Middle Matters

Highlights from this week's Middle Matters:

• Important Upcoming Dates
• Mandatory PCR Testing for ALL Students coming on-site starting 4/12
  
• Monday 4/5 is A day for 6th and 7th Grade Students & 8th Grade Hybrid Week from 4/5 through 4/8 (*Tuesday, 4/6 is a non-attendance day for Students)
• IAR Testing Dates & Information
  
• Thank you for supporting the Teacher Challenge Fundraiser
  
• The PTO can't exist without YOU!
• CAN Do Challenge!
  
• GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIPS Available for Summer Learning Opportunities at BASE CAMP!
  
• Keep D97 Schools Allergy Safe - No Nuts Allowed
  
• Expectations for D97 Students and Staff Who Travel Out of State
  
• SAVE THE DATE: D97 Virtual Summer Step Up Program
• GBMS Yearbook Ordering Information
  
• Check out... What's happening in the Brooks Library
  
• Middle School Virtual Clubs Starting Days & Times & BRAVO Information
• Student Attendance - Trimester 3: How to Report Student Absences
• Technology Support: helpdesk@op97.org
• PTO News
• In case you missed it: items from previous Middle Matters (see below)
• District Information Highlights
• Community Highlights

In case you missed it:

• Current 7th Graders-Washington D. C. Trip in February 2022
  
• Middle School Hybrid Week Information (including A/B Day & Hybrid Week Calendar)
• Crisis Go Health Certification
• When to Stay Home From School
• A Greater Good Foundation
• STARS Program
• Morning Virtual Homework Support
• School Immunization and Physical Information

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

• Apr 6 - No Student Attendance
• Apr 12, 13, 14 - 7th Grade IAR Test
• Apr 15 - 7th Grade IAR Make-Up Testing
  
• Apr 19, 20, 21 - 8th Grade IAR Test
• Apr 22 - 8th Grade IAR Make-Up Testing
  
• Apr 26, 27 and 28 - 6th Grade IAR Test
• Apr 28 - 8th Grade ISA Test
  
• Apr 29 - 6th Grade IAR Make-Up Testing & 8th Grade ISA Make-up Testing

While District 97 continues to experience success with hybrid learning and its internal safety metrics, we are excited to launch an additional COVID-19 mitigation strategy next month through a partnership with Northshore Clinical Labs. Beginning the week of April 12, the district will implement a COVID-19 PCR Testing program for on-site students at Brooks and Julian middle schools. Participation will be mandatory for all students who participate in in-person learning for the duration of Trimester 3.

The testing program will launch for sixth-grade and seventh-grade students who will be on site starting Monday, April 12. The first testing days will be Thursday, April 8, and Friday, April 9, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A separate email sent on Saturday, 4/3 containing the registration link was sent to families of 6th grade in-person students, 7th grade in-person students and 7th grade remote students who will be in-person for IAR testing on Monday, April 12th-Thursday, April 15th.

Click here for complete details about the Middle School PCR Testing Program.

Testing Overview

• On-site students will be required to complete a PCR test the week before they come to school. Families will be emailed a link to register for their student’s appointment at the student’s respective school.
  

• Both middle schools will host testing in their respective gymnasiums on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  

• Students will be able to choose between two PCR tests: a nasal swab or an oral rinse. The preferred and customary PCR specimen collection method is the simple nasal swab, however the alternate option of an oral rinse is being provided for consideration.
  

• Students are required to bring their school IDs AND the consent form to their appointments.
  

• Northshore Clinical Labs will report individual results to parents via phone and email. Results will be shared with middle school principals via a secure report every Sunday so they can work in conjunction with their respective school nurses to connect with families whose students had a positive test result.

Steps for Parents of On-Site Students

• Complete the initial (one-time) PCR testing registration form prior to the first testing appointment. Click here to access the form for Brooks Middle School.

• Register your student(s) for appointments. The appointment link will be emailed to in-person families one week prior testing schedule dates.

• Complete the COVID-19 Testing Authorization and Consent Form prior to every appointment. If the form cannot be printed at home, parents/guardians should complete the form on site.
  

• If all forms are completed ahead of time, parents/guardians are not required to be present.

