Middle Matters
Week of October 2nd, 2023
In This Issue
Highlights from this week's Middle Matters:
- Important Upcoming Dates
- SY23-24 School Calendar
- 8th Grade Graduation Date
- Monster Mash Bash - October 20th; tickets on sale now
- Frozen - tickets on sale now
- 6th Grade BRAVO Audition Clinic and Auditions sign-up
- Oct. 16 Deadline for School Health Requirements
- Recognizing Staff Who Make A Difference
- GBMS Yearbook Sales - 10% discount
- Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
- GBMS Library - Morning Protocol
- Student Lunches - no outside deliveries permitted
- Middle Matters-Sports, Clubs & BRAVO Information & Student Announcement Link
- Volunteer Opportunities: Domino Pizza (BRAVO)
- PTO News for the MONTH of October - don't miss out!
- Middle Matters Repeated Topics Link
- Middle Matters Community Partner News Link
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
April Capuder, Principal (acapuder@op97.org)
Dr. Denise Gildon, Associate Principal for Teaching & Learning (dgildon@op97.org)
Roshaun Bowens, Associate Principal for School Culture, Climate and Sports/Clubs (rbowens@op97.org)
Student Success Coach Team:
6th Grade: Josh Rodgers - jrodgers@op97.org
7th Grade: Nichelle Stigger - nstigger@op97.org
8th Grade: Bernard Starks - bstarks@op97.org
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, -A Day; Tuesday - B day; Wednesday - C Day, Thursday - A Day and Friday - B Day
No School: Monday, October 9th, 2023
Conferences: Thursday, October 26th from 12:45pm to 8pm
School Pictures: Wednesday, November 1, 2023
No School: Friday, November, 10th, 2023
End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 17
Report Card Date: December 8, 2023 (Trimester 1)
8th Grade Graduation Date - Mark Your Calendars
Monster Mash Bash - Tickets on Sale
Start practicing those ghoulish dance moves - it's the Monster Mash Bash All School Halloween Dance!
TICKETS ON SALE - MONDAY, OCTOBER 2
Open to ALL BROOKS 6th, 7th & 8th Graders
Be sure to stop by the HAUNTED TICKET BOOTH outside of the Commons to pick up ticket information or order your ticket online!
Frozen Performances - Tickets on Sale
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Come support our amazing 7th & 8th Graders in the cast and crew of FROZEN!
Tickets on sale Monday, October 2
bravoperformingarts.org
6th Graders - BRAVO Audition Clinic and Auditions
Oct. 16 Deadline for School Health Requirements
The State of Illinois requires all kindergarteners, sixth-graders and students new to our district submit a current State of Illinois school physical with up-to-date immunizations. Detailed information on the requirements can be found here under “Health Requirements.”
Please note that according to Section 27-8.1 of the School Code of Illinois, District 97 is obligated to exclude students from school beginning on Monday, Oct. 16 who have not provided proof of the required physical examinations and/or immunizations, until they are in compliance.
If you have been contacted by your school nurse that your child is missing any of the required forms/information, please submit those records directly to them before the Oct. 16 deadline.
Thank you for your assistance with this important matter!
Recognizing Staff Who Make A Difference
Here is the link to the form: https://forms.gle/5MZSgYchCtFYR48TA
Yearbook Sales
Take 10% OFF the best moments of the school year!
We'll even package them up in a beautifully bound yearbook and deliver it.
Go ahead. Check it off your to-do list.
Click here to buy a GBMS Yearbook
The cost is $28.15 without the 10% discount.
GBMS Passcode: 1014096931934358, may be needed when purchasing.
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.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and our teachers, staff and community have begun to celebrate and pay tribute to the contributions and history of Hispanic Americans. We'd love to hear how you are honoring the unique achievements, contributions and histories of Hispanic Americans this month! Tweet us (@OakPark97, using the hashtags #MyD97 and #D97Joy) to share stories and photos or email us at d97feedback@op97.org.
Looking for books, videos and events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month? Check out these resources from the Oak Park Public Library >>>
GBMS Library-Morning Protocol
Starts Tuesday, September 5th
- The GBMS Library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
- No pass needed
- To enter, 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 8:50am
- These times are for students to quietly read, do homework, or meet as a group to study or work on a project.
BRAVO Pizza Lunch - still taking orders
Domino's Pizza Lunch - (30) Fridays from September 15 - May 31
SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE IN FRIDAY PIZZA LUNCH
>> Students MUST have a Brooks Student ID EVERY FRIDAY to receive pizza <<
Student Lunch - No Outside Deliveries
Please note, we can not accept deliveries for students from outside delivery services. Do not order food for your student to be delivered to the school.
Clubs & Sports Information - Fall 2023
Girls Home Basketball games - Live Streamed
https://www.youtube.com/live/nrwoxWyg0e0?si=nm0zGBWLjq1Lznd8
Home schedule:
Sept 28th v Northlake
October 5th v Heritage Summit
October 12th v Roosevelt RF
October 16th V Freedom
October 18th V Irving
Volunteer Opportunities
FRIDAYS - BRAVO DOMINIOS PIZZA
Pizza Lunch Volunteers Needed!
Looking for a fun & easy volunteer opportunity at Brooks? Pizza Lunch is a great way to touch base with your child at lunch as well as get to know new families. We rely on volunteers to help distribute food and keep this program going, so please consider donating your time. We can't do it without you!!! Sign up to volunteer on Fridays: Please Sign Up to Volunteer
PTO October News
PTO Meeting (in-person) in Brooks Media Center - Tuesday, 10/10 at 6pm
- Zoom link also available. Register HERE.
Boba, Books & Board Games - Thursday 10/12
Donuts 4 DC - Wednesday 10/11 & 10/25
Candycopia Dine Out Day - Wednesday 10/25
Staff Appreciation Dinner - Thursday, 10/26
Gift Cards of Appreciation!
Connect with the Brook’s PTO
Connect with PTO
Follow us on FaceBook at @gwendolynbrookspto, or email us at gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.