Yearbook Sales
Take 10% OFF the best moments of the school year!
We'll even package them up in a beautifully bound yearbook and deliver it.
Go ahead. Check it off your to-do list.
Click here to buy a GBMS Yearbook
The cost is $28.15 without the 10% discount.
GBMS Passcode: 1014096931934358, may be needed when purchasing.
You can also use your TreeRing account to share photos with our Yearbook Team throughout the year as well as design your very own custom pages (first two pages are free). If you have any questions regarding the yearbook, please contact Meaghan Pabellon at mpabellon@op97.org.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and our teachers, staff and community have begun to celebrate and pay tribute to the contributions and history of Hispanic Americans. We'd love to hear how you are honoring the unique achievements, contributions and histories of Hispanic Americans this month! Tweet us (@OakPark97, using the hashtags #MyD97 and #D97Joy) to share stories and photos or email us at d97feedback@op97.org.
Looking for books, videos and events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month? Check out these resources from the Oak Park Public Library >>>
Brooks Teacher Receives Fulbright U.S. Teacher Award for 2023-24
Laura Stamp, eighth-grade science teacher at Brooks Middle School, has received a Fulbright Teacher Exchange award to Vietnam.
Stamp, who plans to conduct research on climate change education, is one of 20 educators from the United States selected for the 2023-24 award cycle.
“Vietnam is one of the top five countries that will be affected by climate change and the cultural values and economic system are very different from those in the United States,” Stamp said. “I will investigate how educators are approaching climate change education so that their students understand the science of the problems and are inspired to act.”
A National Board Certified teacher with nearly 25 years of experience, Stamp teaches a climate change unit as part of her academic encore class at Brooks Middle School. District 97 elementary and middle schoolers learn about conservation of natural resources in their science curriculum as well, studying the impact of air and water pollution, excessive use of pesticides, preservation of wilderness areas, stability and change within ecosystems, and the earth’s changing climate.
“As an experienced middle school science teacher, I struggle with ways to teach climate change so that students not only understand the science but also feel empowered to make changes,” Stamp said. “It’s imperative that we understand how we can best educate our students to feel that they have the agency and a stake in making changes in our systems to survive the immense changes that climate change will cause.”
The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program provides an opportunity for K-12 educators from the United States to conduct research and engage in other professional learning experiences abroad for three to six months. Stamp will be doing her research from January to March of 2024.
During her time in Vietnam, Stamp plans to visit rural and urban schools and hopes to develop a project with a school where her eighth-graders at Brooks will be able to interact with students in Vietnam. Stamp is engaging her students in her project and plans to meet with them virtually while she is there.
“I’m excited to model life long learning to my students, to show them that taking risks and trying new things is empowering and life changing, and to show them that curiosity is what makes your life interesting and creates opportunities,” Stamp said.
Stamp’s passion for climate education extends beyond the classroom. As a member of the Oak Park Climate Action Network, she contributed to the long-range sustainability plan adopted by the Village of Oak Park, Climate Ready Oak Park.
District 97 leaders have been meeting with community partners and exploring ways to support Climate Ready by integrating climate and sustainability goals into the district’s instructional and operational systems.
“It’s an honor to have educators like Laura in our district,” District 97 Superintendent Ushma Shah said. “Laura’s focus on making science standards relevant and connecting learning to civic action reflects the expertise of the many National Board teachers in our district and lines up with our vision for the Portrait of an Oak Park 8th Grade Graduate. We celebrate Laura and District 97 teachers for their transformative student-centered advocacy.”
Curriculum Night Feedback
Here is the parent/guardian folder that contains the presentations from Curriculum Night.
8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip Information
Thank you to those of you who were able to attend the eighth-grade trip information session on Sept. 7. If you were not able to attend, the 8th Grade Trip Information Session Powerpoint is linked below. In addition, you’ll find links to the Family Information Packet, which includes detailed information about the trip itinerary, as well as cost, financial aid, registration information, and important dates and deadlines. If your student plans to attend the trip, please complete the Student Interest Form by Sept. 27 at 3 p.m.
Please know that financial assistance is available for those who qualify. If you would like to discuss options, please contact Minerva Colbert at mcolbert@op97.org.
**There was not a recording of the zoom session from last week on Thursday to be shared.
Student Lunch - No Outside Deliveries
Please note, we can not accept deliveries for students from outside delivery services. Do not order food for your student to be delivered to the school.
Churros Sale @ Brooks Wednesday 9/20
Back to School Bash 9/21 5:30-7p
Connect with the Brook’s PTO
Connect with PTO
Follow us on FaceBook at @gwendolynbrookspto, or email us at gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.