Middle Matters Remote Learning

Highlights from this week's Middle Matters:

• Coffee with Capuder Friday, October 2, 8:30am - 9:15am Zoom Link
• Parent/Guardian Remote Learning Survey
• 'Stamped' Family and Community Discussions
• IB Evaluation Visit
• Mindful Middle Schoolers Program: Resiliency Skills for Anxiety, Depression and Executive Functioning
• Volunteer for Brooks Garden Work Day on 10/3 from 10am to 1pm
• Technology Accommodation Tools to help ALL students
• Technology Support: helpdesk@op97.org
• PTO Weekly Communication
• Sharing Again: items from previous week (see below)
• District Information Highlights

Sharing again:

• A Greater Good Foundation
• Morning Virtual Homework Support and Virtual Breakfast with Brooks
• Cell Phones Away for the Day during Remote Learning
• Middle School Clubs
• Meal Distribution Date & Information: Tuesdays
• GBMS Remote Learning Webpage
• Student Attendance
• School Immunization and Physical Information
• Bravo Performing Arts: Program Opportunities
  

If you have questions about the upcoming school year, please don’t hesitate to contact me at acapuder@op97.org. You can also contact my Executive Coordinator, Ms. Tasha Guerino, at tguerino@op97.org or (708) 524-7636.

Our administrative team is also available to help answer your questions.

Angelica Love Curriculum & Instruction AP (6th grade, Teams 7.1 & 7.2) alove@op97.org

Antione Bland Curriculum & Instruction AP (8th grade, Teams 7.3) abland@op97.org

Stacie Klein Culture & Climate AP sklein@op97.org

Please complete this brief survey for EACH child in your family. Thank you in advance.

District 97 students, families and community members are invited to participate in a three-session discussion on the book Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Attendees will join together for a presentation followed by discussions in separate breakout rooms.

In conjunction with Brooks and Julian middle schools' fall curriculum read, the sessions will follow along with the chapters being read by students and staff. Breakout sessions will be led by students from Dominican University, who will follow a peace circle format and draw on the Stamped Educator's Guide.

The dates and times for the three sessions are included below. Participants must register using the links provided on the library's website.

• Session 1: Tuesday, Oct. 20 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
• Session 2: Tuesday, Nov. 17 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
• Session 3: Tuesday, Dec. 1 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)

These sessions are made possible with the support of: District 97 staff; Oak Park and River Forest School District 200; the Oak Park Public Library; the E-Team of Oak Park; and Dominican University’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) group.

FLYER

We are happy to announce that our IB evaluation visit from last April has been rescheduled to be held virtually. Two representatives from the International Baccalaureate Organization will visit Oak Park for a total of four days, two days per school, to virtually tour the schools and to speak with all stakeholders. The dates are October 5th & 6th for Brooks and October 7th and 8th for Julian. Many thanks to all stakeholders for the hard work that has been done in preparation for this important visit.

We are excited for this opportunity to celebrate all of the great teaching and learning happening in the middle schools and to also get feedback in the areas we need to develop. At the end of the visit, the IB team will share their findings and we’ll work together on implementing their feedback. The visit is a great opportunity for affirming all that we are doing well and for some outside, expert feedback on what we can improve. For more information about the IB MYP in District 97, click here.

DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and D97, plan to offer the following services and supports to the Julian and Brooks Middle School communities during the 2020-2021 school year:

• Parent/Student/Staff Community Talks (open to all): Strategies to support executive functioning and self-regulation development based upon brain science; Mindfulness-based strategies and their applications in academic and home environments; Understanding depression in youth and strategies for treatment and support; Understanding anxiety in youth and strategies for treatment and support; Technology and mental health: strategies to promote mindful digital citizenship; exact dates and topics TBD

• 4 & 12-Week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Groups: Evidenced-based approach for children with symptoms of anxiety, depression and difficulties with attention. Groups will be delivered during the school day.

• Individual and Family Therapy: Individualized counseling services for those children & families needing more tailored support

• All services and supports will be offered virtually at this time

Parents may refer their students through a school-based team process here:

Brooks Middle School: https://forms.gle/DktR9wFAbqWehEmv9

Julian Middle School:

https://forms.gle/rYiZJvMserbiCATcA

We need help with the following tasks: dismantle & move a raised bed; remove shrubs; prep garden beds for the spring; add wood chips. If you have a preference for any of the tasks, add it in the comment. Also, please bring any tools you have for that task. We will have rakes, shovels, etc. but having extra is welcome!

VOICE IN - is a new tool available to students. It provides Speech-to-text, or voice-typing that works outside of Google Docs on other websites, in Canvas, and even search boxes.

it's an extension that students can add to their Chromebooks by going to the Chrome Web Store Extensions.

- in the search box type "voice in"

- Add to Chrome here's a link to it

To Use: The extension is grey when it's inactive. Click it and it turns red (ready to scribe). Click into a text field to begin voice typing.

SNAP & READ

Text reader (TTS) that simplifies vocabulary, translates text, reads inaccessible text (OCR), and captures and cites sources. Snap&Read is the Next-Generation reading tool that can cover the most diverse reading needs.

- Here is a video that explains how to use the tool.

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 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.

