STUDENT ATTENDANCE - Trimester 2: How to Report Student Absences
Check out... Whats happening in the Brooks Library
From the Library:
- The next scheduled pickup is for January 28, 2021 depending on Covid numbers Please make sure holds are in by Monday, January 25th so they can be prepared on Tuesday and be ready for Thursday!
- Pickups are from 8-8:45 & 3:45-4:30 outside the Commons doors near the parking lot on Kenilworth (DON’T FORGET: books for this pickup need to be on hold in the catalog by the Monday prior to pickup @11:59PM).
- If you have books to return, you can bring those by on December 10th as well. If you want to renew a book you have, that can be done by logging in to the catalog as well.
- Future pickups will be determined on an on-going basis and announced here as well as via student Canvas inboxes.
- Instructions and flyers
Databases (Gale & Britannica)
Use this url to access all of our databases and research eBooks: http://www.galepages.com/oak8130
Outside of school the password for the Gale Databases is eagles.
For Britannica the username is op97 and the password is learn
Middle School Virtual Club Starting and Meeting Days/Times
Please see our virtual club offerings below. Zoom links for all club meetings can be accessed in the lunch course on your Canvas Dashboard. Contact Ms. Klein if you need help finding the links.
Crochet Club: Next Meeting Wednesday, Dec 23 at NOON!Please contact Ms. Rodriguez at trodriguez@op97.org with any questions.
Supplies needed- If you don’t have the supplies and cannot get them please contact me: Ms. Rodriguez (trodriguez@op97.org) I can drop off at your home
Crochet hook- different patterns require different hooks, but we can make it work if you have a hook similar to one we are using. I suggest G6 4.00mm Hook. There are hooks at the Dollar Store near Ridgeland and North Ave.
Yarn- different patterns require different yarn. We will need yarn that is not fuzzy, so a yarn that is cotton/polyester works. (They used to have some at Dollar Store but I haven’t seen it in a while). We need yarn that have clean looking strands so we can see our stitches.
Scissors
3 Safety pins- if you don’t have these no problem! We can use string
We will start crocheting a mini triceratops! There is a Canvas Class for our Crochet Club and if you did not get invited to join please email me so I can add you! Video and pattern is uploaded so you can start practicing!
Morning Vocal Ensembles: Open to Everyone!
If you missed auditions and still want to be involved, contact Mr. Blackman at fblackman@op97.org about joining in December
Women's Ensemble - Tuesdays 8:00 - 8:45 am
Men's Ensemble - Thursdays 8:00 - 8:45 am
Mixed Ensemble - Fridays 8:00 - 8:45 am
Social Justice Club: The club meets on Tuesdays from 3:45 to 4:45 pm. Contact Ms. Stigger with questions (nstigger@op97.org).
Meeting ID: 830 7488 7298
Passcode: 173560
Zoom Link Below
https://op97-org.zoom.us/j/83074887298?pwd=d0VDaE5QQzdpVmlxQmZYdldXbS9GQT09
Rainbow Tribe: Rainbow Tribe club will meet on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Our next meeting is Monday, January 25th--we will NOT meet on January 18th due to no school for MLK day :). Contact Ms. Berman with questions (aberman@op97.org) Students who identify as LGBTQ and/or allies are ALL WELCOME!
Math Team: Math Team will meet Mondays from 3:40 to 4:30 pm. All are welcome! Here is the ZOOM link. Contact Ms. Esther Smith (esmith3@op97.org) with questions. Our next meeting will be January 25th. Don’t forget, our MATHCOUNTS competition is coming up February 5th-6th!
Brooks Earth Action Team (the BEAT): Meets on Tuesdays from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Here’s the link to the meeting.
Yearbook: Calling all poets, writers, artists, photographers, and more! Our next yearbook meeting will be January 19th and 26th from 8:00 - 8:45 am. Contact Ms. Pabellon at mpabellon@op97.org with questions. Come be a part of our creative team, we need YOU to make this year’s yearbook like no other! Everyone is welcome. Here is the zoom link.
Morning Band Groups:
- Jazz Ensemble will meet on Tuesdays from 8:00 am to 8:45 am.
- Jazz Band will meet on Thursdays from 8:00 am to 8:45 am.
YEMBA: YEMBA meets on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00 pm. Students can access the zoom link to attend the YEMBA session through the lunch course in Canvas.
BRAVO: 8th Grade Virtual Musical - Fame, Jr! Audition videos due by January 25th at 4pm - CHECK OUT more info, what to prepare and how to submit audition videos!
Rehearsals for our 6th & 7th grade Virtual Musical - Mystery of Custodia start on Thursday, January 21.
