Middle Matters

If you have questions about the upcoming school year, please don’t hesitate to contact me April Moriarty, Principal at amoriarty@op97.org. You can also contact my Executive Coordinator, Ms. Angel Banks, at abanks1@op97.org or (708) 524-7636.

Our Administrative Team

April Moriarty, Principal (amoriarty@op97.org)

Dr. Denise Gildon, Associate Principal for Teaching & Learning (dgildon@op97.org)

Chasity McComb-Williams, Associate Principal for Culture, Climate, Clubs & Sports (cmccomb-williams@op97.org)

Student Success Coach Team:

6th Grade: Josh Rodgers - jrodgers@op97.org

7th Grade: Audrey Schoen - aschoen@op97.org

8th Grade: Bernard Starks - bstarks@op97.org

Social Workers:

6th Grade: Rita Cardoso - rcardoso@op97.org, starting 11/25;

Stacey Robertson - srobertson@op97.org, Jennifer Olsen and Rita Cardoso will be supporting 6th grade through 11/24.

7th Grade: Jennifer Olsen - jolsen@op97.org

8th Grade: Abby Robot - arobot@op97.org, Rita Cardoso - rcardoso@op97.org will be filling in while Ms. Robot is on a leave of absence

Reporting Student Absences:

Email brooksattendance@op97.org or call 708-665-3074

School Nurse and CNA:

Tracy Biggerstaff: tbiggerstaff@op97.org

Melissa Godwin: mgodwin@op97.org

Send School Health form/physicals/dental forms to: brooksnurse@op97.org

Front Office:

PowerSchool login questions, Attendance or School Fee Questions-Vashti Carter: vcarter@op97.org

Canvas login questions, Receptionist- Minerva Colbert: mcolbert@op97.org

TECH Support:

Please email: helpdesk@op97.org

Please complete claim form if your student's chromebook is damaged or lost

• End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 20th, 2026

• Picture Re-Take Day: Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026

• Report Cards for Trimester 1: Emailed to parents/guardians, Friday, December 11th, 2026

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87925947749?pwd=hUhyHSMveCWtLTVw7govRjMONaIwZU.1

Meeting ID: 879 2594 7749
Passcode: 160460

AGENDA

November is Native American Heritage Month! Join us as we honor, celebrate, and reflect on the rich histories, diverse cultures, vibrant traditions and enduring contributions of Native Americans.

As part of our commitment to inclusion and awareness, District 97 is proud to recognize heritage months and identity acknowledgments throughout the year. Our calendar was developed collaboratively with community input and reflects our effort to honor all student groups. While it may not be exhaustive, we welcome additions and review it annually to ensure continued representation.

Here is how to purchase a 26/27 GBMS Yearbook:

Customize your 2 free pages - Add photos from your computer, Facebook, Google Drive and more - Answer fun memory questions to help remember the year - The 2 custom pages are free and are printed only in your book.

To purchase your yearbook:

1. Go to: treering.com/validate

2. Enter your school's passcode: 1014096931934358

Hardcover: $33.00 Softcover: $26.34

Aquí te explicamos cómo comprar el anuario GBMS 26/27:

Personaliza tus 2 páginas gratis: agrega fotos de tu computadora, Facebook, Google Drive y más; responde preguntas divertidas para recordar el año. Las 2 páginas personalizadas son gratis y solo se imprimen en tu anuario.

Para comprar tu anuario:

1. Visita treering.com/validate

2. Ingresa el código de acceso de tu escuela: 1014096931934358
Tapa dura: $33.00 Tapa blanda: $26.34

Want to make a difference at Brooks? We want YOU!

Student Council is still looking for Grade-Level Representatives who are ready to share ideas, represent their classmates, and help make Brooks an even better place for everyone!

This is your chance to speak up, step up, and make an impact! Whether you have big ideas for school spirit, events, or ways to improve our school community, we want to hear from you!

🌟 Interested in representing your grade level team?

(6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3)

Stop by and see Dr. Gildon or Ms. Tsaganos to learn more!

