BROOKS PTO WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
week of 11/10/2014 - Teacher & Staff Edition
Questions? Please contact Minerva Colbert at mincakes@aol.com or 773-791-8699
THIS WEEK...
iPad Updates
November 11th & 13th
All students must update their devices to the iOS 8.1 operating system no more than a day or two before collection. This should be completed at home so the devices can be returned back to the students within the two days mentioned. Please note, the iPad Minis should be plugged in when upgrading to iOS 8.1. If your student's device has a passcode, please disable it at this time.
Tuesday 11/11, Teams Collecting: 8.1 and 8.2
Wednesday 11/12, Complete Updates for: Team 8.1 and Team 8.2
Thursday 11/13, Teams Collecting: 6.3 and 8.3
Friday 11/14 Complete Updates for: Team 6.3 Team 8.3
Click HERE for instructions on how to update the device. If you encounter issues while updating the operating system, or do not have the necessary resources or access at home to complete it, email the District 97 Technology Department.
Best Buddies - General Meeting
Best Buddies is an international organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for mutually enriching one-to-one friendships. Best Buddies has been at GBMS since 2002, and has grown from 12 members to over 30! Questions? Email Best Buddies.
Common Behavior Strategies for Home, School & Community
Thursday, November 13th, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm, Whittier Auditorium
The night will start with a presentation by Michele Capio, District 97's Behavior Interventionist, discussing essential behavior management followed by break out sessions into age groups with District 97 social workers. Childcare will be provided on an as-needed basis, free of charge. Please email Mandi Rebman or call (708) 524-3080 to reserve childcare by Friday November 7th. For more information on this event click HERE.
Coffee with Principal Michowski
Friday, November 14, 8:30 am - 9:30 am, Brooks Commons
Coffee with Principal Michowski: Join us for the fourth Principal Coffee & get your questions answered! Can't make this one? Save the date for the final 2014 coffee on 12/5.
Year Book Club
We are looking for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who are:
• Responsible
• Independent workers – capable of completing assignments on their own
• Team oriented – students who work well with others
• Artistically talented or interested in layout work
• Interested in interviewing
• Interested in taking photographs
• Teacher referred and maintain good relations in their classrooms
For more information click HERE. Questions? Email Ms. Gallo or call her at 708-524-3050
Chess Club
Thursdays (ongoing), 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm, Room B305
The goal of the Brooks Chess Club is to provide enrichment, teach, sharpen, and reinforce chess skills while learning to appreciate and enjoy the game. We hope to ultimately help all players, regardless of skill level, and improve their chess playing ability. All chess PERMISSION SLIPS should be submitted to the Brooks office. Questions? Email Mr. Hausfeld
Service Club
Fridays (ongoing), 8:00 am - 8:45 am, Room C209
Service Club will be collecting travel-size toiletries throughout the school year to donate to veterans and the PADS shelter. Please drop them in the school office to the attention of Susan Walsh or Blanca Martinez. Everyone is welcome! Questions? E-mail Ms. Walsh.
LOOKING AHEAD...
Speech Team Try-outs!
Tuesday, November 18th, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm, Room B308
If your student enjoys dramatic presentation, this is the club for them! Final presentations will take place at the West 40 Speech and Drama Festival, Saturday, February 28th. When selected, participants will work one on one with a coach at mutually agreed upon times (sometimes before or after school or at lunch time) to help students memorize and refine their presentation. Selected participants will need to practice at home as well as at school.
Oak Park has taken top honors at this event for many years. With hard work and guidance from their coach your student can be part of the Speech Team legacy! Parents will need to provide transportation to and from the event, which is usually in Elmwood Park. Questions? Email Ms. Barot.
Best Buddies - Activity Meeting
Questions? Email Best Buddies.
Art Club – Glass Time
beginning Wednesday, November 19th (various days of the week), Room C309
Is your student interested in creating a piece of glass jewelry or a mirrored mosaic? They should consider joining the Art Club – Glass Time. In this club students will learn about different types of glass, how they differ and create lovely items!! Applications are available on the website of Ms. Williams or from Ms. Williams in room C-309. Space is limited, so apply as soon as possible! Questions? Email Ms. Williams.
Autumn Choral Concert
Wednesday, November 19th at 7:00 pm, Brooks Auditorium
Cryptography Club
beginning Monday, November 25th (weekly), Room C309
Cryptography Club is open to students interested in learning all about sending coded messages! In the club you will learn about different types of codes or ciphers including Caesar, substitution, additive and more! You’ll learn a bit of history about coding, and enjoy coded scavenger hunts with prizes! Space is limited fro this club, so be certain to apply as soon as possible! An application is available on the website of Ms. Williams, or from Ms. Williams in room C-309. Questions? Email Ms. Williams
NEW! 'I am Eleven' Film Screening & Panel Discussion December 13, 10am
NEW! Saturday, December 13, 2014, 10:00am, Lake Theater, Oak Park
SOLD OUT- Thursday, December 4, 2014, 7:00 pm, Lake Theater, Oak ParkPlease join us to see the film - I AM A ELEVEN - a family friendly documentary about childhood. The film explores the lives of eleven year olds from 15 different countries across the world, who share their thoughts on everything from love, war, global warming, music, culture, family, happiness, and the future!
Did you miss getting tickets to our first screening? Reserve your tickets HERE for the 2nd screening on Saturday, December 13th at 10am.
Questions? Please contact Dawn Glossa or Kelly Flemming.
GET INVOLVED!
Photographer Needed!
November through December 2014
Collecting Stamps from Jewel
Through December 26, 2014
Box Tops
Ongoing
We’re asking each GBMS student to donate 12 Box Tops. Box Tops coupons can be found on many specially marked items. For a complete list of participating Box Tops products please click HERE. You can either send the Box Tops with your student to give to their Advisory Teacher or bring them to the school office. Please place the Box Tops in an envelope or Ziploc bag marked “Box Tops”. NOTE: Be sure to check the expiration date on each Box Tops prior to submission. Thank you in advance for helping to make this collection rally a success! Questions? Please Email Minerva Colbert or call her at 773-791-8699.
Shop Amazon & Fund the PTO
Ongoing
Brooks Spirit Wear
Ongoing
A Note from Wendy & Libbey
Please let us know if you have any questions by replying to this email. If you have content to include or that you'd like to see covered in our newsletter, please reply to this email with your suggestions or submit the information here.
Thank you!
Wendy Giardina & Libbey Paul
GBMS PTO Co-Presidents
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School PTO
Email: gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com
Website: http://www.brooksparents.org/
Location: 325 South Kenilworth Avenue, Oak Park, IL, United States
Phone: (708) 524-3050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gwendolyn-Brooks-Middle-School-PTO/380642605371419