November 11, 2019
Monday, November 11 - Veterans' Day - School in Session
Trimester 1 ends Friday, November 15th
IT'S SUNDAY! WHO INSPIRES YOU? Recognizing Staff who Make a Difference
In an effort to celebrate our community, we would like to invite parents and students to give a shout out to member(s) of the Brooks Community who have inspired them. We also want to hear from parents and students who would like recognize a Brooks teacher that has made an impact around diversity and inclusion. Every Sunday, selected comments will be featured in Middle Matters and the staff member will receive a certificate detailing how they have made a difference to you. You can also tag your comments under #BeBrooks97 on Twitter. Please join us in celebrating the Brooks Community by completing this form.
SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE UPDATE
We met our first all-school HERO goal:
that 99% of our students will carry appropriately sized bags during the school day.
The appropriate size bag is either a cinch sak or small backpack (no larger than 18" high x 14" wide x 6" deep). We celebrated during school on November 8th with assemblies for each grade level and the opening of the school store on November 7th. A new HERO goal will be introduced in the near future.
Kids can continue to earn Brooks Bucks for following the posted Brooks Student Expectations. These bucks can be redeemed at the School Store along with HERO points.
Please be sure your student brings their ID to school everyday!
Please help your student remember to bring their ID each day to school to Be Safe. During the lunch periods, their ID designates their lunch color. This is important so we can monitor where students should be during the lunch period, especially if there is any type of emergency situation that should occur during a lunch period. We have over 900 students and 100 staff members in the building each day. Wearing ID helps all of us get to know each other as we traverse the building.
Illinois 5Essentials Survey
The parent/guardian survey is available now. 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, which can be accessed until Feb. 14, 2020.
Join us Nov. 14 for the next Mindful Middle-Schoolers talk
Join us Nov. 14 for the next Mindful Middle-Schoolers talk
In partnership with DePaul Family and Community Services, join us on
Thursday November 14 from 6:30p - 8:00p Julian Middle School for a discussion on
Strategies to support executive functioning
and self-regulation in middle-schoolers.
What is mindfulness? How can mindfulness practices be helpful in supporting youths' academic and emotional functioning at school and at home? Join us for a free talk!! DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and D97 plan to offer a series of community talks to the Brooks/Julian middle school communities during the 2019-2020 school year as part of The Mindful Middle Schoolers Program. All are welcome (parents, school staff, students, community members).
Gwendolyn Brooks Class of 2020 Graduation
Please be sure to mark your calendars. We will have more information regarding graduation activities in February.
Parent/Guardian Contact Information
In our efforts to keep our student and family contact information current, we are asking that our Brooks families please fill out the ink below.
Some of you have expressed concern about not receiving information, so we want to be sure we are able to reach you!
We appreciate your help in keeping your mailing, telephone and email contact information valid and up to date.
District 97 Emergency Data Form
Thank you for completing this form as soon as possible.
Using the Canvas Calendar as an Observer
If you are looking for one place to see when your student has assignments due, check out the Canvas Calendar. The assignments will be linked on the Canvas Calendar on the day they are due.
Click the link below for detailed directions on how to use the Canvas calendar.
Purchase your Yearbook Today!
Fall 2019 Promotional Discounts For Yearbooks
The Fall is a great time for you and your school community to order yearbooks! You will receive these discounts when ordering early in the school year:
November 1st - November 30th = 5% use code : 1014096931934358
During the months of August, September, October, and November when placing online orders the price of the book will reflect these discounts. The discount is calculated on the cost of the yearbook and does not apply to hardcover upgrades or extra custom pages.
Chromebook Repairs / Chargers
Repairs - If your student issued Chromebook is experiencing issues, please have your teacher write your student a pass to the Media Center to see the School Technician. The Technician will check in the Chromebook for repair. A repair can take anywhere from 1 to 5 days, depending on the issue. But our goal is to return the Chromebooks as soon as possible. Students can request printed copies of any assignments from their teachers during this time. When the students Chromebook is ready, the office receives it from the School Technician and the information will be listed on the daily Chromebook Spreadsheet for teachers to check. Students can ask their teachers to look at the Chromebook spreadsheet to see if their Chromebook is listed or they can stop by the main office at the start/end of day, on their way to/from PE or Lunch.
Chargers - If your student has lost their school issued charger, your may purchase a new charger online via Revtrak or by cash or check in the main office.
GBMS Library/Media Center
Library is also open during each lunch period starting the week of September 9th. Students need to request a pass from a teacher BEFORE their lunch period and can go to the library during the social time of their lunch period.
Breakfast, Special Hot Lunch Opportunities and Menus
Ordering Special Hot Lunch offerings for your Student
Please visit our website to learn how to participate in
- PTO Starship Lunches on Tuesdays starts 9/17.
- BRAVO PRE-ORDERED Pizza lunches starts THIS Friday, 9/13.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 15th
- Thanksgiving Holiday - No student attendance : Nov, 27 - Nov. 29
- Trimester 1 Report Card: Friday, December 6th
- Winter Break - No student attendance - December 23, 2019 - January 3, 2020
PTO NEWS
PTO Business meeting
Join us on Monday, November 11 at 6:00 pm in the Brook’s library for our PTO business meeting.
