May 28, 2019
Chromebook Return - Wednesday, May 29
This is a reminder that we will be collecting 6th through 8th grade student Chromebooks and chargers on Wednesday, May 29.
Chromebook returned in working condition
Working charging adaptor (Chromebook)
Remove any personal stickers or any adhesives that your child has added (*Please do not remove the district sticker)
Device Replacement costs
Chromebook: $357
Power Adaptor - $20.00 (Chromebook)
Families will be able to pay these fees via the district’s web store, with cash or by check.
Prior to collection, middle school students can uploaded their data directly to their Google Drive.
For our eighth graders leaving District 97, we will provide access to their District 97 Google accounts until October 1, 2019, in order to allow students to transfer documents to another Google account by following these directions.
Please email technology@op97.org if you have questions or need additional information about this process.
8th Grade Clap Out on Friday, May 31st
Families are welcome to gather outside our building at 3:25pm near our Kenilworth and Clinton entrances/exits to join the clap out as students exit the building to walk home (Kenilworth exit)or head to the busses (Clinton exit).
Library Books
6th and 7th Graders: ALL BOOKS ARE DUE 5/31
Please encourage your student to return all checked-out library books by the above dates to avoid fines and fees.
8th Grade End of Year Activities
Graduation Rehearsal: Wednesday, May 29 @ OPRF
Please be aware, students will travel by bus to OPRF for the rehearsal. The bus will leave at 9:15 am.
Students will receive their graduation tickets along with their cap and gown when they return from graduation practice.
Great America Trip: Thursday, May 30th
Wear your 8th grade t-shirt (brooks wear or blue if you don’t have one)
Deadline for payments was Friday, May 24
Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, June 1st @ OPRF
Students should arrive @ 9:30 am to OPRFHS 201 Scoville Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
Graduation ceremony begins promptly @ 10:00 am
Each student will receive a total of 4 graduation tickets. (students do not need a ticket)
A live feed of the graduation will be available beginning at 10:00am on June 1st. The YouTube Link to view the ceremony is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px01sXDacZw
- Parking Information and Zones at OPRFHS on 6/1 Graduation day
Last Day for Starship Lunch
The last day for Starship lunch will be Tuesday, May 28. Be sure to plan another lunch for June 4th! Thanks!
Last Day of School for 6th and 7th Graders
Returning Student Registration
Online registration for students who are returning to District 97 for the 2019-20 school year is scheduled to begin Monday, May 13. All documents required for proving residency and completing the online registration process must be submitted to the district by August 1, 2019. Students will not be placed on a class list or have middle school schedules generated until the registration process is complete.
Information about registration is available on the district website at https://www.op97.org/hr/student-registration. If you have any questions regarding this process, please email d97registrar@op97.org or call the district office at 708-524-3000.
8th Grade Lunch Account Balance
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please check your student's lunch balance online. You may access your student's account on the parent portal (http://powerschool.op97.org/public/) or www.mymealtime.com. If your student does end the school year with a positive balance in their food account, we can disperse in the money in one of three ways.
Please indicate below how you would like to process this money:
- If you have another child in a District 97 school (including Brooks), we can transfer that balance to their account.
- If your child will be attending OPRFHS, we can transfer the funds to their SNAP account.
- If you would like the money refunded to you, the District will be issuing checks after the end of the school year.
Please be aware that if your child has any outstanding obligations for school fees or lost books, we will apply the food service money to those debts prior to acting on any refund method.
Please complete this form no later than Friday, May 31, 2019.
If you have any questions, please contact the Brooks office at (708) 524-3050.
Use this link below to choose how you would like to process your students lunch monies:
Community-Wide Year-End Celebration
Attached is a flyer for the event, and information about it has been posted on our website (https://www.op97.org/news/1658919/district-97-to-host-community-wide-year-end-celebration-on-may-28). We hope you can join us for the celebration, and would appreciate your help in getting the word out about it.
2019 - 2020 8th Grade Washington DC Trip
How can we better serve your children?
The Oak Park Education Foundation wants to improve their STEAM-fueled enrichment programs--in-school, after school and during the summer! Your feedback on our 4-minute survey will help us reach more children in equitable ways. Please click here to respond.
Tracy Dell’Angela Barber / Executive Director
W (708) 524-3023/C (773) 612-6064 tdellangelabarber@opef.org
Oak Park Education Foundation
260 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302
Volunteer with the Brooks PTO next year
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.
Assessment Re-Do/Re-Take Policy
Please find information regarding the student re-do/re-take policy in our Brooks Website.
