BJHS | December 2023 Newsletter

Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

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BROOKWOOD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 201 GLENWOOD-LANSING ROAD GLENWOOD, IL 60425 708 758 5252 JILL LARSON | PRINCIPAL

SAVE THE DATE!

gospel choir performance December 1st, 2023 | 6:30 p.m.

Glenwood Village Hall

DROP OFF | PICK UP 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. unless they are staying for a club or activity. If a student is being dropped off or 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.

Gospel Choir Performance at Village of Glenwood Tree Lighting Ceremony

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PRINCIPAL’S CORNER We are almost 100% and ask that every parent sign up for the Principal ClassDojo, as this is a great way for parents to stay informed about important events and information throughout the school year.

Please contact the school office if you need help signing up for this awesome “FREE” communication tool!

It is exciting to see the joy in the faces of our Jr. High School students during the holiday season. Due to the busy nature of the season, sometimes schedules and added responsibilities can cause stress.

Our upcoming Winter band and choir concerts offer an opportunity to slow down and enjoy a little holiday cheer. The Winter Concert takes place on December 19th As always, please reach out to your child’s teachers for any questions/concerns, or if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me and know that my door is always open. I can be reached at the school number (708) 758-5252, by email jlarson@ brookwood167.org or by cell phone at (708) 362-0115. I am honored to serve as your principal.

at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the BJHS Gym. Students and staff have been working hard to showcase students’ special talents. Please come out and get in the holiday spirit; everyone is welcome!

Healthy communication between the school and home is crucial, and we are working to provide numerous ways for this vital communication. To help suppress paper usage, we will continue to provide information as much as we can using digital communication.

On behalf of the Brookwood Jr. High School staff, have a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

M I S S I O N STAT E M E N T | W E B E L I E V E !

BROOKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 167 | MISSION STATEMENT challenged to the highest level of academic and artistic excellence.

•

In the importance of staff development opportunities based on best practices and educational research.

WE BELIEVE...

•

Families shape their children’s motivation, confidence, and academic success by being interested and involved in their overall development.

•

•

In educating our children in a safe and nurturing

•

improvement in all aspects

environment with access to

of the school system

state-of-the-art technology.

•

In continuous

to foster a culture of

The school system should

excellence, accountability,

teach students to think

and integrity.

critically, enabling them to become contributing citizens in our global society.

•

In responsible stewardship of financial and physical resources.

All students are unique and should be

“When you’re good at something, you’ll tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they’ll tell you.” --Walter Payton

Excellence... Potential...

Achieve...

Brookwood School District 167, in partnership with parents and the community, will create a learning environment where all students excel at becoming lifelong learners and decision-makers.

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BROOKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 167 | VISION “Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.” --Maya Angelou

Our overall vision is to improve the achievement of all students, regardless of race, socio-economic WE ARE COMMITTED TO:

status, gender, or ability levels (disabilities). We

1. Providing students with

share the accountability of student achievement

highly qualified teachers

2. Providing our staff with Professional Development

throughout the school. We believe in using researchbased practices to achieve our goals. We promote school and community involvement because we believe that these partnerships help us meet the needs of all of our students.

Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME...

If a child has any symptoms 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: •

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, taste or smell

•

Fatigue from unknown cause

•

Muscle or body aches

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.)

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REPORTING OF ABSENCE

COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION We encourage you to do the following to help us communicate with you:

Parents must call

•

receiving any Dojo messages from us, then it probably means we have

the school to report their child absent

incorrect information on our end.

•

before 8:30 a.m.

The

number

for

•

be

reported

every morning by 9:00 a.m.

These include: - Class Dojo - Power School Parent Portal

•

Please talk with your child’s teacher about Google Classroom and how it can be used as a communication tool.

Official attendance will

Please sign up for the digital tools that Brookwood School District and the school have provided.

reporting absences is (708) 757-2115.

