Check out... Whats happening in the Brooks Library
From the Library:
GBMS Mock Election
CLICK HERE to view the results of school-wide mock election
CLICK HERE to view the results of the state-wide mock election
Contactless Library Pickup
Due to stricter Covid restrictions, the next scheduled pickup has been tentatively rescheduled for Thursday, December 10th.
Future pickups, beyond trimester 1, will be determined soon based upon building accessibility and announced here as well as via Canvas Inboxes.
Pickups are from 8-8:45 & 3:45-4:30 outside the Commons doors near the parking lot on Kenilworth (books for this pickup need to be on hold in the catalog by the Monday prior to pickup @11:59PM).
If you did not pick up a book from the book fair on Oct 27th, we will have those available on the 19th as well
Instructions and flyers
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
Middle School Virtual Club Starting and Meeting Days/Times
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 (skein@op97.org) if you need help finding the links.
Crochet Club: Based on our survey, Wednesday after-school was the winner. The first meeting will be on Wednesday, November 11th from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. We may add an additional meeting date in future (such as a morning time) if there is enough interest. 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)
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 have a choice of three things to crochet for our first project- headband, hat, mini Trex.
Morning Vocal Ensembles: Open to Everyone!
If you missed auditions and still want to be involved, contact Mr. Blackman at fblackman@op97.org about auditions in December
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: Meeting will be every other Tuesday: 11/24, 12/8. Contact Ms. Stigger with questions (nstigger@op97.org).
Rainbow Tribe: Rainbow Tribe club will meet on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Our next meeting is Monday, October 19th. 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! Contact Ms. Esther Smith (esmith3@op97.org) with questions.
Brooks Earth Action Team (formerly Eco-Eagles): No meeting this week due to the day off. Check back soon for an important announcement!!! Here is a flyer. Contact Ms. Stamp at lstamp@op97.org with questions.
Yearbook: Calling all poets, writers, artists, photographers, and more! Our next yearbook meeting is Tuesday, November 10th 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!
Morning Band Groups:
- Jazz Ensemble will meet on Tuesdays from 8:00 am to 8:45 am.
- Jazz Band will meet on Thursdays from 8:00 am to 8:45 am.
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
Technology Support
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.
Connect with the Brook’s PTO
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.
Starship Tuesdays are back (kind of) -THIS TUESDAY!
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).
Donate and help the PTO continue to fund school initiatives
A $10 donation will help the PTO make Brooks even better
The PTO’s regular fund raising has been eliminated with the switch to remote schooling. However, a $10 donation from YOU can help us continue to fund grant requests from teachers to provide additional educational materials for optimal learning, providing a year end 8th-grade graduation celebration, and so much more. If you would like to contribute directly to the PTO, please follow this link. Any amount is helpful!
If you have any questions or ideas on fundraising initiates we welcome your feedback. You may email the PTO Fundraising Chair April Fleming at afleming56@yahoo.com.
Opportunity for 8th grade parents
The PTO is committed to enriching the experience of students at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School and we are looking for one more 8th grade parent to be on the PTO Board! As an 8th Grade co-VP, you will help plan the 8th grade celebration (typically the 8th grade dance, but might be different this year) and a staff appreciation event. You will have a co-VP to help with all of this, so you aren’t on your own! Let us know if you are interested or have questions by emailing gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.
Order your Brooks Spirit Wear
Brooks Spirit Wear
Brooks spirit wear can be ordered at any time by visiting this website. Sizes for kids and adults! Orders will be shipped to your home!
Importance of Remote Learning Attendance: Present, Engaged and Supported
We are developing empowered and passionate scholars. To that end, our school improvement goal is to increase the percentage of students who attend school or participate in remote learning at least 90% of the attendance days for our African American, students with Free/Reduced Lunch Status and students with an IEP by a rate of increase of 2%. Even as teens grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure teens participate in remote learning.
Did you know:
- Absences can be a sign that a teen is losing interest, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other difficulty.
- By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a teen may drop out of high school.
- Missing 10% (or just 2 days each month) of school can drastically affect a teen’s academic success.
- Attendance is an important life skill that will help your teen keep a job and graduate from college.
What can you do:
Communicate with the School Regularly
- If your student will not be attending all or a portion of remote learning day, please contact the school office via email brooksattendance@op97.org or by phone 708-665-3074.
