Middle Matters Remote Learning
Week of December 21, 2020
In This Issue
Highlights from this week's Middle Matters:
- Important Upcoming Dates
- D97 Trimester 2 Learning Selection Form - Complete by January 6th
- 2020 - 2021 Trimester 1 Honor Roll
- "I'm Gonna Sing" - D97 First Virtual Choir Performance
- GBMS Staff Appreciation - Last Chance!
- All School Dance Party Flyer
- Wednesday, December 23rd Half-Day Schedule (A Day-noon dismissal)
- Girls on the Rise
- Student Attendance - Trimester 2: How to Report Student Absences
- GBMS Yearbook Information
- Check out... What's happening in the Brooks Library
- Middle School Virtual Clubs Starting Days & Times & BRAVO Information
- Technology Support: helpdesk@op97.org
- PTO Weekly Communication
- In case you missed it: items from previous Middle Matters (see below)
- District Information Highlights
- Community Highlights
In case you missed it:
- The IB Middle School Years Community Project
- Brooks Parent Connection Group Information
- Brooks Office will be working remotely through January 11, 2021.
- A Greater Good Foundation
- STARS Program
- Morning Virtual Homework Support and Virtual Breakfast with Brooks
- GBMS Remote Learning Webpage (include A/B Day calendar)
- School Immunization and Physical Information
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. Tasha Guerino, at tguerino@op97.org or (708) 524-7636.
Our administrative team is also available to help answer your questions.
Angelica Love Curriculum & Instruction AP (6th grade, Teams 7.1 & 7.2) alove@op97.org
Antione Bland Curriculum & Instruction AP (8th grade, Teams 7.3) abland@op97.org
Stacie Klein Culture & Climate AP sklein@op97.org
IMPORTANT DATES
- Dec 23 - Half Day Student Attendance, NOON Dismissal
- Dec 24 - Jan 8 - Winter Break - School will resume on Mon. Jan 11 (A Day Schedule)
- Jan 18 - MLK Day - No student Attendance
Winter Break
D97 Trimester 2 Learning Selection Form - Complete by January 6th
On Thursday, Dec. 17, we shared our updated hybrid learning schedules for 2021. Between now and Jan. 6, we are asking families to decide whether their student(s) will participate in on-site classes during hybrid learning for the duration of Trimester 2, or whether they will continue to participate in full-time remote learning (via live streaming).
We are asking all parents to complete the Trimester 2 Learning Selection Form for each student in their household by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
Before you complete this form, here are some things you need to know:
- District 97 will continue to offer a full-time remote learning option for students.
- Your selection is for the duration of Trimester 2 (ending March 12, 2021). Students who select remote learning will not be able to switch to on-site learning before the end of the term. We will do a separate commitment form for Trimester 3 to allow families to change their selection.
- If we do not receive a student’s form by Jan. 6, they will automatically be placed in full-time remote learning.
- We will not implement hybrid learning until it is safe to do so. We are currently planning a phased return, beginning with our special programs on Jan. 12 at the earliest. Our goal is to begin transitioning grade levels back on site over several days, beginning Feb. 1. This date, however, depends on local and county COVID-19 metrics. We encourage families to follow all current health and safety guidance—wear a mask, practice social distancing and practice good hand hygiene.
- We have developed a Hybrid Learning FAQ to help families learn more about our hybrid learning and safety plans. We know there will be many questions regarding the specifics of the daily schedule, specials, logistics, etc. Our goal was to provide you as much information as possible prior to break; we will be working to provide additional details in future updates. If you have questions that you would like us to incorporate into the FAQ, you may submit them using this form.
Sincerely,
Oak Park Elementary School District 97
2020 - 2021 Trimester 1 Honor Roll
Congratulations on your academic achievement for the first trimester of the 2020 - 2021 school year.
Your commitment to excellence is evident in earning this academic honor. The effort you have given to your academic performance here at Gwendolyn Brooks serves as an example and inspiration to so many. You should indeed be proud of your work!
Honor Roll Letters will be mailed home the week of 12/21/20.
"I'm Gonna Sing" - D97 First Virtual Choir Performance
We are thrilled to announce our first Virtual Choir Performance is available now on YouTube. The I'm Gonna Sing project was headed up by Evan Jacobson (Hatch) and his wife Anna. Both are AMAZING musicians and were producing wonderful online content even before the pandemic.