Please ensure we have an accurate email address. If you are not

•

Please follow us on Facebook

•

Please visit our website at www.brookwood167.org

IMPORTANT | STUDENT DRESS CODE!

or other items that lead

Brookwood Jr. High School believes that

to

student dress and overall appearance

result in the disruption of,

should foster a positive and productive

or interference with, the

environment and should reflect pride in

school environment.

oneself as well as our school.

or

may

foreseeably

Please read our Parent

We further believe that student dress and

Student

appearance is a shared responsibility of

for

TECHNOLOGY HELPLINE

the home and the school.

expectations.

If your child is having any technology problems, please get in touch with our help desk at (708) 300-3553 or email our help desk at helpdesk@ brookwood167.org

The Administration will make the final

If a student fails to adhere

judgment

appropriateness

to the dress code, we will

of clothing and/or appearance and

offer students rental P.E.

reserves the right to prohibit students

uniforms or sweats that

from wearing any articles of clothing

they can wear.

on

the

specific

Handbook dress

code

Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

Important Attendance

Information!

Daily attendance is required. If your child anticipates being absent, please make sure the reason is valid. A student that is chronically absent is defined as a child who is subject to compulsory school attendance and who is absent without valid cause for more than 5% of the last 180 school days.

This is a matter of concern as the Illinois School Code 105 ILCS 5/26-2a considers a truant rate of more than 5% of the last 180 days to be excessive.

Students who are frequently absent often miss important information being taught, fall behind, and lose interest in school. An improvement in attendance may help a child achieve better grades and feel better about himself/herself. Counseling services and tutoring will be provided to chronically absent students, along with a check-in and check-out program of support.

Suppose a child continues to be absent or tardy without a valid excuse. In that case, the Regional Superintendent/South Cook Intermediate Service Center will be notified, and measures will be taken to address this concern more seriously. If your child is struggling with attending school consistently, we must work together to improve their attendance, as this will improve their chances

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

of school success.

We celebrated fifty-one (51) students who had PERFECT attendance for October!

I commend the families for instilling in their children the importance of being present daily. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance,

THE NUMBERS

please reach out to our social workers.

A student who misses ten (10) days of school is 25% less likely to enroll in college.

Ms. Adams | (708) 758-5252 extension 5320 ladams1@brookwood167.org Ms. Watt | (708) 758-5252 extension 5331 jwatt@brookwood167.org

CHOICES Students who attend school regularly are more likely to graduate and find good jobs.

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Get Involved!

Parent Involvement!

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Our focus this year continues to be on parent involvement. We

want to create a welcoming environment for all our parents and continue this vital partnership throughout the school year.

FAMILY NIGHTS come to our family nights 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | every month!

CONCERT our winter band & choir “live” december 19th | 6:00 p.m. | bjhs gym

Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

PLEASE JOIN OUR CLASSDOJO’S AND STAY INFORMED! ClassDojo is a global community of more than 50 million teachers and families who come together to share kids’ most important learning moments, in school and at home —through photos, videos, messages, and more.

or contact the school at

ClassDojo is actively used in

the mobile app, parents view their

(708) 758-5252, email,

90% of U.S. K-8 schools

child’s feedback, and can message

jlarson@brookwood167.

ClassDojo is a free app

directly with teachers and school

org, or cell phone, (708)

that helps build amazing

leaders. Please join my ClassDojo

362-0115.

classroom

school

so you can stay informed on what

need to provide is your

communities. Teachers give

is happening at BROOKWOOD JR.

cell phone number or

feedback to students for any

HIGH. If you would like to join,

email address.

skill, like “Working hard”

please accept the invitation that

GET INVOLVED AND STAY

and “Being curious.” From

we emailed to you or texted you,

INFORMED!

and

All you will

DOJO WE BELIEVE...

Kids have always learned together in physical spaces.

Today, they learn in virtual spaces, too. Now that ClassDojo has connected a worldwide community of teachers, kids, and families, we’re building that virtual space for everyone...

