October 28, 2019
No Student Attendance Friday, November 1
THANK YOU!
Student Led Parent-Teacher Conference Feedback
Brooks Service Club October Food Drive
Halloween Costume Expectations
As part of our Service Club Food Drive, our Brooks students may dress up for Halloween by donating a $1 or a non-perishable food item to their advisory teacher now through October 31st.
Our goal is to create a positive learning environment where all students, staff and families feel a sense of belonging. In that spirit, we ask that you take care to ensure that your child’s costume choice does not portray a stereotypical image of any group of people or culture, or be offensive to any one racial, ethnic or religious group. We appreciate you being proactive with your child in making thoughtful costume choices. In addition, we ask that students do not wear masks or costumes that cover their face. Students may not bring weapons, use blood or gore, baby bottles or pacifiers and must comply with the district dress code.
To support you in your conversation with your child and to build your understanding around this topic, we have compiled links to resources below that you may find helpful. Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools.
https://www.op97.org/communications/news/1667045/letter-to-d97-families-regarding-halloween-costumes
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.
Join us Nov. 7 for the next Mindful Middle-Schoolers talk
In partnership with DePaul Family and Community Services, join us on
Thursday November 7 from 6:30p - 8:00p at Brooks Middle School for a discussion on:
Mindfulness-based strategies and their applications
in academic and home settings
What is mindfulness? How can mindfulness practices be helpful in supporting youths' academic and emotional functioning at school and at home? Join us for a free talk!! DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and D97 plan to offer a series of community talks to the Brooks/Julian middle school communities during the 2019-2020 school year as part of The Mindful Middle Schoolers Program. All are welcome (parents, school staff, students, community members).
SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE TEAM UPDATE
We are now in the middle of our first all-school HERO goal. If a student decides to carry a bag during the school day, they will carry the appropriately sized bag during the school day. Given that student's textbooks are all accessible through their Chromebooks, there are limited items that students need to carry with them during the school day. Many students will gather their Chromebook and folders needed for their morning classes, stop at their lockers before and after lunch and then gather their folders for their afternoon classes. Typically students will visit their lockers at the start of the day, before and after lunch and then again at the end of the day.
The WHY behind the expectation, which links to our student expectations of BE SAFE:
Large backpacks in the stairwell bump into others potentially causing students to be pushed off balance and getting hurt in the stairwells (which has been the experience in previous years)
Large backpacks take up too much room in the classrooms because they do not easily fit hanging on a chair or under the desk, which leaves them on the floor making walking through the classroom spaces difficult and creates tripping hazards.
They promote disorganization, instead of promoting the development of planning ahead skills.
The appropriate size bag is either a cinch sack or small backpack (no larger than 18" high x 14" wide x 6" deep). If we meet our goal of 99% of student carrying the appropriate sized bag ,we will celebrate during school on November 8th. The celebration will also coincide with this year’s first opening of the School Store on November 7th.
This week we are also instituting Brooks Bucks that kids can earn for following the posted Brooks Student Expectations. These bucks can be redeemed at the School Store along with HERO points.
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.
Purchase your Yearbook Today!
Fall 2019 Promotional Discounts For Yearbooks
The Fall is a great time for you and your school community to order yearbooks! You will receive these discounts when ordering early in the school year:
October 1st - October 31st = 10% use code: 1014096931934358
November 1st - November 30th = 5% use code : 1014096931934358
During the months of August, September, October, and November when placing online orders the price of the book will reflect these discounts. The discount is calculated on the cost of the yearbook and does not apply to hardcover upgrades or extra custom pages.
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.
GBMS Library/Media Center
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.
Breakfast, Special Hot Lunch Opportunities and Menus
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.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- Friday, November 8th from 8:30am to 9:30am Coffee with Capuder
- End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 15th
- Trimester 1 Report Card: Friday, December 6th
PTO NEWS
PTO Business meeting
Join us on Monday, November 11 at 6:00 pm in the Brook’s library for our PTO business meeting.
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.
Book Fair / Library Update
Author Kekla Magoon visited Brooks on Wednesday, October 23rd. There are still autographed copies of her new book, Light It Up, available for purchase until the end of the week. HERE is an order form if you’d like to check it out.
Thanks for visiting and supporting our PTO Book Fair last week!
Live Action Filmmaking Workshop for Grades 6 to 8
Sign up for One Earth Young Filmmakers Workshops for grades 6 to 8. They will be taught by film writer, director, and editor Jonathan Moeller, who is also a popular high school film teacher at DePaul College Prep in Chicago.
Sunday, December 1, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. (code #2229.2091 with rfparks.com)
Coffee with Capuder
We will meet in the Peace Room.
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.
Brooks Spirit Wear
Brooks spirit wear can be ordered at any time by visiting this website.
Orders will be shipped to your home!
Smash / Eat — two sustainability events
Saturday -- Smash
Guess what? Your jack-o'-lantern, is compostable! Make the end of your pumpkin’s life as memorable as carving it by having some destructive fun that will also help your pumpkin decompose into rich soil. That also goes for those cute or warty little gourds.The 2019 Great Pumpkin Smash takes place at Barrie Park where participants will start at the top of the sled hill and smash their pumpkins to smithereens. Free and open to the public - no need to pre-register, just show up ready to SMASH! Pumpkin parts will be composted at the end of the event.
Sat. Nov. 2, 4-5 pm., 1011 S. Lombard.