Important Links

• D97 Middle School PCR Testing Program

• Testing Schedule

• PCR Testing FAQ

Please note that Tuesday, April 6

is a non attendance

day for students

GBMS Remote and Hybrid Learning Webpage

A/B Day Calendar (including the dates of hybrid weeks)

As you are aware, District 97 is required to administer the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) to students in grades three through eight as well as Illinois Science Assessment in grades 5 and 8. This school year, IAR/ISA testing will look a little different. Students who are enrolled in in-person learning will complete testing at Brooks. Students who have remained in full remote learning will be required to complete the assessment in person, at Brooks. Remote testing is not an option as the District is required to administer the IAR in person. Thank you to our remote families who completed the district survey so we can plan for your student to attend in-person for IAR/ISA testing during your student's grade level testing dates.

Brooks testing will begin on April 12, 2021. Each grade level’s testing dates are listed below.

Testing Dates

April 12, 13, and 14: 7th Grade IAR Test; April 15: 7th Grade Make-Up Testing

• For testing, 7th grade students who are in-person and those remote coming on-site will arrive at 8:50am and will be dismissed at 12:40pm;
• 6th grade in-person students will also be on-site participating in their hybrid week schedule.

April 19, 20, and 21: 8th Grade IAR Test; April 22: 8th Grade Make-Up Testing

• For testing, 8th grade students who are in-person and those remote coming on-site will arrive at 8:50am and will be dismissed at 12:40pm;
• 7th grade in-person students will also be on-site participating in their hybrid week schedule.

April 26, 27 and 28: 6th Grade IAR Test; April 29: 6th Grade Make-Up Testing

• For testing, 6th grade students who are in-person and those remote coming on-site will arrive at 8:50am and will be dismissed at 12:40pm;
• 8th grade in-person students will also be on-site participating in their hybrid week schedule.

April 28: 8th Grade ISA Test

• During your student's scheduled 8th grade hybrid week, Wednesday 4/28 students will take the Science assessment, with Thursday 4/29 for ISA Make-up Testing.

Remote Students Schedule during IAR Testing Weeks

Students who are remote will be working through a Learning Choice Menu that will be found in their grade level's lunch course from 9am to 12:40pm. Lunch will be from 12:40pm to 1:40pm. In the afternoon, depending on your student's grade level and A or B day schedule will attend their elective classes. The specific grade level schedule will be shared with families the Friday prior to their student's testing week.

Important Information Regarding IAR/ISA Administration

Every in-person student who is eligible to take the IAR/ISA assessment will receive a test ticket or test booklet. In accordance with our District’s procedures, students who are in attendance in person but elected not to take the assessment will be permitted to read a book quietly after the teacher has read the directions to the class and students have begun the testing process. Performance on the IAR/ISA will not impact students’ grades in any way or promotion to the next grade level.

Health and Safety

To ensure students’ health and safety, schools will adhere to all protocols and procedures in the District 97 Reopening Plan, in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) guidelines. Students will be required to wear face coverings and social distancing measures will be in place to ensure appropriate spacing of student work areas during testing.

Reminders

To prepare for testing, please remember the following:

• Students should arrive at school on time for their test session. Additional communication will be sent directly from school principals regarding arrival and dismissal times for students participating in IAR/ISA.
• Students will need to wear a face covering at all times, in accordance with District 97’s Face Covering policy.
• Parents will be required to complete Crisis-Go self certification by 8:15am prior to their student entering the school building.
• Students should bring their device and charger with them on their designated testing dates. Do not forget to charge the device the night before testing!
• Students should bring a pair of headphones with them on their designated testing dates.
• All students should remember to bring a book to school each day during their grade level's testing window.

The week prior to your student's grade level testing week, your school principal, April Capuder, will send a communication outlining your student's teacher assignment for testing, entrance location, safety information and further details pertaining to the schedule students will follow during testing days. Thank you again for your ongoing cooperation and collaboration in this process.

Thanks to your generous support, we blew past our goal of $500 and raised over $1400 during our Teacher Challenge Fundraiser! Those funds will go directly to thanking our teachers and staff for their tireless work this year. Thank you! And thanks to our teachers and staff for participating!

Your students saw the whole video of all of their teachers’ shenanigans, and here are some screen shots from the day (Ms. Klein getting taped to the wall, Ms. Love getting a pie in the face, and Ms. Capuder working from the roof)! Look for more pictures coming on the Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School PTO FaceBook page.