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! 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!

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.

The PTO is committed to enriching the experience of students at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School and we are looking for one more 8th grade parent to be on the PTO Board! As an 8th Grade co-VP, you will help plan the 8th grade celebration (typically the 8th grade dance, but might be different this year) and a staff appreciation event. You will have a co-VP to help with all of this, so you aren’t on your own! Let us know if you are interested or have questions by emailing gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.

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!

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. 6th & 7th graders will meet on Mondays from 11:40 am to 12:20 pm and 8th graders will meet on Wednesdays during advisory 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. We are hoping to launch the program the week of September 28th. If you have any questions or would like your student to participate, please contact Stacie Klein at sklein@op97.org.

FLYER

We disencourage student use of cell phones but understand there may be times that a cell phone is used to monitor a student's health, is part of a student's IEP or 504 plan or is accessible to be able to reach family members.

District 97 to Continue Providing Free Meals to All Students Every Tuesday
On Aug. 31, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will extend key waivers that allow school districts to continue serving free meals to all children into the fall months. This will ensure that all District 97 students have access to nutritious food at no cost—regardless of where they are learning or whether they qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Beginning Sept. 8, meals will be provided free of cost to any District 97 student in need. Meal distributions will be held every Tuesday, 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.

Each bag of food will contain five breakfasts and five lunches. Click here for the September 2020 menus.

Click here for more information about food service during Trimester 1. If you have any questions, please reach out to the district's food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at cellis@op97.org.

Although District 97 is starting the 2020-21 school year with remote learning, the State of Illinois is still requiring all students entering kindergarten, 6th grade, and any students new to District 97 to turn in a current school physical (Certificate of Child Health Examination and Immunization record) with up-to-date immunizations (requirements for the State of Illinois can be found here). If you have not already provided this information when you registered your child, please email your child's records directly to our school nurse, Nancy Radogno at nradogno@op97.org.

Superintendent Carol Kelley to Host Virtual Coffee Chat on Sept. 30
District 97 families and community members are invited to connect with Superintendent Carol Kelley during a virtual coffee chat on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

If you are interested in attending, please click here to RSVP. Zoom details will be emailed to registered participants prior to the event.

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.

Meal D97 Meal Distribution: Tuesday, Sept. 29

October Breakfast/Lunch Menus Now Available

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.

District 97 will utilize a two-week cycle menu for its breakfast and lunch programs through Trimester 1. Please click the links below to access the breakfast and lunch menus for October and the last week of September. Each Tuesday, students will receive the meals outlined for that day and the following four school days. Click here for more information about food service during Trimester 1.

D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - October 2020

D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - September 2020

During Trimester 1, meals will be provided free of cost to any District 97 student in need. Meal distributions will be held every Tuesday, 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.

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.

D97 Back-to-School Fact Sheet

Check out this fact sheet for important D97 Back-to-School information!

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 >

District 97 is working with community partners to support the child care needs of our families and staff. We are currently partnering with three providers: Hephzibah, the Park District of Oak Park and By Discovery. Details about each program can be found here.

The district will be providing financial assistance for any student who receives free or reduced lunch for at least Trimester 1. We will discuss the possibility of additional fee coverage with the Board of Education once plans are determined for the remainder of the school year. Details are provided at the point of online registration for each child care provider.

The Help Corner will features a frequently-asked question related to services and opportunities available for District 97 students and families. We will keep a complete list of these FAQs on our district website.

District 97 has created Community Resources Page. We also encourage families to stay connected through Facebook and Twitter. Additional updates can be found at:

Village of Oak Park

Oak Park Township

Oak Park Public Library

Park District of Oak Park

Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200

District 97 also has a broad network of partner organizations that provide an array of supports and services for Oak Park residents. The Community Mental Health Board and Oak Park and River Forest Townships have also put together a COVID-19 Social Services Resource Guide, which is available at https://tinyurl.com/oprfguide.

PHONE-BASED COUNSELING

Thrive is offering phone-based counseling, 24/7 crisis intervention services, medication management and, a free Thrive Check-In phone support line (Ext. 8) to address our community’s needs during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Call us at (708)383-7500. Our Front Desk team is also ready to assist you Monday-Friday, 9am to 2pm, with requests for referrals or new services and to reschedule or cancel an appointment.

Mental Health Resource, "Call4Calm"

Thrive is also a proud partner of the Illinois Call4Calm Text Line Service. Text “TALK” TO 552020 (or “HABLAR) for Spanish. The Illinois Call4Calm Text Line is not a crisis hotline, but is a source of support for anyone experiencing stress and in need of a listening ear.

And we know the COVID-19 pandemic can wear on every resource—from food and shelter to our emotional bandwidth and mental health. Fortunately, the Illinois Department of Human Services has launched a support line called Call4Calm that is reachable via text. Individuals who want to speak with a mental health professional can text the word “TALK” or “HABLAR” (for Spanish speakers) to 552-020. Within 24 hours, that individual will receive a call from a mental health professional employed by a local community health center.

People can also text other terms, like “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” to the same number to receive information on how to navigate and access supports and services. Call4Calm is free, and individuals who use it can remain anonymous. We encourage you to share this resource with your students, families, and staff.