- Ensure contact information in PowerSchool is up to date, so the school and your teen's teachers can reach you.
- Create a PowerSchool Parent/Guardian account to be able to check in on your student's grades and check your teen's attendance to make sure they are attending all of their classes regularly.
- Ask for help from school officials, after-school program providers, other parents or community agencies if you’re having trouble getting online or need help with food, housing or some other challenge.
Make School Attendance a Priority
- Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day so your teen knows this is your expectation.
- Encourage your teen to maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework or getting a good night’s sleep.
- Avoid scheduling non-urgent dental and medical appointments when classes are in session.
- Post your teen’s class schedule and Canvas log in information in a visible location, such as on the refrigerator or teen desk.
- Identify a quiet place for your teen to participate in class. if you have multiple children, make a schedule.
- Encourage your teen to as much as they feel comfortable to have their camera on, participate in the chat or by unmuting themselves during their Zoom classes.
Help Your Teen Stay Healthy and Engaged
- Make sure your teen wears a mask, as needed, and gets the flu vaccine and other required shots.
- Find out if your teen feels safe from bullying. Make sure that school discipline policies don’t lead to your teen becoming disengaged or pushed out of school. If there are problems, work with your school to find a solution.
- Check in weekly with your teen about your their’s academic progress by reviewing PowerSchool and seek help from teachers, if needed
- Stay on top of your teen’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping class. Teens who have a hard time making friends can feel isolated.
- Ask for help when you need it. School staff, after-school program providers, and other parents or community agencies are available to help families access online learning, obtain food or housing and address other experiences that make it difficult to attend and participate.
Thank you for your continued support to ensure your student is present, engaged and supported.
'Stamped' Family and Community Discussions
Stamped' Family and Community Discussions
District 97 students, families and community members are invited to participate in a three-session discussion on the book Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Attendees will join together for a presentation followed by discussions in separate breakout rooms.
In conjunction with Brooks and Julian middle schools' fall curriculum read, the sessions will follow along with the chapters being read by students and staff. Breakout sessions will be led by students from Dominican University, who will follow a peace circle format and draw on the Stamped Educator's Guide.
Events will be held:
- Tuesday, Nov. 17 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
- Tuesday, Dec. 1 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
These sessions are made possible with the support of: District 97 staff; Oak Park and River Forest School District 200; the Oak Park Public Library; the E-Team of Oak Park; and Dominican University’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) group
A Greater Good Foundation
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. 6th & 7th graders will meet on Mondays from 11:40 am to 12:20 pm and 8th graders will meet on Wednesdays during advisory 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. We are hoping to launch the program the week of September 28th. If you have any questions or would like your student to participate, please contact Stacie Klein at sklein@op97.org.
Virtual Breakfast with Brooks
Virtual Morning Homework Support
GBMS Remote Learning Resource
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
School Physicals and Immunizations
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).
2020 - 2021 District News and Information
Erin's Law Information Session for Families
District 97 will host a virtual information session on Erin's Law (Illinois Public Act 097-1147), which requires all public schools to implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program. The session, "Keeping My Family Safe," will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. via Zoom. Families are invited to attend to learn more about Erin’s Law and tips for protecting their children. Erin’s Law Parent Night Details >
Continued Social-Emotional Wellness Check-Ins for Students
District 97 school psychologists and nurses have collaborated to offer access to virtual mental health wellness checks at each school this fall. Parents may sign up children for 25-minute Telehealth sessions where they can access an open ear for their sources of stress and learn self-care and coping strategies. Students may attend up to three sessions per trimester and may then be referred for other school-based supports if needed.
To sign up or learn more about these services, please visit https://bit.ly/3m3Xece.
If your child is experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please do not use this service and instead call the Thrive 24-Hour 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.
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.
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.
D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - November 2020
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 >
District 97 is working with community partners to support the child care needs of our families and staff. We are currently partnering with three providers: Hephzibah, the Park District of Oak Park and By Discovery. Details about each program can be found here.
The district will be providing financial assistance for any student who receives free or reduced lunch for at least Trimester 1. We will discuss the possibility of additional fee coverage with the Board of Education once plans are determined for the remainder of the school year. Details are provided at the point of online registration for each child care provider.
