Middle Matters
Week of April 17, 2023
In This Issue
Highlights from this week's Middle Matters:
- Important Upcoming Dates
- SY22-23 School Calendar
- Next PTO Meeting - April 17th
- Free Thrift Store on May 2nd in Brooks Cafeteria (sponsored by BEAT)
- Re-Usable Bag Drive - start April 14th thru end of April
- Service Club: Can Do Challenge
- 8th Grade Graduation Picture Retake: Tuesday, April 25th
- 8th Grade PE field trip information
- 8th Grade Great America Trip on 6/7-Permission Slip/Payment Due no later than May 3rd
- 8th Grade Graduation Date - June 8th
- "Mindful Middle-Schoolers and Mindfulness Matters" April Community Talk: Navigating Community Resources in Oak Park
- Parent University on Student Social-Emotional Wellness - April 19
- 8th Grade Dance on 5/19 - Volunteers needed
- Volunteers Needed: Serve Pizza on Fridays during Lunch
- PTO Assist with Lunch Recycling & Composting
- JOIN THE BROOKS PTO
- Summer Math Review Options
- Acceleration Opportunities in District 97
- Preschool Registration -opens April 10th
- GBMS Yearbook Purchasing Details
- Library in the mornings (Repeat)
- SPOKEN Word
- Clubs and Sports Information (updated weekly)
- Friday Night Place - Friday, April 21st
- YEMBA
- BRAVO Information (updated weekly)
- Student Announcements (updated weekly)
Highlights from GBMS PTO and District
- PTO Standing Communications: PTO Angel Funds, PTO Gift Card Fundraiser
- District News
- GBMS Athletics
- Allergy Safe School Information - No Nuts (Repeat)
- Stay Home When Sick (Repeat)
- Process for Reporting Positive COVID-19 Cases to D97 Schools (Repeat)
- How to Report Student Absences (Repeat)
- Office Phones and Dropping off Items at Brooks (Repeat)
- School Day (Bell Schedule and A/B/C rotation) (Repeat)
- Cell Phone/Mobile Devices Away for the Day (Repeat)
- Tardies to Class (Repeat)
- Water Bottle Reminders (Repeat)
- School Physical and Immunization Information (Repeat)
- Tech Support
Community Partner News
- FNP: Summer Program Registration Information
- Your Passion 1st @OPPL - Wednesdays 4 to 5:30pm
- Glenbard Parent Series (GPS): Navigating Healthy Families
- NAMI - SUPPORT4U
- Leyden Family Services
- THRIVE
If you have questions about the upcoming school year, please don’t hesitate to contact me at acapuder@op97.org. You can also contact my Executive Coordinator, Ms. Angel Banks, at abanks1@op97.org or (708) 524-7636.
Our administrative team is also available to help answer your questions.
Angelica Love Curriculum & Instruction AP (6th grade, 7th grade) alove@op97.org
Denise Fernandez Curriculum & Instruction AP (8th grade, multineeds) dfernandez@op97.org
Stacie Klein Culture & Climate AP sklein@op97.org
IMPORTANT DATES
4/10 through 4/19: Spring MAP Testing
4/25: 8th Grade Graduation Picture Re-take Day
5/19: 8th Grade Dance
5/29: No School
6/7: 8th Grade Great America Trip
6/8: 8th Grade Graduation 6:30pm at Oak Park River Forest High School Auditorium (last day of 8th Grade Student Attendance)
6/9: Last Day of School
PTO MEETING - APRIL 17TH 6pm to 7:30pm
We only have 2 PTO left of the school year. RSVP for our virtual meeting Monday to hear school updates and PTO planning.
Free Thrift Store-May 2nd in Brooks Cafeteria 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Please drop off donation to include in thrift store to the main office. Middle School sizes only, please!
~Sponsored by BEAT
Re-useable Bag Drive
Rainbow Revolution is partnering with the Center on Halsted who serve homeless LGBTQIA+ youth (and many other people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community). They provide housing, food, and AIDs testing on site. Here is their link: https://www.centeronhalsted.org/
28% of LGBTQIA+ youth are homeless and are often required to carry all their belongings in hand. To tangibly provide support to the Center on Halsted, Rainbow Revolution is sponsoring a Re-useable Bag Drive April 14th through the end of April.
