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October 7, 2019

October 7,2019
Twitter Highlights: Week 6
You don't need to have a twitter account to see the highlights from the past week. We are working to create a positive learning environment that is equitable, inclusive and focused on the whole child. No need to have a twitter account to view!
Event Information

Student Led Parent Teacher Conferences

Student attendance will be a half day, from 9am to 12pm on 10/24 & 10/25. There will be no lunch served. Buses will run their usual routes.


Teacher teams will begin to contact parent/guardians during the week of October 14th to set up an appointment time.

When?

Thursday, Oct 24, 2019, 12:45 PM

Where?

Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, South Kenilworth Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA

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IAR Spring Assessment Results

On Friday, October 4, 2019, students were given their results from the Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR) test that they took last spring.


The result will delineate how he/she performed on the ELA and Math assessments this past spring. To better understand your students IAR score, please visit https://www.isbe.net/Documents/IAR-Score-Interpretation-Guide.pdf.


Please contact your child’s Assistant Principal, if you have questions or need more information regarding your student’s scores:

  • Ms. Angelica Kamysz if your student is on Team 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.1, 7.2

  • Mr. Antoine Bland if your student is on Team 7.3, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3

The Mindful Middle Schoolers Program - October 10th at Julian Middle School

Join us October 10 for the first Mindful Middle-Schoolers talk in partnership with DePaul Family and Community Services.


Thursday, October 10 from 6:30 - 8:00 at Percy Julian Middle School for a discussion on Technology and Mental Health: Strategies to promote mindful digital citizenship.


How can we help our children approach technology mindfully? What are benefits and challenges of technology for children? What are strategies to help promote digital citizenship and wellness in youth? Join us for a free talk on technology and mental health. DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and D97, plan to offer a series of community talks to the Brooks/Julian middle school communities during the 2019-2020 school year as part of The Mindful Middle Schoolers Program. All are welcome (parents, school staff, students, community members).


Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/technology-and-mental-health-strategies-to-promote-mindful-digital-citizenship-tickets-75086504757


Attached is a flyer that outlines additional future Mindful Middle Schooler Programming. Below is an image of the flyer.

Using the Canvas Calendar as an Observer

If you are looking for one place to see when your student has assignments due, check out the Canvas Calendar. The assignments will be linked on the Canvas Calendar on the day they are due.


Click the link below for detailed directions on how to use the Canvas calendar.

https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10908-4144715705

October 14th (Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day) - School is in Session

All District 97 schools are open on Monday, Oct. 14 (Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day).

Monster Mash Bash - All School Halloween Dance

SIGN UP ONLINE TO JOIN!


Monster Mash Bash - All School Halloween Dance

October 18 - 6:30pm-8:30pm

Open to ALL Brooks 6th-8th Graders

Tickets on sale starting October 1!

bravoperformingarts.org

Home Avenue Pedestrian Bridge to Remain Closed Until Oct. 11

Find out more information here:

https://www.op97.org/news/1666651/construction-to-close-home-avenue-pedestrian-bridge-beginning-sept-2-clone

Internet for All Program

District 97 is now accepting applications for our Internet for All program. Through the program, which we launched two years ago, we are able to offer free home Internet service to students in grades three through eight who do not have access to this critical resource. You can access a video about the program by clicking here, a flyer about the program in English and Spanish by clicking here, and a web page featuring the flyer, the video and additional information about the program by clicking here.

Purchase your Yearbook Today!

Fall 2019 Promotional Discounts For Yearbooks


The Fall is a great time for you and your school community to order yearbooks! You will receive these discounts when ordering early in the school year:

October 1st - October 31st = 10% use code: 1014096931934358

November 1st - November 30th = 5%


During the months of August, September, October, and November when placing online orders the price of the book will reflect these discounts. The discount is calculated on the cost of the yearbook and does not apply to hardcover upgrades or extra custom pages.

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Chromebook Repairs / Chargers

Repairs - If your student issued Chromebook is experiencing issues, please have your teacher write your student a pass to the Media Center to see the School Technician. The Technician will check in the Chromebook for repair. A repair can take anywhere from 1 to 5 days, depending on the issue. But our goal is to return the Chromebooks as soon as possible. Students can request printed copies of any assignments from their teachers during this time. When the students Chromebook is ready, the office receives it from the School Technician and the information will be listed on the daily Chromebook Spreadsheet for teachers to check. Students can ask their teachers to look at the Chromebook spreadsheet to see if their Chromebook is listed or they can stop by the main office at the start/end of day, on their way to/from PE or Lunch.


