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January 6, 2020

January 6,2020
Twitter Highlights: Week 17
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!
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Happy New Year - School will Resume on Monday, January 6

Students will be expected to return to school on Monday, January 6. Regular school hours, bus service, lunch services and school activities will resume as usual.


If your student will not return to school on Monday because you are still on holiday or due to an illness, etc., please be sure to call the attendance line to report the absence.

Attendance Line : 708-665-3074 or send an email

Winter MAP Testing

The winter MAP test series will take place on Tuesday, January 14 and Wednesday January 15. There will be more information to follow.

Illinois 5Essentials Survey

District 97 is administering the Illinois 5Essentials Survey again this year to certified staff and parents/guardians from all 10 of our schools, as well as students in grades four through eight.


The parent/guardian survey is available now. Please click here to learn how parents/guardians can participate in this important endeavor and click here to access the parent/guardian version of the survey.


Please note that school-level reports will only be generated if at least 20 percent of our parents/guardians complete the survey, which can be accessed until Feb. 14, 2020. Our current response rate for parents/guardians is at 9%.

Event Information

Student Led Conferences

Please plan to attend the January 30th Conferences with your student. Sign up information for conferences will be shared during the week of January 13th.


During our next conferences, students will be sharing their IB Criterion Report with their parents/guardians. In anticipation of the upcoming student-led conferences, please view this screencast, which provides an explanation of IB Criterion.

When?

Thursday, Jan 30, 2020, 12:45 PM

Where?

325 South Kenilworth Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA

location_on Open maps

SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE TEAM UPDATE

We made our goal and celebrated with our first Student vs Staff basketball game Wednesday, 12/16. It was a blast! Thank you for all who participated, attended and cheered on the players.


Kids can continue to earn Brooks Bucks for following the posted Brooks Student Expectations. These bucks can be redeemed at the School Store along with HERO points.

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Message from the Main Office

FAQ'S

  • Attendance Line : 708-665-3074 or send an email
  • Please note from 8:45am to 9:15am the Brooks answering service will be activated as our office staff is attending to in-house student and parent needs.
  • REVTRAK Link - Payment system for Field trips, School Fees, Replacement Fees, Gym Uniforms, etc. The link can also be found on the Brooks Website under Payments in the blue menu bar.
  • Bell Schedule - For those asking what time the periods take place.
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Attn: Facebook & Twitter Friends

District 97 is seeking social media ambassadors who are willing to share news and information about our efforts to support all students. Whether you are sharing posts from our Facebook or Twitter pages or shouting out a teacher or student, being a social media ambassador is great way to be part of the "MyD97" campaign and support District 97 schools! If you are interested in being an ambassador for the 2019-20 school year, please complete our online form. If you have any questions, please email the district's director of communications, Amanda Siegfried, at asiegfried@op97.org.
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Around the District with Dr. Kelley

The word discipline in connection with schools has such a negative connotation. The long history of shame, punishment and racism has interfered with the very purpose of schools – to help young people learn and grow. District 97 is reclaiming and redefining discipline to better align with our mission and vision of what it means to be educators of students. We are making systemic shifts away from punishment to a mindset of preemption and restoration. Read and learn more - Around the District with Dr. Kelley - http://bit.ly/34JiR84

IT'S SUNDAY! WHO INSPIRES YOU? Recognizing Staff who Make a Difference

In an effort to celebrate our community, we would like to invite parents and students to give a shout out to member(s) of the Brooks Community who have inspired them. We also want to hear from parents and students who would like recognize a Brooks teacher that has made an impact around diversity and inclusion. Every Sunday, selected comments will be featured in Middle Matters and the staff member will receive a certificate detailing how they have made a difference to you. You can also tag your comments under #BeBrooks97 on Twitter. Please join us in celebrating the Brooks Community by completing this form.

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Cold Weather Reminder

As the cold weather approaches, we would like to stress the importance of students wearing the appropriate winter outerwear to school.


Our goal is to have students go outside for social time whenever possible.


  • Students should come to school wearing a winter jacket, gloves, scarves, hat, etc.
  • Please discuss with your child the need to wear jackets when outside.
  • Winter outerwear should not be removed when it is cold outside.
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Please be sure your student brings their ID to school everyday!

If you need to purchase an ID, you may do so on RevTrak or in the main office. The cost to replace an ID is $5.00.


Please help your student remember to bring their ID each day to school to Be Safe. During the lunch periods, their ID designates their lunch color. This is important so we can monitor where students should be during the lunch period, especially if there is any type of emergency situation that should occur during a lunch period. We have over 900 students and 100 staff members in the building each day. Wearing ID helps all of us get to know each other as we traverse the building.

Gwendolyn Brooks Class of 2020 Graduation

We'd like to share that the 8th grade graduation date for the Gwendolyn Brooks Class of 2020 will take place on Saturday, June 6, at 2:00pm. The ceremony will be held at Oak Park and River Forest High School.


Please be sure to mark your calendars. We will have more information regarding graduation activities in February.

Parent/Guardian Contact Information

In our efforts to keep our student and family contact information current, we are asking that our Brooks families please fill out the ink below.


Some of you have expressed concern about not receiving information, so we want to be sure we are able to reach you!


We appreciate your help in keeping your mailing, telephone and email contact information valid and up to date.


District 97 Emergency Data Form


Thank you for completing this form as soon as possible.

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

Purchase your Yearbook Today!

Purchase your yearbook today.


If you do not already have an account from a previous years purchase, you will be asked to set up an account in order to make a purchase.


Brooks Purchase Code: 1014096931934358


How to set up an account.

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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.