A re-useable bag is a bag that can withstand many uses and is machine washable. Bags like tote bags, backpacks, and fabric bags are re-useable. Paper and plastic bags will not be taken. You can buy re-useable bags at stores such as Jewel, Target, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's.
Please drop off re-useable bags in the box in the main office April 14th through the end of April.
Service Club: CAN DO CHALLENGE
Brooks will once again be participating in Beyond Hunger's Can Do Challenge from April 3rd through April 28th!
Service Club will also be making it an in-house competition between SOAR classes. The class with the most points will win a pizza lunch in the garden (date TBD).
To earn points for your class, students and staff can:
- encourage donations to our online fundraising page (feel free to share via any family communications!) Each dollar earns 10 pts.
- bring in these items to earn 5 pts for each one: jelly, peanut butter, canned chicken soup, Cheerios, canned mixed veggies (low sodium), diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bagged rice (white or brown), refried and dry beans (esp. pinto and black beans), canned pineapples
- make a cooking video (no longer than 2 minutes) using these recipes to earn 500 pts
We will also be sharing some activities you can do during SOAR time to earn points. Keep an eye out!
8th Grade Only: Parents/Guardians
8th Grade Graduation Picture Retake - Tuesday, April 25th
- If a student was absent on the original date, there is no charge to participate
- If a student is retaking pictures because they did not like the first set, they are responsible for a $10.00 fee, unless it is a photographer's fault (closed eyes, Looking away). Students will pay the $10.00 fee the day of pictures directly to the photographer.
8TH GRADE NORTHEASTERN FIELD TRIP
8TH GRADE GREAT AMERICA FIELD TRIP - JUNE 7TH
Graduation Date - June 8th
Graduation will be held at Oak Park River Forest High School on Thursday, June 8th from 6:30p.m.-8p.m.
Parent/Guardian Opportunities
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers and Mindfulness Matters" April Community Talk: Navigating Community Resources in Oak Park
DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and District 97, is offering a series of free, virtual community talks to the District 97 community as part of the Mindful Middle Schoolers and Mindfulness Matters Program. The next community talk, "Navigating Community Resources in Oak Park," will be held on Monday, April 17, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The session will focus on ways to navigate and get connected to mental health resources, social services, childcare options, and summer programs in Oak Park and the surrounding area. Click here to register >>
Parent University on Student Social-Emotional Wellness - April 19
Oak Park and River Forest High School will host an in-person parent university session on Wednesday, April 19, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Topics will include student mental wellness, substance use prevention, and more. The event is open to all families in Oak Park, River Forest and the surrounding communities.
8TH GRADE DANCE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers Needed for 8th Grade Dance - Friday, May 19th
Calling all event planners! Or, if you just like parties! Let's help send off our 8th graders with a fun and celebratory dance! Sign up now!
Volunteers Needed: Serve Pizza on Fridays during Lunch
Volunteers Needed: YOU CAN HELP THE EARTH!!
JOIN THE BROOKS PTO
It's not too early to sign up to help next year. Please consider joining the PTO team next year and help us add to the middle school vibes. Your ideas are welcome and we need your help.
Big Needs: Co-Pres, Treasurer, and 8th Grade Chairs.
District Program Information
Summer Math Review Options
The program will be held June 13, 2023 through June 30, 2023 (Monday through Friday), at Julian Middle School.
Students will:
- Review grade level Illinois Learning Standards in mathematics;
- Engage in challenging performance tasks
The registration deadline is Monday, April 24, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. For more information or to register for the program, please visit this link.
Acceleration Opportunities in District 97
District 97's Single Subject and Whole Grade Level Acceleration process for students for the 2023-24 school year is now open!
District 97 believes that all students should be challenged and supported to develop to their maximum potential. For students who demonstrate they may benefit from accelerated placement, we provide opportunities to participate in an instructional setting that is usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades than the child. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Single subject acceleration
- Whole grade acceleration
In accordance with the Illinois Accelerated Placement Act, District 97 has continued to refine procedures to ensure equitable access to acceleration opportunities for all students. Continuing this year: all students who are grade eligible to take the Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR) must participate in the assessment in order to be deemed eligible for acceleration. The IAR is a critically important measure in determining the mastery of grade level standards and must be considered by the school team along with other sources of data.
Pre-applications for single-subject and whole-grade acceleration will be accepted from March 1 to May 15 of each school year. The general process is outlined HERE.
