ISSUE: 008 / APRIL YEAR: 2022
BROOKWOOD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL As we start the 4th quarter of learning for students, I want to encourage parents to stay connected to their child’s school by checking the principal’s and teacher’s ClassDojo weekly, and by logging into PowerSchool to check their child’s academic progress. As the weather gets nicer, we find that students sometimes have difficulty concentrating and staying focused on their academics. Please encourage your child to use their academic planner to record their homework assignments and to help them stay organized. I want to thank all of parents that participated in our 5 Essentials Survey. I am happy to announce we had 50% participation by parents. I am so appreciative as this information is so important when planning for our upcoming school year. The winner of our $50 gift card is the parent of 8th grader, Dami Abatan! Congratulations and thank you for participating! Please participate in our One Book One School Program, every student received the book titled Wonder by R.J. Palacio. We are asking that students bring their book home and read it together as a family. Every Monday, students will complete a short quiz on what they read. The students that receive 100% on the quiz will receive extra credit points and will put on a list to be recognized each week! Please participate in this awesome program with your child and other family members. I have attached the Reading Schedule for this awesome program. Remember readers are leaders! If you have questions and or concerns, we want to hear from you. We thank you again for your support and your cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, I can be reached at the school number (708) 758-5252, by email jlarson@brookwood167.org or by cell phone, (708) 362-0115.
TECHNOLOGY HELPLINE If your child is having any technology problems connecting to their teacher’s Google Classroom, please contact our help desk at (708) 300-3553 or email our help desk: helpdesk@brookwood167.org What is ClassDojo? Reporting of Absence(s): Parents must call the school to report their child absent before 8:30 a.m. The number for reporting absences is (708) 758-5252, Option 1. Official attendance will be reported every morning at 9:00 a.m. If your child joins a teacher’s classroom late, they will be marked tardy in PowerSchool, and you will be notified through the Principal’s ClassDojo.
PLEASE JOIN OUR CLASSDOJO’S AND STAY INFORMED! It is important that you sign up for the Principal’s Class Dojo. I post important information such as if a bus is running late, important reminders regarding picture day, graduation information and other important topics. Please sign up today! ClassDojo is actively used in 90% of U.S. K-8 schools. ClassDojo is a free app that helps build amazing classroom and school communities. Teachers give feedback to students for any skill, like “Working Hard” and “Being Curious.”
child’s feedback, and can message directly with teachers and school leaders. Please join my ClassDojo so you can stay informed on what is happening at BROOKWOOD JR. HIGH. If you would like to join, please accept the invitation that we emailed to you or texted you, or contact the school at (708) 7585252, email, jlarson@brookwood167.org, or cell phone, (708) 362-0115. All you will need to provide is your cell phone number or email address. Get Involved and STAY INFORMED!
From the mobile app, parents view their
STUDENT SUPPORT INTERVENTION (SSI) If you would like to schedule a Student Support Intervention (SSI) Meeting for your child, please contact the school office at (708) 758-5252, or email Ms. Mitchell, Assistant Principal at rmitchell@brookwood167.org and we would be happy to schedule it for you. We hold SSI meetings in person at 7:45 a.m. or 3:15 p.m. We can also hold them virtually if needed. Please let us know if you would like to schedule a meeting or conference with your child’s teachers.
VISION Our
overall
Vision
is
to
improve the achievement of all students, regardless of
becoming lifelong learners
in a safe and nurturing
and decision makers.
environment with access
race, socio-economic status, gender,
or
ability
levels
(disabilities). We share the accountability of
student
achievement
throughout the school. We
•
based practices to achieve our goals. We promote school because we believe that these
•
needs of all of our students.
technology. •
The school system
children’s motivation,
should teach students to
confidence, and
think critically enabling
academic success by
them to become
being interested and
contributing citizens in
involved in their overall
our global society. In continuous
All
All students are unique
improvement in all
and should be challenged
aspects of the school
School teachers use an
to the highest level of
system to foster a
academic and artistic
culture of excellence,
“PowerSchool” that they
excellence.
accountability and
update every Thursday. We
In the importance of
integrity.
encourage you to check your
staff development
partnerships help us meet the
•
•
In responsible
opportunities based
stewardship of financial
on best practices and
and physical resources.
educational research.
