January 22, 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.
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
7th Grade Brooks Parent /Guardian Information Meeting for Springfield and Washington D.C. Trips
Dear 7th Grade Brooks Parents/Guardians,
I have the pleasure of meeting with your students next week to provide information about two AMAZING trips planned for 2019-2020! You are invited to the parent/guardian information meeting on Wednesday, January 23 at 7 PM in the Brooks Commons.
Trip Dates:
- Springfield - NEW DATE: Friday, March 15, 2019
- 7th-graders will attend this trip during their 7th-grade year
- Washington, DC - Friday, February 14 - Sunday, February 16, 2020 (Presidents' Day Weekend) - Date may be updated. Look for information in next week's Middle Matters.
- Current 7th-graders will attend this trip during their 8th-grade year
- We will discuss the following:
- Registration (and discounts)
- Travel Arrangements
- Touring Sites
- Meal accommodations
- Cost (Scholarships and Financial Aid options)
- Parent Chaperones
I look forward to seeing you for the Parent/Guardian information night on Wednesday, January 23 at 7 PM. If you have questions, please email Janorisè Robinson at dctripbrooksjulian@gmail.com.
BRAVO Junior Theatre Festival Recognitions
7th grader, Lathan Goodrum was awarded an All Star and Lillian Berg and Victoria Hutson, both 8th graders, made it to the final round of MTI choreography DVD audition and call backs. The girls will have an opportunity to work and film this summer in New York over 10 days.
BRAVO had an all star cast, team and group of chaperones represented with over 100 Oak Park fans!
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!!
NAMI
NAMI Basics, a 12-week course designed specifically for parents of children who have recently been diagnosed with a mental illness. This year, the course will be held at First Presbyterian Church in River Forest, beginning Monday, 1/21.
NAMI Basics provides a comprehensive overview of symptoms a child may experience, available resources and treatments, and how to advocate for your child as they work through and recovery. The class also provides a supportive network of other parents in similar circumstances, and allows parents to learn from one another's experiences. As always, our programming remains free of charge to participants.
We welcome families at Brooks who would like to register (for free) on our eventbrite link below.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nami-basics-education-program-tickets-48931978866
Coffee with Capuder
Community Café Series
The next event in Superintendent Kelley's community café series will take place on Thursday, Jan. 24, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Buzz Café (905 S. Lombard Avenue). Learn more about the community cafés >
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.
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
All School Spring Musical Auditions - January 22 - 24
Open to ALL Brooks students 6th-8th Grade!
6th & 7th Grade Auditions:Tuesday, January 22
3:30pm-6pm -OR- 5:30pm-8pm (choose 1 time slot)
7th & 8th Grade Auditions: Wednesday, January 23
3:30pm-6pm -OR- 5:30pm-8pm (choose 1 time slot)
January 24 – Callbacks (possibly January 25 too – TBD)
3:30pm – 7pm
*Mandatory Parent Meeting: Monday, February 11 at 6:15pm
Performances:
April 26 – May 5, 2019
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
Practice Schedule:
January 22,
3:30pm - 6:00pm
Game Schedule
Home vs. Irving
Wed., January 23 4pm - 6pm
Home vs. MacArthur
Thu., January 24 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 (No meetings due to No School)
- 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