Middle Matters

• Mar. 2nd PTO Meeting (Virtual 6 to 7:30pm) - JOIN THE MEETING

• Mar. 13th 8th Grade Graduation Picture Retakes

• Mar. 17th: Institute Day (No School)

• Mar. 20th: Trimester 2 Report Cards emailed home

• Mar. 30th - April 3rd: Spring Break (No School)

• May 25th: Memorial Day (No School)

• June 2nd: Brooks 8th Grade Graduation at Oak Park River Forest High School @ 6:30pm

• June 2nd: Last Day of School (assuming no emergency days used)

District 97 families of current 5th grade students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are invited to join us for a virtual 5th to 6th Grade Transition Night focused on preparing for the move to middle school.

This informational session is designed to provide clarity, ease anxiety, and help families feel confident and prepared for this exciting transition within District 97.

Details

• Date: Thursday, March 19

• Virtual Event Zoom Link: https://op97-org.zoom.us/j/82620350649?pwd=HoCCC4MupNMLTkdp90FOJCnDB26LWf.1&jst=2

• Time: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

What to Expect:
Middle School Scheduling
How schedules are built and what a typical day looks like.
Teaming Structure
How teachers work together to support students.
IEP Services in Middle School
How supports are delivered in a new setting.
Tips for a Successful Transition
Practical strategies to help students feel confident and learn about Middle School Connections.

Q&A
Time will be provided to meet members of the middle school team and get answers in real time.

Online registration for the 2026-27 school year in District 97 is now open for all students. Complete details about the process—including residency documents, timelines and other helpful resources—are available on the district website: www.op97.org/registration.

Returning Students

Registration for returning District 97 students is open Jan. 28, 2026, through April 30, 2026. Complete details can be found at https://www.op97.org/hr/returning-student-registration.

New Students and Kindergarteners

Registration for kindergarten and new students opened Feb. 19. Please click the links below to learn more about the registration process for kindergarteners and new students.

• Kindergarten Registration

• New Students

Get Ready to Register

Visit our District 97 Registration page for everything you need to know about the process, including residency documents, timelines, and helpful resources.

Need Help?

Our registration team is here for you! Reach out anytime through Let’s Talk. We look forward to supporting you through this process!

Illinois 5Essentials Survey is Open!

District 97 families, staff, and students in grades 4–8 are invited to participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, open through March 13, 2026. The survey takes about 10 minutes and gathers feedback about school climate and learning conditions that support student success.

Responses are confidential, and your feedback helps guide school improvement efforts across District 97. In order to receive a school report from the survey, we need to have at least 20% parent/guardian participation.

Take the survey: https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/

Yearbook Purchase Link: https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014096931934358

Passcode: 1014096931934358

With the ongoing federal government shutdown, some families may be concerned about a possible pause in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits beginning Nov. 1, 2025. Please know that no student will go without a meal—students who qualify will continue to receive free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch at school, and any student in need of a meal will always be served.

To help ensure that all families have access to healthy food during this time, our District 97 school social workers have compiled a list of local and regional food assistance resources. The document will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.

View Food Assistance Resources for Families

Families who may qualify for meal assistance are encouraged to complete a Free or Reduced Lunch application at any time. Information is available here: www.op97.org/business-office/food-service

If your family could use additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school. Additional resources may be available through our PTOs or community organizations, and our staff will do their best to connect you with what you need.

We are grateful to our social workers and community partners for their ongoing care and support of our families.

Please be sure to scroll down to get updates on our Sport and Club offerings as well as PTO Communications!

Reminder: Chromebook Cases Must Stay On Devices

We want to remind everyone that Chromebook cases should remain on the devices at all times. These cases are an important part of keeping our devices in good condition and ensuring they last throughout the school year.

Benefits of Keeping Cases On:

• Protection: Cases help prevent damage from drops, spills, and everyday wear and tear.

• Longevity: Protecting the Chromebook reduces repairs and extends the life of the device.

• Consistency: Cases ensure that all devices are safeguarded in a uniform way, making it easier for students to handle and transport them safely.

Thank you for helping us keep our Chromebooks safe and ready for learning!

