Middle Matters
Week of May 13th, 2024
In This Issue
Highlights from this week's Middle Matters:
- Important Upcoming Dates
- SY23-24 School Calendar
- 8th Grade End of Year Information: Chromebooks return, Dance, Great America, T-shirt
- PTO NEWS - Events, Volunteering and Support
- OPRFHS Cheerleading and Drill Team
- GBMS Yearbook Sales
- Returning Students: Register for 2024-25
- District 97 Summer Programs Registration
- BRAVO Summer Registrations
- OPEF BASE CAMP: SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP
- OPEF STEM CAMP Information
- YEMBA Summer Camps
- Fall School Picture Ordering Information
- Bus running late, what steps can a student or parent take?
- Recognizing Staff Who Make A Difference
- GBMS Library - Morning Protocol
- BRAVO Domino Pizza (BRAVO) - still taking orders
- Student Lunches - no outside deliveries permitted
- Middle Matters-Sports, Clubs & BRAVO Information & Student Announcement Link
- Middle Matters Repeated Topics Link
- Middle Matters Community Partner News Link
If you have questions about the upcoming school year, please don’t hesitate to contact me at acapuder@op97.org. You can also contact my Executive Coordinator, Ms. Angel Banks, at abanks1@op97.org or (708) 524-7636.
Our Administrative Team
April Capuder, Principal (acapuder@op97.org)
Dr. Denise Gildon, Associate Principal for Teaching & Learning (dgildon@op97.org)
Roshaun Bowens, Associate Principal for School Culture, Climate and Sports/Clubs (rbowens@op97.org)
Student Success Coach Team:
6th Grade: Josh Rodgers - jrodgers@op97.org
7th Grade: Nichelle Stigger - nstigger@op97.org
8th Grade: Bernard Starks - bstarks@op97.org
IMPORTANT DATES
This Week: Monday,-A Day; Tuesday-B Day Wednesday-C Day, Thursday-A Day, Friday B Day
8th Grade Dance: Thursday, May 30th 6 to 8pm
8th Grade Great America Trip: Friday, May 31st
6th & 7th Grade End of School Year Celebrations: Friday, May 31st
8th Grade Graduation: Monday, June 3rd at 6:30pm at OPRFHS Auditorium
Last Day of School: Tuesday, June 4th
🥘Staff Appreciation Luncheon -Thank you PTO 🥘
Thank you to our Brooks families for celebrating our staff last week!
8th Grade End of Year Information
Chromebook Collection Dates for 8th Graders ONLY
Tuesday, May 28th and Wednesday, May 29th - 8th Graders Chromebooks will be collected via the students PE/Health class. Please be sure if your student
- has a lost charger, payment is provided for replacement (revtrak or cash at time of collection)
- has a damaged, lost/Stolen Chromebook, a claim form is completed and payment is provided ,if applicable (revtrak or cash at time of collection)
8th Grade Dance - Sponsored by our Brooks PTO
Attention Parents of 8th Graders (or 7th or 6th graders) - We need your help!
Get ready to celebrate a milestone with us at the 8th Grade Dance on Thursday, May 30th! We know this date might be a bit different, but it's the only one that could accommodate all our school activities. Plus, here's the upside – the next day is the epic Great America trip! Let's kick off the celebrations in style with music, dancing, and memories to last a lifetime! Don't miss out on this special evening for our graduating students! Sign up to volunteer now and let's make it a night to remember!
Payment deadline is Tuesday, May 29, 2024. Payment will not be accepted at the door.
Payment can be made via REVTRAK, or cash/check (made payable to GBMS) can be given to Ms. Colbert in the Front Office. If you need financial assistance, please contact Ms. Colbert at 708-524-7514 to see if you qualify.
Every student must have a signed permission slip.
If paying by REVTRAK, click the link to complete the permission slip.
- Payment via cash or check, please complete the permission slip (at end of document) and submit with payment to Ms. Colbert in the Main Office.
RevTrak Link: https://oakpark.revtrak.net/Middle-Schools/BMS/brooks-8th-grade-activities/#/list
8th Grade End of Year Trip to Great America
The eighth grade trip to Great America will take place on Friday, May 31, 2024 RAIN OR SHINE!!
Teacher chaperoned buses will leave GBMS at 9:15am. The buses will leave the park at 5:30pm, and return to GBMS at approximately 6:30pm. Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation home from school at the end of the day.
Great America Tickets purchase deadline has past.
8th Grade Class of 2024 T-shirt
Orders are now being accepted for 8th grade graduation t-shirts. T-Shirts are in adult sizes. Graduating class names will be listed on the back of the t-shirt.
