Middle Matters
April 25, 2022
In This Issue
Highlights from this week's Middle Matters:
- Important Upcoming Dates
- PTO May Staff Appreciation Lunch Info
- BRAVO Presents...Footloose!
- BRAVO Freaky Friday - All School Dance (Repeat)
- Can Do Community Challenge (Repeat)
- Join the Brooks PTO! (Repeat)
- Help Plan the 8th Grade Dance (Repeat)
- D97 to Resume Hot Lunches on April 11 (Repeat)
- National Arab American Heritage Month
- ILLINOIS SHIELD TESTING (Updated Weekly)
- Calling Your Child in Sick from School (Repeat)
- Questions regarding COVID-19: Contact our School Nurse (Repeat)
- Supporting the Transition to Masks Recommended, Not Required (Repeat)
- Submit Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination After Second Dose/Booster (Repeat)
- PTO Sponsored Anderson’s Bookshop Virtual Book Fair (Repeat)
- GBMS Yearbook Information (Repeat)
- Middle School Clubs Meeting Days and Times (Updated weekly)
- Student Announcements (Updated weekly)
- From the Library (Updated weekly)
Highlights from GBMS PTO
- Donation to GBMS PTO
- Connect with GBMS PTO
- Buy GBMS Spirit Wear
Highlights from District 97
- Bullying Report Form Link (Repeat)
- Live Streaming of GBMS Athletic and Music Events (Repeat)
- Spectator Opportunities (Repeat)
- GBMS Student Spectator Opportunities (Repeat)
- Partnership with D97 and DePaul University - Care Coordinator (Repeat)
- School Supply Reminders (Repeat)
- Water Bottle Reminder (Repeat)
- Stay Home When Sick (Repeat)
- Social Work Team (Repeat)
- Office Phones and Dropping off Items at Brooks (Repeat)
- Allergy Safe Information (Repeat)
- School Physical and Immunization Information (Repeat)
- Tech Support (Repeat)
Community Partner News
- OPRF Summer Sports Camps - Registration Opens April 25
- OPEF Bingo Bash (Repeat)
- OPEF BASE Camp (Repeat)
- Kids Unlimited Therapy Services
- EGD & Landry Foundation Basketball Tournament
- Kids Kloset at First United Church
- Friday Night Place
- Strengthening Families Program
- SMART LOVE FAMILY SERVICES
- NAMI
- Leyden Family Service
- THRIVE
If you have questions about the upcoming school year, please don’t hesitate to contact me at acapuder@op97.org. You can also contact our Executive Coordinator, Ms. Latrina Hurst, at lhurst@op97.org or (708) 524-7636.
Our administrative team is also available to help answer your questions.
Angelica Love Curriculum & Instruction AP (6th grade, 7th grade) alove@op97.org
Antoine Bland Curriculum & Instruction AP (8th grade) abland@op97.org
Stacie Klein Culture & Climate AP sklein@op97.org
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, Apr 25- A Day; Tuesday, Apr 26- B Day; Wednesday, Apr 27- A Day; Thursday, Apr 28- B Day; Friday, Apr 29- C-Day
Boys Volleyball (HOME) games @4:00-6:30p: April 26- vs Freedom
Bravo's Footloose Performance: April 29th @7:00-8:30p; April 30th@ 2:30-4:00p and 7:00-8:30p
PTO Staff Appreciation Lunch- May 6th
8th Grade Graduation Picture Day Retakes- May 10th
May Staff Appreciation Lunch Donations
On Friday, May 6 the PTO will be catering a lunch from Petra Falafel to thank the staff for their hard work this year. Never has their work been more appreciated! You can participate by signing up below to donate drinks, desserts, or flowers for their lunch. They can be dropped off in the office before 11:00a on Friday May 6th!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090849aeac2daa8-mayteacher1
BRAVO Presents...Footloose!
Don't miss this fun musical - join all our hardworking 6th, 7th and 8th graders and "cut Footloose" starting April 29!