Link to order: https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/IL/Oak%20Park/Gwendolyn+Brooks+Middle+School

Remember, a portion of our sales goes back to our school and supports our school store. Please reach out with any questions! Currently, 20% off storewide sale and there is fee shipping over $75. Happy Shopping for the HOLIDAYS!

8th Grade Nashville Trip!!!!

March 14-16, 2026

Meets at Brooks in A126 on Fridays!

It was an exciting competition weekend at Elmwood Park High School for District 97 families and staff. This year, for the first time, Brooks Middle School and Julian Middle School competed "separately" in the annual West 40 Speech & Drama Festival. For more than 20 years, the combined District 97 teams have been the West 40 champs. This year, performers competed in their "individual" events. They were scored using a rubric, with points totaled to determine placement. If their points fell within a specific range, they could earn 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place ribbons. Performers were not necessarily competing against another school in the same event. They were just trying to get the best points possible for their performance. As a result, the outcome was the same: At Brooks and at Julian, our super talented students earned first place ribbons!

In addition, 8th graders Nat M. (Brooks) and Aria A. (Julian) each earned the inaugural Golden Microphone Award! Winners of this award were nominated based upon their demonstration of perseverance, courage, commitment, positivity, and/or dedication. Congratulations to all our District 97 student performers for bringing home the 1st place ribbons. And thank you to each Julian and Brooks coach for their time with each performer, providing encouragement and feedback, rehearsing after school on multiple occasions, communicating with families and for building community!

When you see them, give a shout out to the students, as well as to Julian Head Coach Bill McGlynn, and Assistant Coaches Bessie Santos, Echelon Jackson, John Beck, Cas Scaman and Brooks coaches Pam Gaffney and Sarah Perros.

CLUB Information can be found in Student Announcements with details. This is updated weekly, as new clubs get organized and announce dates and times.

WRESTLING -WRESTLING - Thank you for coming out to support us this weekend! For the 2026 AA Regional Tournament, we left with 6 qualifiers for the Sectionals. Way to go!! Our work is not complete D97, we will have practice this week and Saturday, March 7th, we would love for you to come out to Lukancic Middle School in Romeoville to cheer us on!

Please email Coach Venhorst at RVenHorst@oprfhs.org and Coach Campos at RCampos@oprfhs.org for detailed information.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Practices are now underway with our first game at Lincoln Middle School on Monday, March 9th. For more information, see COACH BEADER if you have any questions.

Track Information Meeting

Wednesday, March 4th @ 6:00 PM for parents/guardians of students interested in participating in track and field. Meets link - https://meet.google.com/fdt-bvxe-quj .

BEAT (Brooks Earth Action Team):

Every Tuesday in C202 Meetings every Tuesday from 3:30-4:30 in C202. Contact Ms. Stamp (lstamp@op97.org) or Ms. Raad( Kraad@op97.org ) with any questions.

Service Club

We will start planning out our projects for the year, so bring your ideas! If you have any questions, please see Ms. Martinez or Ms. Walsh. We meet every Friday from 8am - 9am in B208.

Rainbow Revolution: We meet every Monday that there is school in the Brooks Media Center from 3:30-4:30pm. f you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Robot– email is still currently aberman@op97.org.

RPG CLUB (Formerly Dungeons and Dragons Club)

When: Every Wednesday

Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Where: C302 (Mr. McDowell’s Room)

Morning Choirs

If you are interested in joining contact Mr. Blackman at fblackman@op97.org

Rehearsals

• Fledglings (all grades) - Thursday mornings at 8am

• Downbeat (7-8 in Band, Chorus, or Orchestra) - Tuesdays and Fridays at 8am

Art Club

Meets Thursdays in D301 (Mrs. Murray’s room) from 3:30-4:30. All students are welcome for “open studio” (work on your own ideas and projects) with provided materials. You don’t have to come every week. Art club will work around your sports and other extracurricular activities. See you soon!

Student Council - If you are participating in Student Council, the next meeting is Tuesday, January 13th in Room B408.

Spoken Word Club

Spoken Word Club has an ‘open door’ policy, meaning that you can participate with us at any point in the school year. See Mr. Lee in Room B305 with any questions. Spoken Word Club begins at 4 pm on Wednesdsys. See you there!