Chargers - If your student has lost their school issued charger, your may purchase a new charger online via Revtrak or by cash or check in the main office.

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GBMS Library/Media Center

The Media Center Open every school morning from 8:00am to 8:45am. Must arrive with ID prior to 8:30am to enter school to go to library. This is a quiet time for reading and studying.


Library is also open during each lunch period starting the week of September 9th. Students need to request a pass from a teacher BEFORE their lunch period and can go to the library during the social time of their lunch period.

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Breakfast, Special Hot Lunch Opportunities and Menus

We offer breakfast every school morning from 8:00am to 8:45am. Students enter the commons door, purchase their breakfast with their ID card, eat and when finished return their grade level location outside or may go to the media center to work quietly.



Ordering Special Hot Lunch offerings for your Student

Please visit our website to learn how to participate in


  • PTO Starship Lunches on Tuesdays starts 9/17.
  • BRAVO PRE-ORDERED Pizza lunches starts THIS Friday, 9/13.



Breakfast and Lunch Menus

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Student IDs - Visible at all times while in the building

Our expectation is that students have their ID's visible at all times when in the building. We have 900+ student and not every staff member know each and every student. For safety, our expectation is that a student ID is visible at all times. Should a student forget their ID at home, their first period teacher will issue a temporary ID sticker that can be worn throughout the day.


For any new students that didn't have a photo on their ID when it was received, we will be taking your photo during your lunch period and reprinting your ID.
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Physical Education Uniforms

To order a Gym uniform you may do so online using Revtrak

or in person in the main office using cash or check.

Contact Ms. Colbert the main office at (708) 524-3050 or at mcolbert@op97.org for further information

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Retakes will be on October 10th.

Students who received their school pictures last week should have received an online order card attached to their photo packages which contained an individual online order code. If you did not receive this card, please contact Van Gogh directly to receive your individual online order code. (847) 382-2282

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

  • Student-Led Conferences: Thursday, October 24th from 12:45pm to 8pm
  • End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 15th
  • Trimester 1 Report Card: Friday, December 6th

PTO NEWS PTO NEWS

PTO Business meeting

Join us on Monday, November 11 at 6:00 pm in the Brook’s library for our PTO business meeting.

Want to Donate to the PTO?

You can donate $10 or more to help pay for things like teacher grants, need-based scholarships and other enrichment activities. Please consider a matching gift donation from your employer.


Last month, the PTO funded a Teacher Grant to Ms. Maggio to add flexible seating to her classroom.

GBMS BOOK FAIR

The annual Brook’s Book Fair is coming up during conference week. We have a new Book Fair Vendor this year. Anderson's Book Fair Company. They are a local company based out of Aurora, IL and offer a wide selection of books. We'll need some help with set-up, take down and book fair volunteers in between. A Sign-Up genius will be out next week.
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What’s for Dinner?

The PTO has the answer for Tuesday, October 15. Buona Beef (both the Oak Park and Berwyn locations) will be donating 20% of all orders from 10:30am to 10:00pm to the Brooks PTO. Just show the flier for your location (on your phone is fine). Delivery orders not included.


7025 W North Ave, Oak Park location


See Flyer Here

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Coffee with Capuder

Friday, November 8, 8:30am
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Washington D. C. Trip

Trip Dates: Washington, DC - Friday, February 14 - Sunday, February 16, 2020 (Presidents' Day Weekend)


If you have questions, please email Janorisè Robinson at dctripbrooksjulian@gmail.com.

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Brooks Spirit Wear

Brooks spirit wear can be ordered at any time by visiting this website.


Orders will be shipped to your home!

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Another kind of ban on plastic bags…


We're a pretty thoughtful bunch, we Oak Parkers. Families want to do the right thing, and that includes recycling. But here’s something you may not know… ready for the scoop? You can't recycle plastic bags!! It’s not that single-use plastic bags can’t be recycled, but they require a different system than we’ve got here in Oak Park, and when you throw them into your blue box, you’re adding huge costs to our recycling program. What happens to them? Most likely, they will end up tangled up in the equipment, bringing the processing line to a halt and requiring workers to painstakingly remove the bags by hand. Officials at the Village know that proper recycling isn't easy -- but just keeping those single-use plastic bags out the blue carts is a major step in the right direction. Here's a one-minute video with more info. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItbZyuJbuWM#action=share

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Volunteer with the Brook’s PTO

The PTO is committed to enriching the experience of students at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School through supporting a positive school environment, facilitating the development of positive relationships within the community, advancing school equity initiatives, and creating an environment where all students have access to school resources and opportunities.


