ISSUE: 006 / FEBRUARY YEAR: 2022
BROOKWOOD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL It is hard to believe that we have passed the halfway point of the year. Students are settled in routines and understand our school-wide expectations. Teachers have worked hard to create meaningful learning opportunities and teach school-wide behavior expectations. Consistency and predictability are key factors for student success, as well as a calm learning environment to better focus on learning. During the month of February, BJHS staff and administration, have planned several activities to celebrate Black History Month. The activities are designed to deepen our students’ knowledge of the history and achievements of African American people both currently and historically. Take this opportunity to ask your student questions and participate along with them during our Virtual Black History Family Trivia Night on February 15th at 6:00 P.M. Our focus remains to cultivate a positive climate and create the best learning environment possible. High quality instruction and student learning are our highest priorities. Everything that we do at Brookwood Jr. High School is designed to help students learn in all areas and be successful well beyond their time in Jr. High. Once again, that partnership between school and home is a key ingredient for student success. With that said, we hope that your students are feeling safe and supported. This is an interesting time in their lives and development can be challenging at times. 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) 7585252, 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 missed Parent Teacher Conferences on January 31st and you would like to schedule a Student Support Intervention (SSI) Meeting for your child, please contact the school office at (708) 758-5252 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
becoming lifelong learners and decision makers.
is
to
improve the achievement of all students, regardless of
•
or
ability
levels
(disabilities). We share the accountability of
student
achievement
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.
We are Committed to: •
•
•
POWERSCHOOL
environment with access to state-of-the-art
Families shape their children’s motivation,
In educating our children in a safe and nurturing
We Believe:
race, socio-economic status, gender,
•
technology. •
The school system
confidence, and
should teach students to
academic success by
think critically enabling
being interested and
them to become
involved in their overall
contributing citizens in
development.
our global society.
All
In continuous
School teachers use an
All students are unique
•
Brookwood
Jr.
High
and should be challenged
improvement in all
to the highest level of
aspects of the school
academic and artistic
system to foster a
“PowerSchool” that they
excellence.
culture of excellence,
update every Thursday. We
In the importance of
accountability and
staff development
integrity.
encourage you to check your
opportunities based
•
In responsible
online grading system called
child’s progress regularly.
on best practices and
stewardship of financial
This program is completely
educational research.
and physical resources.
confidential;
therefore,
Providing students with
you will need an access
highly qualified teachers
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.
SPELLING BEE
MATH MATTERS Dear Parents, 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: • Recreational Sports • Geometry and trigonometry can help your teens who want to improve their skill in sports. It can help them find the best way to hit a ball, make a basket or run around the track. Basic knowledge of math also helps keep track of sports scores. 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.
SUPPORT OUR BOOK FAIR!
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 1st - 11th, February 2nd, Februay Book Fair | On site SHIELD NOW IL | COVID Testing Begins 7th Grade | Honor Roll Luncheon School-Wide Spelling Bee | 10:45 A.M. Boys Volleyball/Chess @ Home vs. Huth | 4:15 p.m. Girls Volleyball @ Huth | 4:15 p.m. 3rd, February 8th Grade Honor Roll Luncheon Girls Volleyball @ Home vs. Memorial | 4:15 p.m. Boys Volleyball/Chess @ Memorial | 4:15 p.m. Wrestling @ Coal City | 4:30 p.m.
4th, February Historical Perspectives Virtual Assembly Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Wilma Rudolph
7th, February 8th, February Girls Volleyball @ Home vs. Hart | 4:15 p.m. Human Growth & Development Assembly | 7th grd Boys Volleyball/Chess @ Hart | 4:15 p.m. Girls Volleyball @ Obama | 4:15 p.m. 9th, February 10th, February Human Growth & Development Assembly | 8th grd Boys Volleyball/Chess @ Crete | 4:15 p.m. Girls Volleyball @ Parker | 4:15 p.m. Girls Volleyball @ Crete | 4:15 p.m. Boys Volleyball/Chess @ Home vs. Parker | 4:15 p.m. Wrestling @ Bolingbrook | 4:30 p.m. 11th, February Skype a Scientist Assembly | Science Class Black History Virtual Assembly | Theatrical Performance 1800’s vs. 2020
14th, February Valentine’s Day Board of Education Meeting | 7:00 p.m.
17th, February 18th, February District-Wide Spelling Bee @ BJHS School Improvement Planning | 11:30 a.m. Dismissal 21th, February 22nd, February President’s Day | No School Boys Volleyball/Chess @ vs. Obama | 4:15 p.m. Girls Volleyball @ Home vs. Obama | 4:15 p.m. 23rd, February Boys Volleyball @ Home vs. Memorial | 4:15 p.m. 25th, February Black History Celebration @ BJHS | 1:15 p.m.