Do you want to have the inside scoop on what is going on at Brooks and D97? Do you want to make our school better than it ever as we transition back to a more ‘normal’ school day? NOW is the time to get involved!! We are looking to fill positions for the 2021-2022 school year and have some critical roles open! Sign up here and email gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com with any questions! We look forward to hearing from you!

Brooks is once again participating in the Beyond Hunger's CAN Do Challenge! If you'd like to donate to help end hunger in our community, please click here to help us reach our goal of raising $2,000.

District 97 will continue its nut-safe expectation this school year when we transition to full-day in-person learning. The exclusion of nuts will be adhered to throughout the school day. This is an important measure to protect our students with life-threatening allergies, as the lunchroom may not be the only space used for meals while we are adhering to COVID-19 safety measures.

Please check with your child's teachers for other allergy considerations in the classroom. We appreciate your help in adhering to this preventative measure.

Does your child need some joyous and safe summer enrichment? The Oak Park Education Foundation just posted all of its plans for an in-person BASE Camp for Summer 2021. And they want to make it easier than ever to apply for scholarships after this extraordinarily tough year. Please check out all the information on these rave-worthy STEAM-focused camps at this page, including camp descriptions and details on how to access the scholarships here. There is a new process for registering for FULL SCHOLARSHIPS through an early registration, so if you qualify (via current or prior free/reduced lunch status), please send your name and contact information to BASE Camp staff via this form so they can send you access to the early registration site in advance of BASE Camp registration, which opens to the general public April 7 at 1 pm. Hope to see you this summer!

With spring break approaching in just a few weeks, we know that many families are finalizing plans to spend the week together. Avoiding unnecessary travel remains paramount to maintaining the health and safety of our students, staff, families, and the broader community—particularly when students are attending school in-person. In cases where travel is necessary, it is expected that students and staff will adhere to the revised travel quarantine guidelines.

Click here to view a summary of the district's expectations for students and staff.

District 97 is holding a Virtual Step Up Summer Program for students in Grades 1-8 (students who are in kindergarten through seventh grade during the 2020-21 school year). The program will run July 26 through Aug. 5, 2021 (8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. OR 12 pm. - 2:30 p.m.).

Summer Step Up is designed to support any District 97 student that could benefit from revisiting grade level standards from the previous year. Additional information and sign up forms will be shared by schools in May 2021.

Thank you to all the families who took the time to share their feedback on the 5Essential Survey. I don't have the official completion rate yet, but currently I've received information that we reached 19%, which is 1% shy of the needed family survey completion for family feedback to shared with schools. I'm hoping after further analysis, we will reach the needed threshold. I appreciate all the families who completed the survey!

Sharing Photos with our Yearbook Editors

A copy of the email sent to all families last week to provide consent for your student, if 12 years or younger, to create a treering account to be able to submit photos to be reviewed by our yearbook editors to potentially include in the 20-21 yearbook.

To Purchase & Customize Your 20-21 Yearbook

Must be a parent or student 13 years or older.

1. Go to www.treering.com/validate
2. Enter your school’s passcode: 1014096931934358

Regular Price: $26.02. *Does not include sales tax or any discounts, if applicable

Deadline: April 9th, 2021

1. HYBRID SCHEDULE LIBRARY BOOK PROCEDURE:

1. The library will hold a book pickup/delivery each week according to grade level hybrid schedule.

2. Place books on hold via the catalog by the Monday of your grade level’s hybrid week (11:59pm). You will be notified through Canvas that your holds are ready. Upcoming Dates:

1. 7th put holds on by March 22

2. 8th put holds on by April 5

3. 6th put holds on by April 12 (New)

3. On Thursday* of your grade level hybrid week, books will be delivered to classrooms for students who are in person, and those who are remote can pickup theirs from a cart on Kenilworth from 3:30-4:30 (same as now, but only after school). Upcoming Dates:

1. 7th pickups/deliveries on March 25

2. 8th pickups/deliveries on April 8

3. 6th pickups/deliveries on April 15 (New)

4. RETURNS

1. If you are in-person, your teacher will have a place in your classroom to pile library books you would like to return - ideally near the front door

2. Remote students can return books to the cart on their grade-level pickup date and time

5. Instructions and flyers

1. VIDEO: HOW DO I PLACE A LIBRARY HOLD?

2. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

2. Destiny Catalog Collections (New)

1. Mr. Alejos and I are creating some topic collections in the catalog to help you browse our books.

2. We have started one with books by and about Asian Americans

3. To find it, when in the catalog, click on the three lines in the upper left hand corner and click on Collections

1. Alan Gratz Books

1. Book orders that were sent to Brooks arrived and were delivered to 8th grade students on site last week.

2. All other orders are located in the Kenilworth side vestibule on the pick-up table and can be retrieved anytime during school hours.