Sunday -- Eat
Join the Interfaith Green Network for a FREE screening of “Just Eat It”, a fascinating film showing the effects of food waste and how we can make the most of the food in our kitchens.
The movie is 74 mins, and will be followed by a discussion this Sunday -- Nov. 3, @ 3 pm. at the Oak Park Public Library (main branch). Click here to see the trailer. https://www.foodwastemovie.com/ All ages welcome, please register here: https://tinyurl.com/y5qj97t6
Volunteer with the Brook’s PTO
The PTO is committed to enriching the experience of students at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School through supporting a positive school environment, facilitating the development of positive relationships within the community, advancing school equity initiatives, and creating an environment where all students have access to school resources and opportunities.
We have an opening for an 8th Grade VP. This role helps plan 8th grade dance and a winter staff appreciation dinner.
Email the PTO BoardEmail gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com if you are interested or have questions!
Clubs and Sports Information
Math Team
Open to 6 - 8 grade students.
Art Club
Meets Thursday’s from 3:30-4:30 October- March in D301. Free and open to all students.
Mrs. Murray 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!
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
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
Orff Ensemble
Spoken Word Club
For more information contact mlee@op97.org
Ultimate Frisbee
This recreational Frisbee Club meets 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 may be cancelled due to weather.
Rainbow Tribe
Eco EAGLES
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
Play chess games against other club members..checkmate!
Girls on the RISE - 6th Grade Girls & 7th Grade Girls
The 6th Grade Girls group's 6th Grade Girls meets on Tuesdays, from 3:30pm to 5:00 pm in room C105.
The 7th Grade Girls group's meets on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 5:00 pm in room C105.
The 8th Grade Girls group will begin meeting on January 15th, 2020.
For more information contact Dominique Hickman at dhickman@oakparktownship.org
Service Club
First meeting is Friday's, 8am in room B209. Service club meets every Friday morning.
Singing Groups Offered at Brooks (extra-curricular and co-curricular)
The Women's Ensemble (name TBD)
This group will be made up of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students whose voices present as female. Individuals are admitted to the highly popular co-curricular groups through an audition process in September. *Students do NOT have to be enrolled in Band, Chorus or Orchestra curricular classes to audition for these groups*. The repertoire for this group will include vocal jazz, showtunes, pop, and classic choral literature.
This group will rehearse Tuesdays from 8-8:50 am.
The Men's Ensemble (name TBD)
This group will be made up of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students whose voices present as male. Individuals are admitted to the highly popular co-curricular groups through an audition process in September. *Students do NOT have to be enrolled in Band, Chorus or Orchestra curricular classes to audition for these groups*. The repertoire for this group will include vocal jazz, showtunes, pop, and classic choral literature.
- This group will rehearse Wednesdays from 8-8:50 am.
The Select Mixed Ensemble (name TBD)
This is an extra-curricular choir made up of 7th, and 8th grade students that focuses on vocal jazz, showtunes, pop, and classic choral literature. Individuals are admitted to the highly popular co-curricular groups through an audition process in September (and possibly a re-audition in December). Students involved in this top group must be enrolled in Band, Chorus or Orchestra during the day, and will be asked to sing with one of the other extra-curricular choirs.
- This group will rehearse Thursdays from 8-8:50 am.
For more information contact Mr. Blackman at fblackman@op97.org
Girls Basketball
Practice Schedule
Game Schedule
Play-off Calendar TBD
For more information contact Coach Brown at kbrown@op97.org
Boys Basketball
Mon 10/28 - Thu 10/31
3:40pm - 5:30pm
For more information contact: Coach Darren Haus at dhaus@op97.org
BRAVO
Rehearsal
10/28- 30
Mon - Wed- 3:30pm - 6:00pm
11/3
Sat
9am - 1pm
Best Buddies - Wednesday, 11/6
Best Buddies - Wednesday, 11/6 All students interested in learning more about Best Buddies, meet in the commons after-school from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.
Music Department Fundraiser
In order to help our students fund their Cleveland Music Trip this year, our students are participating in fundraising efforts. You can place orders directly with the student by check or cash or we accept online orders as well.
When ordering online go to:
and enter the code 46101, Brooks will pop up. If you click Brooks, it will ask you the name and grade of the student you are purchasing from. After that, it takes you to the site and you can choose from the abundant riches of chocolate and cookie dough.
If you have any questions, please contact any of our Music Directors.
Andrew Davis - Band Director adavis@op97.org
Frank Blackman - Choral Director fblackman@op97.org
Fernando Carrillo - Orchestra Director fcarrillo@op97.org
BRAVO Presents ... SPELLING BEE
Don’t miss this hilarious and heart-warming musical!
BRAVO Dance Studio
We are now offering 3 Sessions of Dance Studio!
Dates and Times are subject to change
2nd Session: December 2 – February 19
3rd Session: February 24 – April 15
1st Session Dance Studio Contract & Permission to Participate Form
Registration is DUE no later than SEPTEMBER 13, 2019
**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!
BRAVO Guitar Club
Mondays 3:30pm-5pm
Learn basic guitar chords or work on advancing your guitar skills. Beginners and Advanced guitar players welcome!
1st Session – September 16 – November 18
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!
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!
**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.
**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!
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.
Free Water Skills/Safety Course through YMCA
Fall II Session: 10/28/19 through 12/22/19
Monday: 6:35 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday: 6:20 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 5:50 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday: 6:20 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 4:30 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:40 a.m.
Sunday: 10:35 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
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