Host Dr. Jason Pearson, Superintendent of Schools, sits down for a discussion with Dr. Ginny Hiltz, Meadowbrook Principal, Jessica Donato, Chief School Business Official, and Heather Juhl, Architect from DLA Architects, to discuss how the new construction is going to enhance teaching and learning for students and staff, what students and staff are most excited about, sustainable design features for the new construction, the timeline for completion and many more interesting tidbits.

LEARN MORE: www.northbrook28.net/about-us/build28

Social-Emotional Learning

Wed, 21 May 2025 12:00:00 -0500

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.

April 1 Referendum - Part 2

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0600

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

Book Discussion: "The Anxious Generation"

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 19:00:00 -0600

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.

April 1 Referendum-Pt. 1

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:00:00 -0600

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

5th Grade Musicals!

Tue, 16 May 2023 16:00:00 -0500

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

More to the Story: A Westmoor Tale in 18 Parts

Wed, 03 May 2023 12:00:00 -0500

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!

Unleashing creativity and collaboration with iPads

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0500

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.

Real Science at NBJH Fair

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 16:00:00 -0600

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.

Transforming Math Learning

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0600

Listen as Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kris Raitzer, Director of Learning Michelle Jackson, Rebecca Stowell, a math interventionist and Nikki Penherski, our junior high instructional coach explain our change in instructional practice, then listen as we visit some classrooms and talk to students and teachers who are excited about math!

Building Belonging With Greyhound Packs

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0600

Students meeting in ‘Packs’ and flashing hand signs in the hallways? It’s all part of Greenbriar School’s efforts to build community and belonging. Listen in as Superintendent Dr. Jason Pearson discusses the program with Principal Dr. Ginny Hiltz, School Psychologist Greta Montagano and Social Worker Meghan Dames. During once-a-month meetings, the whole school is divided into small groups comprised of students from every grade alongside teachers and support staff. Data shows the program has been a key component in building student-teacher trust and enhancing the building culture at the school.

NBJH Community Art Club

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0500

Northbrook District 28 Superintendent Dr. Jason Pearson talks with adults and students involved in the Northbrook Junior High Community Art Club. NBJH art teacher Mark Hay collaborated with art therapist Mignon Dupepe of Twist Out Cancer to develop and lead a non-clinical after-school experience that emphasizes empathy, love, connection, healing and rebuilding community in a post-COVID year. The club met six times and included both students and staff who created a mosaic that will be on display digitally as part of Brushes With Cancer Midwest Art Exhibition throughout November at the WNDR Museum in Chicago. Hear from Mark Hay, Dr. Scott Meek, NBJH Principal, parent Joe Lombardo, who initiated the idea, Mignon DuPepe as well as teachers and students about this inspiring, healing project. Visit Northbrook28.net to see a photo of the mosaic or stop by the hallway connecting the gym to the main lobby at Northbrook Junior High.