October 2nd
Brooks News to Know
Breakfast and Lunch Menus for October
No School for Students on Friday, October 6th
Interested in ordering a Yearbook?
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Your student’s Teacher Teams will be stationed together in a room and you will have the opportunity to speak with most, if not all of your student’s core teachers. Elective teachers and other special services staff will be in the commons/cafeteria and are available for drop-in conferences. We will be scheduling 5 families in a 20-minute block and teachers will rotate to each family.
Students will share a portfolio containing samples of their work from their classes during this time. Your student may want to bring their Chromebook, if the samples they'd like to share are electronic. Your student’s portfolio will contain reflections for each class. Here are some questions to ask of your student while they are sharing their work with you:
- What are the main things you hope to accomplish this year?
- What are some things you cannot do now but hope to achieve soon?
- What is your favorite piece of work? Why?
- Describe your favorite activities or subjects.
- What activities or subjects are hard for you? Why?
- What experiences at school do you find the most satisfying?
- What experiences frustrate you the most?
- What are the most important concepts you’re learning?
- What goals have you set or do you want to set?
- How can I help you?
Our goal is to effectively share your student’s progress while involving students in reflection and accountability related to their work. We hope each family will be able to attend conferences as a way to foster learning and a partnership between home and school.
October is Anti-Bullying/Upstander Month
Monday, October 2, we will have Kindness in Chalk as our kick-off activity for October, Bullying Prevention and Awareness Month. Please visit this link to learn more about the event. Kindness in Chalk is our first event in a yearlong Anti-Bullying/Upstander campaign. Every week during the month of October we have events planned.
October 10th - Upstander Pledge and Announce Anti-Bully/Upstander Poster Competition. Students will have until 10/23/2017 to submit an entry. Students will create a visual message to promote anti-bullying message and kindness.
- We support those who have been hurt or harmed
- We treat others with kindness
- We will be more accepting of people’s differences
- We will help include those who are left out
October 16th - Kindness Buckets: We will invite students to fill the bucket with compliments for students and staff throughout our building. We plan to deliver the drops of kindness during Spirit Week, on 10/24/2017.
October 25th - Cyberbully Assembly
Spirit Week, 10/23-10/27
Monday - Dress up as your favorite superhero (***no weapons***)
Tuesday – Wear your favorite 70’s gear and Spread Peace and Love
Wednesday – Unity Day Wear Orange
Thursday - Wear your favorite sports team attire
Friday - Brooks Spirit Day – Wear Blue and White or Brooks gear
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
Thank you to those who have completed this form to recognize a GBMS staff member. All individuals receive a printed certificate highlighting your appreciation for their contributions!
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.
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
Girls Volleyball Clinic
Girls Jr. Huskie Clinic
***ANY 6th, 7th, or 8th grade girl interested in playing for BROOKS this season***
Join us for an all skills developmental clinic. The clinic will focus on specific skills of the game includingpassing, setting, attacking, serving, defense and competitive game play. The clinic will be coached by the OPRF Girls Volleyball Coaching staff and current varsity players.
When: Monday, October 16th 4:00 – 6:00pm
Where: Fieldhouse
Cost: $20 (cash)/camper
Register: Walk-in that day begins at 3:30pm
If you have any questions, please email Mr. Grimaldi at hgrimaldi@op97.org
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.
- **NEW This Week** Math Team from 3:30-4:30 in room B204 . The club meets every other week. Students of all abilities are welcome. First meeting is on Monday, October 2nd. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Kahn at skahn@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.
- **NEW this Week** Vex Robotics In-House League from 3:30 to 5 pm in room B302, 10/03-12/19 (no meeting 10/31, 11/21); Robot Rumble on 12/12 . You can learn more by viewing flyer or OPEF VexRobotics website. or if you have any questions, please email Ms. Pena at tpena@op97.org
- **NEW this Week** Rainbow Tribe after school until 4:30 in 2nd floor conference room next to PE classroom. The first meeting is on Tuesday, October 3. Schedule and permission slip found here. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Olsen at jolsen@op97.org
- **NEW this Week** Spoken Word from 3:30pm to 5:30 pm in room B205. Here is flyer with more information. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Lee at mlee@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 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
- **NEW This Week** Art Club First meeting will be on Thursday, October 5th from 3:30pm to 4:45pm in room D301. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Murray at kmurray@op97.org.
- Spanish Club from 3:30 to 4:30pm in room B308 (first meeting was on 9/21). Meeting this week is on October 5th. The club meets every other week. 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 . We are collecting food for the Fall Food Drive. The food drive will run from October 2nd to October 30th. Please turn in food to your advisory teacher. Prize will be given to advisory with most food items collected!
Student Innovation Team
Service Club - Fall Food Drive
Brooks Music Fundraiser
We will again be using Century Resources as our fundraising company. The fundraising does consist of selling cookie dough and candy through catalog sales. The fundraiser will last for only two weeks and products that were sold will be delivered in early November, before Thanksgiving, for students to deliver to our supporters.
This is the only Fundraiser for the Music Department. Please seek out a Music student to make your cookie dough and candy purchases to support our Music programs!
BRAVO Upcoming Events
Disneys’ The Little Mermaid Performances are November 3 - 11 - Tickets are on Sale Now!
Bravo’s Chipotle Fundraiser is Tuesday, October 17 from 4:30pm-8:30pm. Eat at the Oak Park Chipotle and fundraise money for Bravo!
Get connected to PTO
PTO Information
- The link to subscribe for families is http://eepurl.com/cgOObT
Monday, October 2: PTO Community meeting @7pm 3rd Floor Media Center at Brooks. Topics to be shared by Mrs. Capuder on October 2nd: Extra-Curricular Opportunities, Assessment & Grading, Parent-Teacher Conference information.
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!
Scholastic Book Fair is a week long reading event (October 17th through October 20th) that provides our students with a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Reading unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Please make plans to come to our Book Fair during the week of Fall Parent Teacher Conferences. Your purchase also benefits the school as Scholastic gives 55% of our sales back to Brooks. See you at the Book Fair!
Love books? Volunteering at the Book Fair is the perfect way to stay connected to your child at school and help students find the books they can't wait to read. Sign up now and get ready for a fun and rewarding volunteer experience."
Our Book Fair Homepage which links to our volunteer sign up and Online Fair:
http://www.scholastic.com/bf/gwendolynbrooksmidschool1
Direct link to volunteer sign up:
https://volunteer.scholastic.com/#/signup/83Uu17HJM
0r email paula.livesey@talk21.com to volunteer.
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