Want to Donate to the PTO?
You can donate $10 or more to help pay for things like teacher grants, need-based scholarships and other enrichment activities. Please consider a matching gift donation from your employer.
Last month, the PTO funded a Teacher Grant to Ms. Maggio to add flexible seating to her classroom.
Does your 8th grader want to have an 8th grade dance? We need you!
The 8th grade dance is a great way to celebrate finishing middle school. However, it can’t happen without support from the Brooks community! The PTO is currently looking for one more 8th Grade VP. This role helps plan 8th grade dance and a winter staff appreciation dinner. There are two 8th grade VP’s, so you are working with a partner!
Live Action Filmmaking Workshop for Grades 6 to 8
Sign up for One Earth Young Filmmakers Workshops for grades 6 to 8. They will be taught by film writer, director, and editor Jonathan Moeller, who is also a popular high school film teacher at DePaul College Prep in Chicago.
Sunday, December 1, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. (code #2229.2091 with rfparks.com)
Coffee with Capuder
We will meet in the Peace Room.
Washington D. C. Trip
Trip Dates: Washington, DC - Friday, February 14 - Sunday, February 16, 2020 (Presidents' Day Weekend)
If you have questions, please email Janorisè Robinson at dctripbrooksjulian@gmail.com.
Brooks Spirit Wear
Brooks spirit wear can be ordered at any time by visiting this website.
Orders will be shipped to your home!
Food Waste Awareness Week
Food Waste Awareness Week continues as we roll into the holidays. Green organizer Judy Klem says there’s no better time to remember that when you're shopping for food and planning menus and parties, we can all be more mindful about what we’re buying and how we can get the most out of it so we don’t have to compost it or throw it away. Want some tips on how to make that easier? Come to the library (main branch) this Thursday Nov. 7 at 7 pm for a FREE WORKSHOP where we’ll have local experts teaching us how we can change our food practices. The workshop includes a panel discussion and a chance to talk to community partners as Sugar Beet, the Village of Oak Park, and Trader Joe’s to learn what they're doing and what we can do to reduce waste.
Sign up for the Food Waste Workshop here: https://tinyurl.com/y6ojsa86.
Read more about it here: Get Woke to Food Waste
Volunteer with the Brook’s PTO
The PTO is committed to enriching the experience of students at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School through supporting a positive school environment, facilitating the development of positive relationships within the community, advancing school equity initiatives, and creating an environment where all students have access to school resources and opportunities.
We have an opening for an 8th Grade VP. This role helps plan 8th grade dance and a winter staff appreciation dinner.
Email the PTO BoardEmail gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com if you are interested or have questions!
Clubs and Sports Information
Mondays
- Math Team 3:30pm - 4:30pm in room B409. For more information contact Esther Smith at esmith3@op97.org . Open to 6 - 8 grade students.
- Orff Ensemble (Xylophone and Drumming Music Group) Monday's, 8:00-8:50 am, Rm D104. Open to all students grades 6-8. For more information contact Mr. Carrillo (fcarrillo@op97.org)
- Rainbow Tribe 3:30pm - 4:30pm in the Library! Come join students who want to be a part of creating a safe and inclusive space for our Brooks LGBTQ community. All students (those who identify and allies) are invited to join! Reach out to Ms. Berman (aberman@op97.org) or Mrs. Olsen (jolsen@op97.org) with any questions!
- 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
- Ultimate Frisbee: This recreational Frisbee Club meets on Mondays and Wednesdays to play from 3:30p to 4:30p. For more information contact Coach Gillespie at mgillespie@op97.org or Coach Guerino at tguerino@op97.org - Please note practices are dependent on weather.
Tuesdays
- Yearbook Club meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month. Room B202 Beginning in October and ends in April. Everyone is welcome to join GBMS Yearbook Club. We are looking for students to assist us in recording the student activities & events of the 2019-2020 school year!For more information please contact Meaghan Pabellon at mpabellon@op97.org or Marsha Turner Reid at mturnerreid@op97.org
- EcoEalges - meets weekly on TUESDAYS at 3:30 in Room C202
Students who are passionate about helping the environment, gardening, saving endangered species or who just want to do interesting things outdoors should check out the ECO EAGLES, the Brooks ecology club. We have made award-winning films, gone on cool field trips, implemented fun fundraisers and raised awareness about many different issues. We are open to whatever you are interested in, so join us! For more information contact lstamp@op97.org
- Chess Club meets in room C108 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. For more information contact Coach Hausfeld at mhausfeld@op97.org
Wednesdays
- Best Buddies: Calendar of meeting for 19-20 school year. Contact Ms. Beauprez with questions lbeeauprez@op97.org .
- Ultimate Frisbee: This recreational Frisbee Club meets on Mondays and Wednesdays to play from 3:30p to 4:30p. For more information contact Coach Gillespie at mgillespie@op97.org or Coach Guerino at tguerino@op97.org - Please note practices are dependent on weather.