3. Orders are in bags marked with order numbers and student names.

4. Families and students have been individually emailed that books arrived and are ready for pickup

2. Click HERE for the Winter Book Talks Presentation

1. 6th Grade AnswerGarden recommendations

2. 7th Grade AnswerGarden recommendations

3. 8th Grade AnswerGarden recommendations

3. Databases (Gale & Britannica)

• Use this url to access all of our databases and research eBooks: http://www.galepages.com/oak8130

• Outside of school the password for the Gale Databases is eagles.

• For Britannica the username is op97 and the password is learn

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

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 see our virtual club offerings below. Zoom links for all club meetings can be accessed in the lunch course on your Canvas Dashboard. Contact Ms. Klein if you need help finding the links.

Crochet Club: Next Meeting is Wednesday 3:30-4:40

Please contact Ms. Rodriguez at trodriguez@op97.org with any questions.

• Supplies needed- If you don’t have the supplies and cannot get them please contact me: Ms. Rodriguez (trodriguez@op97.org) I can drop off at your home

• Crochet hook- different patterns require different hooks, but we can make it work if you have a hook similar to one we are using. I suggest G6 4.00mm Hook. There are hooks at the Dollar Store near Ridgeland and North Ave.

• Yarn- different patterns require different yarn. We will need yarn that is not fuzzy, so a yarn that is cotton/polyester works. (They used to have some at Dollar Store but I haven’t seen it in a while). We need yarn that have clean looking strands so we can see our stitches.

• Scissors

• 3 Safety pins- if you don’t have these no problem! We can use string

• We will start crocheting a mini triceratops! There is a Canvas Class for our Crochet Club and if you did not get invited to join please email me so I can add you! Video and pattern is uploaded so you can start practicing!

Morning Vocal Ensembles: Open to Everyone!

• Women's Ensemble - Tuesdays 8:00 - 8:45 am

• Men's Ensemble - Thursdays 8:00 - 8:45 am

• Mixed Ensemble - Fridays 8:00 - 8:45 am

Social Justice Club: We will meet every Tuesday 3:45 to 4:45pm Contact Ms. Stigger with questions (nstigger@op97.org).

• Meeting ID: 830 7488 7298

• Passcode: 173560

• Zoom Link Below

• https://op97-org.zoom.us/j/83074887298?pwd=d0VDaE5QQzdpVmlxQmZYdldXbS9GQT09

Rainbow Tribe: Rainbow Tribe club will meet on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Our next meeting is Monday, April 5th! This week we will be talking about Day of Silence and planning for it virtually! Contact Ms. Berman with questions (aberman@op97.org) Students who identify as LGBTQ and/or allies are ALL WELCOME!

Math Team: Math Team will meet Mondays from 3:40 to 4:30 pm. All are welcome! Here is the ZOOM link. Contact Ms. Esther Smith (esmith3@op97.org) with questions.

Brooks Earth Action Team (the BEAT):

• HEY! Are you good at INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK OR YOUTUBE? How about ART? WE NEED YOU! Please come to our meeting and find out how you can use your talent to help make our environment better!

• It’s THE YEAR OF THE BUTTERFLY in Oak Park! We are in charge so LET’S GET GOING! Everyone is welcome to join, even if you haven’t been to a meeting before! Here’s the link to the meeting.

Yearbook: Calling all poets, writers, artists, photographers, and more! Our next yearbook meetings will be Wednesday 8th from 8:00 - 8:45 am. Contact Ms. Pabellon at mpabellon@op97.org with questions. Come be a part of our creative team, we need YOU to make this year’s yearbook like no other! Everyone is welcome. Here is the zoom link.

Morning Band Groups: Jazz Ensemble (7th and 8th graders) meets Tuesdays from 8:00 am to 8:45 am. Jazz Lab Band (6th graders) meets Thursdays from 8:00 am to 8:45 am. Ask Mr. Davis for the Zoom Link!

