Middle Matters

Highlights from this week's Middle Matters:

• Important Upcoming Dates
• SY23-24 School Calendar
• Upcoming MAP Testing
• Curriculum Night Feedback requested
  
• 8th Grade Washington D.C. Information
• Brooks Spirit Wear
• GBMS Library - Morning Protocol
• Lunch Options: Starship (PTO) and Domino Pizza (BRAVO)
• Student Lunches - no outside deliveries permitted
• Middle Matters-Sports, Clubs & BRAVO Information & Student Announcement Link
• PTO News
• Middle Matters Repeated Topics Link
• Middle Matters Community Partner News Link

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. Angel Banks, at abanks1@op97.org or (708) 524-7636.

Our Administrative Team

April Capuder, Principal (acapuder@op97.org)

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

Roshaun Bowens, Associate Principal for School Culture, Climate and Sports/Clubs (rbowens@op97.org)

Student Success Coach Team:

6th Grade: Josh Rodgers - jrodgers@op97.org

7th Grade: Nichelle Stigger - nstigger@op97.org

8th Grade: Bernard Starks - bstarks@op97.org

• Monday, 9/4-No School; Tuesday - A day; Wednesday - B Day, Thursday - A Day and Friday - B Day

• In-Person Curriculum Night: Thursday, September 7th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

• No School: Monday, September 25th, 2023

• No School: Monday, October 9th, 2023

• Conferences: Thursday, October 26th from 12:45pm to 8pm

• School Pictures: Wednesday, November 1, 2023

• No School: Friday, November, 10th, 2023

• End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 17th

We will be engaging in MAP Testing next week. Testing will be on Monday & Tuesday-Math and Thursday & Friday -Reading from 9:00am to 10:15am. Students will attend all of the classes just for a shorter period of time.

Thank you to all of our parents and guardians who were able to join us on Curriculum Night last week. If you have the opportunity, please provide feedback through this short survey.

I will be sharing the presentations with all families next week.

Thank you to those of you who were able to attend the eighth-grade trip information session on Sept. 7. If you were not able to attend, the 8th Grade Trip Information Session Powerpoint is linked below. In addition, you’ll find links to the Family Information Packet, which includes detailed information about the trip itinerary, as well as cost, financial aid, registration information, and important dates and deadlines. If your student plans to attend the trip, please complete the Student Interest Form by Sept. 27 at 3 p.m.

• Family Information Packet

• Washington, D.C. Trip Information Session Powerpoint

• Washington, D.C. Trip - Student Interest Form

Please know that financial assistance is available for those who qualify. If you would like to discuss options, please contact Minerva Colbert at mcolbert@op97.org.

**There was not a recording of the zoom session from last week on Thursday to be shared.

Link to order: https://1stplace.sale/30601

Starts Tuesday, September 5th

• The GBMS Library is 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 8:50am
• These times are for students to quietly read, do homework, or meet as a group to study or work on a project.

We want to thank you for participating in the Brooks PTO Starship lunch fundraiser last year.

The sign ups are now open for the first half of this school year! Lunch will be served every Tuesday school is in session starting Sept 19 and ending on Dec 19 (for a total of 14 lunches). Orders must be placed by Tuesday, Sept 12.

1. More information is available here.

2. Sign up for lunch here.

3. Sign up to volunteer on Tuesdays here.

Domino's Pizza Lunch on Fridays from September 15 - May 31: SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE IN FRIDAY PIZZA LUNCH

>> Students MUST have a Brooks Student ID EVERY FRIDAY to receive pizza <<

Pizza Lunch Volunteers Needed!

Looking for a fun & easy volunteer opportunity at Brooks? Pizza Lunch is a great way to touch base with your child at lunch as well as get to know new families. We rely on volunteers to help distribute food and keep this program going, so please consider donating your time. We can't do it without you!!! Sign up to volunteer on Fridays: Please Sign Up to Volunteer

Parent/Guardians may drop off a lunch for their student and place it on our rack in the main office for their student to pick up on their way to lunch. We always have a sandwich or salad lunch option available for your student should they forget their lunch at home.

Please note, we can not accept deliveries for students from outside delivery services. Do not order food for your student to be delivered to the school.

Join us with Principal Capuder to discuss all things Brooks and PTO. In addition, we are launching our Brooks Parent Book Club and will be handing out a few free books. We will be reading Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond--and How Parents Can Help .

Back by popular demand, we will be selling churros during STUDENT LUNCH periods to kick off Latinx Heritage Month. $2/churro Sign up to help here.

Sign up and SHARE to volunteer. This is an outdoor, parking lot party co-partnered with Bravo. There will be a DJ, food trucks and access to the field. This is a family event, no drop-offs.

Donuts 4 DC will be BACK starting Wednesday 9/27. We will sell donuts during lunch periods every other Wednesday starting 9/27. This is a fundraiser to support 8th graders attending the DC Trip. $2 per donut

Help us celebrate Latinx Heritage month at Taco '76. Mention “BROOKS” with your order and they will donate 25% back to Brooks PTO.

To help promote a sweet start to the school year, stop by Candycopia to get a treat — for free! Visit the store before September 30th and present/mention attached flyer for your free treat— no purchase necessary. (one treat per eligible student)

Connect with PTO

Follow us on FaceBook at @gwendolynbrookspto, or email us at gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.