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e c n re fe n o C r e h c a e /T t n re Pa Day!

Thursday, February 15

10:30 a.m.

VISITORS If you need to come into the

6:30 p.m.

If you wish to discuss your child’s progress, teachers will be available during the times listed. You do not need an appointment to attend. If you would like a specific time,

school for any safety reasons,

don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teachers through

you must have a current

Class Dojo, email, or by calling the school at (708) 758-

Driver’s License that will be

5252.

checked in our Raptor Security System. Raptor® provides a line of sight for those always in our school. The system provides school and District-

Conferences should average about 10-15 minutes; accommodations will be made by the teacher if more time is needed (The last conference time can be honored as late as 6:15 p.m.). Students are encouraged to attend with their parents!

wide reporting for all visitors, volunteers, and contractors signed in/out of our buildings.

This is important for safety reasons.

Parents, Parent/Teacher Conferences are welcome anytime throughout the school year. We welcome and encourage parent involvement and partnerships. We must work together for the success of every child.

Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

Did You know?

We do not have tryouts for any of our sports teams. If your child wants to participate, they must attend practice! Please encourage your child to get involved.

POWERSCHOOL At PowerSchool, we believe that for students to succeed, they need to feel connected to learning in a personal way.

All Brookwood Jr. High School teachers use an online grading system called PowerSchool that they update every Thursday.

We encourage you to check your child’s progress regularly. This program is entirely confidential; therefore, you will need an access username and password to see your child’s progress.

If you need your username and/or password, please get in touch with the school office at (708) 758-5252. A PowerSchool app for your cellular phone makes it easy for parents to stay updated on their child’s progress.

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READERS ARE LEADERS! Keep Your Child Reading Over the Holiday Break! A holiday break is not a time just for worksheets and textbooks; your child should continue to learn. The best way is to read a little bit every day.

And that means reading more than text messages!

Here's how: Link movies to books. Like many others, your middle schooler may enjoy watching movies during winter break. Encourage her to watch at least one based on a book--and read the book first. Give books as gifts. If your child will receive a gift this month, consider giving him/her a book or a gift card to a bookstore. Suggest this to other family members as well.

Read for a purpose. Practical reading--the kind you do to learn a skill--is both fun and informative. If your child enjoys cooking, they could read and try a recipe. They could read the instruction manual and assemble one if they like gadgets. If they like sports, they could check out the newspaper to see how their favorite teams are faring.

Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

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PBIS PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) As a part of PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports), teachers, administrators, and support staff have the responsibility to TEACH positive behavior expectations to our students.

This education results in students knowing precisely what is expected of them and a framework of evidence-based behavioral supports and interventions in an integrated curriculum to enhance the social behavior and academic atmosphere for our diverse body of students throughout the school.

Lessons take place in several ways, and the environment for the expectations. For example, teachers will do short lessons each week on a specific expectation, the staff on lunch duty will discuss lunchroom expectations, and on Fridays, students complete a Kahoot or Blooket quiz to review the expectations they have been learning about all week. Posters or anchor charts have been created for different building areas to remind the students and staff about the expected behaviors.

Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

While these strategies may not eliminate all problem behaviors, they create consistency, predictability, and a more positive atmosphere. They teach new skills to help children get their needs met. The solid foundation will help even if challenging behaviors persist by creating a bedrock for additional support layers.

Here are places to seek additional information: •

Parenting with Positive Behavior Support: A Practical Guide to Resolving Your Child’s Difficult Behavior

•

Home and Community Based Positive Behavior Support Facebook Page

•

Home and Community PBS Website

•

Parent Center Hub Positive Behavior Supports Resource Collection

•

Intensive Intervention: An Overview for Parents and Families

•

The Association for Positive Behavior Support

•

Getting Behavior in Shape at Home

•

Family Resources for Challenging Behavior

•

The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) Resource Library, articles in multiple languages

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BROOKWOOD JUNIOR HIGH | DAILY BELL SCHEDULE SCHOOL HOURS

DISMISSAL

8:30 A.M. - 3:10 P.M.

