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: Audrey Schoen - aschoen@op97.org

7th Grade: Bernard Starks - bstarks@op97.org

8th Grade: Josh Rodgers - jrodgers@op97.org

Social Workers:

6th Grade: Jennifer Olsen - jolsen@op97.org

7th Grade: Abby Berman - aberman@op97.org

8th Grade: Hannah Boudreau - hboudreau@op97.org

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

• Curriculum Night: In person on Tuesday, September 9th, from 6:00pm to 8:15pm

• PTO/BRAVO Welcome Back to School Bash: Thursday, September 18th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm

• No School: Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025

• No School: Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
• No School: Monday, October 13th, 2025
• Conferences: Thursday, October 23rd through Friday, October 24th, 2025

• No Student Attendance: Friday, October 24th, 2025

• End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 14th 2025

🎉 Our 8th graders had a blast last week viewing the trip slide deck and casting their votes during WIN class! The big question now is… 🚌✨ Where are we headed—St. Louis or Nashville?

We’re on the edge of our seats waiting for the results—stay tuned for the big reveal! In the meantime, families can check out the slide deck here that was shared with students last week. 👀

We are refreshing our student chromebooks. Please be sure your student has their chromebook and charger with them at PE/Health class on Tuesday, 9/2 or Wednesday 9/3 whichever day they have PE/Health class. If your student has already made this exchange, our tech department will have note of this.

If your student lost their charger, please use RevTrak to pay the $20 fee for the replacement.

If your student lost their chromebook, please be sure this claim form is completed and any associated fees are paid.

If your student is absent today or tomorrow, your student can request a pass from his WIN teacher on Thursday or Friday this week to make the exchange.

We would like to welcome all Brooks parents and guardians to our Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 9th. The night will provide an opportunity for families to meet teachers and experience their child’s daily schedule. The presentations will focus on the curriculum and what students will learn this year. You will have the opportunity to join administration in the auditorium from 8pm to 8:15pm to learn about school-wide policies.

We kindly request that each family attending Curriculum Night print a copy of their student's schedule via PowerSchool. Linked in this message, you will find a template of a schedule that all students should complete during WIN on Monday, 9/8 and will bring home. This will allow you to walk your student's schedule. Please ensure that you collect this schedule from your student on Monday, September 8th, as you will need it for Tuesday, September 9th. The template is also provided for you below, so you can do this with your student should they forget their completed template at school. If you have any questions about PowerSchool or are experiencing trouble accessing it, please click here. If you need assistance reading your child’s schedule, please click here. For your child’s A/B elective, please attend the elective class during the period assigned. All PE and Health classes will meet in the Auditorium during the grade-level lunch period. You will meet with your child’s trimester 1 or A/B year long elective teacher on Curriculum Night during the A/B period that aligns with PE/Health.

I would also like to thank all the families who have paid their school fees. As you are aware, the school fee covers the technology fee, student activity fee, before- and after-school supervision, lunch supervision, and instructional materials for each student. The fees provide essential services for all District 97 students. If you have not made your fee payment, please stop by the main office between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm to pick up a Middle School Fees Form, pay online via RevTrak or contact Ms. Vashti Carter, at vcarter@op97.org to arrange payment.

We look forward to seeing you on Curriculum Night!

6th Grade Schedule Template

7th Grade Schedule Template

8th Grade Schedule Template

We’re excited to share that District 97 middle schools are launching a new digital hall pass system called SmartPass. This tool will help us keep students safe, make the most of classroom learning time, and keep our hallways running smoothly.

How It Works

• SmartPass replaces traditional paper hall passes. Students use their Chromebooks to request permission to leave the classroom.
  
  

• Each student has a limit of three passes per day for bathroom, water fountain, locker visits, or getting a temporary ID.
  
  

• This limit does not apply to visits to the nurse, early dismissals, going to the media center during lunch, or visiting a teacher/class during lunch or WIN.
  
  

• Students must have their school ID or TempID visible at all times when in the hallway. The IDs allow staff to confirm where students are, why they left, and how long they’ve been away via SmartPass.