YEMBA: YEMBA meets on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00 pm. Students can access the zoom link to attend the YEMBA session through the lunch course in Canvas.

• YEMBA has begun supporting students with a homework hotline. Here is info about how to access the homework hotline.

Audition and Show Info
Student Sign Up Form

• Mark your calendars for SUMMER BRAVO! More info coming soon!

• If you are interested in participating in the Hour to Empower Podcast - please email: bravo@op97.org

Due to a very generous anonymous donation, the PTO has purchased $15 Amazon gift cards for each student. If you haven't picked yours up yet, it will be included in the student materials which was distributed on Saturday, March 13th. Please see information above on how to collect your student's trimester 3 materials, including the Amazon gift card, if you hadn't previously picked up the Amazon card.

If you have any questions, please email Kristen Lee (kristenlee1@gmail.com) or Ariel Rainey (ariel.rainey@gmail.com).

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.

We are happy to announce our new Brooks Spiritwear as a PTO Fundraiser! The designs were created by one of our 7th grade students as well as Mrs. Love. All proceeds will benefit the PTO.

Spiritwear can be purchased here at the Shabby Fly website.

Please consider supporting the PTO's fundraiser!

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! Make sure you mention you are with 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! Order online at www.starshiprestaurant.com or call 708-771-301. Make sure you mention you are with Brooks PTO (online orders put ‘Brooks PTO’ in special instructions).

If you were unable to attend the meeting and would like more information regarding the 8th grade Washington DC trip, please email Janorisè Robinson, DC Program Leader.

Please visit GBMS Remote & Hybrid Learning page on our website.

You will find the following information there:

• A/B DAY CALENDAR WITH HYBRID WEEKS DENOTED
• CHANGE TO REMOTE LEARNING START TIME FOR ALL STUDENTS - 9:10am Monday through Thursday; Friday start time will be 9am since all students will be remote.
• WHAT THE DAY WILL LOOK LIKE FOR STUDENTS ENGAGED IN LEARNING DURING THE HYBRID WEEK
• THE DATES OF THE FIRST HYBRID WEEK FOR EACH GRADE LEVEL
• Will each Hybrid class (in-person and remote students) work with the same teacher every Hybrid week?
• What is the process for breakfast, snacks or lunch for in-person students? Students will not be eating at school.
• SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING IN-PERSON
• SELF-CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
• STUDENT ARRIVAL PROCESS FOR HYBRID IN PERSON STUDENTS
• STUDENT DROP OFF LOCATIONS
• DISMISSAL PROCEDURES (WALKERS AND BUS RIDERS)
• WEARING MASKS
• BUSING
• TARDY PROCEDURES
• PROCEDURES AND ROUTINES WHILE IN THE CLASSROOM
• Brooks Return to Learning On-Site Safety Procedures

Starting Monday, February 1, the CrisisGo Safety iPASS will go live. Health certifications must be completed every day before in-person learners arrive to school. Middle school students must have their certification completed by 8:15 a.m. Please see the linked PDF for full details. Highlights of what you can expect are included below.

Information about CrisisGo and resources to help families are available at https://www.op97.org/updatecenter/crisisgo.

In the event that a District 97 student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they must immediately notify their school nurse so they can initiate our response protocols and begin contact tracing. In an abundance of caution, the school will place the affected classroom in an adaptive pause for 14 calendar days, meaning students will participate in remote learning. We will also notify the school community via email, and information will be updated weekly on the District 97 COVID-19 dashboard. Click here to view our COVID-19 response procedures >

We ask that our entire District 97 community help keep our schools safe by adhering to our COVID-19 guidelines. This includes students/staff staying home if they:

• Are feeling sick
• Have tested positive for COVID-19
• Are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
• Are a close contact of a positive/probable COVID-19 case
• Have traveled for more than 24 hours out of state.

Click here for our "When to Stay Home" flyer >

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. All students will meet on Mondays 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. You can still join the program!

If you have any questions or would like your student to participate, please contact Stacie Klein at sklein@op97.org.

FLYER and VIDEO about the program

Students Taking Action Regarding Success (STARS) is an affinity group for students of color in the middle school space. STARS provides a safe space where students can build connections, process difficult moments that occur in the classroom and the broader Oak Park community. Students will receive support and affirmation in a setting with other middle school aged children that share in similar experiences.