I'm Gonna Sing was written by Mary Schmich - a Chicago native who is associated with the Old Town School of Folk Music located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago. All 10 District 97 Choirs participated in this project and the Brooks/Julian voices are featured on the third verse (and each chorus).
Enjoy!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk8cwAAoVeQ&feature=youtu.be
GBMS Staff Appreciation - Last Chance!
Given our current circumstances, families have inquired about how they and/or their students may be able to extend appreciation to their teachers and staff that support them. Here are a few ideas to share your appreciation with our staff:
1) Let's give our staff a shoutout as we head off into winter break! Share a video of appreciation for any GBMS staff member (teachers, teaching assistants, office staff, social workers, related services, coaches, etc) individually or for a group of GBMS staff members. This is your opportunity to say thank you! We welcome students and/or families to participate. Please submit your video by December 20th.
Use this Join Code: 430e59a0 to record your video in Flipgrid.
2) If you have a card, note and/or gift card you'd like to have delivered to a staff member, please drop off the card, note and/or gift card into a box located in our main entrance vestibule during the week days starting Monday, 12/14 through Monday, 12/21 between 8:30am and 3:00pm. We will be gathering the items together to mail to the staff member's home.
3) Some families have asked about sending gift cards electronically to a staff member's school email address. We've noticed that at times these emails get filtered into staff member's spam folders To ensure the staff member receives your thoughtful gift, we would suggest sending an additional email from your email account to the staff member, sharing with them that you have sent an electronic gift card from (name the place), so they know to check their spam folder.
Thank you to all of our students and families for their care, efforts and adaptability during this time. We wish you all a safe and healthy winter break and Happy New Year.
Wednesday, December 23rd - Dismissal at Noon (A Day)
Girls on the Rise
Girls on the Rise is an essential and beneficial custom group curriculum program designed for young girls of color, ages 11 to 14. The program focuses on social, emotional learning such as self-management, relationships skills, decision-making and social awareness. Girls on the Rise allows young girls to feel empowered, gain self- understanding, improve self-esteem and feel connected with other young ladies. Participates in the group share feelings, struggles, hopes, and similarities and serve as a sounding board and or support system for one another while discussing and participating in a variety of activities geared for young girls.
We currently have openings in the 8th grade Girls on the Rise group that meets on Thursdays during advisory time. Please contact Dominique Hickman (dhickman@oakparktownship.org) or Stacie Klein (sklein@op97.org) with a completed permission slip if you are interested in your 8th grade student joining the program after the winter break when school resumes in January or if you have any question.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE - Trimester 2: How to Report Student Absences
The IB Middle School Years Community Project
Our 8th grade students will soon be embarking on the Community Project, which is an opportunity for students to connect what they have learned in courses to action. In their S.O.A.R. class, students will work in small groups or work independently to create a project of their choice that will have a positive impact on their community. Over the course of the project, students will show the skills they have developed over the years in all subjects and through Approaches to Learning. For more information about the Community Project, check out this video.
GBMS Yearbook Online Purchase
Sharing Photos with our Yearbook Editors
A copy of the email sent to all families last week to provide consent for your student, if 12 years or younger, to create a treering account to be able to submit photos to be reviewed by our yearbook editors to potentially include in the 20-21 yearbook. Please complete the consent form by Friday, December 11th, 2020 for your child is 12 years old or younger, if you haven't already done so.
To Purchase & Customize Your 20-21 Yearbook
Must be a parent or student 13 years or older.
- Go to www.treering.com/validate
- Enter your school’s passcode: 1014096931934358
Regular Price: $26.02. *Does not include sales tax or any discounts, if applicable
Deadline: April 9th, 2021
Check out... Whats happening in the Brooks Library
From the Library:
Contactless Library Pickup
- The next scheduled pickup is for January 21, 2021 depending on Covid numbers Please make sure holds are in by Monday, January 18th so they can be prepared on Tuesday and be ready for Thursday!
- Pickups are from 8-8:45 & 3:45-4:30 outside the Commons doors near the parking lot on Kenilworth (DON’T FORGET: books for this pickup need to be on hold in the catalog by the Monday prior to pickup @11:59PM).
- If you have books to return, you can bring those by on December 10th as well. If you want to renew a book you have, that can be done by logging in to the catalog as well.
