December 16, 2019
Winter Break
Our winter break will begin on Monday, December 23, 2019 through Friday January 3, 2020. The school will be closed during this time.
Trimester 1 Honor Roll
Our students commitment to excellence is evident in earning this academic honor. The effort they have given to their academic performance here at Gwendolyn Brooks serves as an example and inspiration to so many. Congratulations to our students who earned a place on the Trimester 1 honor roll.
Brooks Spirit Week
Equity and Community Engagement
In District 97, we aim to provide a learning environment that is equitable and inclusive of ALL children. To do so, we need your continued partnership by supporting schools and students, monitoring your own child’s progress and giving us feedback along the way.
Before you and your child(ren) begin the season of rest, rejuvenation and precious time with friends and family, please take a moment to complete THIS SURVEY. Your responses will assist us in further improvements as we prepare for the remainder of the school year.
The survey will close on Dec. 27, 2019, at 5 p.m. Thank you in advance for your response, and for your continued support of our schools and the students we serve.
January 30th, 2020 Student Led Conferences
Please plan to attend the January 30th Conferences with your student. Sign up information for conferences will be shared during the week of January 13th.
During our next conferences, students will be sharing their IB Criterion Report with their parents/guardians. In anticipation of the upcoming student-led conferences, please view this screencast, which provides an explanation of IB Criterion.
Message from the Main Office
FAQ'S
- Attendance Line : 708-665-3074 or send an email
- Please note from 8:45am to 9:15am the Brooks answering service will be activated as our office staff is attending to in-house student and parent needs.
- REVTRAK Link - Payment system for Field trips, School Fees, Replacement Fees, Gym Uniforms, etc. The link can also be found on the Brooks Website under Payments in the blue menu bar.
- Bell Schedule - For those asking what time the periods take place.
SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE TEAM UPDATE
Our new HERO goal is: “Being respectful and safe with our personal space”. If we reach our goal, we will celebrate with grade-level STAFF vs KIDS basketball games on December 20th. Whether or not we make the goal will be determined and announced on Wednesday, 12/16.
Kids can continue to earn Brooks Bucks for following the posted Brooks Student Expectations. These bucks can be redeemed at the School Store along with HERO points.
Brooks Rainbow Tribe Winter Drive
Attn: Facebook & Twitter Friends
Around the District with Dr. Kelley
Illinois 5Essentials Survey
The parent/guardian survey is available now. Please click here to learn how parents/guardians can participate in this important endeavor and click here to access the parent/guardian version of the survey.
Please note that school-level reports will only be generated if at least 20 percent of our parents/guardians complete the survey, which can be accessed until Feb. 14, 2020. Our current response rate for parents/guardians is at 8%.
IT'S SUNDAY! WHO INSPIRES YOU? Recognizing Staff who Make a Difference
In an effort to celebrate our community, we would like to invite parents and students to give a shout out to member(s) of the Brooks Community who have inspired them. We also want to hear from parents and students who would like recognize a Brooks teacher that has made an impact around diversity and inclusion. Every Sunday, selected comments will be featured in Middle Matters and the staff member will receive a certificate detailing how they have made a difference to you. You can also tag your comments under #BeBrooks97 on Twitter. Please join us in celebrating the Brooks Community by completing this form.
Holiday Travel and School Attendance
We recognize that holidays are an important time for reconnecting with families far away. A few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and put your child behind in school. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning, right up until vacation starts and the first day back. Please keep in mind the costs to your children’s education if they miss too much school, you can help us convey that message.
Cold Weather Reminder
Our goal is to have students go outside for social time whenever possible.
- Students should come to school wearing a winter jacket, gloves, scarves, hat, etc.
- Please discuss with your child the need to wear jackets when outside.
- Winter outerwear should not be removed when it is cold outside.
Please be sure your student brings their ID to school everyday!