We are continuing our Hour to Empower - Bravo podcast in January: Conversations from Brooks students for Brooks Students and our larger community; Meets Mondays & Thursdays 4pm-5:30pm - Students are encouraged and welcome to join in anytime! Email bravo@op97.org if you are interested!
Check out our first 5 Hour to Empower Podcast Episodes HERE!
Technology Support
Technical support will be available from school and district technology staff by accessing the Help Desk through email, helpdesk@op97.org. When an email is submitted, a Help Desk ticket is created and assigned to technology staff, who will be working throughout the day to address technology concerns. Our technology team can support District 97 devices and student online programs.
Connect with the Brook’s PTO
Connect with PTO
Follow us on FaceBook at @gwendolynbrookspto, or email us at gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.
NEW - 6th grade families can connect on FaceBook in the Gwendolyn Brooks 6th Grade Families 2020-21' group.
Starship Tuesdays are back (kind of) -THIS TUESDAY!
As many of you know, Starship is a local restaurant in Forest Park that, in normal times, caters lunch for Brooks on Tuesdays. These lunches are the primary fundraiser for the PTO and fund important school programs like Teacher and Student Grants, provide scholarships for the 7th and 8th grade trips, host staff appreciation lunches and guest speakers for parent education events.
During remote schooling, Starship has agreed to partner with Brooks PTO in a slightly different way. Every Tuesday, beginning October 6, for all orders that mention Brooks PTO, Starship will donate 20% of the orders back to the Brooks PTO! Make sure you mention you are with Brooks PTO. And best of all, you can order online and they deliver!
This means you can still support a local business, support the Brooks PTO, and take time off in the kitchen! A win-win-win! Now, you can have lunch delivered to your home for everyone schooling/working from home or even have dinner delivered! Or maybe order a sandwich tray and keep fed all week! Order online at www.starshiprestaurant.com or call 708-771-301. Make sure you mention you are with Brooks PTO (online orders put ‘Brooks PTO’ in special instructions).
Donate and help the PTO continue to fund school initiatives
A $10 donation will help the PTO make Brooks even better
The PTO’s regular fund raising has been eliminated with the switch to remote schooling. However, a $10 donation from YOU can help us continue to fund grant requests from teachers to provide additional educational materials for optimal learning, providing a year end 8th-grade graduation celebration, and so much more. If you would like to contribute directly to the PTO, please follow this link. Any amount is helpful!
If you have any questions or ideas on fundraising initiates we welcome your feedback. You may email the PTO Fundraising Chair April Fleming at afleming56@yahoo.com.
Order your Brooks Spirit Wear
Brooks Spirit Wear
Brooks spirit wear can be ordered at any time by visiting this website. Sizes for kids and adults! Orders will be shipped to your home!
2020 - 2021 Trimester 1 Honor Roll
Congratulations on your academic achievement for the first trimester of the 2020 - 2021 school year.
Your commitment to excellence is evident in earning this academic honor. The effort you have given to your academic performance here at Gwendolyn Brooks serves as an example and inspiration to so many. You should indeed be proud of your work!
Honor Roll Letters were mailed home the week of 12/21/20.
Brooks Parent Connection Group-
Brooks Parent Connection Group -
If you missed our latest meeting where our topic was Navigating Canvas, please reach out for more information.
Lauren Olson (lolson@op97.org) or Stacie Klein (sklein@op97.org)
A Greater Good Foundation
The Greater Good Foundation is geared towards male students of color in 6th through 8th grade. Students will meet with mentors from A Greater Good Foundation during advisory time one day a week. All students will meet on Mondays from 11:40 am to 12:20 pm. This group will use a workshop model with the students and a sample of topics covered include: think tanks, how the brain works, goal setting, etc. More detail on the program is provided in the handout. You can still join the program!
If you have any questions or would like your student to participate, please contact Stacie Klein at sklein@op97.org.
STARS Program
Students Taking Action Regarding Success (STARS) is an affinity group for students of color in the middle school space. STARS provides a safe space where students can build connections, process difficult moments that occur in the classroom and the broader Oak Park community. Students will receive support and affirmation in a setting with other middle school aged children that share in similar experiences.
The goal of STARS is to be an outlet in implementing change in the middle after school space. STARS provides students with essential leadership skills such as: positive identity development, self-advocacy, empowerment and social awareness. The intention of STARS is to be a space where students can authentically be themselves and express themselves. Students will share their personal experiences/reflections with the goal of becoming advocates for themselves and each other. Student reflection will work in tandem with the STARS curriculum that has been developed to intricately weave together the experiences of minority students.