We are Committed to: •
Families shape their
development.
believe in using research-
and community involvement
to state-of-the-art
We Believe: •
Providing students with
•
In educating our children
highly qualified teachers •
POWERSCHOOL
Brookwood
Jr.
High
online grading system called
child’s progress regularly. This program is completely confidential;
therefore,
you will need an access username and password to see your child’s progress.
Providing our staff with professional
If you need your username
development
and/or password, please contact the school office at
MISSION
(708) 758-5252. There is a PowerSchool app available
Brookwood School District 167,
in
partnership
for your cellular phone that
with
parents and community, will
makes it easy for parents to
create a learning environment
stay updated on their child’s
in which all students excel at
ABSENT FROM SCHOOL?
progress.
Parents did you know that if your child is absent, you can request a recorded version of their teacher’s lesson? We want to keep students on track, and this is a great way for ensuring students don’t fall behind if they miss a class. You can also request a recorded lesson if your child is struggling and they need to see the lesson again. Please reach out to your child’s teachers and take advantage of this great resource.
DESK OF THE PRINCIPAL...
I want to express my gratitude for our teachers and staff at Brookwood Jr. High School.
What
a wonderful job they are doing keeping students engaged, learning and excited about school each day. We are so lucky to have such a hardworking group of individuals. I hope each of you can show your gratitude in some way or another. Happy Spring Everyone!
LIBRARY RESOURCES We encourage our students to continue to read books. The following links offer students electronic books: • Audible Listening by Amazon • Books in Children’s Literature Please encourage your child to read. Remember, readers are leaders!
PARENT SAFETY TIPS Six (6) ways your child can protect their online identities: 1. Share carefully – don’t give out any personal information to unknown sites or strangers 2. Go private – keep privacy settings high and limit location services when possible 3. Log out – especially after using shared computers 4. Mix up passwords – use different passwords for different apps and websites 5. Avoid clickbait – avoid quizzes and random questionnaires 6. Choose wisely – pick an appropriate username Learn more about online safety, digital wellness, cell phones and learning with technology with age-specific tips and tools on http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU! Our school Social Workers are here to help! If your child needs to talk to someone, or if they are struggling, please reach out! You can give them a call or email them: Lucretia Adams, School Social Worker Emily Page, School Social Worker (708) 758-5252 (708) 758-5252 Monday - Friday | 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday | 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
ladams1@brookwood167.org epage@brookwood167.org
ILLINOIS ASSESSMENT OF READINESS (IAR) ACCORDING TO FEDERAL LAW Students
must
take
an
achievement exam in reading/ language arts and mathematics each year from third through eighth grade. In Illinois, students take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). Assessments play a role in helping ISBE and school districts identify areas where schools need targeted support. School districts must administer assessments to at least 95 percent of students. Teachers have been working hard to get students ready for this important exam. Some things parents can do to help their child prepare are: • Read with your child regularly • Stay on top of homework • Talk with your child’s teacher • Use relaxation techniques • Talk about what the test is like • Go over accommodations • Be calm and upbeat and show your child your confidence in his/her abilities If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the ISBE Assessment Department: www.isbe.net/Pages/Assessment.aspx
MATH MATTERS Math is very useful in everyday life. Math can help us do many things that are important in our everyday lives.
Here are some daily tasks for which math is important:
Parents can help teens connect math they learn in school and their everyday lives. As a parent, you could talk to your teen about how you use math in your daily life. You could also ask family members and friends how they use math in their daily lives. Please talk to your teens about these math connections to real world. Share with your child the examples of everyday math applications, which are listed below. When your teens hear how math can be used every day, they will be more likely to view math as important and valuable. They may also become more interested in mathematics. Remember that you as a parent can greatly influence how your child thinks about mathematics.
MATH TIP FOR APRIL Cooking People use math knowledge when cooking. For example, it is very common to use a half or double of a recipe. In this case, people use proportions and ratios to make correct calculations for each ingredient. If a recipe calls for 2/3 of a cup of flour, the cook must calculate how much is half or double of 2/3 of a cup. Then the cook must represent the amount using standard measures used in baking, such as ¼ cup, 1/3 cup, ½ cup or 1 cup.