Information about the District 97 Accelerated Placement Program, including definitions and timelines, can be found at http://www.op97.org/acceleration.
2023-24 District 97 Blended Preschool Program
2023-24 District 97 Blended Preschool Program
On Monday, April 10, District 97 will begin accepting applications for the early childhood blended classrooms at Whittier Elementary School for the 2023-24 school year. There will be a limited number of spaces available. Click here to view the 2023-24 D97 Blended Early Childhood flyer >>
District 97 is seeking students who:
are non-IEP students who will be between the ages of 3 and 4 years by Sept. 1, 2023;
demonstrate age-appropriate language and social skills;
are Oak Park residents;
are not enrolled in a preschool program.
The registration window will be open April 10, 2023, through May 19, 2023. For more information about the Early Childhood Blended Program or to apply, please visit https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/ecblended.
GBMS 22-23 Yearbook purchasing details
It's time to purchase your GBMS 2022-2023 Yearbook! The cost is $26.02. Use the purchase link below to get started. You can also use your TreeRing account to share photos with our Yearbook Team throughout the year as well as design your very own custom pages (first two pages are free). If you have any questions regarding the yearbook, please contact Meaghan Pabellon at mpabellon@op97.org.
Purchase Link: https://tr5.treering.com/validate
GBMS Passcode: 1014096931934358
CLUBS & SPORTS INFORMATION
Library Opening in the Mornings (Repeat)
- Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
- No pass needed
- To enter, students wait in-between the Kenilworth doors (by the main office)
- An adult will escort groups to the library at 8:00, 8:15, and 8:30. For example, if you arrive at 8:10 you will have to wait until the 8:15 group heads up. If you arrive after the 8:30 group has been escorted, you may not enter the library that day
- You will sign-in and stay in the library until the 8:50 bell
- These times are for students to quietly read, do homework, or meet as a group to study or work on a project.
Spoken Word Club
After a hiatus to restructure our program, OPEF Spoken Word Club is back! Launched in Fall 2015, Spoken Word is a powerful and effective medium for fostering creativity and self-expression in young people. Kids learn to collaborate creatively and to respond to each other's work in a thoughtful and constructive manner.
What: Spoken Word Club
When: Wednesdays April 12 - May 17 (4:00PM - 5:30PM)
Where: Oak Park Art League at 720 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park
Spoken Word Club will meet every Wednesday, from 4-5:30pm, starting April 12th and ending May 17th. It will be hosted at the Oak Park Art League (720 Chicago Ave.). It will be led by our poet-artists Brandon Stiffic and Diamond Jones and teacher-coaches John Colucci (Julian) and Miles Lee (Brooks). We look forward to hosting a showcase event at the end of May. Parents may use this linked registration form to register their student for this opportunity. More information about the program can be found here.
TRACK & FIELD INFORMATION
Track families - Please complete this google form so we can collect contact information and runner availability. Just a reminder, students need a physical on file to participate in practice. If students don't have a physical on file, unfortunately, they will need to sit out of practice.
Got Questions: Please email Mr. Andrade (pandrade@op97.org) or Ms. Sefcik (bsefcik@op97.org)
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Please email Mr. Lary Grimaldi (lgrimaldi@op97.org) for practice schedule. See the Brooks Calendar for game schedule.
WRESTLING
Email Mr. Colucci about your interest, questions or concerns at mcolucci@op97.org. Find out more here at https://www.littlehuskieswrestling.org/ or speak to Mr. Colucci and Dr. Holmes. Wrestling is a technical sport and requires people to use their mind to overcome physical challenges and win. If that sounds like something you would like to embrace, come join the team! To see the schedule of meets, please see Brooks Calendar.
(NEW) BEAD CLUB
Are beads your thing? Do you like to wear necklaces, earrings, and bracelets? Would you like to learn to make them? Then join the Brooks Beading Club! We will make all kinds of jewelry with beads and even resin! Starting 3/15/2023 and then Every Tuesday and Wednesday thereafter
From 3:45-5:00 in room C219. See Ms. Brock (lbrock@op97.org) for more info!