We have an opening for an 8th Grade VP. This role helps plan 8th grade dance and a winter staff appreciation dinner.


Email the PTO BoardEmail gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com if you are interested or have questions!

Clubs and Sports Information Clubs and Sports Information

Boys Basketball Tryouts

Boys basketball tryouts for all grades is on Monday October 7th at 7:00am and 3:40 pm.

For questions, contact Darren Haus at dhaus@op97.org


PHYSICALS

6th graders can have a separate sports physical or the school physical with the sports box checked by their doctor.

7th and 8th graders need to have a separate sports physical because they have to be given every year.
* Please bring 2 copies and turn them in to 1.) Nurse/Office 2.) Coach by the dates according to when your sport begins.

If these requirements for physicals aren't met, they cannot try out for the team.


The following forms must be completed and returned the day of try-outs

  • Concussion Form
  • Sports Permission Slip
  • Sports Physical Form

These forms can be found at this link:

https://www.op97.org/brooks/athletics/basketball-boys

Math Team

Meets Mondays 3:30pm - 4:30pm in room B409. For more information contact Esther Smith at esmith3@op97.org

Open to 6 - 8 grade students.

Art Club

Meets Thursday’s from 3:30-4:30 October- March in D301. Free and open to all students.

Mrs. Murray will offer a variety of materials and techniques. Come when you can and be ready to explore your own ideas, work at your own pace, and make new friends in a creative environment just for artists! Art club is FREE!


Yearbook Club

Meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month. Room B202 Beginning in October and ends in April.


Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat...Are you always sending and posting pictures of things that you have done this past summer? Perhaps you are more into digital graphic design and layouts. Then there is also a place for you in the Brooks Yearbook Club! Maybe you love to draw Anime, cartoons or general pictures and designs. How would you like them pictured in the yearbook?


Everyone is welcome to join GBMS Yearbook Club. We are looking for students to assist us in recording the student activities & events of the 2019-2020 school year!


For more information please contact Meaghan Pabellon at mpabellon@op97.org or Marsha Turner Reid at mturnerreid@op97.org

Service Club

First meeting is Friday's, 8am in room B209. Service club meets every Friday morning.


We organize & promote the school's service projects such as food drives, coat drives, the holiday food and gift basket program, and more! If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Susan Walsh (swalsh@op97.org) or Ms. Blanca Martinez (bmartinez@op97.org).

Orff Ensemble

(Xylophone and Drumming Music Group) Monday's, 8:00-8:50 am, Rm D104. Open to all students grades 6-8. No audition required! For more information contact Mr. Carrillo (fcarrillo@op97.org)

OPEF VEX Robotics

This year we are offering two cool programs for D97 middle school kids to enjoy. We look forward to another exciting VEX Robotics season at both Julian and Brooks.



  • The In-House Club is designed for students with little or no experience with robotics and for students who cannot commit to the long season of our Competitive League.


  • The Robotics Competitive League is an intensive program for the dedicated technology student, especially those who want to take their experience with VEX Robotics and programming to the next level.



To sign up or learn more information about our programs, visit our OPEF VEX Robotics page at https://www.opef.org/programs/vex-robotics/


Brooks in-house contact - Brian Shinners, bshinners@op97.org

Ultimate Frisbee

This recreational Frisbee Club meets on Mondays and Wednesdays to play from 3:30p to 4:30p. For more information contact Coach Gillespie at mgillespie@op97.org or Coach Guerino at tguerino@op97.org - Please note practices may be cancelled due to weather.

Eco EAGLES

Eco Eagles will meets weekly on TUESDAYS at 3:30 in Room C202


Students who are passionate about helping the environment, gardening, saving endangered species or who just want to do interesting things outdoors should check out the ECO EAGLES, the Brooks ecology club. We have made award-winning films, gone on cool field trips, implemented fun fundraisers and raised awareness about many different issues. We are open to whatever you are interested in, so join us! For more information contact lstamp@op97.org

Spoken Word Club

Meets on weekly on Mondays in B205 (3:30 - 5:00 pm) with Mr. Lee and our resident poet artist, Christian Robinson.

