February 4th, 2019

To honor Black History Month, teachers have been offered the opportunity to bring their classes to the GBMS library for a special learning program developed in collaboration with Oak Park Public Library.

Students will learn about the origin of Black History Month and can explore periods and people in Black History, Black Arts & Culture, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Also available, will be artifacts from OPPL for students to explore Black History Around the World.

Students will also learn about extension activities available through the Oak Park Public Library, such as More Than a Month, and the Youth Social Justice Conference.

The Service Club’s annual “Dance for a Chance” is Friday, February 8th from 6 to 8pm. Tickets are $7 and will be sold during lunch periods February 5th through 8th. Permission slips will be available starting on February 4th. See Ms. Walsh or Ms. Martinez for more information.

TreeRing, our yearbook vendor, has a new process for ordering yearbooks. You must enter a passcode and set up an account to place an order. Please use the link provided below:

https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1014096931934358

If you are asked for a pass code, please use: 1014096931934358

On Friday, February 8, 2019, poet and activist Kevin Coval will be visiting Brooks Middle School. Kevin Coval is the author and of several books, including A People's History of Chicago, which was Oak Park Public Library's One Book One Oak Park selection this past summer. He Is also the founder of Louder Than a Bomb, the largest Youth Poetry Festival in the world. He can be seen on C-Span, WGN, and heard regularly on Chicago Public Radio, where he is resident poet and hip-hop correspondent. We are very excited to welcome Mr. Coval as he presents to students about spoken word poetry and his passion for the the city of Chicago.

Graduation photo's will take place on Monday, February 11th during the students school day. See flyer for further information. 8th Graders will be called to the auditorium throughout the morning based on the Advisory Teacher's name. 8th graders will not be changing into their PE uniform for PE on this day.

Cap and Gown orders are due on Friday, February 8, 2019. Orders can be placed directly on Revtrak or by cash or check in the main office.

If you have any questions, please contact our main office (708) 524-3050

Be sure to mark your calendars for 8th Grade Graduation: Saturday, June 1st at 10am at OPRFHS.

In May, districts 97, 90 and 200 partnered together to launch a new mental health-related prevention and support resource for middle and high school students called Support4U. Students can use this text-based resource 24 hours a day to connect with licensed mental health clinicians who can provide them with assistance or guidance on a variety of issues that include, but are not limited to, anxiety, depression, substance use, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, bullying and abuse by texting 844-670-5838.

If you'd like more information, please access the video by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeU9lBiq12U.

Dear 7th Grade Parents/Guardians,

If you were not able to attend the Springfield and DC Parent meeting, please email Janorisè Robinson (dctripbrooksjulian@gmail.com) for details. Trip dates:

• Springfield, IL - Friday, March 15 (Registration deadline is Friday, February 8, 2019)
• Washington, DC - Friday, February 14 - Sunday, February 16, 2020 (Tentative)

https://mailchi.mp/9fcb2e1b9ad2/springfield-and-dc-parent-meeting-recap

Please find information regarding the student re-do/re-take policy in our Brooks Website.

http://www.op97.org/brooks/handbook

If you or your student would like to recognize any staff member (a teacher, a teacher assistant, social worker, librarian, front office staff, lunchroom staff, custodial staff or school administrator) please take a moment to complete this form. The staff member will receive a certificate detailing the information shared through this form.

Service Club is collecting travel size toiletries all year! Donations will be used to make care packages for Housing Forward. Please send any small, unopened toiletries to Ms. Walsh or Ms. Martínez. Thank you for your help!

January – May 2019 is our 8th grade Girls on the Rise portion of the program. Attached a flyer for the upcoming session.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6gnevA1fHdWODNvNlV2MU9LQmVtdVZ3LVo2a0hXS1czX1E4/view?usp=sharing

Mondays

• Yearbook Club: Next meetings 2/11 & 2/25 in room B202 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Here is link to the meeting dates schedule. Contact Ms.Turner-Reid or Ms. Pabellon with questions mturnerreid@op97.org or mpabellon@op97.org
• Math Team: in room B204 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Contact Mr. Sam Kahn with questions. skahn@op97.org
• ORFF: Monday mornings 8am to 8:50am in D110 Contact Mr. Carrillo with questions fcarrillo@op97.org
• Spoken Word Club: Mondays in B205 (3:30 - 5:00 pm) with Mr. Lee and resident poet Christian Robinson. Contact Mr. Lee with questions. mlee@op97.org
• BRAVO Guitar Club & Dance Hip Hop Studio started on Monday, September 17. There is still time to sign up! Click on links above to access permission slips. These clubs are FREE to ALL Brooks Students.

Tuesdays

• EcoEalges - meets from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in room C202. Contact Ms. Stamp with questions lstamp@op97.org
  
• Chess Club: meets from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in room B305. Contact Mr. Hausfeld with questions mhausfeld@op97.org
  

Wednesdays

• Best Buddies: Here is the year long calendar that can be downloaded. Contact Ms. Beauprez with questions lbeeauprez@op97.org .
• Girls on the Rise: Meets week on Wednesdays from 3:45pm to 4:45pm in room C105
• World Language Club: Every other Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30pm in C209. Contact Mr. Lagioia with questions vlagioia@op97.org
• BRAVO Dance Hip Hop Studio started on Monday, September 17. There is still time to sign up! Click on links above to access permission slips. These clubs are FREE to ALL Brooks Students.

Thursdays (No Meetings due to 1/2 day of school)

• Rainbow Tribe: Contact Ms. Berman with questions aberman@op97.org
• Art Club: Thursdays in room D301 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Contact Ms. Murray with questions. kmurray@op97.org

Fridays (No Meetings due to 1/2 day of school)

• Service Club: Friday mornings from 8am to 8:50am in room B209. Contact Ms. Walsh with questions swalsh@op97.org

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