Performances:
Friday, April 29 at 7pm
Saturday, April 30 at 2:30pm & 7pm
Friday, May 6 at 7pm
Saturday, May 7 at 2:30pm & 7pm
BRAVO Presents Freaky Friday (Repeat)
Open to ALL BROOKS STUDENTS!
Freaky Friday - All School Dance
Friday, May 13 - 6:30pm-8:30pm
*This event will be held outside at Brooks
Can Do Community Challenge (Repeat)
Brooks is participating in Beyond Hunger's Can Do Community Challenge AND making it a competition between SOAR classes! Between now and April 29th, each SOAR class can collect as much money and food as possible. (We also earn points for student cooking videos--ask your SOAR teacher for more details!)
We can earn:
*10 pts. for each dollar collected. We have an online donation page! Make sure to attribute the gift to your student's SOAR class.
*5pts. for each of these items: peanut butter, jelly, tomato paste, canned mixed vegetables, canned chicken soup, refried or dried pinto or black beans, bagged white or brown rice, Cheerios, canned pineapple, diced tomatoes
*5 pts. for each volunteer hour at Beyond Hunger
Get involved and join the Brooks PTO!
Help plan the 8th grade dance!! (Repeat)
The 8th grade dance is planned for Friday, May 20th (exact time TBD) and the PTO could use your help in planning a memorable evening for our 8th graders. Please contact Judy Seals at judyseals2011@gmail.com if you are interested in helping with any of the following:
- Planning the dance
- Setting up/decorating the day of
- Volunteering during the dance
- Breaking down/cleaning up after the dance
- Donating beverages, $ for gift card prizes
Volunteer slots are not limited to only parents of current 8th graders.
District 97 to Resume Hot Lunch on April 11 - Menus Now Available (Repeat)
Beginning Monday, April 11, all District 97 schools will resume serving hot lunch. The new menus and nutritional information are linked below.
- Breakfast Menu (Brooks, Irving, Julian, Lincoln, Longfellow)
- Breakfast Menu (Beye, Hatch, Holmes, Mann, Whittier)
- Hot Lunch Menu (3-Week Cycle)
- Hot Breakfast/Lunch Nutritional Information
Lunch Reminders
- Meals brought from home must be nut-free.
- Lunch will continue to be served at no cost to families.
National Arab American Heritage Month
The month of April is Arab American Heritage Month! To celebrate the Arab American heritage and culture and pay tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans, Oak Park Public Library (OPPL) is has gathered books, online resources and video about a fanoos, a lantern used during Ramadan.
Click here to view OPPL's books, video & learning experiences for Arab American Heritage Month»
We'd love to hear how you are honoring the achievements, contributions and histories of Arab Americans this month. Tweet us @OakPark97, using the hashtags #MyD97 and #OakPark97 to share your stories and photos or email us at d97feedback@op97.org.
Illinois SHIELD Testing (Updated Weekly)
Students will SHIELD Test on Wednesday, 4/27 (A Day), or Thursday, 4/28 (B Day):
- 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 Students will test on Thursday, 4/28 (B Day)
- 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 Students will test on Wednesday, 4/27 (A Day)
- 8.1 and 8.2 Students will test on Wednesday, 4/27 (A Day) and 8.3 Students will test on Thursday, 4/28 (B Day)
- Pilot Home Kit samples should be turned in to Ms. Colbert in the Main Office upon arrival to school on Thursday, 4/28 (B Day).
Masks will continue to be required in two areas in school buildings effective March 17th:
- Nurses' offices: Masks will continue to be required in school nurses' offices, which are considered healthcare settings. Disposable masks will be available if needed.
- SHIELD testing areas: SHIELD Illinois will continue to require masks in testing areas, since collection sites are technically considered healthcare facilities. This means that all students participating in weekly SHIELD testing will be required to wear masks in the collection area. The district will have disposable masks available, however, we encourage families to make sure that their students bring their own masks on their designated testing days.
Students should not eat at least 60 minutes prior to providing their saliva sample. Please keep in mind these times may be adjusted if needed.
