December 3, 2018
Illinois 5Essentials Survey
We are administering the Illinois 5Essentials Survey again this year to certified staff and parents/guardians from all 10 of our schools, as well as students in grades four through eight. Please click here to learn how parents/guardians can participate in this important endeavor and click here to access the parent/guardian version of the survey. Please note that school-level reports will only be generated if at least 20 percent of our parents/guardians complete the survey, which can be accessed until Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. We appreciate your feedback.
Wednesday 12/5: A Conversation about Race in the Classroom
Join us on Wednesday, December 5th at 7:00pm to 8:30pm for a discussion about race in the classroom facilitated by Marcus Croom.
Process for students to retrieve their Chromebook once it has been turned in for repair
Once the issue for which the chromebook was turned in has been resolved, the Chrombooks are returned to the main office by our Technology Department. The students are made aware of their chrombook ready to be pickup by :
- Student names are called at the start and end of the day.
- We also have spreadsheet shared with every teacher in the building that is updated throughout the day when repaired Chromebooks are delivered to the main office and available for pickup. The spreadsheet also includes a list of Chromebooks that have been left behind in classrooms by students.
Important Information Regarding Brooks Parking Lot Restrictions
Please be aware that the Village of Oak Park will be enforcing the night time permit parking zone times and locations. This includes the Brooks parking lot located in front of the school on Kenilworth Avenue. ANY person parking in the the Kenilworth lot between the hours of 6:00pm and 7:30am will be ticketed if you are not a night time permit holder. If you are visiting the school after hours, you will need to utilization street paring only.
We do realize that there are several events that take place in the evening at Brooks Middle school and we do apologize for this inconvenience. If you have any questions regarding the permitted zones in Oak Park, please contact the Parking Restrictions Coordinator at The Village of Oak Park Parking Division.
Parking Division, Village of Oak Park
123 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302
Work: (708) 358-5762, JJones@oak-park.us www.oak-park.us
Oak Park Police Department Toy & Coat Drive
This holiday season Oak Park Police, Lodge #8 and Interim Chief Reynolds would like to extend our support for our community with a holiday toy drive (in conjunction with Toys for Tots) and a winter coat drive to help those in need during Chicago's bitterly cold winter.
Community members may donate unopened toys & gently used coats. You can turn in your donations in to the Oak Park Police Department Lobby or in the Brooks Middle School Main Office drop box.
Young Filmmakers Contest
One Earth Film Festival has announced it's Young Filmmakers Contest. Students may submit a 3 to 8 minute film about one of 6 sustainability topics: energy, food, transportation, waste, water, or open space/ecosystems. They should present a problem with their topic and then a solution. Please see this website to learn more and to view a short film about the contest. Deadline is January 13, 2019.
Youth Program for Students
Glen Ellyn Area Alumnae Chapter (GEAAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated would like to extend an invitation to some of our free youth program for students within your school district. The three programs, EMBODI, Academy, and GEMS are only for males and females age 11-18. It occurs on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Here is a flyer for students and parents of students 11 to 18. December is the final month students can sign up for the program.
Sebrenna Graves
Public Relations Co-Chair
Glen Ellyn Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated
https://dstglenellyn.org/ Phone: 952-292-8737
Assessment Re-Do/Re-Take Policy
Please find information regarding the student re-do/re-take policy in our Brooks Website.
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.
Brooks PTO News and Information
Coffee with Capuder
Friday, December 14, 8:30am
Brooks Commons, (cafe area to the left of the front door) for an informal opportunity to connect, learn, and share information.
- We will discuss the recent IBSE school designations from the state of Illinois and our School Improvement Plan that will address it.
- We will discuss the student environment and culture at Brooks as well as the tools, resources, and plans engaged within the school to support a healthy climate.
Community Meeting
Community Meeting focusing on IBSE School Report Card Designation and the Culture and Climate at Brooks
Monday, December 10 at 7:00 as we discuss the recent IBSE school designations from the state of Illinois and our School Improvement Plan that will address it. Also, Stacie Klein, AP of Culture and Climate at Brooks, and Lauren Olson, School Culture and Climate coach, will be joining to discuss the student environment and culture at Brooks as well as the tools, resources, and plans engaged within the school to support a healthy climate.
The meeting will be held on the 3rd floor in the media center. Feel free to bring your student(s). Come as you are.
Clubs and Sports Information
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. MartÃnez. Thank you for your help!
Girls Volleyball
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL OPEN GYM and TRYOUT DATES
JUNIOR VARSITY (open to all 6th and 7th graders)
- OPEN GYM - Tuesday, December 4th at 7am
- TRYOUTS - Monday, December 10th at 7am AND Wednesday, December 12th at 3:30pm
VARSITY (open to all 8th graders)
- OPEN GYM - Wednesday, December 5th at 3:30pm
- TRYOUTS - Monday, December 10th at 3:30pm AND Thursday, December 13th at 3:30pm
Please be sure all forms are completed and a physical is on file. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Grimaldi at hgrimaldi@op97.org
Boys Basketball Practice Schedule
Varsity/JV Game Schedule
- 12/3 Home Game vs. Heritage
- 12/4 Home Game vs. Lincoln
- 12/5 Away Game vs. Irving
12/6 Practice -3:30pm - 5:00pm
12/7 Practice -3:30pm - 5:00pm
For questions, please contact
Varsity - Darren Haus at dhaus@op97.org,
JV - Aaron Contraveos acontraveos@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
- Ulmtimate Frisbee Clubs - Mondays 3:30 to 4:30pm Meets in the 3rd fl. Gym. Contact Mr. Gillespie with questions mgillespie@op97.org
- Yearbook Club: Next meetings 12/3 & 12/17 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
- Ulmtimate Frisbee Clubs - Mondays 3:30 to 4:30pm. Meets in 3rd floor gymContact Mr. Gillespie with questions mgillespie@op97.org
- 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