Please help your student remember to bring their ID each day to school to Be Safe. During the lunch periods, their ID designates their lunch color. This is important so we can monitor where students should be during the lunch period, especially if there is any type of emergency situation that should occur during a lunch period. We have over 900 students and 100 staff members in the building each day. Wearing ID helps all of us get to know each other as we traverse the building.
Gwendolyn Brooks Class of 2020 Graduation
Please be sure to mark your calendars. We will have more information regarding graduation activities in February.
Parent/Guardian Contact Information
In our efforts to keep our student and family contact information current, we are asking that our Brooks families please fill out the ink below.
Some of you have expressed concern about not receiving information, so we want to be sure we are able to reach you!
We appreciate your help in keeping your mailing, telephone and email contact information valid and up to date.
District 97 Emergency Data Form
Thank you for completing this form as soon as possible.
Using the Canvas Calendar as an Observer
If you are looking for one place to see when your student has assignments due, check out the Canvas Calendar. The assignments will be linked on the Canvas Calendar on the day they are due.
Click the link below for detailed directions on how to use the Canvas calendar.
Purchase your Yearbook Today!
If you do not already have an account from a previous years purchase, you will be asked to set up an account in order to make a purchase.
Brooks Purchase Code: 1014096931934358
Chromebook Repairs / Chargers
Repairs - If your student issued Chromebook is experiencing issues, please have your teacher write your student a pass to the Media Center to see the School Technician. The Technician will check in the Chromebook for repair. A repair can take anywhere from 1 to 5 days, depending on the issue. But our goal is to return the Chromebooks as soon as possible. Students can request printed copies of any assignments from their teachers during this time. When the students Chromebook is ready, the office receives it from the School Technician and the information will be listed on the daily Chromebook Spreadsheet for teachers to check. Students can ask their teachers to look at the Chromebook spreadsheet to see if their Chromebook is listed or they can stop by the main office at the start/end of day, on their way to/from PE or Lunch.
Chargers - If your student has lost their school issued charger, your may purchase a new charger online via Revtrak or by cash or check in the main office.
Replacing Chromebook - If your student is unable to locate their chromebook after retracing their steps, informing their teacher or front office staff to connect with the technology department to see if it can be located remotely in the building, please print and complete this form. If filing a claim for vandalism, fire or theft, please contact our Student Resource Officer Locke, elocke@op97.org. He will be able to help you with this. Once the form has been completed, please submit it and any required payment to the front office.
GBMS Library/Media Center
Library is also open during each lunch period starting the week of September 9th. Students need to request a pass from a teacher BEFORE their lunch period and can go to the library during the social time of their lunch period.
Breakfast, Special Hot Lunch Opportunities and Menus
Ordering Special Hot Lunch offerings for your Student
Please visit our website to learn how to participate in
- PTO Starship Lunches on Tuesdays starts 9/17.
- BRAVO PRE-ORDERED Pizza lunches starts THIS Friday, 9/13.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- OPRFHS Incoming Freshman Enrollment Information Event: 12/16 6:30pm in Brooks Auditorium. All Brooks and Julian 8th grade Families invited to attend the event hosted by OPRFHS.
- Winter Break - No student attendance - December 23, 2019 - January 3, 2020
- January 30th, 2020 Student-Led Conferences
PTO NEWS
Want to Donate to the PTO?
You can donate $10 or more to help pay for things like teacher grants, need-based scholarships and other enrichment activities. Please consider a matching gift donation from your employer.
Last month, the PTO funded a Teacher Grant to Ms. Maggio to add flexible seating to her classroom.
Does your 8th grader want to have an 8th grade dance? We need you!
The 8th grade dance is a great way to celebrate finishing middle school. However, it can’t happen without support from the Brooks community! The PTO is currently looking for one more 8th Grade VP. This role helps plan 8th grade dance and a winter staff appreciation dinner. There are two 8th grade VP’s, so you are working with a partner!
Coffee with Capuder
We will meet in the Peace Room.