Only Families who student tested positive for COVID-19 will receive notification within 24 to 48 hours of the testing day.
Additional information about SHIELD testing is included below.
Important: Calling Your Child in Sick from School - How to Report Student Absences (Repeat)
Please support our school nurse by LEAVING A REASON when you call your child in sick from school.
- Our nurse follows up on every absence call when a specific reason is not provided. If your child is staying home due to reasons unrelated to COVID-19, sharing that information in the message helps the nurse determine whether a call is necessary.
Attendance will be taken every day for each class period by each of your child's teacher and it will be denoted in PowerSchool, including ADVISORY. Student's are expected to attend each of their classes at their scheduled time and day. If your student will be absent from school, please call the attendance number 708-665-3074 or email brooksattendance@op97.org
When calling please slowly state or when emailing include:
- Your Name
- Your Child’s Name
- Your Child’s Grade
- Reason for the Absence
- Best phone number to reach you
QUESTIONS REGARDING COVID-19: Contact our School Nurse, Ms. Radogno (Repeat)
(708) 524- 3058 or nradogno@op97.org
Masks will continue to be required in two areas in school buildings effective March 17th:
- Nurses' offices: Masks will continue to be required in school nurses' offices, which are considered healthcare settings. Disposable masks will be available if needed.
- SHIELD testing areas: SHIELD Illinois will continue to require masks in testing areas, since collection sites are technically considered healthcare facilities. This means that all students participating in weekly SHIELD testing will be required to wear masks in the collection area. The district will have disposable masks available, however, we encourage families to make sure that their students bring their own masks on their designated testing days.
Supporting the Transition to Masks Recommended, Not Required (Repeat)
As of Thursday, March 17, the decision to wear a mask at school is at the discretion of each family. Masks are now recommended, not required, in all District 97 schools, the administration building, and school buses. This change also applies to after-school activities and events. Details about this change, as well as supporting documents, are linked below.
- "Supporting the Transition to Masks Recommended, Not Required" (March 4 communication)
- FAQ - Masks Recommended, Not Required
- Resource document for families
- Summary of District 97's COVID-19 Mitigations
- "Families and COVID-19" (Centers for Disease Control)
Masks will continue to be required in two areas in school buildings:
- Nurses' offices: Masks will continue to be required in school nurses' offices, which are considered healthcare settings. Disposable masks will be available if needed.
- SHIELD testing areas: SHIELD Illinois will continue to require masks in testing areas, since collection sites are technically considered healthcare facilities. This means that all students participating in weekly SHIELD testing will be required to wear masks in the collection area. The district will have disposable masks available, however, we encourage families to make sure that their students bring their own masks on their designated testing days.
Submit Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination After Second Dose/Booster
According to the Centers for Disease Control and state/local health officials, fully vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine due to potential COVID-19 exposure as long as they are asymptomatic. Additionally, achieving a high rate of vaccination will strengthen our overall safety plan and will put the district in the best possible position to reconsider other mitigations as conditions improve in our community.
To help us reduce any unnecessary quarantines and accurately track our student vaccination rate, District 97 requests that families submit proof of vaccination for their students as soon as they have received their second dose. There are two options:
IF YOU HAVE A GOOGLE ACCOUNT: Fill out a brief Google Form and upload a copy of the student’s vaccination card. CLICK HERE to access the Brooks vaccine form.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A GOOGLE ACCOUNT: Email a copy of your student’s vaccination card to Nurse Nancy Radogno (brooksnurse@op97.org). Please include the child’s full name and grade.
Students Who Participated in Clinics at District 97 Schools
If your student completed their vaccine series at one of the school-based clinics, a staff member should have taken a photo of their vaccination card following the second dose.
If your child's card was documented, no further action is needed.
If your child's card was not scanned or photographed, or if your child did not receive their second dose at a school clinic, please email a copy of the card to your school nurse.
If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Radogno. Thank you for your support and partnership in keeping our schools safe!
