Middle Matters

Highlights from this week's Middle Matters:

• Important Upcoming Dates
• SY23-24 School Calendar
• Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly
• Volunteers Needed for Monster Mash Bash on 10/20
• Halloween Costumes
• Updated: Monster Mash Bash - October 20th; tickets on sale now through 10/20 at noon
• Family Conferences - Thursday 10/26
• Penny Wars Fundraiser by Student Council
• Frozen - tickets on sale now with 11/17 and 11/18 performances added
• 6th Grade BRAVO Audition Clinic and Auditions sign-up
• SAVE THE DATE: Middle School Math Enrichment 2024
• 8th Grade Graduation Date
• Recognizing Staff Who Make A Difference
• GBMS Yearbook Sales - 10% discount
• 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
• PTO News for the MONTH of October - don't miss out!
• 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

• This Week: Monday, A Day; Tuesday - B day; Wednesday - C Day, Thursday - A Day and Friday - B Day

• Conferences: Thursday, October 26th from 12:40pm to 8pm (sign-up information will be shared via email on Tuesday 10/17 at 4pm from April in a separate email)

• School Pictures: Wednesday, November 1, 2023

• No School: Friday, November, 10th, 2023

• End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 17

• Report Card Date: December 8, 2023 (Trimester 1)

Thank you to our PTO for inviting Mr. Nestor Gomez who is a Moth Slam winner and the 2022 National Storytelling Association Grand Slam winner. He will perform on Wednesday, October 18th during SOAR. Here is a link to his website: https://www.nestorgomezstoryteller.com/published-stories.html

PARENTS/GUARDIANS! WE NEED YOUR HELP - We need many volunteers to assist with décor, check in, concessions, and chaperoning.

Please sign up to volunteer at the link below:

VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH MMB

Our goal in District 97 is to create a positive learning environment where all students, staff and families feel a sense of belonging. In that spirit, we have put together information and resources regarding culturally-sensitive Halloween costumes. We appreciate families being proactive with their children in making thoughtful costume choices. Click here for more information >>

Start practicing those ghoulish dance moves - it's the Monster Mash Bash All School Halloween Dance!

TICKETS GO ON SALE - MONDAY, OCTOBER 2

Open to ALL BROOKS 6th, 7th & 8th Graders

Tickets MUST BE PURCHASED BY OCTOBER 20 at 12pm - NO TICKETS at the door!

Be sure to stop by the HAUNTED TICKET BOOTH outside of the Commons to pick up ticket information or order your ticket online: PURCHASE MMB TICKETS

On Thursday, October 26th from 12:40pm to 8pm Family conferences will be held. The sign-up genius links will be shared via email with all families on Tuesday 10/17 at 4pm in a separate email to ensure all families receive this communication. Please be on the look out for this information.

HOW DOES A PENNY WAR WORK?

Each grade level will be attempting to earn the most POINTS. POSITIVE points are earned by collecting COINS (1 penny = 1pt, 1 nickel = 5pts.,etc) NEGATIVE points are earned by other teams adding BILLS ($1 = -1pts, $5 = -5pts, etc) to other classroom collections. Penny Wars will be open during lunch periods 10/13-10/20. All money collected will fund new uniforms for the Girls’ Basketball Teams! Winning grade level prize = TBD

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Performances November 10-12 & 17-18.

GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW TO THIS MAGICAL SHOW!

Come support our amazing 7th & 8th Graders in the cast and crew of FROZEN!

PURCHASE FROZEN TICKETS

Join us for the 6th Grade Audition Clinic - come find out what auditions are all about and get tips on how to prepare for your audition!

Open to ALL BROOKS 6th Graders!

Sign up for the 6th Grade Audition Clinic

Sign up for Audition Spot - starting the week of October 16

Go to the BRAVO office on the first floor D wing to learn more or if you have any questions!

In 2024, District 97 will be offering Math Enrichment Bridge Courses for Acceleration and Summer Math Review Courses for students in grades 5 through 7. Families should SAVE the DATE if their student is interested in participating in these courses (CLICK HERE to view the program flyer>>).

Details below included in the flyer:

Summer Math Review Course Information to Save the Dates: Students in grades 5-7 will review grade level Illinois Learning Standards in mathematics and engage in challenging performance tasks.

Summer Session: June 10 - June 28 (M-F)

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM or 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

NO CLASSES ON JUNE 19.

Math Enrichment Bridge Course Information to Save the Dates for Acceleration: Students* in grades 5-7 will receive the opportunity to learn course content and skills to advance to the next level of math instruction.

Trimester 3 Session: March 6 - June 4 during the school day for Middle School Students (SOAR)

AND CONTINUES

Summer Session: June 10 - June 28 (M-F)

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM or 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

NO CLASSES ON JUNE 19.

*The Middle School Math Enrichment Program, which includes Summer Math Review

Courses and Bridge Courses for Acceleration is offered to students who are currently in

their grade level math course. Students who have already been accelerated in math must

go through the Single Subject Acceleration process to accelerate for a second or third time.

Registration information and additional details about the Middle School Math Enrichment program will be shared with families in January.

Brooks students will be graduating on Monday, June 3rd at 6:30 pm at Oak Park River Forest High School's Auditorium. We will hold rehearsals on Monday, June 3rd in the morning.

If you or your child 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. A Certificate to express your appreciation will be created and shared with the staff member.

Here is the link to the form: https://forms.gle/5MZSgYchCtFYR48TA

With all the back-to-school chaos still whirling around, you may have yet to heard...It's an early bird sale on Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School yearbooks!

Take 10% OFF the best moments of the school year!

We'll even package them up in a beautifully bound yearbook and deliver it.

Go ahead. Check it off your to-do list.

Click here to buy a GBMS Yearbook

The cost is $28.15 without the 10% discount.

GBMS Passcode: 1014096931934358, may be needed when purchasing.

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). If you have any questions regarding the yearbook, please contact Meaghan Pabellon at mpabellon@op97.org.

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.

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 <<

Parent/Guardians may drop off a lunch for their student and place it on our rack in the main office for their student to pick up on their way to lunch. We always have a sandwich or salad lunch option available for your student should they forget their lunch at home.

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.

Please enjoy your girls HOME basketball games:

https://www.youtube.com/live/nrwoxWyg0e0?si=nm0zGBWLjq1Lznd8

Home schedule:

October 18th V Irving

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

Donuts 4 DC - $2/donut

• Sign up to help!

The PTO will be hosting an appreciation dinner for the teachers and staff of Brooks on Thursday, October 26 as a thank you for their hard work and dedication to our community. The PTO is providing a catered dinner from a local restaurant of their choice. We are asking members of the Brooks community to donate drinks, desserts, and flowers for this dinner!

• Sign up to help!

Calling parents and local businesses to donate gift cards of appreciation to our staff. Drop your contribution in the front office gift card box in the front office. We will be collecting cards all year long and they will be used to celebrate the Brooks staff.

Connect with PTO

Follow us on FaceBook at @gwendolynbrookspto, or email us at gwendolynbrookspto@gmail.com.