- Future pickups will be determined on an on-going basis and announced here as well as via student Canvas inboxes.
- Instructions and flyers
Use this url to access all of our databases and research eBooks: http://www.galepages.com/oak8130
Outside of school the password for the Gale Databases is eagles.
For Britannica the username is op97 and the password is learn
Middle School Virtual Club Starting and Meeting Days/Times
Please see our virtual club offerings below. Zoom links for all club meetings can be accessed in the lunch course on your Canvas Dashboard. Contact Ms. Klein if you need help finding the links.
Supplies needed- If you don’t have the supplies and cannot get them please contact me: Ms. Rodriguez (trodriguez@op97.org) I can drop off at your home
Crochet hook- different patterns require different hooks, but we can make it work if you have a hook similar to one we are using. I suggest G6 4.00mm Hook. There are hooks at the Dollar Store near Ridgeland and North Ave.
Yarn- different patterns require different yarn. We will need yarn that is not fuzzy, so a yarn that is cotton/polyester works. (They used to have some at Dollar Store but I haven’t seen it in a while). We need yarn that have clean looking strands so we can see our stitches.
Scissors
3 Safety pins- if you don’t have these no problem! We can use string
We will start crocheting a mini triceratops! There is a Canvas Class for our Crochet Club and if you did not get invited to join please email me so I can add you! Video and pattern is uploaded so you can start practicing!
Morning Vocal Ensembles: Open to Everyone!
If you missed auditions and still want to be involved, contact Mr. Blackman at fblackman@op97.org about joining in December
Women's Ensemble - Tuesdays 8:00 - 8:45 am
Men's Ensemble - Thursdays 8:00 - 8:45 am
Mixed Ensemble - Fridays 8:00 - 8:45 am
Social Justice Club: Meets on Tuesdays from 3:45 to 4:45 pm. The club will meet every Tuesday (12/22,) Contact Ms. Stigger with questions (nstigger@op97.org).
Meeting ID: 830 7488 7298
Passcode: 173560
Zoom Link Below
https://op97-org.zoom.us/j/83074887298?pwd=d0VDaE5QQzdpVmlxQmZYdldXbS9GQT09
Rainbow Tribe: Rainbow Tribe club will meet on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Our next meeting is Monday, December 21st, and we will meet again the first Monday back from break on January 11th. Contact Ms. Berman with questions (aberman@op97.org) Students who identify as LGBTQ and/or allies are ALL WELCOME!
Math Team: Math Team will meet Mondays from 3:40 to 4:30 pm. All are welcome! Here is the ZOOM link. Contact Ms. Esther Smith (esmith3@op97.org) with questions.
Brooks Earth Action Team (the BEAT): Our next meeting is TUESDAY, DEC. 22 from 3:30 to 4:30pm when we will be writing our proclamation for the Village of Oak Park’s “Year of the Butterfly” celebration! Here’s the link to the meeting.
Yearbook: Calling all poets, writers, artists, photographers, and more! Our next yearbook meeting will be on Tuesday, Dec 22nd from 8:00 - 8:45 am. Contact Ms. Pabellon at mpabellon@op97.org with questions. Come be a part of our creative team, we need YOU to make this year’s yearbook like no other! Everyone is welcome. Here is the zoom link.
Morning Band Groups:
- Jazz Ensemble meets on Tuesdays from 8:00 am to 8:45 am.
- Jazz Band meets on Thursdays from 8:00 am to 8:45 am.
YEMBA: YEMBA meets on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00 pm. Students can access the zoom link to attend the YEMBA session through the lunch course in Canvas.
Join BRAVO! for these exciting virtual performances!
Join BRAVO! for our 7th & 8th grade production of PURE IMAGINATION: Featuring Willy Wonka, Matilda and James & the Giant Peach. This amazing virtual performance will premiere on December 18 at 7pm and will be available to view until December 25 at 7pm.
Come support our Brooks students with this amazing show that is fun for the entire family!
Bravo Schedule
BRAVO: 6th & 7th Grade Virtual Musical - Mystery of Custodia! Audition videos due by January 12th at 4pm - CHECK OUT more info, what to prepare and how to submit audition videos!
8th graders - spread the word & keep your eyes peeled - over the break we will announce a show just for the 8th graders! Feb/March rehearsals!