Your voice matters. Your ideas count. Your leadership starts here!

🦅 #LearnLeadLift | #ItstartswithME!

During Family Conferences, we offered opportunities for parent/guardians to come to PowerSchool and Canvas help sessions. Here is the deck that we used to provide support and information.

Dear District 97 Families,

We are excited to invite your student to our upcoming D97 Student Services "Student Night In" on Friday, Nov. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Whittier Elementary School! This special evening is designed for all District 97 students with IEPs to connect with their peers and enjoy a fun-filled night together.

CLICK HERE to view the flyer >>

While the students are having a great time, parents and guardians can take the night off to relax and enjoy some time for themselves. Dinner will be provided for the students during the event.

To register your student for this event, please complete the registration form by Oct. 30. You can access the form using the following link: Register HERE.

We hope your student can join us for this fun and engaging evening!

Sincerely,

D97 Student Services Team

Incoming Freshman Family Night: December 7 or 8, 2026, from 7–8 p.m.
Parents and guardians will learn about enrollment, course selection, key dates, and next steps. Brooks families are scheduled for December 7, and Julian families for December 8. Roosevelt families are divided by student last name, as outlined in the flyer. Private and parochial school families may attend either evening, and any family with a scheduling conflict may attend the alternate session.

Future Huskie Night and Incoming Freshman Course Selection: January 21, 2027
Incoming freshmen and their families are invited to a welcome presentation, an assigned counselor session, and opportunities to explore academic programs, clubs, activities, and athletics. Student-led tours will also be available.

Questions may be directed to me at laolson@oprfhs.org or Jen Brinkman, Director of Student Learning, at jbrinkman@oprfhs.org.

Brooks students will have their Graduation Ceremony at Oak Park River Forest High School the evening of Monday, June 7th. More information will be shared as we approach the date.

• Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
• No pass needed
• To enter, wait by the Kenilworth doors (by the main office)
• An adult will escort groups to the library at 8:00, 8:15, and 8:30. For example, if you arrive at 8:10 you will have to wait until the 8:15 group to head up. If you arrive after the 8:30 group has been escorted, you may not enter the library that day
• You will sign-in and stay in the library until the 8:50 bell
• These times are for students to quietly read, do homework, or meet as a group to study or work on a project. Students will not be permitted to play games on their chromebooks..

• Here is the Bell Schedule for SY26-27

• Please note that PE and a matching elective selection will meet on an A/B rotating Day schedule. Here is the A/B day schedule - Wednesday 8/26 is an A day, and then each school day alternates. If there is a day off from school, it is skipped, and the pattern continues the next school day.

Students should arrive at their designated entrance (see below) by 8:50 am.

• All 6th Graders should line up to enter the building at the Washington door entrance

• Non-bus riding 7th and 8th graders should line up to enter the building at the Kenilworth door entrance

• Bus riding 7th and 8th graders should line up to enter the building at the Clinton door entrance

Starting after Labor Day,

• Students who arrive after 8:57 am should enter the main entrance at Kenilworth and check in to the main office to receive a tardy pass to their first class.

• Students that do NOT have their school-issued ID when they arrive at school, should head to the commons to receive a temporary ID between 8:15am and 8:55am before going to their first period class.

Here is a link to safe walking/bike routes & drop off locations as well as Brooks Bus Routes, which will be assigned and the route denoted on the Student ID, if you live greater than 1.5 miles from Brooks.

Bike Riders: E-bikes are NOT permitted at Brooks. Oak Park requires the rider to be at least 15 years old. Bikes can be locked at bike racks on school property on the east and west sides of the building.

DROP OFF & PICK UP INSTRUCTIONS:

We strongly encourage students who are able to walk or bike to school to do so rather than arriving by car. This reduces congestion around the school and makes drop off easier for the kids who do need to be driven to school.

