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October 1st, 2018

October 1st,2018
Twitter Highlights: Week 6
Please click on the above link to see highlights from this 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!

SecondStep Advisory Curriculum

We want your child to be successful in school, and that means going beyond the basics. Excelling in academic classes is important, but students also need to know how to learn, make good decisions, handle strong emotions, and get along with others.


This week, we'll begin the Second Step Middle School Program, which focuses on skills and concepts that are designed to help students both in and out of school. These include:


Mindsets and Goals: Students learn about ways to grow their brains and get smarter, along with research-based strategies for achieving goals and handling difficult situations.


Values and Friendships: Students learn to identify their personal values and use those values to make good decisions and build strong, positive relationships.


Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions: Students learn the positive role emotions play in their lives, how to handle unhelpful thoughts and strong emotions, and specific strategies for calming down.


Thank you for supporting your child in learning the skills and concepts that lead to success in school and in life.


Lesson Summary by Grade Level for this upcoming week:

Sixth Graders in this week’s lesson will learn how their brains are changing and how the Second Step Program can help them grow their brains and learn to be successful.


For Seventh Graders in this week's lesson, it will help your child understand some of the changes that happen during adolescence, and how the Second Step Program can help your child succeed and do well, both as a student and as a friend.


For Eighth Graders in this week's lesson, it will help your child understand some of the changes that happen during adolescence and how the social-emotional skills taught in the Second Step Program can help your child be successful and get along with others, in middle school and beyond.

Click HERE to order a Yearbook
TreeRing, our Yearbook distributor, has discounts available to our families. If you purchase your yearbook by in October, you will receive a 10% discount and in November a 5% discount.
https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014096931934358

Oak Park Public Library - Restorative Justice Conference

The OPPL is holding a restorative justice conference on Saturday, Oct.6th and Sunday Oct. 7th. Here is a link to the FLYER.
Strengthening Families Program Flyer
First Meeting is on Tuesday, September 25th from 6pm to 8pm at Julian Middle School. Click button to learn more. Families are still welcome to join.

Thrive Counseling Center

Please click the link below for a new group at Thrive for children ages 9-13 who are struggling with anxiety. The group is FREE for residents of Oak Park & River Forest! Interested parents can contact Abby Gomez de la Casa at (708) 383-7500 ext. 414.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6gnevA1fHdWYUFzYTg3WTJxOXlJWUZOUEc2NlIyZE9TUmZn/view?usp=sharing

Recognizing Staff who Make a Difference

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.

Brooks PTO News and Information Brooks PTO News and Information

PTO Community Meeting : Monday, October 1 at 7pm - Brooks Media Center

Ms. Stamp and Ms. Stringham will be joining the meeting to share D97 Middle School Assessment Policy and answer any questions. We will also discuss standardized testing.

Young Filmmakers Contest

One Earth Film Festival has announced it's Young Filmmakers Contest. Students may submit a 3 to 8 minute film about one of 6 sustainability topics: energy, food, transportation, waste, water, or open space/ecosystems. They should present a problem with their topic and then a solution. Please see this website to learn more and to view a short film about the contest. Deadline is January 13, 2019.

https://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/contest-details/

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The Great Apple Crunch

The Great Apple Crunch, taking place throughout Illinois on Thursday, October 11, encourages healthy eating and supports farm to school and other local food purchasing initiatives

throughout the region. Brooks is celebrating the Great Apple Crunch! All hot lunch orders will include a local apple on October 11 and all other students will get to sample local apples in the cafeteria that day, too.

Did you know?


  • Conventional apples travel over 2,000 miles on average to Illinois. Local apples come from within 250 miles--saving the environment in CO2 emissions and gas.
  • For every dollar spent on local, 3X more money recirculates locally.
  • 6 in 10 children in the US do NOT eat their daily serving of fruit, according to the CDC.


Special thanks to the Brooks Green Team and the Eco Eagles for supporting this event!

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Book Fair Volunteers

We are gathering a team of enthusiastic, creative, and talented volunteers to help out at our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair, and we'd like to invite you to help out.

Please take a moment to view our sign-up sheet to see what roles interest you. Spread the word to your friends and invite them to help us have the best Book Fair ever!