Chess Club / Game Club

Meets every Thursday 3:30-5:00 in C108 with Mr. Hausfeld.

Best Buddies

We hope that you will come join Best Buddies Club. Best Buddies officers will meet in Ms. Kiska’s classroom Wednesday at 3:30.

Here is the link you will need to sign up: Best Buddies Sign Up . If you have any questions, please feel free to contact lkiska@op97.org or bsefcik@op97.org

Star Wars Club - Meets every Monday from 3:35-4:35 in room C404 with Mr. Syndergaard. All are welcome!

Yoga Club

Meets Wednesday, after school in Ms. Nikolakakis’ room C-207. Come relax and be yourself! We will do yoga, experiment with sound baths, and explore mindfulness and meditation. All are welcome, and no experience is needed!

Club: Labubu Club

Join the preppy, baddie, slaaaay, Labubu club where we will do Labubu arts and crafts, make Labubu clothes and accessories, and write storylines for a Labubu stop motion film. NOTE: you do not have to have a Labubu to be in the club that meets in Mrs. Rhoades’ room on Tuesdays in A126 from 3:40-4:40.

The PTO will need adult volunteers to assist with distributing Starship lunches to all grade levels each Tuesday. More information coming soon!

Please note that to ensure the distribution process runs smoothly, we request that volunteers are able to stay for the duration of all 3 lunch periods from 10:40am - 12:55pm on any day you may sign up for. **Per D97 policy, all volunteers must complete and pass a D97 Background Check which is a quick and easy process that can be scheduled through the D97 office.**

Future Starship Orders

The PTO has stopped taking Starship orders for this session. Anyone who is interested can join in after winter break. We will have that sign up available after Thanksgiving.

💙 Interested in lending a hand to help our Brooks families in need, but don’t know how? Learn more about our Brooks Cares initiative and how you can help.

You can also attend our Monday, March 2 virtual PTO meeting to learn more!

Join the PTO in supporting students and families in practical ways through a new PTO-led initiative. Learn more and sign up here.

If your family is in need of assistance, please don’t hesitate to fill out this form.

Your privacy is extremely important to us, and your information will remain confidential—shared only with a small, trusted group dedicated to providing immediate support and solutions.

Si su familia necesita ayuda, no dude en completar este formulario. Su privacidad es extremadamente importante para nosotros y su información se mantendrá confidencial, compartida únicamente con un pequeño grupo de personas de confianza dedicadas a brindar apoyo y soluciones inmediatas.

📣 MARCH PTO MEETING

PLEASE JOIN US AT OUR MARCH PTO MEETING ON MONDAY, MARCH 2, 6 to 7:30pm

(VIRTUAL ONLY)

JOIN THE MEETING

Do you want to have an impact in the Brooks community and get the inside scoop on what is going on at Brooks and D97? It’s not too late to get involved! No prior PTO is necessary. Sign Up for Open Positions Here!

E-mail gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com any questions!

We love making new friends and look forward to hearing from you!

Please Consider a Donation to the PTO

Your commitment to our school community is invaluable. By contributing to the PTO, you’re directly investing in the success and enrichment of our children’s education.

🍩 NEXT DONUT DAY IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4!!!

Day of sales are cash only in the amount of $2 and are available until we run out! Pre-orders can be picked up individual lunch periods.

🍩 SAVE THE DATES FOR OUR UPCOMING DONUT DAYS!

Volunteers are still needed to sell donuts during lunch throughout the school year. Join us and spend time with your student(s) on these sweet days!

Sign Up to Volunteer for Donut Days Here

🍜PENNY’S MARCH DINE OUT

MARCH 11 – SAVE THE DATE AND DINE OUT AT PENNY’S NOODLES TO BENEFIT BROOKS! Details coming soon!

If you have questions about the upcoming school year, please don’t hesitate to contact me April Moriarty, Principal at amoriarty@op97.org. You can also contact my Executive Coordinator, Ms. Angel Banks, at abanks1@op97.org or (708) 524-7636.