For more information contact mlee@op97.org

Rainbow Tribe

Rainbow Tribe will be hosting our 1st meeting on Monday September 30th at 3:30 PM in the Library! Come join students who want to be a part of creating a safe and inclusive space for our Brooks LGBTQ community. All students (those who identify and allies) are invited to join! Reach out to Ms. Berman (aberman@op97.org) or Mrs. Olsen (jolsen@op97.org) with any questions!

Girls on the RISE - 6th Grade Girls & 7th Grade Girls

Girls on the Rise is a program offered in partnership with Brooks and the Oak Park Township. Girls on the Rise provides prevention and empowerment to minority girls. We strive to instill confidence in girls to utilize problem-solving skills through communication and respect. Our program plans to build social, communication and leadership skills, healthy relationships with peers and adults, raise self-esteem and self-awareness and create a sisterhood of strong young ladies.


The 6th Grade Girls group's 6th Grade Girls meets on Tuesdays, from 3:30pm to 5:00 pm in room C105.


The 7th Grade Girls group's meets on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 5:00 pm in room C105.


The 8th Grade Girls group will begin meeting on January 15th, 2020.

For more information contact Dominique Hickman at dhickman@oakparktownship.org

Chess Club

Play chess games against other club members..checkmate!


Chess club meets on Tuesdays in Mr. Hausfeld's new classroom C108 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. For more information contact Coach Hausfeld at mhausfeld@op97.org

Singing Groups Offered at Brooks (extra-curricular and co-curricular)

The Women's Ensemble (name TBD)


This group will be made up of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students whose voices present as female. Individuals are admitted to the highly popular co-curricular groups through an audition process in September. *Students do NOT have to be enrolled in Band, Chorus or Orchestra curricular classes to audition for these groups*. The repertoire for this group will include vocal jazz, showtunes, pop, and classic choral literature.


  • This group will rehearse Tuesdays from 8-8:50 am.


The Men's Ensemble (name TBD)

This group will be made up of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students whose voices present as male. Individuals are admitted to the highly popular co-curricular groups through an audition process in September. *Students do NOT have to be enrolled in Band, Chorus or Orchestra curricular classes to audition for these groups*. The repertoire for this group will include vocal jazz, showtunes, pop, and classic choral literature.


  • This group will rehearse Wednesdays from 8-8:50 am.


The Select Mixed Ensemble (name TBD)

This is an extra-curricular choir made up of 7th, and 8th grade students that focuses on vocal jazz, showtunes, pop, and classic choral literature. Individuals are admitted to the highly popular co-curricular groups through an audition process in September (and possibly a re-audition in December). Students involved in this top group must be enrolled in Band, Chorus or Orchestra during the day, and will be asked to sing with one of the other extra-curricular choirs.


  • This group will rehearse Thursdays from 8-8:50 am.


For more information contact Mr. Blackman at fblackman@op97.org

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Girls Basketball

Practice Schedule

Wed 10/9 3:40 - 5

Thurs 10/10 3:40 - 5


Game Schedule

Mon. 10/7

Away vs. Stevenson 4pm - 6pm

Tue. 10/8

Home va. Julian 4p.-6p


For more information contact Coach Brown at kbrown@op97.org

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Bravo

Rehearsal

10/7- 10/11

Mon - Fri - 3:30pm - 6:00pm

Sat 10/12 - 1pm - 3:30pm

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Best Buddies - Wednesday, 10/9


  • Best Buddies - Wednesday, 10/9 All students interested in learning more about Best Buddies, meet in the commons after-school from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.


Calendar of meeting for 19-20 school year.

Music Department Fundraiser

In order to help our students fund their Cleveland Music Trip this year, our students are participating in fundraising efforts. You can place orders directly with the student by check or cash or we accept online orders as well.

When ordering online go to:


www.centuryresources.com


and enter the code 46101, Brooks will pop up. If you click Brooks, it will ask you the name and grade of the student you are purchasing from. After that, it takes you to the site and you can choose from the abundant riches of chocolate and cookie dough.


If you have any questions, please contact any of our Music Directors.

Andrew Davis - Band Director adavis@op97.org

Frank Blackman - Choral Director fblackman@op97.org

Fernando Carrillo - Orchestra Director fcarrillo@op97.org

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BRAVO Dance Studio

We are now offering 3 Sessions of Dance Studio!