3:10 P.M.

BREAKFAST

GET INVOLVED!

8:00 A.M. - 8:30 A.M.

All students are welcome to join

8:30 A.M. - 8:50 A.M.

our Sports Teams! Cross-Country

SEL MEETING 1ST PERIOD

and Girls Basketball seasons have

8:50 A.M. - 9:45 A.M.

started! Athletes will compete

2ND PERIOD

against nine (9) other schools in our Conference.

9:45 A.M. - 10:40 A.M

3RD PERIOD

10:40 A.M. - 11:35 A.M.

4TH PERIOD

5TH PERIOD

7TH GRADE LUNCH 1:00 P.M. - 1:55 P.M. 11:35 A.M. - 12:05 P.M.

6TH PERIOD

1:55 P.M. - 2:50 P.M. 8TH GRADE CLASS 11:35 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. 7TH GRADE CLASS 12:05 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. 8TH GRADE LUNCH 12:30 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.

SEL MEETING

2:50 P.M. - 3:10 P.M.

DISMISSAL 3:10 P.M.

EXTRACURRICULAR

3:10 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

JOIN CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

HIGH HONOR ROLL | HONOR ROLL Students are given a quarterly report card at BJHS. If a student earns an academic G.P.A. off 3.95 or higher, he/she is placed on the High Honor Roll.

If a student earns an academic

Tutoring (Before and After School) Student Council NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) Art Club Anime Club STEAM/ 3D Printing Club Cooking Club Mathletes Speech & Debate Club Video Club Gospel Choir Drumline Music Tech Club

grade of 3.45 - 3.94, he/she is placed on the Honor Roll.

Parents, please check your child’s homework and planner every day!

Students earning those honors will be invited to a special Student Recognition

Luncheon

each

quarter.

WE BELONG TO THE SOUTH SUBURBAN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (SSJHSA) & THE ILLINOIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (IESA)

FALL SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY GIRLS BASKETBALL BOYS BASKETBALL CHEERLEADING CHESS

WINTER SPORTS WRESTLING GIRLS VOLLEYBALL BOYS VOLLEYBALL

SPRING SPORTS TRACK

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Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

November 29th/

NWEA MAP - Winter Testing Window

December 8th December 1st

Gospel Choir Performance @ Village of Glenwood Tree

Lighting Ceremony | 6:30 p.m. | Glenwood Village Hall

December 4th

2nd Quarter Progress Reports Go Home!

Boys Basketball @ Home Vs. Columbia | 4:15 p.m.

December 6th

School Improvement Day | Early Dismissal | 11:30 a.m.

December 7th

Boys Basketball @ Home Vs. Colin Powell | 4:15 p.m.

December 8th

Contemporary Museum of Art Field Trip (Select 8th Graders)

December 11th

Boys Basketball @ CHMS | 4:15 p.m.

New Student Social | Hot Chocolate & Cookies

December 13th

Lunch With First Responders

Boys Basketball @ Home Vs. Obama | 4:15 p.m.

December 16th

Tiger Invitational Wrestling Meet @ LaGrange | 9:00 a.m.

December 18th

Boys Basketball @ Huth | 4:15 p.m.

December 19th

BJHS & BMS | Winter Band & Choir Concert | 6:00 p.m.

December 21st

Holiday Gift Giving Activities | 1:00 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.

December 22nd /

Winter Break | NO SCHOOL!

January 5th January 8th - 9th

Teacher Institute Day | NO SCHOOL!

January 10th

School Resumes!

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Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

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Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

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Brookwood Junior High School | December Newsletter

25 BROOKWOOD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 201 GLENWOOD-LANSING ROAD GLENWOOD, IL 60425 708 758 5252 JILL LARSON | PRINCIPAL

BULL DOGS

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