An option has been provided for students whose preferred name is not listed in PowerSchool.
The t-shirt purchase deadline has past.
**No extra t-shirts will be on hand for purchase.
Graduation - Monday, June 3rd at OPRFHS at 6:30pm
8th Grade students will participate in Graduation Rehearsal at OPRFHS on Monday, June 3rd during the school day. Graduation will be held at OPRFHS on Monday, June 3rd from 6:30pm to approximately 7:30pm.
Distribution of Tickets, as well as (if ordered): Cap/Gown and/or Tassel, Yearbook and 8th grade T-shirt
These will be distributed during PE/health on Tuesday, May 28th (A day) or Wednesday, May 29th (B Day) depending on when your students has PE/health on their schedule.
Tickets Information
You will be receiving 3 audience member tickets per graduate. Graduates do not need a ticket. The graduation will be live streamed. Here is the live stream link that can be shared with others to view the graduation on June, 3rd beginning at 6:30pm.
Cap & Gown Information
Students who have ordered a Cap, Gown and/or Tassel will receive these during PE/health as described above.
Yearbook
Students who have ordered a yearbook will receive these during PE/Health as described above. To place an order link: https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014096931934358
GBMS Passcode: 1014096931934358
8th Grade T-shirt
Students who have ordered an 8th grade t-shirt will receive these during PE/Health as described above.
PTO NEWS
📢🌟 Join Us for the Final PTO Meeting! 🌟📢
Calling all parents and caregivers! Mark your calendars for our next [and final] PTO meeting on Monday, May 13th! Your presence and input are invaluable as we plan exciting events and initiatives for our school community. Let's come together to brainstorm ideas, address concerns, and make a positive impact on our children's educational journey! Don't miss out on this opportunity to be involved and stay informed. See you there! Zoom option available here.
Upcoming PTO Events & Volunteer Opportunities
"📚✨ Bingo, Boba, and Books Bonanza!🧋✨
Calling all families! You're invited to an evening of fun, flavor, and fabulous reads at our Bingo, Boba, and Books event on Monday, May 20th 5-7p! Join us for $1/card bingo games, where the stakes are high, and the prizes are even higher! Sip on refreshing $5 boba drinks while browsing our spring book fair selection - there's something for everyone! Don't miss out on this fantastic, family-friendly event! See you there! [Not a drop-off event] Book fair volunteers are needed here.
🎉✨ Save the Date for an Unforgettable 8th Grade Night! ✨🎉
Attention Parents of 8th Graders (or even 7th or 6th graders):
Get ready to celebrate a milestone with us at the 8th Grade Dance on Thursday, May 30th! We know this date might be a bit different, but it's the only one that could accommodate all our school activities. Plus, here's the upside – the next day is the epic Great America trip! Let's kick off the celebrations in style with music, dancing, and memories to last a lifetime! Don't miss out on this special evening for our graduating students! Sign up to volunteer now and let's make it a night to remember!
🚗🧽 PTO Car Wash🚗💦
Rev up your engines, Brooks community! Join us this Saturday, June 1st, from 10 AM to 12 PM for an epic car wash extravaganza! Let's make those rides shine while supporting our school! Just $10 gets you a sparkling clean car and a chance to connect with fellow Brooks enthusiasts! Join the volunteer team here. See you there!
🍦Coldstone Creamery Dine Out 🍦
Get ready to chill out and celebrate the end of the school year in the sweetest way possible! Join us at Cold Stone Creamery on Tuesday, June 4th, for a delicious Dine Out Day! Indulge in your favorite ice cream treats while supporting our school fundraising efforts! Mark your calendars and bring your friends for a scoop-filled celebration! 134 N Marion St See you there!
Support PTO
🎉 Join the PTO Fun! 🎉
Hey Parents and Caregivers!
Want to make a real difference in your child's school experience? Join us as a PTO member for an exciting year ahead! Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer, your ideas and energy are invaluable to our school community. Together, let's create memorable events, support our teachers, and foster a vibrant learning environment for our kids! Sign up now and be part of something amazing! Click here to join.
Take the Brooks PTO Parent/Guardian Pledge
Connect with the Brook’s PTO
Connect with PTO
Follow us on FaceBook at @gwendolynbrookspto, or email us at gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.
Yearbook Sales
Order link: https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014096931934358
GBMS Passcode: 1014096931934358
You can also use your TreeRing account to share photos with our Yearbook Team throughout the year as well as design your very own custom pages (first two pages are free). Treering custom pages deadline was April 26th. This cannot be extended.
If you have any questions regarding the yearbook, please contact Meaghan Pabellon at mpabellon@op97.org.