Mondays & Wednesdays 3:30-4:30pm


Dates and Times are subject to change


1st Session: September 16 – November 20


2nd Session: December 2 – February 19


3rd Session: February 24 – April 15


1st Session Dance Studio Contract & Permission to Participate Form


Registration is DUE no later than SEPTEMBER 13, 2019


**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!

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BRAVO Guitar Club

Mondays 3:30pm-5pm

Learn basic guitar chords or work on advancing your guitar skills. Beginners and Advanced guitar players welcome!


1st Session – September 16 – November 18


2nd Session: December 2 – February 17


3rd Session: February 24 – April 13


Contract and Permission to Participate Form


Forms must be turned in to the BRAVO Office (D103)


Information located outside the BRAVO! Office


**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!

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BRAVO NEW THIS YEAR: IMPROV Club & Film Club

IMPROV CLUB

Tuesdays from 3:30pm-4:45pm

September 17 - December 17

Improv (Improvisation) is a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters and dialogue of a game, scene or story are made up in the moment. Improv is spontaneous, entertaining, and fun!


SIGN UP to Participate!


**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!


FILM CLUB

Thursdays – 3:30pm-4:45pm

October 3 - December 19

Learn how to write a story board, take video and edit material into a short film.


SIGN UP to Participate!


**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!

Community Programs Community Programs

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.

Attendance of Children at OPRF Sporting Events

Oak Park and River Forest High School recently implemented a new rule when attending athletic events. Effective immediately, children ages 11 and younger will not be allowed to attend athletic events at OPRF unless they are accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. Please click here for the full message from the high school.

We are excited to announce the 2nd Annual Parent Empowerment Workshop at Kids Unlimited Therapy Services, held Saturday Nov 2nd 9am -2:30pm. Topics covered during the workshop include navigation of the school system to secure services, effective mealtime strategies for picky eaters and methods to manage meltdowns. You can also go to our website at www.kidsunlimitedtherapyservices.com to download the forms.
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Free Water Skills/Safety Course through YMCA

The Executive Director of the YMCA is asking for our assistance to drive participation in their FREE water skills/safety course. Please see the list of dates for their upcoming session and engage families to consider. Flyer is linked here. The link for folks to enroll is: http://www.westcookymca.org/saw


Fall II Session: 10/28/19 through 12/22/19
Monday: 6:35 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday: 6:20 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 5:50 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday: 6:20 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 4:30 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:40 a.m.
Sunday: 10:35 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

By combining science and art, the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest can be a wonderful part of your curriculum or an extra credit project this school year. Clubs or individuals are also welcome to enter the contest on their own. An added bonus is the positive attention brought to your school via contest winners.


We ask kids in grades 3 up through college age to create a 3 to 8 minute film about one of 6 sustainability topics: energy, food, transportation, waste, water, or open space/ecosystems. If the film is animated, it can be a minimum of 45 seconds long. They should present a problem with their topic and a solution.


Winners in grades 3 to 5 earn $100, winners in grades 6 to 8 earn $200, and winners in grades 9 to 11 earn $350. The prizes go up from there.


Each winner also gets a matching gift to donate to an organization that supports the theme of their film, and winning films premiere at the One Earth Film Festival at the Gene Siskel Center on March 7, 2020.


In recent years, we've had winners from these local schools:

Beaubien Elementary School in Chicago
Burbank Elementary in Burbank

Clissold Elementary School in Chicago

Lincoln Elementary School in River Forest

Longfellow Elementary in Oak Park
Mann Elementary School in Oak Park

Metropolitan Schoolhouse in Chicago

Suder Montessori Elementary School in Chicago

Sutherland Elementary School in Chicago
Willard Elementary School in River Forest

Brooks Middle School in Oak Park
Grace Lutheran School in River Forest

Julian Middle School in Oak Park

Heritage Middle School in Berwyn

Keystone Montessori School in River Forest

L.J. Hauser Junior High in Riverside

Most Holy Redeemer School in Evergreen Park
Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest
Sandburg Middle School in Elmhurst

Hinsdale High School in Hinsdale

Lincoln Park High School in Chicago

Maine West High School in DesPlaines
Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park
Trinity High School in River Forest
York High School in Elmhurst


We would love to see Brooks listed as one of our winners again!

For more information, contest details are at this link: https://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/contest-details


Previous winners are at this link: https://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/winners


All media to post and share are at this link and also attached: https://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/contest-media-kit

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Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School

Email: acapuder@op97.org
Website: op97.org/brooks
Location: 325 S Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park, IL, United States
Phone: (708) 524-3050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/108994473138309/
Twitter: @brooksop97

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