Washington D. C. Trip
Trip Dates: Washington, DC - Friday, February 14 - Sunday, February 16, 2020 (Presidents' Day Weekend)
If you have questions, please email Janorisè Robinson at dctripbrooksjulian@gmail.com.
Brooks Spirit Wear
Brooks spirit wear can be ordered at any time by visiting this website.
Orders will be shipped to your home!
Agriculture and Climate Change — and again, “Change is possible; it starts with us.”
If you eat food, this applies to you. So listen up! Here’s a link to an amazing video (~ 6 mins) about a topic that may be new to you and is way worth learning about — Regenerative Agriculture. Check it out here!
Here’s the back story: David McMillan, chef at Joe Beef and Liverpool House, (two of Montreal’s best restaurants — President Obama ate there in 2017 with Prime Minister Trudeau -- just sayin’ -- see here) wants to talk to you about regenerative agriculture. It's one of the least known yet most promising solutions to climate change. When food is produced regeneratively, plants suck carbon from the atmosphere and lock it into the soil to feed microorganisms.
What does this mean for you? When you choose to buy food that was produced regeneratively, you're supporting farmers that help fight climate change. Make it a point to go to your local farmers’ market and ask questions! Help spread the word and share this video! Here’s a link!
Farmers are our #soilchamps
Learn more here!
(Based in Canada, but the ideas are universal.)
Clubs and Sports Information
Mondays
- Math Team 3:30pm - 4:30pm in room B409. For more information contact Esther Smith at esmith3@op97.org . Open to 6 - 8 grade students.
- Orff Ensemble (Xylophone and Drumming Music Group) Monday's, 8:00-8:50 am, Rm D104. Open to all students grades 6-8. For more information contact Mr. Carrillo (fcarrillo@op97.org)
- Rainbow Tribe 3:30pm - 4:30pm in the Library! Come join students who want to be a part of creating a safe and inclusive space for our Brooks LGBTQ community. All students (those who identify and allies) are invited to join! Reach out to Ms. Berman (aberman@op97.org) or Mrs. Olsen (jolsen@op97.org) with any questions!
- 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
- Ultimate Frisbee: Currently on Winter hiatus. This recreational Frisbee Club will meet again in the Spring on Mondays and Wednesdays to play from 3:30p to 4:30p. For more information contact Coach Gillespie at mgillespie@op97.org or Coach Guerino at tguerino@op97.org - Please note practices are dependent on weather.
Tuesdays
- Yearbook Club meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month. Room B202 Beginning in October and ends in April. Everyone is welcome to join GBMS Yearbook Club. We are looking for students to assist us in recording the student activities & events of the 2019-2020 school year!For more information please contact Meaghan Pabellon at mpabellon@op97.org or Marsha Turner Reid at mturnerreid@op97.org
- EcoEalges - meets weekly on TUESDAYS at 3:30 in Room C202
Students who are passionate about helping the environment, gardening, saving endangered species or who just want to do interesting things outdoors should check out the ECO EAGLES, the Brooks ecology club. We have made award-winning films, gone on cool field trips, implemented fun fundraisers and raised awareness about many different issues. We are open to whatever you are interested in, so join us! For more information contact lstamp@op97.org
- Chess Club meets in room C108 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. For more information contact Coach Hausfeld at mhausfeld@op97.org
Wednesdays
- Best Buddies: Calendar of meeting for 19-20 school year. Contact Ms. Beauprez with questions lbeeauprez@op97.org .
- Ultimate Frisbee: Currently on Winter hiatus. This recreational Frisbee Club will meet again in the Spring on Mondays and Wednesdays to play from 3:30p to 4:30p. For more information contact Coach Gillespie at mgillespie@op97.org or Coach Guerino at tguerino@op97.org - Please note practices are dependent on weather.
Art Club from 3:30-4:30 October- March in D301. Free and open to all students.