Contact Tracey Wilson, tracyawilson@hotmail.com, with any questions!

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Recycle Your Old Markers

Did you know you can now recycle used markers (including dry erase)? Brooks Middle School is participating in a year long collection of dried up markers in each classroom. Led by the Eco Eagles, students can bring their markers in to be recycled and help keep them out of landfill. Thanks for leading the way on being eco-friendly Eco Eagles!
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Starship Lunches

If you have questions about Starship please email Bryn Poulton at starshipbrooks@gmail.com.

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Fund the PTO every time you shop at Amazon

When you shop at Amazon. Begin your shopping through the link here and our PTO will earn 0.5% of your total sale, at no expense to you. First time Amazon Smile shoppers will find our organization by typing Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School Parent-Teacher Organization. Thank you for your continued support.
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Brooks Spirit Wear

Brooks spirit wear can be ordered at any time by visiting www.companycasuals.com/brookseagles. Orders will be shipped to your home!

Clubs and Sports Information Clubs and Sports Information

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Girls Basketball

Game Schedule


Away Game vs Julian

10/3, 4:00pm - 6:00pm


Away Game vs.Heritage

10/4, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

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Boys Basketball

Wednesday ,October 3

Open gym. 3:30pm-5:00pm


Tuesday, October 9

tryouts. 7:00am-8:45am AND 3:30pm -5:00pm


6th graders can have a separate sports physical or the school physical with the sports box checked by their doctor.

7th and 8th graders need to have a separate sports physical because they have to be given every year. The physical MUST be turned in prior to the tryout dare.

If these requirements for physicals aren't met, they cannot try out for the team.

  • Concussion Form
  • Sports Permission Slip
  • Sports Physical Form


For questions, please contact Darren Haus at dhaus@op97.org

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OPEF Robotics News and Information

Monday, October 1 & Thursday, October 4

Robotics Club Tryouts

3:30pm rmD202

For more information about the robotics program please visit: https://www.opef.org/programs/vex-robotics/. Questions? Please contact Michele McAndrews at mvmcandrews@opef.org or Mr. Shinners at bshinners@op97.org

2018 -2019 Extra-Curricular Activities

For more information you may view this spreadsheet. The first tab has information about Sports. The second tab contains information about Clubs organized in order of start date.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XvWFACDX8DRUGztoEjQDOO3gzj26D7RTcxcBlKDfMZk/edit?usp=sharing

Clubs

Mondays

  • Ulmtimate Frisbee Clubs - Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30 to 4:30pm. Meets on the field. Contact Mr. Gillespie with questions mgillespie@op97.org
  • Yearbook Club: First meeting is on Monday, 10/1 in room B202 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Contact Ms.Turner-Reid or Ms. Pabellon with questions mturnerreid@op97.org or mpabellon@op97.org
  • RAD: Mondays 3:45pm to 5:00pm in PE Classroom. Contact Ms. Dajani with questions rdajani@op97.org
  • Math Team: First meeting is on Monday, 10/1 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 - Tuesdays 3:30 to 4:30 pm in room C202. Contact Ms. Stamp with questions lstamp@op97.org


Wednesdays

  • Ulmtimate Frisbee Clubs - Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30 to 4:30pm. Meets on the field. Contact Mr. Gillespie with questions mgillespie@op97.org
  • Best Buddies: Here is the year long calendar that can be downloaded. Contact Ms. Beauprez with questions lbeeauprez@op97.org . The next meeting is 10/3.
  • 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. Meeting this week on 10/3. 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
  • Rainbow Tribe: Contact Ms. Berman with questions aberman@op97.org
  • Art Club: First meeting is on Thursday 10/4 in room D301 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Contact Ms. Murray with questions. kmurray@op97.org


Fridays
  • Service Club: First meeting is Friday 9/29 from 8am to 8:50am in room B209. Contact Ms. Walsh with questions swalsh@op97.org


Chess Club: Days vary each week. Contact Mr. Hausfeld with questions mhausfeld@op97.org

Unified Soccer: Any questions please contact Tim McDonald tmcdonald1@op97.org
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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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