January 28, 2019
8th Grade Graduation Photos & Cap and Gown Orders
Graduation photo's will take place on Thursday, January 31, 2019 during the students school day. See flyer for further information. 8th Graders will be called to the Commons throughout the morning based on the Advisory Teacher's name. 8th grader will not be changing into their PE uniform for PE on this day.
Cap and Gown orders are due on Friday, February 8, 2019. Orders can be placed directly on Revtrak or by cash or check in the main office.
If you have any questions, please contact our main office (708) 524-3050
Be sure to mark your calendars for 8th Grade Graduation: Saturday, June 1st at 10am at OPRFHS.
Parent Teacher Conferences, Thursday, January 31
Appointment Slots for Parent-Teacher Conferences.
January 31st and February 1st - Early Dismissal
February 1st - World Read Aloud Day and Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of the culture of and achievements by African Americans and a time to recognize the central role of blacks in U.S. history
GBMS students at 11:50am on Friday, 2/1 will be listening and watching Jason Reynolds read his novel, Ghost, which was a National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature.
Mr. Jason Reynolds is the New York Times best-selling American author of All American Boys, the Track series, Long Way Down, For Everyone, Miles Morales-Spiderman and Ghost. He has been honored with:
the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award
the 2016 Kirkus Prize
the 2017 NAACP Image Award
the 2017 Schneider Family Book Award
a Newbery Honor book award
a Printz Honor Book award
the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award.
Mr. Reynolds was born in Washington, DC and raised in neighboring Oxon Hill, Maryland. He found inspiration in rap to begin writing poetry at nine years old. He focused on poetry for approximately the next two decades before he started writing novels.
Service Club's annual "Dance for a Chance"
7th Grade Brooks Parent /Guardian Information Meeting for Springfield and Washington D.C. Trips
Dear 7th Grade Parents/Guardians,
If you were not able to attend the Springfield and DC Parent meeting, please email Janorisè Robinson (dctripbrooksjulian@gmail.com) for details. Trip dates:
- Springfield, IL - Friday, March 15 (Registration deadline is Friday, February 8, 2019)
- Washington, DC - Friday, February 14 - Sunday, February 16, 2020 (Tentative)
https://mailchi.mp/9fcb2e1b9ad2/springfield-and-dc-parent-meeting-recap
Brooks School Wide Competition for Special Olympics is Here!!!
Monday Jan. 14th until Monday Jan. 28th
What is the Polar Plunge: Several District 97 staff members will plunge (some partially and others fully) into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan to support Special Olympics IL
When/Where is Polar Plunge: 2/17/19 (Sunday) in Evanston
Why Support the Polar Plunge: Did you know that D97 has 7 Special Olympics sports? We have one of the largest Special Olympics sport options based on our district size in the entire state! We offer: soccer, basketball, rhythmic gymnastics, track, golf (new sport), bowling (new sport) and Young Athletes (3-8 yr. olds). Special Olympics has given D97 thousands of dollars in grants since 2012. By supporting our plunge, this is a way to continue the high level of programs that we offer in the district.
What’s at stake: The three teams at each of the three grade levels along with their teachers will be competing by raising the most money to support the Polar Plunge for the right to decide what Mr. Gonsur will wear when he plunges into the “warm” waters of Lake Michigan on February 17th. Hopefully the team that wins is kind in deciding what Mr. Gonsur will wear when he takes the plunge, because he embarrasses easily.
How to Donate: From Monday January 14th until Monday January 28th you can donate money to any of your teachers for the cause. Anything helps!
May the best team win!!
Sporks on the Loose!
In an effort to reduce landfill waste from our lunch rooms, D97 has eliminated the spork combo packets (spork, straw, napkin in a plastic pouch) from the lunch program at all the schools. Plastic sporks are still being used, but now they are unbundled from the plastic pouch and reducing unnecessary waste of additional items. In addition, D97 has also stopped ordering single plastic straws. There are still some straws available in inventory for special circumstances, as needed. Thanks D97 for taking a green step in the right direction!
Coffee with Capuder
Winter Concert Series at Brooks Middle School
Orchestra Concert, Thursday, February 13th, 2019 at 7pm
Band Concert, Thursday February 21st, 2019 at 7pm
Free Admission
Brooks Community Meeting: Teen Mental Health
Join us on Monday, February 4 from 7:00 - 8:30 to discuss teen mental health. The Brook's social workers will talk about the common challenges our students are seeing within the Brook's student population, sources of stress, anxiety, ways to help, and resources that are available. We will meet in the library on the third floor and free childcare is available!
Teacher Appreciation
The PTO will be hosting an appreciation dinner for the teachers and staff of Brooks on Thursday, January 31st to thank them for their hard work and dedication to our community. The dinner will be catered, but we are looking for donations of drinks and dessert, as well as help setting up. Click here to sign up!
Assessment Re-Do/Re-Take Policy
Please find information regarding the student re-do/re-take policy in our Brooks Website.
Yearbook Order - New Information
https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1014096931934358
If you are asked for a pass code, please use: 1014096931934358
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.
Clubs and Sports Information
BRAVO Presents - Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.
Join us for a trip down memory lane! Performances: February 1 & 2
Brooks Service Club
Service Club is collecting travel size toiletries all year! Donations will be used to make care packages for Housing Forward. Please send any small, unopened toiletries to Ms. Walsh or Ms. Martínez. Thank you for your help!
Girls on the Rise
January – May 2019 is our 8th grade Girls on the Rise portion of the program. Attached a flyer for the upcoming session.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6gnevA1fHdWODNvNlV2MU9LQmVtdVZ3LVo2a0hXS1czX1E4/view?usp=sharing
Girls Volleyball
Game Schedule
Home vs. Freedom
Mon., Jan 28, 4pm - 6pm
Away vs. Julian
Wed., Jan. 30, 4pm - 6pm
If you have any questions, please contact Coach Grimaldi at hgrimaldi@op97.org
Track and Field
For more information, please contact Coach Dajani at rdajani@op97.org
OPEF Robotics News and Information
You can learn more about the event on OPEF's website or their Facebook page.
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
Clubs
Mondays
- Yearbook Club: Next meetings 1/14 & 1/28 in room B202 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Here is link to the entire year meeting dates schedule. Contact Ms.Turner-Reid or Ms. Pabellon with questions mturnerreid@op97.org or mpabellon@op97.org
- Math Team: 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 - meets from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in room C202. Contact Ms. Stamp with questions lstamp@op97.org
- Chess Club: meets from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in room B305. Contact Mr. Hausfeld with questions mhausfeld@op97.org
Wednesdays
- Best Buddies: Here is the year long calendar that can be downloaded. Contact Ms. Beauprez with questions lbeeauprez@op97.org .
- 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. 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.
- Rainbow Tribe: Contact Ms. Berman with questions aberman@op97.org
- Art Club: Thursdays in room D301 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Contact Ms. Murray with questions. kmurray@op97.org
- Service Club: Friday mornings from 8am to 8:50am in room B209. Contact Ms. Walsh with questions swalsh@op97.org
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