Virtual Book Fair Order! (Repeat)
GBMS YEARBOOK (repeat)
21/22 GBMS Yearbook will be developed by our Yearbook Club and printed using TreeRing.com. Interested in buying a yearbook? Use this link to get started (if needed passcode: 1014096931934358). Some other things that are great about TreeRing is that you can do the following:
- upload and share photos with the Yearbook Club Editors and the school community
- design custom pages for your own yearbook
- send and request digital signatures
- add memories to your custom pages
Questions about the yearbook? Contact Mrs. Pabellon at mpabellon@op97.org or TreeRing directly at (877) 755-TREE. Here's to another great year!
Middle School Clubs Starting and Meeting Days/Times
Lunch Color Eating First: GREEN (4/25-4/29).
- The final school store of the year will be on May 13th. Bring your Brooks Bucks to your Advisory or Design class.
Interested in Leading Tours of Brooks for incoming 6th Graders?
We are looking for students who are proud to demonstrate their leadership skills and will feel comfortable speaking to both adults and students about all that Brooks has to offer! On May 26 from 5:00-7:00pm, the incoming 6th graders and their families will be at Brooks for a tour of the building! We need you to lead the tours, answer questions, and share information about the different spaces at Brooks. We will have a script or a guide for you to use as well.
If you are interested, please complete this form, and then Ms. Love will reach out to your parents for permission.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Love (alove@op97.org).
Track and Field: Track and Field Families please make sure you use this calendar for information on practice days and times. This calendar will be updated with any changes. If you have not done, so please fill out the google form to be added to the family parent email list. Email Ms. Dajani with any questions at rdajani@op97.org
Schedule Link
We create
We share
We perform
Please complete the linked form to register for the Oak Park Education Foundation's Spoken Word Club, hosted at the Oak Park Art League located at 720 Chicago Ave)! Club will meet there in person every Tuesday, from 4 pm to 5:30 pm and will be led by our poet-artist Mo Santiago and at least one other OPEF staff member or D97 teacher/Spoken Word Coach (Miles Lee / John Colucci). Please fill out this registration or scan the Spoken Word Club QR Code in your Language & Literature classroom
(Please note: Spoken Word Club will be meeting virtually until further notice. Please check your Google Classroom announcement from Ms. Mo for the link!)
Math Team: This is over for the school year. We will start back up next year!
BEAT: We meet on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 in room C202. Please email Ms. Stamp (lstamp@op97.org) with any questions.
- Downbeat (7th and 8th graders) meets Tuesdays and Fridays at 8am
- Fledgelings (all grades) meets Thursdays at 8am.
If you’re curious about what we do/sing, check out our concert!
- Famous former members of these groups* :Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Emma Watson, Denzel Washington, Gerald Ford, Prince, 3 of the Beatles (we don’t like to brag about which ones), LeBron James, etc. *no evidence has been collected proving these people were members of the groups but we’re, like, pretty sure they were in the groups at some point
Model UN: Trying to make sense of the world? Wondering why countries around the world make the decisions that they do? Ever wonder how leaders maintain peace and/or manage conflict? Looking for a safe, friendly space to talk about current events and share your opinions? Join Model UN! There will be an opportunity to simulate diplomacy and refine the skills of negotiation, compromise, and public speaking while having fun. Model UN will meet on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 in room C307. Any questions please contact Ms. Feierberg at pfeierberg@op97.org
For more information regarding the:
BRAVO ANNOUNCEMENTS
Join us for our All School Musical of Footloose The Musical! Get ready to be dancing in the aisles to some of these iconic songs from the 80's!
Congratulations to our 110 Cast & Crew students who are working hard to bring this production to life! "Everybody cut Footloose!"
Performances:
Friday, April 29 at 7pm
Saturday, April 30 at 2:30pm & 7pm
Friday, May 6 at 7pm
Saturday, May 7 at 2:30pm & 7pm
Improv Club meets every Tuesday from 3:30pm-4:45pm in the Yoga Classroom
Dance Studio meets every Thursday from 3:30pm-4:45pm - SIGN UP to participate!