We believe SmartPass will help students build responsibility, minimize unnecessary time out of class, and ensure a safe and positive school day. Please remind your child to keep their school ID with them and to use their passes responsibly.

This week, principals and teachers are reviewing the new SmartPass procedures with all students to make sure they understand how it works and what’s expected.

National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from September 15 – October 15, 2025, and we are excited to celebrate with our students! This month is an opportunity to honor the cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities.

At Brooks, we will be holding special activities during classes during this timeframe to help our students learn, connect, and celebrate together. Activities may include exploring music and dance, highlighting authors and artists, learning about traditions and foods, playing trivia games, and engaging in reflection and discussion.

We look forward to sharing this celebration with our students and community, and we invite families to join us in honoring Hispanic Heritage Month at home as well — whether through music, food, stories, or conversations that lift up the richness of Hispanic and Latinx culture.

¡Muchas gracias for your partnership in making Brooks a place where every culture is celebrated!

Warmly,
Brooks Middle School Team

Join the Brooks PTO and Bravo for an amazing night of music, food, friends and fun for the whole family!

Enjoy food and beverages from our vendors:

Do-Rite Donuts (pre-order ONLY)

Tacos 76

Sticks and Cones

Zemi Coffee Cart

Dominos Pizza

🫶🏼VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE WELCOME BACK BASH!

Be part of the fun! Volunteers needed for a variety of stations!

Sign up for Welcome Back Bash Here!

Link to order: https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/IL/Oak%20Park/Gwendolyn+Brooks+Middle+School

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 25% off all items & free shipping over $75. Happy Shopping!

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.

Designated Line-up Locations:

7th and 8th Grade Walkers: Kenilworth Ave main entrance (also access to commons doors for breakfast or to get a temporary Student ID)

7th & 8th Grade Busers: Clinton Ave entrance

6th Grade Busers and Walkers: Washington Street Entrance

The library is now open beginning this week for the school year in the mornings starting at 8am.

• Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
• No pass needed
• To enter, wait in-between 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 heads 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.

Attendance will be taken every day for each class period by each of your child's teacher and it will be denoted in PowerSchool. Student's are expected to attend each of their classes at their scheduled time and day. If your student will be absent from school, please call the attendance number 708-665-3074 or email brooksattendance@op97.org

Please contact the Brooks Health Office and speak with Nurse Tracy Biggerstaff if you have questions or concerns regarding your student's health.

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

Office Phone Hours

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.

• Here are the links to our Bell Schedule and A/B Calendar for PE/Elective class.

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!

Friday Pizza Lunch Begins SEPTEMBER 19

SIGN UP FOR FRIDAY PIZZA LUNCH

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

BRAVO offers a Pizza Lunch Fundraiser every Friday for (30) Fridays from September 19 - May 22!

• Pre-Paid Dominoʼs Pizza Lunch begins serving on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

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!

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.

Student have been learning the new routines and expectations and doing a wonderful job. Thank you for your support in help us create a safe, respectful and responsible environment for our students.

We have been teaching, supporting and reminding students of the School Wide Expectations.

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 dont' have their ID upon arrival to first period will be sent to the main office main office before 9:15am to get a temporary ID.

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.

Locker Checklist has been shared and posted in each student's locker during the first week of school to help them think through the items they need to take with them when they visit their locker at the start of the day, before and after lunch and at the end of the day.

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.

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

GIRLS BASKETBALL - Open Gym and Tryouts

*Open Gym - September 8th - 11th​

• Correction- 3:30pm - 5:00pm (only)

*Tryouts

• September 15th at 3:30pm - 5:00pm
• September 16th at 7:15am-8:45am and 3:30pm-5:00pm

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the coaches, Sam Fishman-Strait, sfishman-strait@op97.org (Junior Varsity) and Dr. Kina Brown, kbrown@op97.org (Varsity).

Ultimate Frisbee: Attention Brooks Eagles! All are welcome to attend the OPEN PRACTICES next week on MONDAY and WEDNESDAY after school on the turf field from 3:30 - 5pm. Come on out Monday and Wednesday after school to see what it's all about! Contact Coach Roman (eroman@op97.org) if you have any questions,.