ROBOTICS CLUB
The Brooks Robotics Club & OPEF are happy to announce that we’ve added a Spring In-House Robotics session!! The session will start on Monday, March 13, 2023. In-house robotics is the less competitive robotics option at Brooks; it is geared toward students who are interested in exploring robotics without the pressure of the competitive robotics team. Students who may have not had any previous experience with building robots and coding will learn the basics of a chassis, VEX building techniques and introductory block coding. The students will work in teams to design, build and code a robot to navigate a maze autonomously and perform in a fun remote control competition; previous examples of which were robot soccer, road racing and fun obstacle courses.
If you’re interested, please fill out the Spring In-House Robotics Application by Thursday, March 9, 2023. We’ll begin on Monday, March 13, after-school in D202 and will meet on Mondays and Thursdays weekly for 12 sessions from 3:30 - 5:00. There will be a participation fee of $50 to cover the cost of consumable supplies and materials. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Shinners at bshinners@op97.org.
Asian-American Culture Club
Are you interested in learning about Asian American culture? If so, please attend our next meeting! Our club’s goals are to learn about Asian American culture through art, languages, music, food, traditions, religions, dance, clothing, etc. We will feature several guest speakers. Our next meeting will be in room C407 on Tuesday, April 25th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Meetings will be every other Tuesday. Please email or see Ms. Borah (cborah@op97.org /room C407) or Mr. Alejos (dalejos2@op97.org/ Media Center) for more information.
Social Justice/Rubik's Cube Club
Next meetings are every Wednesday in room C405. Our beliefs that students play a valuable role in shaping the climate and culture of their schools. With the community's support, we have expanded opportunities for students' voices to create a more positive and welcoming learning environment for all. If you have questions about the club, please get in touch with Mrs. Nichelle Stigger at nstigger@op97.org
Math Team
Thank you for a wonderful math team season! Congratulations to Benjamin Drucker and Sebastian Villafane who represented Brooks at our State Competition.
Best Buddies Club
Next meeting to be announced. Bring a friend and get ready to make a friend. If you have any questions please reach out to Ms. Malina (vmalina@op97.org), Ms. Sefcik (bsefcik@op97.org) or Ms. Gaffney (pgaffney@op97.org)! Best Buddies is the world's largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Here at Best Buddies we will strive to create a sense of belonging here at Brooks through inclusive activities and social outings! Students will have the opportunity to build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and the level of inclusion. People with IDD form meaningful connections with peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, share interests, experiences and activities that other students may also enjoy!
Yearbook
Our next meeting will be announced and held in D304. Need a permission slip? Stop by the 3rd Floor C wing. You can pick up a permission slip from the Art Department Bulletin Board in the hallway. Come with a charged Chromebook so you can begin designing our yearbook. Remember, no permission slips means you can’t use the design website, so don’t forget!
Intramurals
Intramurals will be every Monday and Thursday after school 3:30-4:30pm and meets in the third floor gym. Depending on gym space the activities we will start the year off with will be basketball, football, frisbee and badminton. Please pick up permission slips from Mr. Gillespie (mgillespie@op97.org).
Rainbow Revolution
Brook’s very own group that welcomes students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies—ALL are welcome here! We meet on Mondays at 3:35pm in the Brooks Media Center. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Berman (aberman@op97.org).
BEAT (Brooks Earth Action Team)
We meet on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 in Room C202. Next meeting is November 29th, bring a mug. Everyone is welcome! We have so many cool projects going: designing an outdoor classroom, saving the Rusty Patched Bumblebee (an endangered species!), designing a bird sanctuary, growing food and more!
Chess Club / Game Club
We meet in room C108 from 3:30-5:00 p.m on the following dates:
April: Tuesday 18th
May: Tuesday 2nd and Tuesday 16th (Last Day)
Coordinator: Mark Hausfeld mhausfeld@op97.org
The goal of Chess / Game Club is to provide enrichment, teach, sharpen and reinforce game skills while learning to appreciate not only the games themselves but good sportsmanship as well. I hope to help all players, regardless of skill level, improve their “gaming” skills.
**All permission slips can be emailed, dropped in the main office, or brought to the club
Art Club
Meetings every Thursday from 3:30-4:30. Open to all students. Drop in when you can. Make art! Make friends! Email Mrs. Murray to be added to the Canvas course at kmurray@op97.org
Service Club
Service club meets Friday mornings from 8:00am to 8:50am in B209.
