March 9, 2020
ELA IAR Testing on 3/11, 3/12 and 3/13 from 9:00 am to 11:09am
ELA IAR Make-up testing on 3/16
MATH IAR Testing on 3/18, 3/19 and 3/20 from 9:00am to 10:26am
MATH IAR Make-up testing on 3/30
Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) Testing starts March 11th
As is required by law, every student who is eligible to take the IAR assessment will receive a test ticket. A school’s participation rate on state assessments impacts its rate of proficiency and its annual School Report Card designation. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which is a federal act that requires states to calculate proficiency by dividing the number of students who met or exceeded standards on the IAR by either the number of students who tested or 95% of the number of students who should have tested, whichever is greater. Schools with less than 95% participation in state assessments are ineligible to receive the Exemplary designation. For more information about how a school's participation rate impacts rate of proficiency on a school's report card, see this from ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education). Here is more information.
Brooks currently has an underperforming designation on our School Report Card, which in part is impacted by our participation rate. We had 85% of our students participate in IAR testing in Spring 2019, which is below the required rate of participation of at least 95%. The average participation rate for the state of Illinois is 98%.
The information provided by the IAR is utilized by our school and district to reflect on the impact of our instructional units, as well as provide us with information about how to enrich learning for students. It's important feedback for us about student learning.
Thank you for partnering with us to encourage your student to put forth their best effort during IAR testing. Once students complete the test, they can read silently. The school library will be closed during the administration of the test, so please remind your student to select their book ahead of time and bring it to class during the IAR testing window to read.
Please reach out to Angelica Kamysz (akamysz@op97.org), Antione Bland (abland@op97.org) or April Capuder (acapuder@op97.org), if you have any questions.
Monitoring illness for students
- Our front office will be seeking specific reasons or details if a student is called or emailed in sick including whether they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
- Additionally, our absentee phone message has been updated to include the following sentence, "If your child is absent due to illness, please indicate whether they are experiencing flu-like symptoms, which helps us monitor and prevent the spread of illness in our school."
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Please be assured that we are following all recommended protocols of the IDPH, which includes routine deep cleaning and disinfecting in all of our buildings. Our nurses are also reviewing hand-washing best practices with all of our students. We will continue to monitor updates about the coronavirus from local, state and federal agencies, and will keep families informed should recommendations change.
The IDPH recommends everyday actions to help prevent the spread of viruses, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Join us for the return of the Mindful Middle-Schoolers talks
DePaul Family and Community Services will be repeating the Mindful Middle-Schoolers talks this winter so you can attend the talks that you missed the first time! Don’t miss out on this valuable information to help you navigate these tricky adolescent years!
Join us on Wednesday, March 11 from 6:30 - 8:00 at Julian Middle School for a discussion on
Social-emotional needs of today’s Middle Schoolers
How can we help our children approach technology mindfully? What are benefits and challenges of technology for children? What are strategies to help promote digital citizenship and wellness in youth? Join us for this 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).
Sign up for the talks here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/depaul-family-and-community-services-20250158751
Educator Career Fair on Friday, April 3
District 97 will host an Educator Career Fair on Friday, April 3, from noon to 4 p.m. at the administration building, 260 Madison St. Candidates will have the opportunity to speak with school principals, share their resumes and complete an online application. Event flyer >
SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE TEAM UPDATE
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.
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.
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.
Gwendolyn Brooks Class of 2020 Graduation
Please be sure to mark your calendars. We will have more information regarding graduation activities in February.
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
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- March 11- 13 & 18 - 20 - IAR Testing
- March 13 - Report Cards Emailed Home
- March 23 - 27 - Spring Break
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.
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.
PTO NEWS
PTO Business Meeting
Join us on Monday, March 9 from 6:00 - 8:00 in the library for our next PTO Business Meeting. We will talk through our current budget, as well as talk about priorities and plans for next school year!
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.
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!
Brooks Spirit Wear
Brooks spirit wear can be ordered at any time by visiting this website.
Orders will be shipped to your home!
What time is it? Yes, here at Green Bites, it’s always snack time!