Our focus is for youth to develop skills of recognizing, communicating and negotiating situations they perceive as unjust in school or in the broader Oak Park Community. The ultimate plan is to create a map to solve issues that pertain to the population of students that are disproportionately being affected by the racial inequities that has created an opportunity gap in the Oak Park community.
Sidika Balogun, MSW (she/her/hers)
Program Coordinator
Email: sbalogun@yemba-inc.org
Phone:(708) 719-6702 ex: 02
Follow us on Facebook@ YembaInc
Virtual Morning Homework Support
GBMS Remote Learning Resource
School Physicals and Immunizations
Please be aware that The Illinois State Board of Education has provided new information to Districts regarding families who may have been listed as non- compliant due to failure to present proof of a current health examination and required immunizations.
If a family has not ensured a child’s timely compliance with health examination or immunization requirements, the child may be provided e-learning or remote instruction, provided instruction is solely by remote means and he/she does not have a physical presence on school grounds (either before, during or after school). Any child continuing to receive remote instruction during this time will not be considered in violation of Section 26-1 of the School Code and will not be subject to the penalties imposed by Section 26-10. Importantly, any such student who is permitted to attend school through an e-learning program or remote learning plan due to failure to present proof of required immunizations, and who qualifies for free and reduced meals, may continue to receive those meals in the manner that other e-learning or remote students receive meals. The Illinois State Board of Education will continue to provide updates to the field, as necessary, concerning compliance with Section 27-8.1.
To read more about this information provided by The Illinois State board of Education please click here.
Please submit following the information to the Health Office:
- A school physical (Certificate of Child Health Examination and Immunization record)
- Up-to-date immunizations (requirements for the State of Illinois can be found here).
2020 - 2021 District News and Information
Continued Social-Emotional Wellness Check-Ins for Students
District 97 school psychologists and nurses have collaborated to offer access to virtual mental health wellness checks at each school this fall. Parents may sign up children for 25-minute Telehealth sessions where they can access an open ear for their sources of stress and learn self-care and coping strategies. Students may attend up to three sessions per trimester and may then be referred for other school-based supports if needed.
To sign up or learn more about these services, please visit https://bit.ly/3m3Xece.
If your child is experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please do not use this service and instead call the Thrive 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at 708-383-7500. You may also refer to this local resource guide created by the Community Mental Health Board of the Oak Park Township.
Child Care Scholarships Available for Families
In order to provide additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic, District 97 is offering financial assistance to qualifying families who participate in child care programs through the Park District of Oak Park and Hephzibah.
For families who currently receive free or reduced lunch, the district will continue to cover 100% of the daily program fee.
During Trimester 2, District 97 will also offer scholarships based on family income level.
- For families with incomes below $65,000 per year, the district will cover 100% of the daily program fee.
- For families with incomes between $65,000 and $99,999, the district will cover 50% of the daily program fee.
Click here for more details about the child care scholarships
Parent Information Session - Single Subject/Whole Grade Acceleration
For families who are seeking single subject or whole grade acceleration for the 2021-22 school year, the district will be hosting a Virtual Parent Information Session on Wednesday, January 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements.
Click here for the family letter about acceleration opportunities for the 2021-22 school year. >
Click here to view the event flyer.
Information about the District 97 Accelerated Placement Program, including definitions and timelines, can be found at http://www.op97.org/acceleration.
D97 Meal Distribution of 2021: Tuesday, January 12
The next meal distribution will be Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, when students are back from winter break. Meals will be provided free of cost this fall to any District 97 student in need. Each bag of food will contain five breakfasts and five lunches.
The distributions will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Longfellow Elementary School (for Julian and feeder schools), 715 S. Highland Ave., and Brooks Middle School (for Brooks and feeder schools), 325 S. Kenilworth Ave.
D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - January 2021
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
We know that a common experience for many families during this health crisis is the loss of jobs and income. This change in income may qualify your children for free or reduced-price meals. We encourage all families who currently qualify to take a few minutes to complete the National School Lunch application as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please email the district's food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at cellis@op97.org.
Effective Student Behavior Handbook
District 97 is committed to creating a positive learning environment that is equitable, inclusive and focused on the whole child. Behavior education involves proactively teaching positive behaviors to create the conditions that make every classroom and school a positive place to learn.
The revised District 97 Effective Student Behavior Handbook is designed to provide information about policies, procedures and practices related to student behavior, and to help students and families prepare for a successful school experience. It also provides notifications required by state and federal law. Click here for our full communication about the new Effective Student Behavior Handbook >