Please join us to find out about the service projects we’ll be organizing this year. You are welcome to share your own ideas about how we can help our community too. See or email Ms. Walsh (B209, swalsh@op97.org) or Ms. Martínez (B208, bmartinez@op97.org) with questions.
Morning Choirs (click here for more info) -
If students are still interested in joining, talk to Mr. Blackman in D105
- Fledgelings (all 6th grade and 7/8th not in a music class) meets Thursdays at 8am
- Downbeat (7/8th in Band, Choir, or Orchestra) meets Tuesdays and Fridays at 8am
For more information regarding the clubs (see 2nd tab on spreadsheet):
Brooks 2022 - 2023 Extra-Curricular Activities, which is being updated weekly.
Friday Night Place
Friday Night Place (FNP) is open to all students currently enrolled in 5th-8th grade. Open gym takes place each Friday afternoon starting April 14th from 3:30-5:30 pm at
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School: 325 S Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park, IL, 60302. FNP will meet at Brooks on the following Fridays:
1.Friday, April 14th, 2023
2.Friday, April 28th, 2023
3.Friday, May 5th, 2023
4.Friday May 19th 2023
This program is FREE to students in the Oak Park/River Forest community. Friday Night Place has been providing an after school program in Oak Park for the last 28 years. Students in 5th-8th grade have had a safe place to go on Fridays to get a work out, to receive mentoring and some academic support. This program has expanded to include providing community support to families, behavioral support for students in crisis and the implementation of in-home software to provide ongoing educational support through Edmentum learning support.
Friday Night Place Oak Park SMART Kids College Summer Program Registration Link:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/CovenantYouthCollision/OakParkKidsCollegeRegistration2023
Parents and Gwendolyn Brooks Staff are also welcome to join our team:
https://www.kidscollege.info/volunteer-with-us
Please be sure to register your student for Friday Night Place, if you would like your student to be able to attend. Please complete the registration: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CovenantYouthCollision/FRIDAYNIGHTPLACE20222023
Once registered, students should
PLEASE COME PREPARED WITH SHORTS, SWEAT PANTS, T-SHIRT & GYM SHOES
Students will be expected to master the 3-A’s for their success:
ATTENDANCE + ATTITUDE + ACADEMICS = POSITIVE ACHIEVEMENT
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT COACH JEROME AT (773)-793-0867. ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND FOR ALL NEW COMERS, WELCOME! GET READY, GET READY, GET READY!
FNP Website: https://www.kidscollege.info/oak-park-location
NEWSIES JR.
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
BRAVO Proudly Presents - NEWSIES, JR!
April 28 - May 7
Please come support our 130 6th, 7th & 8th grade students as the cast and crew of Newsies!
Bravo is committed to making theater accessible for all, so NEW THIS YEAR, our Sunday Performances on April 30 and May 7 at 1pm are "pay what you can." If you would like to support this mission and would like to add a donation to your ticket purchases, you can do so as well. As always - thank you for your continued support of this program.
BRAVO Friday Pizza Lunch
Student Announcements
PTO Standing Communications
BROOKS PTO - ANGEL FUNDS
SUPPORT PTO ALL YEAR LONG!!
Starting with your holiday shopping - by using RiaseRight gift cards for all your everyday purchases! We are currently raising money to help provide scholarships for the 8th grade Washington DC trip and to fund monthly cultural celebrations and other initiatives for the school community for the rest of the year.
The RightRaise gift card fundraiser is super easy...simply go to https://www.raiseright.com/ and create an account or download the app. Use our enrollment code 71Z7LFLAMVH7 and purchase gift cards to give as gifts or to use for your everyday shopping. You can also share the link and enrollment code with your friends or family who want to support Brooks.
There are hundreds of stores to choose from - places like Target, Whole Foods, Ulta, Bath & Body Works, LL Bean, Old Navy, Crate & Barrel, Starbucks, Amazon, BP, Chipotle, etc. Even Airbnb and several airlines!
Electronic gift cards are recommended b/c you can pay for them online and receive them within seconds. They arrive so quickly that you can purchase them while you are in line at the grocery store and use them to check out. You can even purchase reloadable gift cards for the gift that keeps giving all year long...think gas, coffee, clothes, pizza... the possibilities are (almost) endless!