IF ARRIVING AT SCHOOL BY CAR, ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS should be dropping students off on Kenilworth Ave. heading south, Randolph heading east or Washington heading west and then have the Brooks student exit on the passenger side of the car and then walk to their designated line-up location. Please refrain from pulling into the staff parking lot, as it is hazardous with multiple cars in motion, as well as staff members driving in for work. Additionally, please do not drop off or pick up on Clinton Avenue as that is where are school buses are parked. This is a safety and security concern, so we thank you in advance for your cooperation.

(708) 524-3058 or tbiggerstaff@op97.org

Please note that our office staff sets the phone to go to voicemail from 8:30am to 9:15am daily. Please leave a message of your student's absence at 708-665-3074 or you can email brooksattendance@op97.org. Our office staff will listen to voicemails left on the main line starting after 9:15am daily. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Dropping off Items at Brooks for your Student

You may drop off forgotten items for your student in the main office. Please note that we will not call into your student's classroom, as it is a disruption to the learning for other students and the teacher in the classroom. Your student should plan to stop by the main office on their way to lunch or between passing periods, if they think you may have dropped off the forgotten item for them to retrieve. We appreciate your understanding.

Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any District 97 schools during the 2025-26 school year. This includes products that are labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.” Our schools have been nut-safe for the past two years—helping to create safer, more inclusive environments for all of our students.

Hot lunch will be available to students who wish to participate and have a funded or an approved lunch account, starting the first day of school. If you have questions regarding your student's lunch balance, you may contact the Lunch Manager, Shetrice Baker at Sbaker2@op97.org. To make payments on student lunch accounts please visit, https://www.mymealtime.com/signin.aspx

Breakfast and hot lunch menus and other information

PTO Tuesday STARSHIP Lunch Options will be available. Sign up for Starship lunches will be coming soon!

You can still order Friday Pizza Lunch!

Please order by Mondays in order to be included in that Friday Pizza Lunch.

Any questions - please reach out to Ms. Orlin: rorlin@op97.org

ORDER PIZZA LUNCH

We ask that if possible to please send your student to school with a filled water bottle. We have water bottle filling stations in the school for our students to refill their water bottles when needed.

We will be teaching, supporting and reminding students of the School Wide Expectations as we begin our school year together.

Students should go to the commons as soon as they arrive on campus (8:15am to 8:55am) when they realized they don’t have their IDs to get a temporary ID. If they come to school late (8:57am) they will go to the main office, where they will get a tardy pass and if needed lunch ticket and/or temporary ID. Students who realized that they don't have their ID upon arrival to first period will create a SmartPass to be able to get a temporary ID from the hallway monitor on the floor.

Please partner with us by encouraging your student to remember and wear their IDs each day.

Cell phones/Mobile Devices are not to be used during school hours. This includes calling parents/guardians due to illness, requesting items to be dropped off, etc.

• Students can ask a teacher to use the classroom phone or the phone in the main office, if needed.

Cell phones are to be turned off/on silent upon entering the school building, stored in the student’s locker, and not used until the dismissal bell rings.

SmartWatches will be consider a watch until it is observed that it functioning like a cell phone (ie sending or receiving text messages). If this is the case, the use of the SmartWatch will be treated with the same rules and consequences outlined in the cell phone expectations.

As shared on our school supply list, students will need USB-C wired headphones. Bluetooth headphones will not be permitted in the hallways or classrooms. If students bring their bluetooth headphones to school, they must be stored in the student's locker.

Backpacks are not permitted in classrooms and should be stored in a student's locker.

Students should visit their lockers before school, before lunch, after lunch and at the end of the day. Student lockers are near their CORE classrooms. Here is our Locker Checklist, which may be helpful to support your student in thinking through materials that need to bring with them.

If your child needs to purchase a lock at anytime during the school year, please do so online HERE. Your student's WIN teacher will receive the lock to give to your student if you've purchased one due to your student missing/losing their lock.

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. Please complete claim form if your student's chromebook is damaged or lost.

Is your student interested in participating in a Brooks school club or after-school program this year? District 97 has updated and streamlined our club process to ensure consistent safety and sign-up procedures across all school programs.