Our Administrative Team

April Moriarty, Principal (amoriarty@op97.org)

Dr. Denise Gildon, Associate Principal for Teaching & Learning (dgildon@op97.org)

Chasity McComb-Williams, Associate Principal for Culture, Climate, Clubs & Sports (cmccomb-williams@op97.org)

Student Success Coach Team:

Our Student Success Coaches will be the point person if your student is facing any challenges with academics or with peers. They also are the case managers for all 504 plans.

6th Grade: Audrey Schoen - aschoen@op97.org

7th Grade: Bernard Starks - bstarks@op97.org

8th Grade: Josh Rodgers - jrodgers@op97.org

Social Workers:

Our Social Work team will be the point person if your student is facing any challenges socially/emotionally. They also support students with social work goals outlined within Individual Education Plans.

6th Grade: Jennifer Olsen - jolsen@op97.org

7th Grade: Abby Berman - aberman@op97.org

8th Grade: Hannah Boudreau - hboudreau@op97.org

Reporting Student Absences:

Email brooksattendance@op97.org or call 708-665-3074

School Nurse and CNA:

Tracy Biggerstaff: tbiggerstaff@op97.org

Melissa Godwin: mgodwin@op97.org

Send School Health form/physicals/dental forms to: brooksnurse@op97.org

Front Office:

PowerSchool login questions, Attendance or School Fee Questions-Vashti Carter: vcarter@op97.org

Canvas login questions, Receptionist- Minerva Colbert: mcolbert@op97.org

TECH Support:

Please email: helpdesk@op97.org

Please complete claim form if your student's chromebook is damaged or lost

DROP OFF & PICK UP INSTRUCTIONS:

We strongly encourage students who are able to walk or bike to school to do so rather than arriving by car. This reduces congestion around the school and makes drop off easier for the kids who do need to be driven to school.

IF ARRIVING AT SCHOOL BY CAR, ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS should be dropping students off on Kenilworth Ave heading south, Randolph heading east or Washington heading west and then have the Brooks student exit on the passenger side of the car and then walk to their designated line-up location. Please refrain from pulling into the staff parking lot, as it is hazardous with multiple cars in motion, as well as staff members driving in for work. Additionally, please do not drop off or pick up on Clinton Avenue as that is where are school buses are parked. This is a safety and security concern, so we thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Designated Line-up Locations:

7th and 8th Grade Walkers: Kenilworth Ave main entrance (also access to commons doors for breakfast or to get a temporary Student ID)

7th & 8th Grade Busers: Clinton Ave entrance

6th Grade Busers and Walkers: Washington Street Entrance

The library is now open beginning this week for the school year in the mornings starting at 8am.

• Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
• No pass needed
• To enter, wait in-between the Kenilworth doors (by the main office)
• An adult will escort groups to the library at 8:00, 8:15, and 8:30. For example, if you arrive at 8:10 you will have to wait until the 8:15 group heads up. If you arrive after the 8:30 group has been escorted, you may not enter the library that day
• You will sign-in and stay in the library until the 8:50 bell
• These times are for students to quietly read, do homework, or meet as a group to study or work on a project.

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

Please contact the Brooks Health Office and speak with Nurse Tracy Biggerstaff if you have questions or concerns regarding your student's health.

(708) 524-3058 or tbiggerstaff@op97.org

Office Phone Hours

Please note that our office staff sets the phone to go to voicemail from 8:30am to 9:15am daily. Please leave a message of your student's absence at 708-665-3074 or you can email brooksattendance@op97.org. Our office staff will listen to voicemails left on the main line starting after 9:15am daily. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Dropping off Items at Brooks for your Student

You may drop off forgotten items for your student in the main office. Please note that we will not call into your student's classroom, as it is a disruption to the learning for other students and the teacher in the classroom. Your student should plan to stop by the main office on their way to lunch or between passing periods, if they think you may have dropped off the forgotten item for them to retrieve. We appreciate your understanding.

• Here are the links to our Click here to view the updated bell schedule for Trimester 2 & 3

• and A/B Calendar for PE/Elective class.

Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any District 97 schools during the 2025-26 school year. This includes products that are labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.” Our schools have been nut-safe for the past two years—helping to create safer, more inclusive environments for all of our students.