WATER BOTTLES Every student was provided with a plastic water bottle from our Superintendent. Students are encouraged to bring them home to clean them and bring them back filled. Please be sure to send your students with their water bottle every day. Our drinking fountains are not currently in use, however, there are water dispensers for students to refill their bottles. This also allows them to easily access water during class without leaving the room multiple times throughout the day for water cups. We appreciate your help under these circumstances.
SPORTS FALL
WINTER
SPRING
CROSS COUNTRY
WRESTLING
TRACK
GIRLS BASKETBALL
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
BOYS BASKETBALL
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
CHEERLEADING
EXTRA-CURRICCULAR ACTIVITIES TUTORING STUDENT COUNCIL CHESS ART CLUB STEM CLUB CHEERLEADING
Any student planning on participating in a sport must have a current
COOKING CLUB
MATHLETES
SPEECH & DEBATE
physical on file (good for
VIDEO CLUB
GOSPEL CHOIR
NJHS
one (1) year).
DRUMLINE BAND JAZZ BAND YEARBOOK
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
BOYS’ BASKETBALL WRESTLING
TRACK CROSS COUNTRY KEYBOARDING CLUB SPANISH CLUB
UPCOMING EVENTS 6th, April Honor Roll Luncheon | 7th Grade Track Meet @ Lansing Memorial | 4:15 p.m.
7th, April Honor Roll Luncheon | 8th Grade
8th, April 11th, April College and Career Advisory Naviance NJHS & Student Council Spring Activity Field Trip To Hickory Bend The Heart That Smiles Mobile Dentist Track Meet @ Lansing Memorial | 4:15 p.m. 12th, April 13th, April NJHS & Student Council Spring Activity Field Fine Arts & Gospel Choir @ Chicago Trip To Longwood Heights Middle School Lunch With the Law | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Bilingual Parent Advisory @ HB | 6:00 p.m. 14th, April School Improvement Day | 11:30 a.m. Dismissal
15th, April Good Friday | No School
18th - 22nd, April 25th, April Spring Break Track Meet @ Lansing Memorial | 4:15 p.m. 27th, April Holocaust Museum Field Trip | 8th Graders Illinois Youth Survey Administered Track Meet @ Homewood Flosmoor HS | 4:15 p.m.
“A good education can change anyone. A good teacher can change everything. STAFF Teacher
Position
Period Contact Hours
Craig, Christina Math-8th
5th
1:00-1:55 p.m.
ccraig@brookwood167.org
Cantorna, Sean ELA, R180
6th
1:55-2:50 p.m.
scantorna@brookwood167.org
Shields, Kayla ELA- 8th
6th
1:55-2:50 p.m.
kshields@brookwood167.org
Walsh, Peter ELA-7th
6th
1:55-2:50 p.m.
pwalsh@brookwood167.org
Schmalz, Matthew Social Studies-8th
2nd
9:45-10:40 a.m.
mschmalz@brookwood167.org
Suarez, Juan Social Studies-7th
2nd
9:45-10:40 a.m.
jsuarez@brookwood167.org
Baker, Mary Science/STEM- 8th 3rd
10:40-11:35 a.m.
mbaker@brookwood167.org
Moirano, Gina Science/STEM-7th 3rd
10:40-11:35 a.m.
gmoirano@brookwood167.org
Rauen, Katie SPED
10:40-11:35 a.m.
krauen@brookwood167.org
Smit, Steve R180, M180, SPED 1st
8:50-9:45 a.m.
ssmit@brookwood167.org
Kemp, Lisa R180, M180, SPED 1st
8:50-9:45 a.m.
lkemp@brookwood167.org
Hinz, Christine Math-7th
5th
1:00-1:55 p.m.
chinz@brookwood167.org
Bennett, Susan Art
1st
8:50-9:45 a.m.
sbennett@brookwood167.org
Ross, Chanae Music
1st
8:50-9:45 a.m.
cross@brookwood167.org
Canning, Mitchell
Band
4th
11:35-12:15 p.m.
mcanning@brookwood167.org
Lagger, Frank P.E.
4th
11:35-12:15 p.m.
flagger@brookwood167.org
DeRamus, Elisha P.E.