Before attending, students must have a completed General Permission Form submitted by a parent or guardian. The link is available year-round, so you can fill it out whenever your student decides to join a new activity. Once submitted, sponsors automatically receive real-time verification.

For club-specific schedules, start dates, or questions, see information below in Middle Matters or contact the club sponsor directly.

CLUB Information can be found in Student Announcements.

This is updated weekly, as new clubs get organized and announce dates and times.

Girls Volleyball Information!

Informational Meeting this Wednesday for ALL grades in C202 and Open Gym. Please see the flyer for details. Students, please see the flyers posted around the school.

GIRLS BASKETBALL - Great news! Both of our teams will be playing in the championship today! Varsity plays Northlake(court 1) and JV plays Roosevelt River Forest(court 2)! at Unity. The games begins at 4:30pm. If you are able to come out, we'd love to hear your cheers of support.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the coaches, Brooke Sefcik, bsefcik@op97.org (Junior Varsity) and Dr. Kina Brown, kbrown@op97.org (Varsity).

Boys Basketball - Our first game will be an Away game, at Irving Middle school at 4:30 on 11/12. We would love to see you there! Our Varsity team will be up first to kick things off! We will be home at the end of the month, Nov. 30th, playing against Northlake.

D97 Special Olympics Registration for Grades 3-8 - We’re excited to announce that Special Olympics is back for the 2026–2027 school year!This year, students in third through eighth grade can sign up for Special Olympics sports. Please check the information below for sports, dates, locations, transportation, and sign-up details.

Special Olympics Website and Sign-Up Page

Brooks Ultimate Frisbee Team - Practices will be after-school twice a week Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

Intramurals - Are you looking for a fun way to get active, play sports, and hang out with your friends? Brooks Intramural Sports Club is open to ALL 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students! Join us every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 PM in the 3rd Floor Gym. Intramurals are not formal or competitive teams. They are a chance for students to come together, play sports and physical activities, have fun, and enjoy being active!

Come out, get moving, and have some fun! For more information, see Dr. Holmes or Mrs. Washington.

Click here to complete the required permission form with your family.

BEAT (Brooks Earth Action Team) - If you like to garden, care about the environment and want to get involved with planning environmentally conscious activities, join BEAT! If you have any questions please email Ms. Raad (Kraad@op97.org) and Ms. Peacock (Kpeacock@op97.org)

Creativity Club 🧵🪡📽️🧸📿 - We meet in room A126 with Mrs. Rhoades, making arts and crafts; design clothes and accessories for yourself or plushie; write storylines for stop motion films; or develop any other creative inspiration you have. Have an adult at home complete this digital permission slip (next to “other” type Creativity Club).

Drama Club- Come One, Come All... It's DRAMA CLUB Time! 🎭 Join us for an hour of creativity, laughter, and nonstop fun as we:

• 🎬 Write awesome scripts

• 🎭 Act out hilarious and dramatic scenes

• 🤣 Play improv games

• 🌟 Build confidence and make new friends

📅 Start: Has begun
🕞 When: Every Tuesday | 3:30–4:30 PM
📍 Where: Room C109

✨ No experience? No problem! ALL are welcome to laugh, create, and let your imagination shine!

See Ms Belmont or Ms Perros for questions: kbelmont@op97.org, sperros@op97.org

Math Team - It is back and looking for all students who enjoy puzzles, learning fun ways to solve real life math problems, and learning new strategies for doing the math you already know. Students will be practicing for competitions and testing their limits. If improving math skills while having fun is your goal, this is also the place for you. Our meetings are Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 in room C314. All are welcome. Contact Mr. Shack at dshack@op97.org for more information.

Morning Choirs - If you love to sing, join one of the Morning Choirs! There are two groups that meet before school:

• Fledglings

• 6th Graders and 7th/8th Graders not enrolled in Band, Chorus, or Orchestra

• Meets Thursday mornings, 8am

• Downbeat

• 7th & 8th Graders enrolled in Band, Chorus, or Orchestra

• Meets Tuesday and Friday mornings, 8am

If you are interested in joining at any point in the year, please contact Mr. Blackman at fblackman@op97.org

Multicultural Art Club:

📅 Start: Has begun
🕞 When: Every Tuesday | 3:45–4:45 PM
📍 Where: Room C309

Join us in creating art that explores all cultures celebrated in our school district and beyond. All students, staff and parents are welcome to join. Mrs. Guerrero & Mrs. Dunn look forward to being in community with you all.

