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: Hannah Contrares - hcontrares@op97.org

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

• No School: Monday, September 21st, 2026

• No School: Monday, October 12th, 2026

• Conferences: Thursday, October 22nd 4 to 8pm & Friday, October 23rd, 2026 8am to 12pm

• No Student Attendance: Friday, October 23rd, 2026

• Picture Day: Wednesday, October 28th, 2026

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

From September 15 to October 15, our school community is excited to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month! This special month honors the rich history, cultures, and incredible contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

Over the next four weeks, our students will explore these vibrant traditions and histories through various classroom activities. We look forward to learning, reflecting, and celebrating the diversity that makes our school so wonderful! Keep an eye out for updates on how we are celebrating throughout the month.

Looking for a great book to read with your middle schooler this month? These engaging stories explore Latine cultures, family dynamics, and identity through themes that perfectly mirror the middle school experience:

• "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina – A humorous and heartwarming coming-of-age story about a girl navigating friendships and her large, multigenerational family.
• "Invisible: A Graphic Novel" by Christina Diaz Gonzalez – A brilliant, fast-paced graphic novel about five very different students who discover each other's true stories during community service.
• "Frizzy: A Graphic Novel" by Claribel A. Ortega – A beautiful story about family expectations, self-esteem, and a young girl learning to embrace and celebrate her natural hair.
• "Efrén Divided" by Ernesto Cisneros – A deeply moving and relevant novel about a 12-year-old boy finding the strength to care for his family and community.

Here are a few quick, meaningful ways you can connect with Hispanic heritage outside of the classroom:

• Analyze an Infographic: Find a Hispanic Heritage Month infographic online to look at together. Talk about the history of the month and the rich differences between terms like "Hispanic" and "Latino."
• Take a Virtual Tour: Travel without leaving the living room! Families can take a free virtual field trip to incredible cultural hubs like the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City.
• Listen to New Sounds: Swap out your usual playlist during a car ride or dinner. Introduce your child to different vibrant genres like salsa, cumbia, or Latin jazz.
• Explore Family History: Use the themes of these books to spark conversations about your own family's names, roots, traditions, and stories.

  
  

  
  

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Brooks All School Halloween Bash! Open to all current Brooks students! Tickets go on sale OCTOBER 2.

Please join us in person in the Brooks Middle School Library on the 3rd floor or virtually via google meets.

• Administration Information shared at 8pm
• Teacher Resources Shared

This year, the Core Instruction Department is partnering with the 6–8 Math Department, including sixth through eighth grade teachers at Brooks and Julian to review several comprehensive mathematics resources that are standards-aligned and support evidence-based Tier 1 instruction in Math 6, Math 7, and Math 8.

As part of this process, the department will select two mathematics resources in April to pilot during the 2027–28 school year. Following the pilot, a recommendation will be made to the Board of Education for a potential districtwide adoption beginning in 2028–29.

We want to hear from you! Families are an important part of this process, and we invite all District 97 families with students in Grades 6–8 to complete a brief survey about their student’s mathematics experiences. The survey is also an opportunity to share your hopes for a comprehensive mathematics resource that supports your student’s strengths, needs, and goals.

Survey dates: Friday, September 11 – Friday, September 25, 2026

[Click here to participate in the survey]

Thank you for sharing your perspective and partnering with us as we work to identify high-quality mathematics resources for our students.

• 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.

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.

Welcome back! School has started and our spirit wear store is now open! Our Brooks Back-to-School Sale ends on September 14th! Make sure to purchase before the deadline sneaks up on you! Help rep our school with great gear as we earn fundraising dollars!

Remember, a portion of our sales goes back to our school and supports our school store. Please reach out with any questions! Currently, there is 35% off all items & free shipping over $85. Happy Shopping!

The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) is a parent-led group that invites District 97 families to share their voices and help inform the practices and programs of Student Services. By hearing directly from families, we can better ensure that the needs of every student are considered in our district-wide practices. We want to learn from you and work together to strengthen support for all students.

We are kicking off the school year with a potluck and welcome gathering for new families as we come together to connect, share ideas, and begin our work for the year ahead! We hope you will join the conversation and help shape the work of SEPAC as we partner to support students with disabilities and their families.

• Date and Time: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Location: Beye Playground (200 N. Harvey)

• Details: Bring the whole family! Childcare will be provided alongside potluck refreshments. Meet your Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Coordinator, learn about committee opportunities, and pick up a copy of the Student Services Family Handbook.

(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 encourage families to send a fruit or vegetable to school with their child on Pizza Fridays. Adding fruits and vegetables to every meal increases nutritional content and helps build healthy habits for life!

Parents - We Need Your Help! Volunteer to help serve pizza on Fridays - SIGN UP HERE!

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 or contact the club sponsor directly.

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

CLUB Information can be found in Student Announcements. This is updated weekly, as new clubs get organized and announce dates and times.