Student Announcements
WCWO Garden Kits
WCWO will donate $8 for each kit purchased to YOUR SCHOOL. Plant pick-up is Sat. JUNE 1, 10am-2pm in the Euclid Methodist Church parking lot, 405 S Euclid in Oak Park. More plants and kits will be for sale that day.
Each kit contains 10 plants. The Monarch & More Sun Kit and the Shade kit each cost $38, which is less than plants purchased separately. They provide all that Monarch caterpillars and adults, and bees and others need to grow up happily, plus food for birds. See the website for plant photos and growing tips and to buy other plants too.
WCWO is a local non-profit promoting ecologically friendly landscaping and environmental education. 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 service(s) is sanctioned, sponsored or endorsed by the district, the Board of Education or the superintendent.
HOW does it work? Add a kit to your online cart on the website.
Click on Cart, then put the name of your school in the box at lower left. After June 1, the schools will get $8 per kit. Open to parents, neighbors, or anyone! Contact westcook@outlook.com with questions.
Brooks Garden needs your help this SUMMER!
SUPPORT THE BROOKS GARDEN!
The Brooks Eventide Garden needs summer partners! Sign up to help keep the Eventide garden in top shape! Duties include weeding and watering the raised beds as needed, watering other flower beds as needed and harvesting produce, if it's available! You can also enjoy a little solitude at a picnic table while watching the bees and butterflies in the native garden. Use this form to sign up and email lstamp@op97.org if you have any questions. Thanks for your help!
2019 Academic Summer Camps
Northern Illinois University's Continuing and Professional Education is excited to highlight some great opportunities for middle and high school students at our 2019 Academic Summer Camps.
A full description of each camp and online registration is available at http://go.niu.edu/summer2019
Space is limited and special discount pricing is in effect until May 31 for the camps specifically mentioned below! Camps take place at our DeKalb campus.
Please help us spread the word by passing this information on to your teachers, staff, students, parents and friends. Thank you!
2019 Residential Academic Camps for students entering grades 9, 10, 11, or 12:
Film Camp, June 16-21, 2019
Work with experienced media producers, camera operators, and directors while learning about digital filmmaking from script to screen.
Creative Writing Camp, June 23-28, 2019
Develop skills in poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. Learn to give and accept constructive criticism. Week includes free-writing, guided writing, and revision strategies.
Speech Camp, July 7-12, 2019
Develop and enhance knowledge in a specific area of speech by selecting or writing speeches, honing research skills, memorizing pieces and practicing the art of delivery. This camp is for students interested in being on a forensics team or are already part of a forensics team.
2019 Academic Camps for students entering grades 5, 6, 7, or 8:
Digital Photography Day Camp, June 17 - 20, 2019 (Day Camp)
Learn both the technology and art behind photography. Discover how the pros work as you create your own photographs in preparation for an art show. Campers must provide own DSLR camera.
Film Junior High Camp, June 23-28, 2019 (Residential Camp)
Work with experienced media producers, camera operators, and directors while learning about digital filmmaking from script to screen.
Creative Writing Junior High Camp, July 14-19, 2019 (Residential Camp)
Develop skills in poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. Learn to give and accept constructive criticism. Week includes free-writing, guided writing, and revision strategies.
Feel free to pass this information onto others! For more information, contact the Continuing and Professional Education at 815-753-1456, email pietrowski@niu.edu or visit https://www.niu.edu/continuing-professional-education
A full list of all camps offered by NIU can be found at www.niu.edu/summercamps
Clubs and Sports Information
Cross Country Fall 2019 Sports Information - Mark your calendars for our upcoming school year
First Week of Practice
- Monday, August 19th at 8:00-9:30 AM
- Tuesday, August 20th at 8:00-9:30 AM
- Wednesday, August 21st at 8:00-9:30 AM
- Thursday, August 22nd at 8:00-9:30 AM
- Thursday 1st time trial.
Second Week of Practice
- Monday, August 26th at 3:00-4:30 PM
- Tuesday, August 27th at 3:00-4:30 PM
- Wednesday, August 28th, No Practice (First day of School)
- Thursday, August 29th, at 3:40-5:00 PM
- Parent Meeting, Thursday, August 29th at 6:00 PM
- Friday, August 30th, 7:30-8:40
- Time Trials
- Last day for roster additions
Clubs
Mondays (no school this week)
- No Clubs on Mondays for the remainder of the school year
Tuesdays
- No Clubs on Tuesdays for the remainder of the school year
Wednesdays
- No Clubs on Wednesdays for the remainder of the school year
- No Clubs on Thursdays for remainder of the school year
- No Clubs on Fridays for the remainder of the school year
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