Service Club - We meet Fridays at 8:00am in B208! (Come to the main entrance.) We're planning our projects for the year, so bring your ideas. Everyone is welcome! Questions? See Ms. Walsh in B209 or Ms. Martinez in B208.

Rainbow Revolution - Meets Thursdays in the Media Center from 3:35pm - 4:30pm.

See Ms. Alejos in B104 or email her at KAlejos@op97.org if you have questions.

Spoken Word Club - Launched in Fall 2015, Spoken Word is a powerful and effective medium for fostering creativity and self-expression in young people. Kids learn to collaborate creatively and to respond to each other's work in a thoughtful and constructive manner.

• Where: Alternate between Julian and Brooks Middle Schools

Spoken Word Club will meet Wednesdays, from 4-5:15pm. It will alternate between Brooks and Julian, and students from both schools are invited to alternate along with the schedule. It is led by Spoken Word Artist and Chicago rapper Phalair along with teacher-coaches Bessie Santos (Julian) and Miles Lee (Brooks).

Parents may use this linked Registration Form to register their student for this opportunity.

VEX Robotics -Interested in joining Brooks Robotics? We are filled for tryout sessions but we will have a Spring In-House Session. Fill out the form to provide your email to be updated about Spring later. Brooks Robotics LINK

Yearbook Club- All are Welcome!! Yearbook meets in D301 on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30. Bring a charged Chromebook and your creativity!! Mrs. Pabellon and Mr. Starks can’t wait to see you all!

Please scan the QR and complete the permission slip if your child would like to participate in Black Student Union. All students are welcome to join.

• Student Council

• Check Student Announcements weekly!

• See Ms Tsganos gtsaganos@op97.org for any questions

Extra! Extra! Read all about....The BROOKS NEWSPAPER, “EAGLE FLYER,” is up and running. See Ms. Nixon for more information.

We are looking for students to join! We want the newspaper staff to be representative of our diverse and vibrant student body. We are looking for students who are interested in writing news articles, conducting interviews, taking photos, opinion writing, creative writing, drawing comics, and web design. There is truly a place for everyone! Ms. Nixon, one of the 8th grade ELA teachers, will be the advisor. The club meets Thursday's from 3:30-5:00 in Ms. Nixon's room (C107). If interested in joining, please stop by on Thursdays in room C107.

Ms. Gaffney and Ms. Perros will be holding Speech Team tryouts on Wednesday, 11/18/26, right after school in Room C109 (Mrs. Perros’ Speech, Drama, & Debate classroom)! NO PREPARATION is needed! You will come, fill out the audition form, and then present a cold reading from ONE of the selected speech scripts! This will be the ONLY day for auditions! You are free to leave once you audition!

Crew Club is open to ALL Brooks Students!

Students will help and learn about building and painting sets for productions, lighting and sound, makeup, props and running crew.

SIGN UP to participate in Crew Club

[Questions about Bravo? Please email Ms.Orlin - rorlin@op97.org or stop by D103]

The NEXT Crew Club will be on Wednesday, November 18 from 3:30pm-5:15pm. Crew Club will meet in the Auditorium at 3:30pm on Crew Club days.

See information above!

The PTO will need adult volunteers to assist with distributing Starship lunches to all grade levels each Tuesday. More information coming soon!

Please note that to ensure the distribution process runs smoothly, we request that volunteers are able to stay for the duration of all 3 lunch periods from 10:36am - 1:03pm on any day you may sign up for. **Per D97 policy, all volunteers must complete and pass a D97 Background Check which is a quick and easy process that can be scheduled through the D97 office.**

Follow us on FaceBook at @gwendolynbrookspto, or email us at gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.