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 SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY 2026

Students in grades six through eighth are welcome to join the cross country team. The Cross Country coaches for 2026 are Kimberly Beader (kbeader@op97.org), Steve Gonsur (sgonsur@op97.org), and Jen Shadoian (jshadoian@op97.org). Cross Country is a no-cut sport at the middle schools. You can visit the Cross Country website for all info.

Brooks Ultimate Frisbee Team:

Brooks' very own Ultimate Frisbee team is returning for a second season! We are VERY excited to kick off the Fall Season with a team of elite coaches and a core of experienced Brooks athletes leading the way. ALL ARE WELCOME to join this NO CUT sport!! The fall season is a great time to learn the game if you're new; it's also a great time to improve your skills if you're a veteran of the sport. The Brooks/Julian athletes have combined to win THREE State Championships during the spring season and bring multiple teams to local tournaments every year. Ultimate is based on the principles of Spirit of the Game (click here) and all athletes and coaches strive to balance a welcoming, inclusive, and competitive culture for anyone who is interested in joining us! Click here for an older hype video that shows what we do. Practices will be after-school twice a week from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm - the exact days will be finalized in mid-August.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

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).

VEX Robotics -

We offer two sessions of tryouts to allow flexibility for students who have other commitments. Both sessions are the SAME and students may only register for one session. Tryouts will be held from 3:30pm - 5:00pm in room D202. Students will be required to bring their Chromebook each day and may optionally pack a peanut-free snack.

Session 1:

• Day 1 of 5 - 9/16 Wednesday

• Day 2 of 5 - 9/18 Friday

• Day 3 of 5 - 9/23 Wednesday

• Day 4 of 5 - 9/25 Friday

• Day 5 of 5 - 9/30 Wednesday

Session 2:

• Day 1 of 5 - 10/5 Monday

• Day 2 of 5 - 10/7 Wednesday

• Day 3 of 5 - 10/9 Friday

• Day 4 of 5 - 10/14 Wednesday

• Day 5 of 5 - 10/16 Friday

Yearbook Club

All are Welcome!! Starting 10/7, Yearbook will meet 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!

BEAT (Brooks Earth Action Team):

BEAT (Brooks Earth Action Team): Welcome Everyone!! This year Ms. Raad and Ms. Peacock will be leading our amazing BEAT students, with special visits from Ms. Stamp. We will meet Thursday, September 3rd, in room C102. We look forward to seeing familiar faces and having new individuals join us this year! If you have any questions please email Ms. Raad (Kraad@op97.org ) and Ms. Peacock (Kpeacock@op97.org)

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

📅 Starts: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
🕞 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

Multicultural Art Club:

📅 Starts: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
🕞 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.

Morning Choirs

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

We will hold an open audition Wednesday, 9/9, at 8am. Students will be let in the Kenilworth entrance at 7:55am.

• 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

BRAVO:

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

• Friday Pizza Lunch BEGINS September 11! Sign Up to get Domino’s Pizza EVERY FRIDAY: https://www.bravoperformingarts.org/pizzalunch

Star Wars Club: Meets from 3:35-4:35 in room C404 with Mr. Syndergaard. All are welcome! Club Google Site- Has Meeting dates and other Club Information!

Creativity Club 🧵🪡📽️🧸📿On Mondays starting Sept. 28 in room A126 with Mrs. Rhoades make 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).

Math Team 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 will be Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 in room C314, beginning September 15. All are welcome. Contact Mr. Shack at dshack@op97.org for more information.

Service Club: Our first meeting will be Friday, September 11th at 8:00am! (Come to the main entrance and we will walk with you to B208.) We’ll be 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:

Will meet weekly on Thursdays. The first meeting is Thursday 9/17 in the Media Center from 3:35 - 4:30

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.

Spoken Word Club will resume meetings in September. The exact date will be posted shortly. Stay tuned!!!!

Intramurals: Starting 9/15, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm - 4:30pm. Please see the flyers posted around the school.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Beetlejuice, Jr.

7th & 8th Grade Beetlejuice Audition Info:

AUDITIONS

Monday, August 31

3:30pm-5:30pm OR 5:30pm-7:30pm

CALLBACKS

Tuesday, September 1

3:30pm-7:00pm

SIGN UP TO AUDITION!

Please make sure to read through the Beetlejuice Audition Packet Information on how and what to prepare for your audition! BEETLEJUICE AUDITION PACKET

VIDEO SUBMISSION OPTION:

Due to limited availability, you may submit a 1-minute self tape to Ms. Reynolds (treynolds@op97.org) by

MONDAY, AUGUST 24.

You MUST still fill out the entire Audition Form (please choose Video Submission for your Audition Time).

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.**

Support our fundraiser by spreading the word to 10 or more friends and family through email, text, and social media! Our fundraising goal is $5,000. Register today at www.registercw.com and share our fundraising link to help us reach our goal!

https://bit.ly/4xsCCy2

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