Art Club from 3:30-4:30 October- March in D301. Free and open to all students.
Mrs. Murray (kmurray@op97.org) will offer a variety of materials and techniques. Come when you can and be ready to explore your own ideas, work at your own pace, and make new friends in a creative environment just for artists! Art club is FREE!
- Service Club meets at 8am in room B209. We organize & promote the school's service projects such as food drives, coat drives, the holiday food and gift basket program, and more! If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Susan Walsh (swalsh@op97.org) or Ms. Blanca Martinez (bmartinez@op97.org).
OPEF VEX Robotics
This year we are offering two cool programs for D97 middle school kids to enjoy. We look forward to another exciting VEX Robotics season at both Julian and Brooks.
- The In-House Club is designed for students with little or no experience with robotics and for students who cannot commit to the long season of our Competitive League.
- The Robotics Competitive League is an intensive program for the dedicated technology student, especially those who want to take their experience with VEX Robotics and programming to the next level.
To sign up or learn more information about our programs, visit our OPEF VEX Robotics page at https://www.opef.org/programs/vex-robotics/
Brooks in-house contact - Brian Shinners, bshinners@op97.org
Girls on the RISE - 6th Grade Girls & 7th Grade Girls
The 6th Grade Girls group's 6th Grade Girls meets on Tuesdays, from 3:30pm to 5:00 pm in room C105.
The 7th Grade Girls group's meets on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 5:00 pm in room C105.
The 8th Grade Girls group will begin meeting on January 15th, 2020.
For more information contact Dominique Hickman at dhickman@oakparktownship.org
YEMBA
Wednesdays - 3:30pm 6:30pm
Includes: Homework help, mentoring, recreation workshops, snacks, guest speakers and much more...
For more information contact:
YMBA, INC.
(773) 842-5022
email: www.yemba@yemba-inc.org
Website: www.yemba-inc.org
Girls Basketball
What an amazing season!!
More to come regarding an end of season celebration.
For more information contact Coach Brown at kbrown@op97.org
Boys Basketball
Thu 11/12, 14, 15
3:40pm - 5:00pm
Game Schedule
Mon 11/11 Home vs. McClure
4pm - 6pm
Wed 11/13 Away vs. Julian
4pm - 6pm
For more information contact: Coach Darren Haus at dhaus@op97.org
Girls Volleyball Upcoming Important Dates
VARSITY (8th Grade Only)
OPEN GYM
Thursday, November 21st from 3:30pm-5:30pm
TRYOUTS
Wednesday, December 4th 3:30pm-5:30pm
Thursday, December 5th 7am
JUNIOR VARSITY (6th and 7th Grade)
OPEN GYM
Monday, December 2nd 7:00am
TRYOUTS
Monday, December 9th 7am AND 3:30pm-5:30pm
Please have all sports forms on file, including an updated sports physical that must have been completed on or after April 1st, 2019.
For questions contact Coach Grimaldi at hgrimaldi@op97.org
BRAVO Dance Studio
We are now offering 3 Sessions of Dance Studio!
Dates and Times are subject to change
2nd Session: December 2 – February 19
3rd Session: February 24 – April 15
1st Session Dance Studio Contract & Permission to Participate Form
Registration is DUE no later than SEPTEMBER 13, 2019
**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!
BRAVO Guitar Club
Mondays 3:30pm-5pm
Learn basic guitar chords or work on advancing your guitar skills. Beginners and Advanced guitar players welcome!
1st Session – September 16 – November 18
2nd Session: December 2 – February 17
3rd Session: February 24 – April 13
Contract and Permission to Participate Form
Forms must be turned in to the BRAVO Office (D103)
Information located outside the BRAVO! Office
**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!
BRAVO NEW THIS YEAR: IMPROV Club & Film Club
IMPROV CLUB
Tuesdays from 3:30pm-4:45pm
September 17 - December 17
Improv (Improvisation) is a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters and dialogue of a game, scene or story are made up in the moment. Improv is spontaneous, entertaining, and fun!
**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!
FILM CLUB
Thursdays – 3:30pm-4:45pm
October 3 - December 19
Learn how to write a story board, take video and edit material into a short film.
**This club is free and open to ALL Brooks Students!
Community Programs
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 services(s) is sanctioned, sponsored or endorsed by the district, the Board of Education or the superintendent.
Movie Fundraiser for Ukmata Family - Saturday, November 16th
Attendance of Children at OPRF Sporting Events
Oak Park and River Forest High School recently implemented a new rule when attending athletic events. Effective immediately, children ages 11 and younger will not be allowed to attend athletic events at OPRF unless they are accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. Please click here for the full message from the high school.
Free Water Skills/Safety Course through YMCA
Fall II Session: 10/28/19 through 12/22/19
Monday: 6:35 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday: 6:20 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 5:50 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday: 6:20 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 4:30 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:40 a.m.
Sunday: 10:35 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
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