There is still time to REGISTER FOR SUMMER BRAVO! We still have spot available for our 2nd Session - July 5 - July 23. Come join the fun! **Open to Current 4th Graders - 8th Graders
- 3-Week Sessions for Actors: June 13 - July 2 AND July 5 - July 23
- 2-Week Sessions for Crew: June 20 - July 2 AND July 11 - July 23
Student Announcements
FROM THE LIBRARY:
Weekly Featured Poem to Celebrate National Poetry Month
- Starfish by Lisa Fipps. Click on the link below to read an excerpt: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608212/starfish-by-lisa-fipps/
- Log in to your Destiny catalog account
- Use your district username & password WITHOUT the @stu.op97.org
- Find the book you want, click on the title, and click on “HOLD”
- VIDEO: HOW DO I PLACE A LIBRARY HOLD?
WeVideo Code: 86V5EQC7CQL6
Oak Park Public Library Opportunities:
PTO Weekly Communication
Please Consider a Donation to the PTO
As the calendar year draws to a close, please consider making a donation to the Brooks PTO. Since March 2020, we have been unable to raise money to support our mission through our primary fundraiser, the weekly Starship Restaurant lunch program, because of D97 Covid-related protocols. As a result, we have had to either scale back or eliminate funding of need-based scholarships, teacher grants, and other enrichment activities.
While we continue to look for other ways to raise much-needed funds until we are able to resume the Starship lunch program, we would be appreciative of any donations in the meantime. Donations may be made on our website. Please note that the Brooks PTO is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and a donation receipt for tax or matching purposes will be provided. Thank you!
Connect with the Brook’s PTO
Connect with PTO
Follow us on FaceBook at @gwendolynbrookspto, or email us at gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.
Order your Brooks Spirit Wear
Support the PTO, a local black-owned business, and get awesome Brooks Spirit wear all at the same time! Brooks Spirit wear can be ordered at any time visiting the Brooks section of the Shabby Fly website. Order will be shipped to your home!
2020 - 2021 District News and Information
D97 Academic Acceleration (Repeat)
Similar to last year, the referral window for families seeking single subject or whole grade acceleration opens on March 1 and closes on May 15.
Please visit our D97 website for more information.
2021-22 District 97 Family Handbook (Repeat)
Click here for the updated 2021-22 District 97 Family Handbook, which contains general information about the district and its procedures. Please note that some of this information may be subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please email d97feedback@op97.org if you have any questions.
Additionally, if you would like to request a hard copy of the handbook, please contact the school office.
School Year 21-22 Meal Information (Repeat)
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved key waivers that allow school districts to continue serving free meals to all children. This means that all District 97 students are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch free of charge for the entire 2021-22 school year!
NOTE: Families DO NOT need to complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application in order for their students to receive free meals. However, families seeking to qualify for school fee waivers or other state programs MUST complete the application. We encourage all families who currently qualify to take a few minutes to complete the application as soon as possible.
More information on the D97 food service program, including breakfast and lunch menus for our elementary and middle schools, is available here.
Please note that Breakfast will not be served before school. However, if a student arrives to school without breakfast, they can let their 1st period teacher know. The teacher will contact our school nurse and she will arrange for them to come to the commons to get something to eat. Students will miss some class time.
2021-22 Frequently Asked Questions for Back to School Plan (Repeat)
District 97 has created a 2021-22 FAQ page based on the top questions we have received over the past few weeks. Topics include ventilation, remote learning, vaccination and travel.
Our back-to-school plan is linked below and can also be found, along with other COVID-19 resources and information, by going to https://www.op97.org/back-to-school.
District 97 has developed a comprehensive back-to-school plan to keep our students and staff healthy and safe while they learn in person five days a week. Our approach implements data-informed response measures that are aligned with the most up-to-date scientific research and best practices for K-12 schools. The plan also reflects rising concerns about the transmissibility of the Delta variant, the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, and the fact that the majority of our students (Pre-K through sixth grade) are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Below is a brief overview of some, not all, of the safety mitigations that will be in place for the beginning of the 2021-22 school year. New procedures are starred (*).