Replacing Chromebook - If your student is unable to locate their chromebook after retracing their steps, informing their teacher or front office staff to connect with the technology department to see if it can be located remotely in the building, please print and complete this form. If filing a claim for vandalism, fire or theft, please contact our Student Resource Officer Locke, elocke@op97.org. He will be able to help you with this. Once the form has been completed, please submit it and any required payment to the front 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

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

  • January 14 & 15 - Winter Map Testing
  • January 20 - No student Attendance, Martin Luther King Day
  • January 30 - Student-Led Conferences 12:40pm to 8pm & student noon dismissal
  • January 31 - Student noon dismissal
  • February 14 - 8th Grade Washington DC trip
  • February 17 - No student Attendance - President's Day
  • February 28 - Trimester 2 ends

PTO NEWS PTO NEWS

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.

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

Does your 8th grader want to have an 8th grade dance? We need you!

The 8th grade dance is a great way to celebrate finishing middle school. However, it can’t happen without support from the Brooks community! The PTO is currently looking for one more 8th Grade VP. This role helps plan 8th grade dance and a winter staff appreciation dinner. There are two 8th grade VP’s, so you are working with a partner!

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Coffee with Capuder

Friday, January 10th, 2020 at 8:30am

We will meet in the Peace Room.

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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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Plant-based and Chill

  • Hey, Brooks! Green Bites coming at you with two great things to add to your New Year’s resolutions. For more about these, head to the NYT article we’ve sourced.

    “Change is possible; it starts with me… and I’m going to make a change.”

    Here are two New Year’s resolutions you can try on for size:

    #1: switch to cold water for your laundry, and hang what you can to dry

    #2: skip the meat a few times a week

    Energy Star says many households could cut their emissions by nearly 1000 pounds of carbon per year by switching to cold water for laundry. Bonus: fabrics won’t break down as much, reducing the amount of microplastics getting into the environment. Not to mention your clothes will last longer! Need more convincing? Just google “Does cold water get clothes clean?”, and see what comes up! The resounding answer is YES. Old laundry routines, like any old habits, can be hard to break, but a few simple changes reduce emissions AND save you money.

    As for meat, beef has the biggest impact of all, with a climate footprint that’s about five times as large as chicken or pork, and about 25 times as large as plant-based food on average. Raising animals for food takes up a lot more land than growing crops — you need room not just for the animals but also for the food to feed them! Food is a major contributor to climate change, and if everyone cut back their meat consumption just a bit, it would add up to having a real positive impact.

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Oak Park Holiday Tree Recycling

The Village of Oak Park will collect holiday trees to recycle during the second and third weeks of January. Trees must be free of decorations & tree stands, and will be picked up at at your regular time & place for waste pickup.


https://www.oak-park.us/news/holiday-tree-collection-starts-january-6

Clubs and Sports Information Clubs and Sports Information

Mondays

  • Math Team 3:30pm - 4:30pm in room B409. For more information contact Esther Smith at esmith3@op97.org . Open to 6 - 8 grade students.
  • Orff Ensemble (Xylophone and Drumming Music Group) Monday's, 8:00-8:50 am, Rm D104. Open to all students grades 6-8. For more information contact Mr. Carrillo (fcarrillo@op97.org)
  • Rainbow Tribe 3:30pm - 4:30pm 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!
  • 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
  • Ultimate Frisbee: Currently on Winter hiatus. This recreational Frisbee Club will meet again in the Spring 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 are dependent on weather.


Tuesdays

  • Yearbook Club meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month. Room B202 Beginning in October and ends in April. 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
  • EcoEalges - 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

  • Chess Club meets in room C108 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. For more information contact Coach Hausfeld at mhausfeld@op97.org


Wednesdays

  • Best Buddies: Calendar of meeting for 19-20 school year. Contact Ms. Beauprez with questions lbeeauprez@op97.org .
  • Ultimate Frisbee: Currently on Winter hiatus. This recreational Frisbee Club will meet again in the Spring 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 are dependent on weather.


Thursdays

  • Art Club from 3:30-4:30 October- March in D301. Free and open to all students.

    Mrs. Murray (kmurray@op97.org) 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!


Fridays
  • Service Club meets at 8am in room B209. 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).
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Boys Basketball


For more information contact: Coach Darren Haus at dhaus@op97.org

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R.A.D

Self Defense Training for Girls … and so much more!!!


Available to 8th grade girls currently attending Brooks Middle School (Class limit to 30 girls)


Topics Include: Bullying, Exposing gender roles, Female stereotypes, Harassment, and Healthy Relationships.

1/7, 1/9, 1/14

For questions, please contact Mrs. Dajani or Dr. Brown

rdajani@op97.org / kbrown@op97.org

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Girls Volleyball Upcoming Important Dates

Practice Schedule

Tue 1/8

Thu 1/10

Fri 1/11

7am both Varsity & JV


For questions contact Coach Grimaldi at hgrimaldi@op97.org


Brooks Girls VolleyBall

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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

Girls on the RISE -

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

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

YEMBA

YEMBA is a hands on, community based forum for connecting, serving, educating, strengthening and empowering our youth physically, mentally and spiritually. For female and male youth grades 6th through 8th. Join your friends, classmates and peers in our mentoring empowerment program. A fun, safe, exciting experience and learn skills that will last a lifetime.

Wednesdays - 3:30pm 6:30pm

Includes: Homework help, mentoring, recreation workshops, snacks, guest speakers and much more...

For more information contact:

YMBA, INC.

(773) 842-5022

email: www.yemba@yemba-inc.org

Website: www.yemba-inc.org

BRAVO

Rehearsal Calendar


Classes & Program Schedule


Questions about BRAVO


TICKETS

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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


2nd Session: December 2 – February 19


3rd Session: February 24 – April 15


Dance Studio Contract & Permission to Participate Form


**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!


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.

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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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