Returning Students: Register for 2024-25
Online registration for the 2024-25 school year in District 97 is now open for all students. Complete details about the process—including residency documents, timelines and other helpful resources—are available on the district website: www.op97.org/registration.
Returning Students
Registration for returning District 97 students will be open March 5. Complete details can be found at https://www.op97.org/hr/returning-student-registration.
New Students and Kindergarteners
Registration for kindergarten and new students opened Feb. 22. Please click the links below to learn more about the registration process for kindergarteners and new students.In order to register your student, you must be the custodial parent/guardian and currently reside in Oak Park. Students who are registering for kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year must be at least 5 years old and must be born on or before Sept. 1, 2019.
We appreciate your partnership in preparing for a successful 2024-25 school year!
District 97 Summer Programs
District 97 will be sharing its full slate of summer programming and registration details: https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/summer-programs
Programs Open to All Students
- Summer Robotics Camp: June 10-14, 2024
- Summer Music Camp: July 29 - August 2, 2024
- Middle School Math Enrichment: Bridge
- Trimester 3: March 5 - June 4, 2024
- Summer: June 10 - 28, 2024
- Middle School Math Enrichment: Review
- June 10 - 28, 2024
Focused Student Programs
- Extended School Year: June 10 - July 3, 2024
- Multilingual Summer Boost: June 10 - July 3, 2024
- Middle School Explore! Program: June 10 -28, 2024
OPEF BASE CAMP: SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP
The Oak Park Education Foundation offers 2 full weeks (or four half days) of summer BASE Camp for FREE for students who receive free/reduced lunch or who are experiencing a financial hardship. The scholarship application opens tomorrow, Wednesday January 17th and the application can be found here: BASE Camp Scholarship Application 2024
More information can be found at our website at Scholarships - Oak Park Education Foundation (opef.org).
Early Registration
Campers receiving scholarships are able to register early for camp. The date/time for this early registration is Wednesday, January 31st. It opens at 12pm and closes at 5pm. If you miss this period, you can still register and still use your scholarship funds but the general registration period doesn't open again until Sunday, February 4th at 2pm. There are limited spots available for each camp during this early period and more spaces will become available during regular registration.
Please contact Tara Oetting, Programs Director at toetting@opef.org with questions or for more information.
Forgot to Order School Photos taken in the Fall
Forgot to Order Photos?
Visit our website at www.ordervgil.com, click on After Picture Day and enter the School/Ticket Code: 20055602.
Please contact Van Gogh Customer Service directly with questions: 847-382-2282 x7
Bus running late, what steps can you take?
Lakeview does their best to communicate with the schools in advance and then the school sends an email communication regarding the effected bus route. However, there may be times where the timing of the communication doesn't allow for this step. In this case, please call Lakeview directly to learn about the tardiness of the bus: 708.234.5555
In the future, the number for Lakeview can be found on our Bus Transportation webpage.
Recognizing Staff Who Make A Difference
Here is the link to the form: https://forms.gle/5MZSgYchCtFYR48TA
GBMS Library-Morning Protocol
Starts Tuesday, September 5th
- The GBMS Library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
- No pass needed
- To enter, wait in-between the Kenilworth doors (by the main office)
- An adult will escort groups to the library at 8:00, 8:15, and 8:30. For example, if you arrive at 8:10 you will have to wait until the 8:15 group heads up. If you arrive after the 8:30 group has been escorted, you may not enter the library that day
- You will sign-in and stay in the library until the 8:50am
- These times are for students to quietly read, do homework, or meet as a group to study or work on a project.
BRAVO Pizza Lunch - still taking orders
Domino's Pizza Lunch - (30) Fridays from September 15 - May 31
SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE IN FRIDAY PIZZA LUNCH
>> Students MUST have a Brooks Student ID EVERY FRIDAY to receive pizza <<
Student Lunch - No Outside Deliveries
Please note, we can not accept deliveries for students from outside delivery services. Do not order food for your student to be delivered to the school.
Clubs & Sports Information - Spring 2024
Livestream Sporting Events in GBMS Gym
To view, please use this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDF7k7NA5zU
Volunteer Opportunities
FRIDAYS - BRAVO DOMINIOS PIZZA
Pizza Lunch Volunteers Needed!
Looking for a fun & easy volunteer opportunity at Brooks? Pizza Lunch is a great way to touch base with your child at lunch as well as get to know new families. We rely on volunteers to help distribute food and keep this program going, so please consider donating your time. We can't do it without you!!! Sign up to volunteer on Fridays: Please Sign Up to Volunteer