We are continuing our Hour to Empower - Bravo podcast in January: Conversations from Brooks students for Brooks Students and our larger community; Meets Mondays & Thursdays 4pm-5:30pm - Students are encouraged and welcome to join in anytime! Email bravo@op97.org if you are interested!
Check out our first 4 Hour to Empower Podcast Episodes HERE!
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.
PTO Weekly Commuincation
Connect with the Brook’s PTO
Connect with PTO
Follow us on FaceBook at @gwendolynbrookspto, or email us at gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.
NEW - 6th grade families can connect on FaceBook in the Gwendolyn Brooks 6th Grade Families 2020-21' group.
Starship Tuesdays are back (kind of) -THIS TUESDAY!
As many of you know, Starship is a local restaurant in Forest Park that, in normal times, caters lunch for Brooks on Tuesdays. These lunches are the primary fundraiser for the PTO and fund important school programs like Teacher and Student Grants, provide scholarships for the 7th and 8th grade trips, host staff appreciation lunches and guest speakers for parent education events.
During remote schooling, Starship has agreed to partner with Brooks PTO in a slightly different way. Every Tuesday, beginning October 6, for all orders that mention Brooks PTO, Starship will donate 20% of the orders back to the Brooks PTO! Make sure you mention you are with Brooks PTO. And best of all, you can order online and they deliver!
This means you can still support a local business, support the Brooks PTO, and take time off in the kitchen! A win-win-win! Now, you can have lunch delivered to your home for everyone schooling/working from home or even have dinner delivered! Or maybe order a sandwich tray and keep fed all week! Order online at www.starshiprestaurant.com or call 708-771-301. Make sure you mention you are with Brooks PTO (online orders put ‘Brooks PTO’ in special instructions).
Donate and help the PTO continue to fund school initiatives
A $10 donation will help the PTO make Brooks even better
The PTO’s regular fund raising has been eliminated with the switch to remote schooling. However, a $10 donation from YOU can help us continue to fund grant requests from teachers to provide additional educational materials for optimal learning, providing a year end 8th-grade graduation celebration, and so much more. If you would like to contribute directly to the PTO, please follow this link. Any amount is helpful!
If you have any questions or ideas on fundraising initiates we welcome your feedback. You may email the PTO Fundraising Chair April Fleming at afleming56@yahoo.com.
Order your Brooks Spirit Wear
Brooks Spirit Wear
Brooks spirit wear can be ordered at any time by visiting this website. Sizes for kids and adults! Orders will be shipped to your home!
Middle Matters - In case you missed it
Brooks Parent Connection Group-
Brooks Parent Connection Group -
If you missed our latest meeting where our topic was Navigating Canvas, please reach out for more information.
Lauren Olson (lolson@op97.org) or Stacie Klein (sklein@op97.org)
Brooks Office Remote Working
Please email office staff or administrators if you need anything during this time. You may also leave a voicemail message on the main school phone number.
A Greater Good Foundation
The Greater Good Foundation is geared towards male students of color in 6th through 8th grade. Students will meet with mentors from A Greater Good Foundation during advisory time one day a week. All students will meet on Mondays from 11:40 am to 12:20 pm. This group will use a workshop model with the students and a sample of topics covered include: think tanks, how the brain works, goal setting, etc. More detail on the program is provided in the handout. You can still join the program!
If you have any questions or would like your student to participate, please contact Stacie Klein at sklein@op97.org.
STARS Program
Students Taking Action Regarding Success (STARS) is an affinity group for students of color in the middle school space. STARS provides a safe space where students can build connections, process difficult moments that occur in the classroom and the broader Oak Park community. Students will receive support and affirmation in a setting with other middle school aged children that share in similar experiences.
The goal of STARS is to be an outlet in implementing change in the middle after school space. STARS provides students with essential leadership skills such as: positive identity development, self-advocacy, empowerment and social awareness. The intention of STARS is to be a space where students can authentically be themselves and express themselves. Students will share their personal experiences/reflections with the goal of becoming advocates for themselves and each other. Student reflection will work in tandem with the STARS curriculum that has been developed to intricately weave together the experiences of minority students.
Our focus is for youth to develop skills of recognizing, communicating and negotiating situations they perceive as unjust in school or in the broader Oak Park Community. The ultimate plan is to create a map to solve issues that pertain to the population of students that are disproportionately being affected by the racial inequities that has created an opportunity gap in the Oak Park community.