The Center for Science in the Public Interest publishes a little newsletter of health and nutrition tips, and Green Bites is here to dish about the latest issue! Dish… because it’s snack time again! All info this week comes from the March 2020 Health letter. “Have we mentioned that nothing beats fresh fruit or vegetables for a healthy snack? But plenty of packaged snacks that promise ‘real’ veggies offer little of them.” In other words you guys — Veggie Straws really aren’t the same as a handful of carrots. They may be delicious… but they’re pretty much just potato dust with salt and oil. (mmmm…). What follows are a few snacks that are great choices — and maybe just a little more interesting than that apple you were going to offer. (don’t get us wrong — offer the fruit! But what follows are also some great ideas.)
spice up your raw veggies by adding a side of tzatziki or hummus
a handful of roasted nuts packs healthy fats plus nutrients
Whole wheat crackers are perfect for topping with veggies or cheese, and are packed with whole grain
Try plain yogurt that’s not a sugar bomb — you’ll get a nice tang as well as a protein boost
Fava beans are simply roasted whole beans (plus oil and salt) — not just bean flour diluted with white flour — and they’re satisfyingly crunchy
Try beet chips for a great alternative to chips — they’re dried not fried, so they actually taste like beets, and offer a whole lot more nutrition (and less fat) than deep fried potatoes
Let this be the week you find a perfect new snack! Or, you know, just grab that apple and start crunching.
“Change is possible; it starts with us.” (Craig Leeson, director, A Plastic Ocean)
Coffee with Capuder
2020 7th Grade Springfield Trip Update
Dear 7th Grade Brooks Parents/Guardians,
Thank you to the parents who have already registered Springfield trip.
As a reminder, Janorise Robinson organizes the trip for Brooks. This allows the teachers to focus on teaching and meeting student needs. Please do not send payments or forms to the school! Payments for the trip is made on the WorldStrides website and all forms are electronically submitted. Please see the information below for details. Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions.
If you weren't able to make it to the meeting or would like to review the slides, here's a link to the Parent PowerPoint Presentation. In addition, here are the next steps:
Registration for both Springfield:
Online at WorldStrides
Call World Strides directly (800-468-5899)
Brooks Springfield (Registration Letter) - Friday, April 17, 2020
Cost: $133
Pay $49 Deposit
Registration Deadline is Friday, April 3
Full Refund Program: $19
Refer to Trip #179957
Springfield Medical and Behavior Form - due by March 15, 2020
Financial Assistance:
For Springfield and DC:
PTO Scholarships are available
If you have questions, please send your inquiries to the following email links:
Thank you,
Janorise
Safe Snacks for Everyone!!
This is a great alternative to Nutella and it tastes amazing!
https://88acres.com/collections/seed-butters/products/dark-chocolate-sunflower-seed-butter
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.
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!
- 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).
GBMS Track & Field
For more information visit our website
https://sites.google.com/a/op97.org/gbms-track-and-field/
or contact Coach Dajani at rdajani@op97org
Boys Volleyball
For more information please contact, Mr Gillespie at mgillespie@op97.or or Mr Grimaldi @ hgrimaldi@op97.org
JV Practice schedule provided this week.
Boys Volleyball TRYOUTS VARSITY (8th GRADE ONLY)
Monday, March 9⋅7:30 – 8:45am
Girls Volleyball
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 -
The 8th Grade Girls group will begin meeting on January 15th, 2020.
For more information contact Dominique Hickman at dhickman@oakparktownship.org
YEMBA
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
Karaoke Night Fundraiser
Grownups - it's your turn to take the stage!
Bravo Advisory Board Fundraiser - April 4, 7pm-10pm at Healy's Tavern
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
Dance Studio Contract & Permission to Participate Form
**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!
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
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
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.
Teen Arts Pass
Teen Arts Pass is a FREE program to all teens and it gets them in to see LOTS of performances for $5! See performances at Goodman, Lyric and Steppenwolf theaters as well as other smaller theaters. Visit this website for more information: Home Page - Teen Arts Pass
Teens invited to share their voice on managing stress and anxiety, creating new app
The Oak Park Public library is partnering with Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies (CBITs), on a project to design new smartphone apps that help teens better understand and manage their emotions, stress, and anxiety.
Teens ages 12-17 are invited to get involved in this research project.
In-person interviews (lasting about 1-1.5 hours) will be scheduled by CBITs at the Oak Park Public Library, and teen participants will be compensated for their time.
To learn more about this research project and to schedule an interview, please have a parent or guardian send an email to Research Assistant Professor Ashley Arehart Knapp, PhD, at ashley.knapp@northwestern.edu.
Strengthening Families Program
The Delta Sigma Theta GEAAC Fortitude Youth Summit registration site is now open. Please use the following link to register your youth group or individual child(ren) http://bit.ly/fortitudeyouthsummit for this exciting day of interactive workshops and peer networking. We are very excited about all the things we have to share with the youth, parents and chaperones. This day promises to be one to remember! Registration will close on Monday, April 6, 2020 or pending availability.
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.
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