The goal of STARS is to be an outlet in implementing change in the middle after school space. STARS provides students with essential leadership skills such as: positive identity development, self-advocacy, empowerment and social awareness. The intention of STARS is to be a space where students can authentically be themselves and express themselves. Students will share their personal experiences/reflections with the goal of becoming advocates for themselves and each other. Student reflection will work in tandem with the STARS curriculum that has been developed to intricately weave together the experiences of minority students.

Our focus is for youth to develop skills of recognizing, communicating and negotiating situations they perceive as unjust in school or in the broader Oak Park Community. The ultimate plan is to create a map to solve issues that pertain to the population of students that are disproportionately being affected by the racial inequities that has created an opportunity gap in the Oak Park community.

Sidika Balogun, MSW (she/her/hers)

Program Coordinator

www.yemba-inc.org

Email: sbalogun@yemba-inc.org

Phone:(708) 719-6702 ex: 02

Follow us on Facebook@ YembaInc

APPLICATION

Does your student need virtual homework support? Your student can connect with our Teacher Assistants on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am to 8:45am for virtual homework help. Students can find the zoom link in their Canvas Lunch Class for the MORNING Homework Support!

Please be aware that The Illinois State Board of Education has provided new information to Districts regarding families who may have been listed as non- compliant due to failure to present proof of a current health examination and required immunizations.

If a family has not ensured a child’s timely compliance with health examination or immunization requirements, the child may be provided e-learning or remote instruction, provided instruction is solely by remote means and he/she does not have a physical presence on school grounds (either before, during or after school). Any child continuing to receive remote instruction during this time will not be considered in violation of Section 26-1 of the School Code and will not be subject to the penalties imposed by Section 26-10. Importantly, any such student who is permitted to attend school through an e-learning program or remote learning plan due to failure to present proof of required immunizations, and who qualifies for free and reduced meals, may continue to receive those meals in the manner that other e-learning or remote students receive meals. The Illinois State Board of Education will continue to provide updates to the field, as necessary, concerning compliance with Section 27-8.1.

To read more about this information provided by The Illinois State board of Education please click here.

Please submit following the information to the Health Office:

• A school physical (Certificate of Child Health Examination and Immunization record)
• 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.

D97 to Host Virtual Parent-to-Parent Circle Series

District 97 families are invited to join our upcoming Virtual Parent-to-Parent Series, which will be facilitated in partnership with the E-Team of Oak Park. Events will be held:

• Thursday, April 29, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The sessions are designed to build community among District 97 parents and guardians and provide support as we navigate hybrid learning. The intention is for parents/guardians to attend all three sessions to help build a consistent community, but if you cannot make the first session you may still attend the others. Please let us know your availability in the registration form so that we can plan accordingly.

The deadline to register is Tuesday, Feb. 16. To sign up, please visit https://bit.ly/D97ParentCircles.

Wanting to confirm information you've heard regarding our schools?
Oak Park District 97 is committed to providing accurate and timely information. Our new Fact Checker will be updated consistently based upon common questions and concerns to ensure you have access to the key facts that interest you most.

Text Messages from District 97

District 97 uses the notification system BrightArrow to communicate with families via email and phone calls. This year, we have started using periodic text messages to send reminders directly to parents' cell phones. In order to receive text messages, parents must opt in by texting YES to 87569. Once you have subscribed, you will receive a text confirmation.

Texts may appear from District 97 from 87569 or a phone number with a 424 area code (you may wish to save them to your contacts).

Wellness Check-in Program

The district-wide wellness check-in program, which was an initial crisis response to the pandemic, will not continue in its current format during the new Hybrid schedule. Please reach out to your school's school psychologist or social worker if you have social-emotional concerns about your child. If your child is experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please call the Thrive 24hr 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.

Next Meal D97 Meal Distribution: Tuesday, April 6th
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.

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.

D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - April 2021

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.

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 >

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.

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.

SUPPORT4U is a mental health resource for our students to anonymously text licensed mental health clinicians any time of the day for assistance or guidance. Students can text for any issue; typical reasons might include social issues, anxiety, depression, substance use, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, bullying, abuse, or any other mental health-related topic. The clinician’s goal is to steer the student to available resources in the school and community. To use, students just need to go to Support4U.live on their phone, click on the Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School logo and hit send. Help is just a text away.

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.