March 18, 2019
IAR Testing Continues this Week
The IAR testing window will take place from March 11th through April 26th.
Grade Level IAR Testing dates are as follows:
6th grade: LA- 3/18
7th grade: Math- 3/18 LA-3/20, 3/21
8th grade: Math- 3/18, 3/19, 3/20 (including ISA (science test) on March 22nd)
Please have your child bring a pair of HEADPHONES for the LA portion of their grade level testing dates: 6th Graders on 3/18; 7th graders on 3/20 & 3/21.
Students will be unable to take a test ahead of the class. IAR/ISA test make-ups will occur the week of April 1st.
Parents and guardians, please assist your child in being prepared for testing. Eating breakfast and being well-rested will help your student to do his or her best. Discussing the importance of the test while minimizing any anxieties your child may be feeling is helpful as well. These steps will support our collective efforts for having each child achieve the best possible results. Students should make every effort to be present and on time to school during the testing window. Should an illness or unforeseen absence occur, the student will participate in make-up testing after the scheduled testing date.
The IAR assessments help us understand how our students are growing academically, compared to their peers across the state. The state uses this information to provide more support and resources to the schools in the greatest need and are the academic factors considered when determining the summative designation on our State School Report Card. Please see the graphic below regarding IAR assessments.
Angelica Kamysz (Team 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.1, & 7.2)
Antoine Bland (Team 7.3, 8.1, 8.2, & 8.3)
Brooks Spirit Week Calendar
Monday- March 18th-Pajama Day: “Dreaming about Inclusion for all.”
Tuesday March 19th- Sports Day: “We are all a part of the same team”
Wednesday March 20th- Twin Day: “Dress up with a friend”
Thursday March 21st-“College Day: “We are college and career ready; dress in your favorite college/university apparel”
Friday March 22nd- Kind Eagles Day: Wear your Brooks gear to show respect and do something kind for a fellow Eagle.
8th Grade Graduation Pictures
The graduation picture retakes will take place on Tuesday, March 19.
If you would like to have your student re-take their graduation photos, there is a $10 retake fee payable to Van Gogh Photography. Monday, February 25, your child's graduation picture proofs went home with students.
For questions regarding photos, please contact Van Gogh Photography at (847) 382-2282.
Yearbook Ordering
https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1014096931934358
If you are asked for a pass code, please use: 1014096931934358
8th Grade Dance - Volunteers Needed
The days are getting longer and school days are flying by. It’s time to start planning the 8th Grade Dance on Friday 17th of May. We need your time, ideas, creativity, imagination and resources. Let’s make this process fun and easy. The more the merrier, sign up with friends. There will be adult beverages at the committee meeting! Please consider joining this committee, no contribution of your time will be too small. This cannot happen without you! We will plan on meeting soon to discuss the event! Sign up for the committee here!
D97 Summer Math - Register Today!
June 17 - July 3, 2019
Monday through Friday
Julian Middle School
8am-10am OR 10am-12pm
For incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th grade D97 students
Students will:
o Review course content from the previous school year (incoming 6th, 7th, & 8th graders) OR
o Receive the opportunity to advance to the next level of math instruction (incoming 6th, 7th, & 8th graders) *Students must pass an End-of-Course Exam following these intense, fast-paced courses.
For more information on summer math courses and registration, please visit http://bit.ly/2019D97summermath
Registration deadline - April 30, 2019
Coffee with Capuder
Student Announcements
Try it Thursdays - Oak Park Public Library
No registration required Drop in from 4-5 PM Main Library, 1st Floor
March 21: Shrinky Dinks
Middle School Hang Out & Chill Out
Are you in middle school? Stop by the Maze Branch to relax and have fun!
Where: Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch,
845 Gunderson Ave, Oak Park, IL
Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm
Grades: 6th-8th
No registration required
Upcoming Dates and Activities:
3/20/19: Board Games
3/27/19: Art Tile + Movie
4/3/19: Ping Pong
4/10/19: Origami
4/17/19: Slime
4/24/19: Movie Day
5/1/19: Mentos Bottle Rocket
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 service(s) is sanctioned, sponsored or endorsed by the district, the Board of Education or the superintendent.
Let’s talk Middle School!
Calling all Brooks, Julian, and 5th grade families...
Let’s talk Middle School!
A special session of D97’s PTO Council
at Percy Julian Middle School, 416 S. Ridgeland
on April 1st, 2019 from 7-8:15 pm
You are cordially invited to join us at Percy Julian Middle School, 416 S. Ridgeland, to learn a little about what makes our middle schools tick.
General topics include:
- climate / culture,
- the transition from elementary to middle
- how the middle schools are handling matters of diversity, restorative justice, mental health, and student leadership.
Attendees include PTO leaders from our ten schools; presenters include Principals Capuder and Fitzgerald, as well as Dr. Kamm, Senior Director of Equity, and Ms. Olson, Climate & Culture Coach at both Brooks and Julian middle schools.
Volunteer with the Brook’s PTO next year
Planning is already underway for the next school year! The PTO is committed to enriching the experience of students at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School through supporting a positive school environment, facilitating the development of positive relationships within the community, advancing school equity initiatives, and creating an environment where all students have access to school resources and opportunities. See the positions that are available and sign up here! Email any questions to gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.
Multicultural Festival
Information about this year's Multicultural Festival will be May 4th. For more information, please use this link: http://www.op97.org/news/1655838/district-97-to-host-multicultural-festival-on-may-4.
"Straight Talk About the 'N' Word."
You can access a flyer for the community conversation by visiting http://bit.ly/2FcYab6. Any help you can provide in spreading the word about this event would be greatly appreciated.
Algebra class for Parents/Adults offered by Math Teacher at OPRFHS
Neal Weisman, a math teacher at OPRFHS offers an algebra class for parents/adults. The class has been running on Monday evenings from 6:00 - 7:30pm. It is free. Attendance has been small and he would like to open it up to parents at the middle schools. The class spends about half the time working through the high school algebra curriculum and half the time working on challenging problems, not necessarily algebra problems. There is no prior knowledge necessary and all are welcome to join.
Any interested parents/adutls should email, Neal Weisman at NWeisman@oprfhs.org if you are interested in attending.
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.
Clubs and Sports Information
Intramural Ultimate Frisbee
Activity dates and signup information to follow.
For more information contact Coach Gillespie at mgillespie@op97.org
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
Boys Volleyball
Game Schedule
Conference week begins!
Games
3/18 - 4pm - 6pm
Away vs. Irving
3/21 - 4pm - 6pm
Away vs. Stevenson
If you have any questions, please contact Coach Grimaldi at hgrimaldi@op97.org or Coach Gillespie at mgillespie@op97.org
Track and Field
Here is the link to our Track & Field website.
Specific events each day are linked on our calendar website.
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 3/11 & 3/18 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