When ordering gift cards please pay for them online or through the app and DO NOT select the option to pay the coordinator. Please note that while it is too late to receive physical gift cards before winter break, e-gift cards are received immediately and there is an option for physical gift cards to be shipped directly to your home for future gift giving. Physical gift cards delivered to Brooks will be distributed and available for pick up once or twice monthly.
The PTO can't exist without YOU!
Do you want to have the inside scoop on what is going on at Brooks and D97? Do you want to make our school better than it ever as we transition back to a more ‘normal’ school day? NOW is the time to get involved!! We are looking to fill positions for the 2021-2022 school year and have some critical roles open! Sign up here and email gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com with any questions! We look forward to hearing from you!
Connect with the Brook’s PTO
Please ensure you are a part of the Facebook gbms PTO group. Email gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com with any questions.
2022 - 2023 District News and Information
Be Safe and Healthy: Preparing for Winter in District 97
As we head into the winter months, it’s important that we all continue to work together to keep our schools safe and healthy for learning. Please take a moment to review the district’s Winter Preparedness 2022-23 deck, or watch the presentation from the Nov. 15 board of education meeting.
Winter Illnesses and Everyday Preventative Strategies
This year, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), has noted an increase in individuals getting sick from respiratory viruses, including the flu, RSV and COVID-19. Health officials are urging individuals and families to take basic precautions to protect themselves this winter—stay home when you are sick, wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, and stay up to date on your vaccines. CLICK HERE to watch a brief video of everyday strategies to keep our schools healthy this winter >>
Emergency Closings and E-Learning Days
District 97 always strives to have schools open. However, if heavy snow or extreme cold make it dangerous to travel, we may need to close schools. The district’s emergency closing procedures are outlined at https://www.op97.org/communications/emergency-closings.
In July 2021, the District 97 Board of Education approved an E-Learning Plan for students to receive instruction electronically in lieu of traditional emergency days (or inclement weather days). This means that instead of canceling school, the superintendent now has the option of calling an “E-Learning Day” where students and staff learn and work virtually at home. This provides a continuation of learning and prevents the loss of critical instructional days, particularly in our first and second trimesters.
If the superintendent decides to close buildings and hold an E-Learning Day, the information is shared through multiple channels, including email, the district website, our Facebook and Twitter social media pages, and the Emergency Closings website. Staff and families are also encouraged to OPT IN to text messages from the district by texting YES to 87569.
D97 Back-to-School Information
As a reminder, we have created a central location for important back-to-school updates and documents: https://www.op97.org/back-to-school.
The district’s COVID-19 Health Safety Plan is linked below and can also be found, along with other COVID-19 resources and information, by going to https://www.op97.org/updatecenter.
Mitigation Change: Effective Sept. 30, District 97 will no longer require masks for indoor events or field trips. Masks will continue to be required in the school nurses' offices. Please visit the district website for complete details about our current health and safety protocols.
Combined Student and Family Handbook for 2022-23
This year, the district worked to merge the Effective Student Behavior Handbook and Family Handbook into one comprehensive resource, the Student and Family Handbook, in order to streamline information for families and staff. The new handbook contains important information regarding school policies, procedures, student rights and responsibilities, and important notifications required by state and federal law.
The purpose of this handbook is to outline the expectations for building an educational community where everyone feels safe, included and able to learn. Having shared expectations, procedures and policies helps us respect all members of the school community in which we learn and work every day. Please take the time to read through the handbook and review it with your child.
Meal Information for the 2022-23 School Year
The breakfast and lunch menus for our elementary and middle schools are available at http://www.op97.org/business-office/food-service. During the 2022-23 school year, students may:
Bring a nut-free lunch from home.
Order school lunch.
PLEASE NOTE: During the 2022-23 school year, all students will be required to pay for their breakfast and lunch meals unless they are directly approved by the State of Illinois or approved after completing the 2022-23 Free and Reduced Meal Application.
Food Allergies/Nut-Safe Schools
Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any District 97 schools during the 2022-23 school year. This includes products that are labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.” Our schools have been nut-safe for the past two years—helping to create safer, more inclusive environments for all of our students.
Please visit https://bit.ly/3AyGPpI to access information about the district’s food allergy management program, as well as tips and options for identifying food that is safe for snacks and field trips. We appreciate your support of this important initiative!
School Fees
The district is currently accepting fee payments for the 2022-23 school year. Full payment is due by September 30, 2022. You can access the fee information by visiting https://www.op97.org/business-office/fees.
