March 4, 2019
IAR Testing
Our students take federally required assessments every spring. These assessments help us understand how our students are growing academically, compared to their peers across the state. The state uses this information to provide more support and resources to the schools in the greatest need and are the academic factors considered when determining the summative designation on our State School Report Card. This year, the English language arts and math assessment for grades 3-8 is called the Illinois Assessment of Readiness.
Beginning on Monday, March 11th, 2019, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will take part in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), formerly known as PARCC. The format of the test will be the same as in past years.
The IAR testing window will take place from March 11th through April 26th.
Grade Level IAR Testing dates are as follows:
6th grade: Math-3/12, 3/13, 3/15 LA-3/14,3/18, 3/21
7th grade: Math-3/11. 3, 14, 3/18 LA-3/20, 3/21, 3/22
8th grade: Math-3/18, 3/19, 3/20, LA-3/11, 3/12, 3/13 (including ISA (science test) on March 22nd)
Please have your child bring a pair of headphones for the LA portion of their grade level testing dates. Students will be unable to take a test ahead of the class. IAR/ISA test make-ups will occur the week of April 1st.
As is required by law, every student who is eligible to take the IAR assessment will receive a test ticket. Please keep in mind these assessments are considered when determining the summative designation on our State School Report Card as well as used by our District to guide decision making related to curriculum and instruction. However, in accordance with our practice, anyone who elects not to take the assessment will be permitted to read a book after the teacher has read the directions to the class and students have begun the testing process. Please communicate with the Assistant Principal associated with your child’s grade level team, if your child is planning to not take part in this assessment. Since students will not be allowed to go to the school library during the administration of the test, we ask that you please make sure your child brings his/her book to class during the IAR/ISA testing window.
Parents and guardians, please assist your child in being prepared for testing. Eating breakfast and being well-rested will help your student to do his or her best. Discussing the importance of the test while minimizing any anxieties your child may be feeling is helpful as well. These steps will support our collective efforts for having each child achieve the best possible results. Students should make every effort to be present and on time to school during the testing window. Should an illness or unforeseen absence occur, the student will participate in make-up testing after the scheduled testing date.
Angelica Kamysz (Team 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.1, & 7.2)
Antoine Bland (Team 7.3, 8.1, 8.2, & 8.3)
All Student Assemblies
The 8th grade assemblies will be on Monday, March 4
7th grade assemblies will be Tuesday, March 5
The 6th grade assemblies will be Friday, March 8.
8th Grade Graduation Pictures
Monday, February 25, your child's graduation picture proofs went home with students.
The graduation picture retakes will take place on Tuesday, March 19.
If you would like to have your student re-take their graduation photos, there is a $10 retake fee payable to Van Gogh Photography.
For questions regarding photos, please contact Van Gogh Photography at (847) 382-2282.
Battle of the Badges
We will have our 2nd Annual Battle of the Badges event at Brooks on Saturday, March 9th!
This is a D97 and community wide event where our OP Police and Fire Departments compete in a basketball game with our Special Olympic Athletes.
This is not an event you want to miss! We will have food, games, and raffles for this family friendly event. We had around 200 people present last year, and would love to see you cheering in the stands in a few weeks!
Money raised goes to our Special Olympics and Best Buddies programs in D97, both if which are state award winning programs thanks to your constant support.
Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey
Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey
We are administering the Illinois 5Essentials Survey again this year to certified staff and parents/guardians from all 10 of our schools, as well as students in grades four through eight. 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. The survey window has been extended through March 15th, 2019
We have 212 families (25%) that have completed the survey to date. We appreciate your feedback!
Student Announcements
Yearbook Ordering
https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1014096931934358
If you are asked for a pass code, please use: 1014096931934358
8th Grade Dance - Volunteers Needed
The days are getting longer and school days are flying by. It’s time to start planning the 8th Grade Dance on Friday 17th of May. We need your time, ideas, creativity, imagination and resources. Let’s make this process fun and easy. The more the merrier, sign up with friends. There will be adult beverages at the committee meeting! Please consider joining this committee, no contribution of your time will be too small. This cannot happen without you! We will plan on meeting soon to discuss the event! Sign up for the committee here!