- Full-Day, In-Person Instruction for All Students: Per state guidance, remote learning will only be provided only if a student is placed in quarantine by the health department or if students qualify as medically fragile.
- Masking Optional: Masks will be optional for all students and staff, regardless of vaccination status starting Thursday, May 17th.
- Weekly Screening Testing: District 97 will partner with SHIELD Illinois to provide weekly testing to all students in Pre-K through eighth grade. This is a non-invasive saliva test that will be conducted on site during the school day. Testing is optional but strongly recommended. No action is necessary to participate. CLICK HERE to learn more about SHIELD testing. CLICK HERE for FAQ related to SHIELD Illinois.
- Updated Quarantine and Contact Tracing Procedures: At the direction of the Oak Park Department of Public Health, unvaccinated individuals who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or who test positive for COVID-19, must quarantine/isolate from school for a period of 10-14 school days. Students and staff may return after following the protocols outlined in our plan. As of today, quarantining is no longer required for vaccinated individuals unless they are symptomatic. The CDC and IDPH have also updated their close contact definition for classroom students, which we hope will minimize disruptions to in-person learning this year.
- Physical Distancing: We will make every effort to maintain as much distance as possible between students—at least 3 feet—in classrooms and during lunch.
- Cleaning and Disinfecting: Staff will perform regular school cleaning and disinfect all high-touch surfaces daily. The full classroom disinfection process will occur weekly.
Wanting to confirm information you've heard regarding our schools? (Repeat)
Oak Park District 97 is committed to providing accurate and timely information. Our new Fact Checker will be updated consistently based upon common questions and concerns to ensure you have access to the key facts that interest you most.
Text Messages from District 97 (Repeat)
District 97 uses the notification system BrightArrow to communicate with families via email and phone calls. This year, we have started using periodic text messages to send reminders directly to parents' cell phones. In order to receive text messages, parents must opt in by texting YES to 87569. Once you have subscribed, you will receive a text confirmation.
Texts may appear from District 97 from 87569 or a phone number with a 424 area code (you may wish to save them to your contacts).
Wellness Check-in Program (Repeat)
The district-wide wellness check-in program, which was an initial crisis response to the pandemic, will not continue in its current format during the new Hybrid schedule. Please reach out to your school's school psychologist or social worker if you have social-emotional concerns about your child. If your child is experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please call the Thrive 24hr 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.
Repeated Topics from Past Week's Middle Matters
Bullying Report Form (Repeat)
PLEASE NOTE: District 97 extends a special thank you to former Brooks Middle School student Shawn C. for building the foundation for the bullying form. We would also like to thank our middle school students and administration team for their valuable feedback.
Live Streaming of GBMS Athletic and Music Events (Repeat)
For more information regarding live streaming, please click here.
GBMS Student Spectator Opportunities (Repeat)
In order for a GBMS student to attend a game, one of the APs will be in the ticket booth stationed outside the lunch room.
- Students must pick up a ticket on the day of the game during lunch
- We will take down the student's name and give you a ticket to present for admission to the game.
- Student seats are marked with a blue dot on the bleachers closets to the entrance in the gym.
Middle School Spectator Opportunities (Updated)
After reviewing best practices, discussing our safety plans with our local health department and considering student needs, we have decided to allow spectators at the following:
Athletic games (e.g., basketball)
BRAVO performances
Band, orchestra and choir performances
All of these events will follow strict safety guidelines, including:
Athletic Events
We will no longer require proof of vaccination or a negative test for spectators.
Two spectators per student are allowed.
For athletic events, this includes students on both the home and visiting teams.
- All spectators maximize social distancing
Performing Arts Events (BRAVO, Choral and Instrumental Concerts)
We will no longer require proof of vaccination or a negative test for spectators.
