September 25th
Brooks News to Know
Brooks Facebook Group
Please view posts or request to join so you can create or respond to posts!
Please be sure your background check has been completed if you'd like to volunteer to chaperone Field Trips
Recognizing Staff who Make a Difference
Strengthening Families - 11 week program
Here is Flyer. Program meets from 6 to 8pm at Julian Middle School starting October 3rd through December 19th.
You will Learn…- Effective Parenting Skills
- Healthy Communication
- How to Resolve Conflicts
- Stress Management Skills
- How to Set Limits
Open to families with children ages 7-17 years of age
A complete meal is provided.
Childcare and transportation is available if needed.
At no cost to families that reside in Oak Park or River Forest, proof of residency is needed.
Brooks News from Previous Weeks
Curriculum Night on Thursday 9/14 Links to Information Shared
Curriculum Night Feedback Survey
PowerSchool and Canvas Parent Academy (6pm to 7pm event)
6th Grade Auditorium Presentation
7th Grade Auditorium Presentation
8th Grade Auditorium Presentation
Orchestra Information - Grade 6, Orchestra Information - Grade 7/8
Before School Help
GBMS Library News
Library is also open during each lunch period. Students need to request a pass from a teacher BEFORE their lunch period. This is a quiet time for reading and studying.
This year students need their Oak Park Public library card number and PIN in order to access the Oak Park Public Library Databases at school. We are recommending that they memorize it, write it down, bring it, or take a picture of it somewhere secure.
Breakfast and Lunch Information
Ordering Special Hot Lunch offerings for your Student
Please visit our website to learn how to participate in PTO Starship Lunches on Tuesdays and/or BRAVO Pizza lunches on Fridays.
Please Reinforce at Home
PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES (including Cell Phones)
Personal Electronic devices are not allowed out in common spaces. Teacher discretion will be used in the classrooms. Personal devices should be left on silent while in the building.
Staff will take personal electronic devices if they are seen being used in common spaces during school time in the building. Multiple infractions will require the parent to pick up the personal electronic device. As with other personal items, the school will not be responsible if the personal electronic device is stolen, lost or damaged. We strongly discourage students from bringing valuable items to school.
Bike Safety
Please remind your student to obey the rules of the road as they ride to and from school. Students need to be extra careful as they pass driveways and proceed through intersections. Please review this information with your student to ensure their safety to and from school as they ride their bikes!
Safety Walking to and from School
Please review these safety precautions with your student:
Be Careful at Crossings: Look before you step
- Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections, if possible.
- Obey traffic signals such as WALK/DON'T WALK signs.
- Don't assume vehicles will stop. Make eye contact with drivers, don't just look at the vehicle. If a driver is on a cell phone, he or she may not be paying enough attention to drive safely.
- Look left, right, and left again before crossing a street.
- Watch for turning vehicles. Make sure the driver sees you and will stop for you.
- Look across ALL lanes you must cross and visually clear each lane before proceeding. Even if one motorist stops, do not presume drivers in other lanes can see you and will stop for you.
- Don't wear headphones or talk/text on a cell phone while crossing.
Excerpt from this website.
Crossing Washington at Dismissal
Please encourage your student to cross Washington Street with the Cross Guard at Kenilworth and Washington or at the light at Homes Ave and Washington Street. Our staff member at Clinton and Washington is there to guide students across Clinton due to the bus traffic but will not be stopping traffic to allow students to cross Washington at Clinton.
Young Filmmakers Contest
A Brooks team of young filmmakers were an honorable mention last year. Check out their video here. Ms. Laura Stamp, our sponsor of EgoEagles, will work with students during EcoEagles who are interested in creating a submission.
Sporting Events at Home this week
CLUB OPPORTUNITIES (can join anytime)
Each club meets weekly, unless otherwise notated below.
- ORFF Ensemble from 8:00am to 8:50am in D104 (first meeting was on 9/18). Participation is open to all students - no audition required, but enrollment is limited to 40 students. Interested students can sign-up and pick up permission slips outside of the music room (D104). For additional information contact Mr. Carrillo - fcarrillo@op97.org. Still opportunity to join.
- Ultimate Frisbee from 3:30pm to 4:40pm in 3rd floor gym (first meeting was on 9/11). If you have any questions, please email Ms. Dajani at rdajani@op97.org or Mr. Gillespie at mgillespie@op97.org.
Tuesdays
- EcoEagles from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in room C302 (first meeting was on 8/29). If you have any questions, please email Ms. Stamp at lstamp@op97.org.
- Chess Club from 3:30 to 4:45 in room B305 (first meeting was on 9/12). If you have any questions, please email Mr. Hausfeld at mhausfeld@op97.org.
Wednesdays
- Ultimate Frisbee from 3:30pm to 4:40pm in 3rd floor gym (first meeting was on 9/11). If you have any questions, please email Ms. Dajani at rdajani@op97.org or Mr. Gillespie at mgillespie@op97.org.
Best Buddies Next General Meeting on Wednesday, October 4th from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in Commons. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Beauprez or Ms. Touchette. Here is calendar of dates for all Best Buddies meetings.
Thursdays
- Spanish Club from 3:30 to 4:30pm in room B308 (first meeting was on 9/21). Next meeting is October 5th. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Lagioia at vlagioia@op97.org or Ms. Villalobos at cvillalobos@op97.org.
Fridays
- Service Club from 8am to 8:45am in room B209 (first meeting on 9/29). If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Walsh at swalsh@op97.org or Ms. Martinez at bmartiez@op97.org
CLUBS STARTING THIS WEEK AND BEYOND
Math Team
Rainbow Tribe
Art Club
Brooks & OPEF In-House VexRobotics League Pilot
The Brooks In-House League is designed for the student new to VEX Robotics with little or
no experience with ROBOTC programming or for the student who cannot commit to the long season of our Competitive Club. Students will be taught the basics of robot design and
programming. They will then work in teams to design, build and program a VEX robot to
play in our In-House League competition, Robot Rumble.
Students will meet one day a week from 3:30–5 pm and have 2 sessions to choose from:
- Fall In-House League: Tuesdays 3:30-5 pm, 10/03-12/19 (no meeting 10/31, 11/21); Robot Rumble: 12/12
- Winter In-House League: Tuesdays 3:30-5 pm, 1/09-3/13; Robot Rumble: 3/10
There is no tryout required to join the In-House League. Students interested in knowing
more about this program are invited to attend a Student Interest Meeting after school on Wednesday, September 20 in room B302. You can learn more by viewing flyer or OPEF VexRobotics website. The application deadline for interest in no tryout In-House VexRobotics League has been extended!
Student Innovation Team
Get connected to PTO
PTO Information
- The link to subscribe for families is http://eepurl.com/cgOObT
Wednesday, October 11th: PTO Welcome Food Truck Social from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Bring a picnic dinner or $ to purchase food from trucks for your family. There will also be DJ and music. Come make connections with old and new friends!
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