Text Messages from District 97
District 97 uses the notification system BrightArrow to communicate with families via email and phone calls. We have started using periodic text messages to send reminders directly to parents' cell phones. In order to receive text messages, parents must opt in by texting YES to 87569. Once you have subscribed, you will receive a text confirmation.
Texts may appear from District 97 from 87569 or a phone number with a 424 area code (you may wish to save them to your contacts).
Wellness Check-in Program
Please reach out to your school's school psychologist or social worker if you have social-emotional concerns about your child. If your child is experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please call the Thrive 24hr 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.
Repeated Topics For Reference
GBMS Athletics Update
Keep D97 Schools Allergy Safe - No Nuts Allowed
Please visit https://bit.ly/3j0KGTB to access information about the district’s food allergy management program, as well as tips and options for identifying food that is safe for snacks and field trips.
Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any District 97 schools during the 2022-23 school year. This includes products that are labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.”
We appreciate your help in adhering to this preventative measure.
(708) 524- 3058 or tbiggerstaff@op97.org
Process for Reporting Positive COVID-19 Cases to D97 Schools
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they must complete the following steps:
1) In order to notify the school nurse and receive a return-to-school date, families/staff must complete the confidential COVID-19 Positive Case Notification Form as soon as possible following the positive test. Information provided will also be shared with the Oak Park Department of Public Health.2) Families must continue to report student absences via the school attendance line, and staff must enter their absences in Frontline.
To see the rules for isolation and quarantine, click here. Additional resources are linked below.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE - How to Report Student Absences
Office Phones and Dropping off Items at Brooks
Please note that our office staff sets the phone to go to voicemail from 8:30am to 9:15am daily. Please leave a message of your student's absence or you can email brooksattendance@op97.org. Our office staff will listen to voicemails to call back or direct calls as needed after 9:15am daily. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Dropping off Items at Brooks for your Student
You may drop off forgotten items for your student in the main office. Please note that we will not call into your student's classroom, as it is a disruption to the learning for other students and the teacher in the classroom. Your student should plan to stop by the main office on their way to lunch or between passing periods, if they think you may have dropped off the forgotten item for them to retrieve. We appreciate your understanding.
SCHOOL DAY
We will be following a block schedule again this school year. Students will attend 4 of their 8 classes Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday following an A/B Schedule and on Wednesdays following C Schedule where students will attend all of their classes. On the weeks where there is a day with no school, students classes will be A and B days only. Here is the A/B/C schedule rotation for this school year. Here is the BELL schedule for each grade level on A/B and C days.
Cell Phone/Mobile Devices Away for the Day
Cell phones/Mobile Devices are not to be used during school hours. This includes calling parents/guardians due to illness, requesting items to be dropped off, etc.
Students can ask a teacher to use the classroom phone or the phone in the main office, if needed.
Cell phones are to be turned off/on silent upon entering the school building, stored in the student’s locker, and not used until the dismissal bell rings.
More Information can be found here. This will also be shared with students during the first week of school.
Tardies to Class
Being on time to class is essential for optimal learning for all students. This school year when a student reaches 15 tardies within a trimester, they will meet with their SOAR teacher to develop a strategy to ensure the student will get to all their classes on time. At 25 tardies within a trimester, the student will be assigned a time during their social time to meet with an administrator to reflect on root causes of tardies and develop a plan, additionally, parents/guardians will be contacted. At 35 tardies within the trimester, parents/guardians will be contacted to meet with their student and an administrator to develop a tardy contract.
Water Bottle Reminder
We ask that if possible to please send your student to school with a filled water bottle. There are no drinking fountains open, but we have water bottle filling stations in the school for our students to refill their water bottles when needed.
School Physicals and Immunizations
Incoming 6th-grade students and/or any new students who have transferred into District 97, MUST have a wellness physical and dental exam dated no less than one year prior to August 25th, 2022. Your child's physical must have been performed after August 25th, 2021 . Your child may not be admitted to school without these documents as of Monday, October 17th, 2022. Please submit the documents by mail or in person no later than August 25, 2022 to the following:
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School
Attn: Health Office, Nurse Tracy Biggerstaff
325 S. Kenilworth Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
SPORTS PHYSICALS – The State of Illinois Office of Education requires that any student who wishes to participate in interscholastic sports MUST have an Athletic Physical Examination, dated no less than one year prior to the first day of the current school year, anytime after August 25, 2021. It is MANDATORY that your child have this physical before they will be eligible to try out or participate in any interscholastic activity.