Mrs. Murray (kmurray@op97.org) will offer a variety of materials and techniques. Come when you can and be ready to explore your own ideas, work at your own pace, and make new friends in a creative environment just for artists! Art club is FREE!
- Service Club meets at 8am in room B209. We organize & promote the school's service projects such as food drives, coat drives, the holiday food and gift basket program, and more! If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Susan Walsh (swalsh@op97.org) or Ms. Blanca Martinez (bmartinez@op97.org).
OPEF VEX Robotics
This year we are offering two cool programs for D97 middle school kids to enjoy. We look forward to another exciting VEX Robotics season at both Julian and Brooks.
- The In-House Club is designed for students with little or no experience with robotics and for students who cannot commit to the long season of our Competitive League.
- The Robotics Competitive League is an intensive program for the dedicated technology student, especially those who want to take their experience with VEX Robotics and programming to the next level.
To sign up or learn more information about our programs, visit our OPEF VEX Robotics page at https://www.opef.org/programs/vex-robotics/
Brooks in-house contact - Brian Shinners, bshinners@op97.org
Girls on the RISE -
The 8th Grade Girls group will begin meeting on January 15th, 2020.
For more information contact Dominique Hickman at dhickman@oakparktownship.org
YEMBA
Wednesdays - 3:30pm 6:30pm
Includes: Homework help, mentoring, recreation workshops, snacks, guest speakers and much more...
For more information contact:
YMBA, INC.
(773) 842-5022
email: www.yemba@yemba-inc.org
Website: www.yemba-inc.org
Boys Basketball
Practice Schedule
Wed 12/18
3:40pm - 5:00pm
Game Schedule
Mon 12/16 Away vs. MacArthur
4pm - 6pm
Wed 12/17 Home vs. Lincoln
4pm - 6pm
Thu 12/19 Home vs. Northlake
4pm - 6pm
For more information contact: Coach Darren Haus at dhaus@op97.org
R.A.D
Self Defense Training for Girls … and so much more!!!
Available to 8th grade girls currently attending Brooks Middle School (Class limit to 30 girls)
Topics Include: Bullying, Exposing gender roles, Female stereotypes, Harassment, and Healthy Relationships.
12/10, 12/12, 12/17, 12/18, 1/7, 1/9, 1/14
For questions, please contact Mrs. Dajani or Dr. Brown
Girls Volleyball Upcoming Important Dates
BRAVO Dance Studio
We are now offering 3 Sessions of Dance Studio!
Dates and Times are subject to change
2nd Session: December 2 – February 19
3rd Session: February 24 – April 15
Dance Studio Contract & Permission to Participate Form
**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!
BRAVO Guitar Club
Mondays 3:30pm-5pm
Learn basic guitar chords or work on advancing your guitar skills. Beginners and Advanced guitar players welcome!
2nd Session: December 2 – February 17
3rd Session: February 24 – April 13
Contract and Permission to Participate Form
Forms must be turned in to the BRAVO Office (D103)
Information located outside the BRAVO! Office
**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!
BRAVO NEW THIS YEAR: IMPROV Club & Film Club
IMPROV CLUB
Tuesdays from 3:30pm-4:45pm
September 17 - December 17
Improv (Improvisation) is a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters and dialogue of a game, scene or story are made up in the moment. Improv is spontaneous, entertaining, and fun!
**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!
FILM CLUB
Thursdays – 3:30pm-4:45pm
October 3 - December 19
Learn how to write a story board, take video and edit material into a short film.
**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!
Community Programs
Distribution of information by a community group in accordance with District 97 policy does not imply, directly or indirectly, that the group's program(s), event(s) and/or services(s) is sanctioned, sponsored or endorsed by the district, the Board of Education or the superintendent.
Attendance of Children at OPRF Sporting Events
Oak Park and River Forest High School recently implemented a new rule when attending athletic events. Effective immediately, children ages 11 and younger will not be allowed to attend athletic events at OPRF unless they are accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. Please click here for the full message from the high school.
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