September 3rd
Girls Basketball
Practice Schedule for upcoming week
Tuesday: 7:15-8:30am
Wednesday: 3:30-5:00pm
Thursday: 3:30-5:00pm
Friday: 7:15-8:30am
Cross Country
Practice Schedule for upcoming week
Tuesday: 3:30-5:00pm
Friday: 7:45-8:45am
Thursday 9/7: XC meet at Maple Park in Oak Park
Runners will miss 9th period and are responsible for any work missed.
Guitar Club & Dance Studio
- registration forms are due to the BRAVO Office (D103) by Friday, September 8.
- Open to ALL Brooks Students and is FREE to join!
- For more info visit: bravoperformingarts.org
Ultimate Frisbee Club
Service Club
VexRobotics Club
Please find all relevant information here.
EcoEagles - Tuesdays each week
Eco Eagles will be meeting TUESDAYS at 3:30 in Room C202 starting, August 29. If you’re interested in the school garden, creating award-winning films, taking field trips and being an environmental activist, join us! Eco Eagles is the best club ON the planet FOR the planet! Here’s a 1 minute video commercial to see what we’re about!
Zero Waste Help Needed (Parents and Students)
Zero Waste PARENT Volunteers
If you are interested and available to help guide students in placing waste in appropriate bins to jump-start our new way of sorting our waste and to help our school reduce and recycle waste that ends up in landfills, please sign up here. We are looking for 1 volunteer for 4th period to help guide our Zero Waste Student Ambassadors who just went through training on Thursday last week. However we are in need of at least 2 parent volunteers for 5th and 6th periods this upcoming week because we are still trying to recruit Zero Waste Student Ambassadors.
Zero Waste Student Ambassadors
On Wednesday, 8/23 we had Seven Generation Ahead present our new recycling system to students. At that time some students signed up to be Ambassadors. We need YOU to help GBMS minimize waste that ends up in landfills! Please complete this form if you are interested in making a difference!
Best Buddies - Wednesday, 9/6
All students interested in learning more about Best Buddies, meet in the commons after-school from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Here is calendar of dates for Best Buddies.
Brooks ORFF Ensemble
Brooks Jazz Lab
Jazz Lab Band is open to any 6th-8th grade student registered in a full year music ensemble class (chorus, band, orchestra) that plays Saxophone (Flute. Clarinet opt.), Trumpet, Trombone (Euphonium), Piano, Electric/Acoustic Bass, Guitar or Drums.
• Jazz Lab Band rehearses every Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. Students need to arrive at the Main Entrance by
7:45 a.m.
• No auditions are required, but students must have a signed permission slip found in flyer prior to first rehearsal.
• First rehearsal is Thursday, Sep. 21st.
Here is flyer with more information and permission slip.
Brooks Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble is open to 7th and 8th grade students registered in a full year music ensemble class (band, orchestra, chorus) that plays Saxophone (Flute. Clarinet opt.), Trumpet, Trombone (Euphonium), Piano, Electric/Acoustic Bass, Guitar or Drums.
• Jazz Ensemble rehearses every Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. Students need to arrive at the Main Entrance by
7:45 a.m.
• Auditions are required. There are limited spots available. Audition music is the ILMEA District I Jazz Band
Audition Requirements and dates are detailed in flyer linked below. All students who wish to audition need to sign up in room D110 AND return the permission slip found in flyer.
• First rehearsal is Tuesday, Sept. 19th.
Here is flyer with more information and permission slip.
Please Reinforce at Home
BOOK BAGS and/or BACKPACKS
Book bags/Backpacks are useful for carrying materials/books to and from school. Book bags or backpacks are allowed in classrooms at the teacher’s discretion. If a Book Bag needs to be carried by the student throughout the building, a cinch sack or another smaller type bag is preferred, as the smaller the size the less congested and safer the hallways are. Book Bags/Backpacks should be stored in lockers when not in use. Lockers measure 11 by 11 inches. When purchasing book bags, particularly the ones with wheels, please keep in mind the size limitations of the locker.
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.
MAP Testing: Reading and Math
Testing Wednesday, 9/6 through Friday, 9/8. If student misses a test, make-up testing will be following week, as needed.
See SCHEDULE when each grade level will be testing.Students will need to have their CHROMEBOOKS fully charged and ready to use for testing!
Please see the District Assessment Letter and Calendar for the 2017-2018 school year.
GBMS Library NEWS
Library is also open during each lunch period. Students need to request a pass from a teacher BEFORE their lunch.
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.
Also, on September 20th author of Saving Marty, Paul Griffin, will be visiting Brooks thanks to Magic Tree Bookstore. Attached is a flyer and order form if you’d like to order a book at a discounted price.
Breakfast & Special Hot Lunch Opportunities
Everyday a Third Cold Lunch option, in additional to Salad or Sandwich ---- Pizza Kits ----- will be available.
Ordering Special Hot Lunch offerings for your Student
Please visit our website to learn how to participate in PTO Starship Lunches on Tuesdays and/or BRAVO Pizza lunches on Fridays.
New Students in need of Pictures on their IDs
Bus Riders
ALL buses riders are required to show their ID prior to riding the bus. The bus company has been directed by the district office to not let anyone ride the bus before or after school without an ID.
Please call the school in the morning, if your student has misplaced their ID. This will enable us to call the bus company to enable your student to ride the bus to school.
Crossing Washington Street at dismissal
Early Morning Entrance into GBMS to meet with Teacher
Back to School Assembly for our Students on Tuesday, 9/5
Twice a trimester, if students have been following our 3 Bes of Brooks: Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Ready to Learning and earning Brooks HERO points, they will be able to attend our twice a trimester celebrations. We will be highlighting the vast student talent in our Gwendolyn Brooks Community. We will have performances by our Band, Chorus Orchestra, Speech/Drama/Debate students as well as students who participate in our before and after-school opportunities like Barbershop, Beautyshop, BRAVO, Jazz Band, Jazz Lab, ORFF and Shopettes.
Our Kick-off Assembly will be highlighting our students who will be performing Numbers Nerds. Here is quick video highlights from their summer performance.
Bike Safety
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. Your appreciation will be shared with the staff member!
SMILE - Picture Day, Tuesday 9/5
Pictures will be taken during PE/Health Classes. Students should turn in their form directly to the photographers.
Save time and order online!
Van Gogh School Photographers
www.ordervgil.com
Use School Code: 20055601
What do Families want to learn more about?
PTO Information
- The link to subscribe for families is http://eepurl.com/cgOObT
The 8th grade Washington DC trip meeting for Brooks and Julian families was moved to Tuesday, September 12 from 6pm - 7pm and will be help in the Brooks Commons/Cafeteria. The following will be discussed:
- Itinerary
- Flight and Travel arrangements
- Medication
- Luggage
- Roommates
- Packing List
- Snacks and so much more...
This is a MANDATORY meeting, so please plan to attend with your student.
**If you are not available for this meeting, please make sure you have another adult (18 or older) come to receive the information.**
If you have questions, please email Janorisè Robinson - dctripbrooksjulian@gmail.com
GBMS Curriculum Night
Thursday, Sep 14, 2017, 07:00 PM
325 S Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park, IL, United States
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