Hot lunch will be available to students who wish to participate and have a funded or an approved lunch account, starting the first day of school. If you have questions regarding your student's lunch balance, you may contact the Lunch Manager, Shetrice Baker at Sbaker2@op97.org. To make payments on student lunch accounts please visit, https://www.mymealtime.com/signin.aspx

Breakfast and hot lunch menus and other information

Lunches will be served every Tuesday when school is in session starting September 16th and ending on December 16th for a total of 14 lunches. PTO will take orders again this week. Your student would begin to get their lunch on Tuesday, September 23rd for a total of 13 lunches. When you place your order, you will be ordering lunch for each Tuesday. You will have the same item for lunch each Tuesday.

Because we are serious about Brooks being a school where all kids feel that they belong, we determined that our fundraisers shouldn’t be a source of exclusion for any students. Therefore, we use a Pay What You Can model. The recommended price for the lunches is a small increase over the cost the PTO pays Starship for the lunch. However, you will be able to enter the price that makes sense for your family to pay. This may be lower or higher than the recommended price.

PLEASE NOTE - this is intended to be a fundraiser. If we do not make money, we will not be able to continue with this model and will need to rethink the future of this fundraiser. We are counting on those families that are able to pay more than the recommended amount to be generous.

Order here:

http://bit.ly/41BMOae

Pay here:

https://buy.stripe.com/aFa7sMdRLfNa9K54700Ny00

Menu options:

Pasta w/meat sauce w/french bread- $100
Pasta w/marinara (contains Parmesan) w/french bread - $100
Vegan GF minestrone soup w/french bread - $100
Chicken & Rice soup w/ french bread - $100
Chicken tenders w/french bread - $135
Club Sandwich w/chips - bacon, turkey, & cheddar, lettuce, tomato - $145
Italian Sandwich w/chips - salami, ham, mozzarella, lettuce tomato,, oil, vinegar, oregano - $145
3 Cheese Sandwich w/chips - mozzarella, cheddar & Swiss, lettuce, tomato, oil & vinegar - $145
Vegan Hummus sandwich w/chips- hummus, lettuce, tomato, cucumber- $145

We need your help! Meet new Brooks parents! Get an inside glimpse of your middle schooler's
day! Adult volunteers are needed to assist with the distribution of the lunches to all 3 grade levels.

All volunteers must complete and pass the D97 Background Check. This is quick and easy and you can complete that now.

Here is the link to volunteer:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BA8AB23A2FCCF8-58159339-starship?useFullSite=true#/

Questions about volunteering? Email Lindsey at Lindsey.danhauser@kidcreatestudio.com

There is still time to sign up for Friday Pizza Lunch!

SIGN UP FOR FRIDAY PIZZA LUNCH

Parents - We Need Your Help! Volunteer to help serve pizza on Fridays - SIGN UP HERE!

Student have been learning the new routines and expectations and doing a wonderful job. Thank you for your support in help us create a safe, respectful and responsible environment for our students.

We have been teaching, supporting and reminding students of the School Wide Expectations.

Students should go to the commons as soon as they arrive on campus (8:15am to 8:55am) when they realized they don’t have their IDs to get a temporary ID. If they come to school late (8:57am) they will go to the main office, where they will get a tardy pass and if needed lunch ticket and/or temporary ID. Students who realized that they dont' have their ID upon arrival to first period will be sent to the main office main office before 9:15am to get a temporary ID.

Cell phones/Mobile Devices are not to be used during school hours. This includes calling parents/guardians due to illness, requesting items to be dropped off, etc.

• Students can ask a teacher to use the classroom phone or the phone in the main office, if needed.

Cell phones are to be turned off/on silent upon entering the school building, stored in the student’s locker, and not used until the dismissal bell rings.

Locker Checklist has been shared and posted in each student's locker during the first week of school to help them think through the items they need to take with them when they visit their locker at the start of the day, before and after lunch and at the end of the day.

If your child needs to purchase a lock at anytime during the school year, please do so online HERE. Your student's WIN teacher will receive the lock to give to your student if you've purchased one due to your student missing/losing their lock.

We ask that if possible to please send your student to school with a filled water bottle. We have water bottle filling stations in the school for our students to refill their water bottles when needed.

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 complete claim form if your student's chromebook is damaged or lost.

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.