Summer Middle Matters
Have a safe and healthy summer!
8th Grade Graduation - Virtual Ceremonies on June 6
The virtual eighth-grade graduation ceremonies for Brooks Middle school will be streamed live on the District 97 YouTube channel on Saturday, June 6.
- Brooks (2 p.m.): https://youtu.be/B32ER0Vc8H4
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers" Program
The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, and DePaul University’s Community Counseling Center have partnered to deliver a vast array of educational and therapeutic services to staff, families, and youth through the “Mindful Middle-Schoolers Program.” Please click the topic below to view the recorded webinars.
- Understanding Depression in Youth and Strategies for Treatment and Support
- Mindfully Coping: Strategies for Children and Families During a Pandemic
- Strategies to Support Executive Functioning and Self-Regulation Development Based upon Brain Science
- Mindfulness-Based Strategies and Their Applications in Academic Environments
- Understanding Anxiety in Youth and Strategies for Treatment and Support
- Technology and Mental Health: Strategies to Promote Mindful Digital Citizenship
Looking to join the cross country team this upcoming fall?
District 97 Summer Learning Plan
From all of us at Brooks to all of our Students and Families
End of Trimester 3 Grade Marks
Families will be receiving the end of trimester 3 report cards on Tuesday, June 9. These will be sent to families via email. PowerSchool is designed to provide grades based on percentages. We are not giving grades based on percentages, but rather following the guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education. Please disregard the percentage grade for each course in PowerSchool, as it will not represent or align with the Progressing (PR) or No Grade (NG) mark for the trimester. For your reference, below is the information shared previously regarding Trimester 3 grade marks.
Based on guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), we have developed grading guidelines for Trimester 3 that support students’ social-emotional health during this time. As such, we have shifted the Trimester 3 reporting to a Progressing or No Grade model to record student participation and academic progress during remote learning.
Progressing (PR):
The student participated in the remote learning process and demonstrated academic progress on the identified critical standards. The teacher engaged with the student/family.
No Grade (NG):
The student could not or did not complete the work. The teacher and/or administrator documented attempts to make contact, and/or support the student.
Brooks Middle School Awarded IEA Grant for School Garden Project
The Illinois Education Association Foundation has awarded the Oak Park Teachers' Association (OPTA) a $1,000 grant for its "EcoEagles’ International Bird Hotel."
Brooks Middle School teachers Stephanie Suerth and Laura Stamp applied for the grant as part of the IEA Foundation’s Schools and Community Outreach by Educators program, which is a grant program designed to give educators money for a service project. The grant will be used for the construction of an International Bird Hotel at Brooks as part of the community and school garden, scheduled for the Summer and Fall of 2020. Click here for the full story >
Social Worker Support
Please know that our social workers continue to be available during this time. If your student would like support, please have them reach out to their grade level social worker via the following email addresses:
6th Grade: Jen Olsen at jolsen@op97.org
7th Grade: Abby Berman at aberman@op97.org
8th Grade: Hannah Boudreau at hboudreau@op97.org
Brooks Media Center
If students are looking for ways to stay connected to reading beyond what classroom teachers are sharing, check out the GBMS Library Wakelet page! Here is the direct link: https://wke.lt/w/s/BzMWaD
The page is linked on the GBMS Library Home Page and on the Student Announcements Page in Canvas.
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.
Registration Open for 2020-21 School Year in District 97
Detailed information about the returning registration process is available on the district website at https://www.op97.org/hr/student-registration. If you have any additional questions, please email d97registrar@op97.org.
Volunteer with the Brook’s PTO next year
Although it seems like a world away, 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.
Mental Health Wellness Appointments
Parents/Caregivers, you may sign up your student for a 15-minute slot here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/selfsched?sstoken=UUVKMGZxZ0E0ZkpvfGRlZmF1bHR8ODI4ZTEzZmFkOTFjYWY5OGU5NjFiZDBkMDExZjkzNmY if you think your child would benefit from an empathetic ear and a few coping and self-care tips. When signing your child up, please provide the email (for video chat) or phone number you’d like us to contact at the time of the appointment.
Although this crisis may also be tough for adults, these mental health triage appointments are reserved to focus on student needs. If you have questions as a caregiver/parent, please email your building’s assigned school psychologist, your child’s educational team, or refer to this resource guide, created by the District 97 Social Work Department: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uKPIgKHr6sDnj_YHb1t6S9UbukwE2JUAZS4cv37H9QY/edit
BRAVO is PUMPED to partner with theaters across America to present Musical Theater MEGACAMP 2020!
What do you get when you "virtually" combine theatre kids from across the nation with award winning theatre directors, and add in a sprinkling of Broadway performers ...
Musical Theatre Mega-Camp!!
This one-week, nationwide theatrical camp, designed for grades 3rd through 12th, will deliver an educational musical theatre experience from industry professionals and Broadway Guest Artists for five days of fun and inspiration!
FreddieG Fellowship Teachers representing theaters from Texas, Virginia, Montana, Illinois, Alabama, and Florida have come together to create this collaborative camp experience June 8-12, 2020 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (CST). The camp will culminate with a video presentation highlighting the week!
Registration is Limited! Join the fun today!
For more information: mtmegacamp.com
PRICING:
- $300.00 - Full tuition for one camper and help another camper attend
- $250.00 - Full tuition for one camper
- Open Amount - Pay What You Can
SPACE IS LIMITED! REGISTER EARLY!
District 97 Staff Referral Program
We are always looking for talented, dedicated individuals to join the District 97 team! We know that some of our best teachers and staff members have come to District 97 based on a referral. If you know somebody who you believe would be a good fit for our district, please fill out the D97 Staff Referral Form. If you have any questions, please email the human resources department at hr@op97.org.
Each week, the Help Corner will feature 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.
Supporting Students and Families
During Our School Closure
District 97 has created an online hub (www.op97.org/coronavirus) for updates about COVID-19 and our school closure, as well as resources (financial, mental health, nutrition, housing, etc.) that support the well-being of our students and families. 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
Thank you to the incredible team of District 97 social workers and nurses who collaborated on our community resource list! Click here to view >
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.
Each week, the Help Corner will feature 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.
Community Resources
OPPL's virtual summer reading program
YEMBA will be extending their school year program until the end of June.
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.