To access student health forms please visit http://www.op97.org/hr/health-requirements
**For any family having difficulty securing an appointment to get the physical completed, please email our School Nurse, Tracy Biggerstaff, tbiggerstaff@op97.org.
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.
The Help Corner will features a frequently-asked question related to services and opportunities available for District 97 students and families. We will keep a complete list of these FAQs on our district website.
District 97 has created Community Resources Page. We also encourage families to stay connected through Facebook and Twitter. Additional updates can be found at:
Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200
District 97 also has a broad network of partner organizations that provide an array of supports and services for Oak Park residents. The Community Mental Health Board and Oak Park and River Forest Townships have also put together a COVID-19 Social Services Resource Guide, which is available at https://tinyurl.com/oprfguide.
Community Resources
Friday Night Place Oak Park SMART Kids College Summer Program
Oak Park SMART Kids College Summer Program Registration Link: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CovenantYouthCollision/OakParkKidsCollegeRegistration2023
For additional information about the Friday Night Place program and services please visit the web site:
https://www.kidscollege.info/oak-park-location
Parents and Gwendolyn Brooks Staff are also welcome to join our team: https://www.kidscollege.info/volunteer-with-us
YOUR PASSION 1ST
Glenbard Parent Series (GPS): Navigating Healthy Families
The Glenbard Parent Series (GPS): Navigating Healthy Families is a distinguished speaker series dedicated to presenting relevant, high-profile authors, educators and clinicians. These high-caliber presenters offer practical research-based knowledge, strategies, and personal experience to support students’ engaged learning, and well-being.
Founded in 1995, GPS is a weekly resource for parents/caregivers/guardians (for children of all ages) as well as students, school staff, professionals and community members. GPS is here to inform, connect, and inspire. All programs are free and open to the public. Many events are presented at both noon and 7pm, and offered in multiple languages.
GPS is a resource for parents, educators, students, and community members to foster self-empowered children who collaborate, communicate, embrace diversity, create and think critically.
For the safety and convenience of our participants the majority of this year’s Glenbard Parent Series events will be presented virtually on zoom. No registration is required and all are welcome to attend.
Programs are offered free of charge, no registration is required, and the public is welcome to attend.
Details, event updates, and Zoom links can be found here: www.GlenbardGPS.org
SUPPORT4U
SUPPORT4U is a mental health resource for our students to anonymously text licensed mental health clinicians any time of the day for assistance or guidance. Students can text for any issue; typical reasons might include social issues, anxiety, depression, substance use, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, bullying, abuse, or any other mental health-related topic. The clinician’s goal is to steer the student to available resources in the school and community. To use, students just need to go to Support4U.live on their phone, click on the Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School logo and hit send. Help is just a text away.
Thrive Services and Programs
PHONE-BASED COUNSELING
Thrive is offering phone-based counseling, 24/7 crisis intervention services, medication management and, a free Thrive Check-In phone support line (Ext. 8) to address our community’s needs during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Call us at (708)383-7500. Our Front Desk team is also ready to assist you Monday-Friday, 9am to 2pm, with requests for referrals or new services and to reschedule or cancel an appointment.
Mental Health Resource, "Call4Calm"
Thrive is also a proud partner of the Illinois Call4Calm Text Line Service. Text “TALK” TO 552020 (or “HABLAR) for Spanish. The Illinois Call4Calm Text Line is not a crisis hotline, but is a source of support for anyone experiencing stress and in need of a listening ear.
And we know the COVID-19 pandemic can wear on every resource—from food and shelter to our emotional bandwidth and mental health. Fortunately, the Illinois Department of Human Services has launched a support line called Call4Calm that is reachable via text. Individuals who want to speak with a mental health professional can text the word “TALK” or “HABLAR” (for Spanish speakers) to 552-020. Within 24 hours, that individual will receive a call from a mental health professional employed by a local community health center.
People can also text other terms, like “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” to the same number to receive information on how to navigate and access supports and services. Call4Calm is free, and individuals who use it can remain anonymous. We encourage you to share this resource with your students, families, and staff.