6th
1:55-2:50 p.m.
ederamus@brookwood167.org
Adams, Lucretia Social Worker
8:00-4:00 p.m.
ladams1@brookwood167.org
Page, Emily Social Worker
8:00-4:00 p.m.
epage@brookwood167.org
Mitchell, Rosia Assistant Principal
7:30-4:00 p.m.
rmitchell@brookwood167.org
Larson, Jill Principal
7:30-4:00 p.m.
jlarson@brookwood167.org
3rd
WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME If My Child is Sick, When Should I Keep Them Home? If a child has any symptom listed below, they should stay home in the morning or go home if these symptoms first occur at school. When a child can return to school is based on the specific symptom they have and whether it’s considered a COVID-19 symptom: • Fever of 100.4 or higher • New onset of moderate to severe headache • Shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat • Nausea Vomiting, Diarrhea • Abdominal pain from unknown cause • New congestion/runny nose • New loss of sense of taste or smell • Fatigue from unknown cause • Muscle or body aches If your child has been in close contact with someone with a known or suspected case of COVID-19 within the last fourteen (14) days. (Close contact is defined as someone who was within six (6) feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of fifteen (15) minutes or more over a twenty-four (24) hour period, starting from two (2) days before illness onset.) If you answer “YES” to any of the above, your child MUST stay home! Please call the school to report your child’s absence (708) 758-5252 (Option 1).
TRENDING... APP OF THE MONTH Stop, Breathe & Think App Stop, Breathe & Think is a free app to "Check in with how you're feeling, and try short activities tuned to your emotions." Sometimes when we are feeling frazzled, thinking about how we are feeling is a great strategy. Check out this app!
KINDNESS CORNER Look on the Bright Side. Give your kids rose-colored glasses. Sometimes, it can seem as if bad news is all around us. Point out to your kids the good things that are happening and the good people who are helping others. Cut out newspaper articles about student groups who volunteered to build homes or collect clothes after a natural disaster. This makes your kids feel better about the world they live in and also gets them thinking creatively about ways they can make a difference.
TUTORING Tutoring is available for all students and all subjects on the following days and times... AM Tutoring PM Tutoring 7:45 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Friday
3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday
MEDICINE AT SCHOOL Please be sure that if your child needs to take any medication during the school day, they are not simply selfadministering. Those meds should be controlled by the school Nurse and administered in the Nurse’s office, even if they are in the habit of self-administering at home. This guidance is a part of District167’s Board Policy. If you have any questions about how to handle the administration of medicine at school, please contact our school Health Clerk, Ms. Simmons at vsimmons@ brookwood167.org. Thank you for your assistance in this matter of safety.
MOBILE DENTIST IS COMING TO BJHS! On Monday, April 11th, 2022, The Heart That Smiles, Mobile Dentist will be coming to our school. If you would like for your child to get FREE teeth cleaning at school, please fill out the attached form at the end of this newsletter!
MARCH STUDENT CELEBRATIONS Lions Club Peace Poster Contest Winners and the Boys 7th Grade State Basketball Champions get recognized at the Village Board Meeting! The boys were also recognized at the Brookwood School District 167 Board of Education Meeting and received individual trophies and a large trophy for the school’s trophy case.
THE HEART THAT SMILES
READ TO THEM
+1 708-758-5252 +1 708-758-3954 www.brookwood167.org
201 Glenwood-Lansing Road
Glenwod, IL 60425
VISITORS If you need to come into the school for any reason, for safety reasons, you will be required to wear a mask, and you will need to have a current Driver’s License that will be checked in our Raptor Security System.
STUDENT SAFETY DROP-OFF & PICK-UP PROCEDURES Students should arrive at school no earlier than 8:10 a.m. and be picked up after school no later than 3:15 p.m. If a student is being dropped off or
Raptor® provides a line of sight as to who is always in our school. The system provides school and districtwide reporting for all visitors, volunteers, and contractors that have signed in/out of our buildings.
BROOKWOOD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
This is
important for safety reasons.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES I am excited to share with you that this school year, Brookwood School District 167 will be providing students with a set of school supplies to use at school and a set to use at home! If your child needs any additional resources or supplies for any of their classes, please contact our school office at (708) 758-5252, so we can help provide them with all necessary and needed materials.
picked up, the driver must adhere to the one-way sign at the entrance of the parking lot. Drivers must NEVER go the wrong way in the parking lot as this is unsafe for students and staff.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!