BROOKS SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY 2025

Students in grades six through eight are welcome to join the cross country team. The Cross Country coaches for 2025 are Kim Beader (kbeader@op97.org), Steve Gonsur (sgonsur@op97.org), Lary Grimaldi (lgrimaldi@op97.org)

Cross Country is a no-cut sport at the middle schools. All students must have a copy of an updated physical to hand to the coach (we will not have access to nurse's files) before practicing for the 2025-2026 cross country season. Please see the linked information from the coaches which outlines what is needed each practice and the calendar of practices.

BEAT (Brooks Earth Action Team):

Every Tuesday in C202 STARTING SEPT 2!

Meetings every Tuesday from 3:30-4:30 in C202!

Contact Ms. Stamp (lstamp@op97.org) or Ms. Raad( Kraad@op97.org ) with any questions.

Service Club: Starting Friday, September 5th, at 8:00am in room B208. We will start planning out our projects for the year, so bring your ideas! If you have any questions, please see Ms. Martinez or Ms. Walsh.

Rainbow Revolution: We will have our first meeting on Monday September 8th, 2025. We meet every Monday that there is school in the Brooks Media Center from 3:30-4:30pm.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Robot–but my email is still currently aberman@op97.org.

RPG CLUB (Formerly Dungeons and Dragons Club)

When: Every Wednesday

Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Where: C302 (Mr. McDowell’s Room)

Morning Choirs

Auditions Wednesday 9/3, Thursday 9/4, OR Friday 9/5 at 8am (you only have to come to one day)

• Click here to sign up for an Audition Date

There are 2 groups students are able to join:

• Fledglings - all students 6th-8th grade are welcome.

• Thursday mornings at 8am

• Downbeat - 7th and 8th grade students enrolled in Chorus, Band, or Orchestra

• Tuesday and Friday mornings at 8am

Art Club: Starts September 11th in D301 (Mrs. Murray’s room) from 3:30-4:30.

Bravo Stage Crew Begins on September 17 - Open to all 6th, 7th & 8th Graders!

SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Auditions for 7th & 8th Grade - THIS TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY [8/26 & 8/27] from 3:30pm-7:30pm and Callbacks on August 28 - 3:30pm-6:30pm.

SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE

Join us with Principal Moriarty to discuss all things Brooks and PTO on September 9th in the Brooks Media Center.

Do you want to have an impact in the Brooks community and get the inside scoop on what is going on at Brooks and D97? NOW is the time to get involved!! We are looking to fill positions for the 2025-2026 school year and have some critical roles open! No prior PTO experience is necessary.

Sign Up for Open Positions Here!

E-mail gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com with any questions! We look forward to hearing from you!

More Information coming soon!

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 10:40am - 12:55pm 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.**

🍩 09/10 Donut Days

Back by popular demand, our Donut Days fundraiser kicks off Wednesday, September 10 and will take place one Wednesday a month from September - April.

Volunteers are needed to sell donuts during lunch. Join us and spend time with your student on these sweet days!

Sign Up to Volunteer for Donut Days Here!

Looking for a quick lunch, family dinner, or takeout with friends? On Wednesday, September 10th, from 11a - 8p, enjoy a delicious meal at Taco ‘76 while supporting Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School (GBMS) during our Dine Out Night!

This is a fantastic way to enjoy a tasty meal and support our students at the same time. So mark your calendars, invite your friends and family, and let’s make this a successful fundraising event!

How to Participate:

• Dine In, Delivery, or Takeout: Simply mention “Brooks” when placing your order—whether you’re dining in, calling in, or ordering online.

• Support GBMS: 20% of sales (before taxes) from participating orders will be donated back to our school!

For additional information, contact Amy O’Dea at acodea1@gmail.com

Please Consider a Donation to the PTO

Your commitment to our school community is invaluable. By contributing to the PTO, you’re directly investing in the success and enrichment of our children’s education.

Distribution of information by a community group in accordance with District 97 policy does not imply, directly or indirectly, that the group's program(s), event(s) and/or services(s) is sanctioned, sponsored or endorsed by the district, the Board of Education or the superintendent.