- All spectators maximize social distancing
We are grateful for the cooperation of our students and families, who have been doing a great job with all of our safety protocols this year.
Partnership with D97 and DePaul University - Care Coordinator (Repeat)
Water Bottle Reminder (Repeat)
We ask that if possible to please send your student to school with a filled water bottle. There are no drinking fountains open, but we have water bottle filling stations in the school for our students to refill their water bottles when needed.
Social Work Team (Repeat)
- Abby Berman supports our 6th graders (aberman@op97.org)
- Hannah Boudreau supports our 7th graders (hboudreau@op97.org)
- Jen Olsen supports our 8th graders (jolsen@op97.org)
Office Phones and Dropping off Items at Brooks (Repeat)
Please note that our office staff sets the phone to go to voicemail from 8:30am to 9:15am daily. Please leave a message of your student's absence or you can email brooksattendance@op97.org. Our office staff will listen to voicemails to call back or direct calls as needed after 9:15am daily. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please check out our GBMS Learning SY21-22 Information page, as your question is likely answered there.
Dropping off Items at Brooks for your Student
You may drop off forgotten items for your student in the main office. Please note that we will not call into your student's classroom, as it is a disruption to the learning for other students and the teacher in the classroom. Your student should plan to stop by the main office on their way to lunch or between passing periods, if they think you may have dropped off the forgotten item for them to retrieve. We appreciate your understanding.
Keep D97 Schools Allergy Safe - No Nuts Allowed (Repeat)
Please visit https://bit.ly/3j0KGTB to access information about the district’s food allergy management program, as well as tips and options for identifying food that is safe for snacks and field trips.
Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any District 97 schools during the 2021-22 school year. This includes products that are labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.” The shift to include lunch was necessary as many students may be eating their lunch in spaces other than the lunchroom due to COVID-19 protocols.
We appreciate your help in adhering to this preventative measure.
School Physicals and Immunizations (Repeat)
Incoming 6th-grade students and/or any new students who have transferred into District 97, MUST have a wellness physical and dental exam dated no less than one year prior to August 25th, 2021. Your child's physical must have been performed after August 25th, 2020 . Your child may not be admitted to school without these documents. Please submit the documents by mail or in person no later than August 25, 2021 to the following:
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School
Attn: Health Office, Nurse Nancy Radogno
325 S. Kenilworth Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
SPORTS PHYSICALS – The State of Illinois Office of Education requires that any student who wishes to participate in interscholastic sports MUST have an Athletic Physical Examination, dated no less than one year prior to the first day of the current school year, anytime after August 25, 2020. It is MANDATORY that your child have this physical before they will be eligible to try out or participate in any interscholastic activity.
To access student health forms please visit http://www.op97.org/hr/health-requirements
**For any family having difficulty securing an appointment to get the physical completed, please email our School Nurse, Nancy Radogno, nradogno@op97.org.
Technology Support (Repeat)
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.
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
OPRF Summer Sports Camps - Registration Opens April 25
OPEF Bingo Bash (Repeat)
OPEF BASE Camp (Repeat)
Executive Functioning Program at Kids Unlimited
Kids Kloset at First United Church
(First United Church – 848 Lake Street, Oak Park)
Wednesdays from 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Saturdays from 9:00am to 11:00am
Enter through the west narthex door.
Come to the Kids’ Kloset to get great
cold-weather clothing
at the lowest prices possible!
Loads of winter coats!
Contact “susanzaruba@gmail.com”
If you need an alternative appointment.
Friday Night Place at Julian Middle School
SUPPORT4U
SUPPORT4U is a mental health resource for our students to anonymously text licensed mental health clinicians any time of the day for assistance or guidance. Students can text for any issue; typical reasons might include social issues, anxiety, depression, substance use, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, bullying, abuse, or any other mental health-related topic. The clinician’s goal is to steer the student to available resources in the school and community. To use, students just need to go to Support4U.live on their phone, click on the Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School logo and hit send. Help is just a text away.
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.