D97 Summer Math - Register Today!
June 17 - July 3, 2019
Monday through Friday
Julian Middle School
8am-10am OR 10am-12pm
For incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th grade D97 students
Students will:
o Review course content from the previous school year (incoming 6th, 7th, & 8th graders) OR
o Receive the opportunity to advance to the next level of math instruction (incoming 6th, 7th, & 8th graders) *Students must pass an End-of-Course Exam following these intense, fast-paced courses.
For more information on summer math courses and registration, please visit http://bit.ly/2019D97summermath
Registration deadline - April 30, 2019
Coffee with Capuder
Assessment Re-Do/Re-Take Policy
Please find information regarding the student re-do/re-take policy in our Brooks Website.
Recognizing Staff who Make a Difference
If you or your student would like to recognize any staff member (a teacher, a teacher assistant, social worker, librarian, front office staff, lunchroom staff, custodial staff or school administrator) please take a moment to complete this form. The staff member will receive a certificate detailing the information shared through this form.
Clubs and Sports Information
Brooks Service Club
Service Club is collecting travel size toiletries all year! Donations will be used to make care packages for Housing Forward. Please send any small, unopened toiletries to Ms. Walsh or Ms. Martínez. Thank you for your help!
Girls on the Rise
January – May 2019 is our 8th grade Girls on the Rise portion of the program. Attached a flyer for the upcoming session.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6gnevA1fHdWODNvNlV2MU9LQmVtdVZ3LVo2a0hXS1czX1E4/view?usp=sharing
Girls Volleyball
Game Schedule
Home vs. Julian
Mon., Mar 4, 4pm - 6pm
Home vs, Freedom
Wed., Mar 6, 4pm - 6pm
Home vs. Northlake
Thu., Mar 7, 4pm - 6pm
If you have any questions, please contact Coach Grimaldi at hgrimaldi@op97.org
Track and Field
Here is the link to our Track & Field website.
Specific events each day are linked on our calendar website.
First practice will be March 11th.
For more information, please contact Coach Dajani at rdajani@op97.org
OPEF Robotics News and Information
You can learn more about the event on OPEF's website or their Facebook page.
For more information about the robotics program please visit: https://www.opef.org/programs/vex-robotics/. Questions? Please contact Michele McAndrews at mvmcandrews@opef.org or Mr. Shinners at bshinners@op97.org
Clubs
Mondays
- Yearbook Club: Next meetings 3/11 & 3/18 in room B202 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Here is link to the entire year meeting dates schedule. Contact Ms.Turner-Reid or Ms. Pabellon with questions mturnerreid@op97.org or mpabellon@op97.org
- Math Team: in room B204 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Contact Mr. Sam Kahn with questions. skahn@op97.org
- ORFF: Monday mornings 8am to 8:50am in D110 Contact Mr. Carrillo with questions fcarrillo@op97.org
- 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
- BRAVO Guitar Club & Dance Hip Hop Studio started on Monday, September 17. There is still time to sign up! Click on links above to access permission slips. These clubs are FREE to ALL Brooks Students.
Tuesdays
- EcoEalges - meets from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in room C202. Contact Ms. Stamp with questions lstamp@op97.org
- Chess Club: meets from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in room B305. Contact Mr. Hausfeld with questions mhausfeld@op97.org
Wednesdays
- Best Buddies: Here is the year long calendar that can be downloaded. Contact Ms. Beauprez with questions lbeeauprez@op97.org .
- Girls on the Rise: Meets week on Wednesdays from 3:45pm to 4:45pm in room C105
- World Language Club: Every other Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30pm in C209. Contact Mr. Lagioia with questions vlagioia@op97.org
- BRAVO Dance Hip Hop Studio started on Monday, September 17. There is still time to sign up! Click on links above to access permission slips. These clubs are FREE to ALL Brooks Students.
- Rainbow Tribe: Contact Ms. Berman with questions aberman@op97.org
- Art Club: Thursdays in room D301 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Contact Ms. Murray with questions. kmurray@op97.org
- Service Club: Friday mornings from 8am to 8:50am in room B209. Contact Ms. Walsh with questions swalsh@op97.org
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