Sidika Balogun, MSW (she/her/hers)
Program Coordinator
Email: sbalogun@yemba-inc.org
Phone:(708) 719-6702 ex: 02
Follow us on Facebook@ YembaInc
Virtual Breakfast with Brooks
Virtual Morning Homework Support
GBMS Remote Learning Resource
School Physicals and Immunizations
Please be aware that The Illinois State Board of Education has provided new information to Districts regarding families who may have been listed as non- compliant due to failure to present proof of a current health examination and required immunizations.
If a family has not ensured a child’s timely compliance with health examination or immunization requirements, the child may be provided e-learning or remote instruction, provided instruction is solely by remote means and he/she does not have a physical presence on school grounds (either before, during or after school). Any child continuing to receive remote instruction during this time will not be considered in violation of Section 26-1 of the School Code and will not be subject to the penalties imposed by Section 26-10. Importantly, any such student who is permitted to attend school through an e-learning program or remote learning plan due to failure to present proof of required immunizations, and who qualifies for free and reduced meals, may continue to receive those meals in the manner that other e-learning or remote students receive meals. The Illinois State Board of Education will continue to provide updates to the field, as necessary, concerning compliance with Section 27-8.1.
To read more about this information provided by The Illinois State board of Education please click here.
Please submit following the information to the Health Office:
- A school physical (Certificate of Child Health Examination and Immunization record)
- Up-to-date immunizations (requirements for the State of Illinois can be found here).
2020 - 2021 District News and Information
Continued Social-Emotional Wellness Check-Ins for Students
District 97 school psychologists and nurses have collaborated to offer access to virtual mental health wellness checks at each school this fall. Parents may sign up children for 25-minute Telehealth sessions where they can access an open ear for their sources of stress and learn self-care and coping strategies. Students may attend up to three sessions per trimester and may then be referred for other school-based supports if needed.
To sign up or learn more about these services, please visit https://bit.ly/3m3Xece.
If your child is experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please do not use this service and instead call the Thrive 24-Hour 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.
Child Care Scholarships Available for Families
In order to provide additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic, District 97 is offering financial assistance to qualifying families who participate in child care programs through the Park District of Oak Park and Hephzibah.
For families who currently receive free or reduced lunch, the district will continue to cover 100% of the daily program fee.
During Trimester 2, District 97 will also offer scholarships based on family income level.
- For families with incomes below $65,000 per year, the district will cover 100% of the daily program fee.
- For families with incomes between $65,000 and $99,999, the district will cover 50% of the daily program fee.
Click here for more details about the child care scholarships
Parent Information Session - Single Subject/Whole Grade Acceleration
For families who are seeking single subject or whole grade acceleration for the 2021-22 school year, the district will be hosting a Virtual Parent Information Session on Wednesday, January 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements.
Click here for the family letter about acceleration opportunities for the 2021-22 school year. >
Click here to view the event flyer.
Information about the District 97 Accelerated Placement Program, including definitions and timelines, can be found at http://www.op97.org/acceleration.
Last D97 Meal Distribution of 2020: Tuesday, Dec. 22
District 97 will hold its last meal distribution of the year on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Students will receive one week of regular meals, as well as two weeks worth of bulk food.
The next meal distribution will be Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, when students are back from winter break.
The distributions will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Longfellow Elementary School (for Julian and feeder schools), 715 S. Highland Ave., and Brooks Middle School (for Brooks and feeder schools), 325 S. Kenilworth Ave.
D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - December 2020
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
We know that a common experience for many families during this health crisis is the loss of jobs and income. This change in income may qualify your children for free or reduced-price meals. We encourage all families who currently qualify to take a few minutes to complete the National School Lunch application as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please email the district's food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at cellis@op97.org.
Effective Student Behavior Handbook
District 97 is committed to creating a positive learning environment that is equitable, inclusive and focused on the whole child. Behavior education involves proactively teaching positive behaviors to create the conditions that make every classroom and school a positive place to learn.
The revised District 97 Effective Student Behavior Handbook is designed to provide information about policies, procedures and practices related to student behavior, and to help students and families prepare for a successful school experience. It also provides notifications required by state and federal law. Click here for our full communication about the new Effective Student Behavior Handbook >
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
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.