24th, February Boys Volleyball @ Home vs. Hart | 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).
BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES Morning Announcements: Every morning in February during the morning announcements, we will be sharing daily Black History Facts with students.
// ALL SCHOOL ACTIVITIES // February 4th | During Advisory Students will complete a discussion guide after watching the virtual Historical Perspectives Assembly.
February 4th | Virtual Assembly Wilma Rudolph - 7th Graders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - 8th Graders For the past thirty (30) years, Historical Perspectives for Children has presented school assembly programs on strong role models in history for students in grades K-8, whose stories specifically complement the Common Core curricula in STEM, character education, social studies, language arts, African American history, women’s history, disability awareness, diversity, inclusion and more. Each role model is vividly brought to life from childhood through adulthood, showing children how they developed character qualities that were needed, such as resilience, leadership, empathy, curiosity, honesty, self-regulation, and optimism, to achieve their dreams and goals. These compelling, interactive, multi-media portrayals are accented with slides, sound effects, taped voiceover and costume changes to truly bring each character to life. At the end of the show, children will say to themselves, “Maybe I can do that someday!”
February 11th | Virtual Theater Assembly 1800’s Vs. 2020. Production Overview What if the slaves from the 1800’s were to talk to the people today in 2020? How Would that conversation go? I would like to think this would be one of the most interesting, thought-provoking productions anyone has seen or written in a while. Is it that slaves from the 1800’s were physically enslaved, while people from 2020 are mentally enslaved? How different are we in 2020? Or did the years only change? Please don’t miss this production!! As this is a must see, educational, thought-provoking show that I believe will start a conversation that will help a lost and divided world.
Description Students will enjoy the preview of a dramatic piece that richly highlights African American History as well as current events while exploring themes and topics that include the importance of family, deception, greed, perseverance, breaking generational curses and more.
Curriculum Covered The 1800’s vs 2020 will serve as a secondary source that can be incorporated into instruction as it aligns with the history/social studies common core state standards. Specifically, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.68.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.5, CCSS. ELALITERACY.RH.6-8.8, and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.9.
February 14th | During Advisory Students will complete Black History educational Activity Books.
February 25th @ 1:00 p.m. Black History Performance Program Theme | From Struggle Comes Strength MCs - Layla Paul & Ariana Dodd Black National Anthem - Serenity Gonzalez Song - Addison Hall Skit - Ariana Dodd, Layla Paul, Christian Driver, LaVontae Threets, Layla Morrison-Jenkins, Seven Kara, Damilola Abatan, Jalyn Cashaw, Deshon Spencer Poem - Saniya Philips Song - Christian Driver Band Selection Poem - Layla Paul Evolution of Black Fashion Poem - Layla Morrison-Jenkins Song - Damilola Abatan “Heal the World” (Final Group Selection).
// FAMILY ACTIVITIES // February 24th Black History Family Trivia Night @ BJHS | 6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. February 25th Black History Performance Program Theme: From Struggle Comes Strength | 1:00 P.M. ELA We will use poetry.com and StudySync to read the works of, or read about, a new African American writer or thinker every day. Examples include Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Barbara Jordan, W.E.B. DuBois, Alice Walker, Ann Petry (About Harriet Tubman), Margot Lee Shetterly, Virginia Hamilton, Nelson Mandela, etc. We’ll be reading Sharon M. Draper’s Tears of a Tiger, a novel by an African-American author about growing up as an African American child. We will also read Kobe Bryant’s “Dear Basketball.”
MATH Black History Timeline Project “Data Collection Find ten (10) events of your choice and enter the details in the provided chart: Choose one of the following websites to find information to create your timeline: Key Moments in Black History; Famous Firsts by African Americans. Find 10 events of your choice and enter the details in the chart below: MLK”
SCIENCE/STEM Black Scientists Bellringer a day. Students will choose Current Scientist #1, Share list with class; share brainstorming map of email questions, Research (Independent), Email-Independent, Current Scientist Interview and presentation. Students will keep a science journal to discover different African American Scientists. Alice Ball, Patricia Bath, Herman Branson, George Carruthers, Emmett Chappelle, Margaret Collins, Charles Turner, Marie Daly, Mark Dean, Charles Richard Drew, Mae Jemison, and Guionn Bluford.
SOCIAL STUDIES Black History Highlights Bio of Bayard Rustin, Obama DNC Speech, and Poem “The Hill We Climb” BHM Poetry, Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era “7th Grade Social Studies will learn about the*History of events in timeline format: Slave Trade, Breakdown of the origin and format of slave hierarchy and retaliation. *History of Events: Jim Crow Laws, Share Cropping, Booker T vs Du Bois, etc.
MUSIC We will learn about Black composers, performers, and their music. We will also do virtual tours of historic locations that were part of African American music history.
ART Students will the learn the facts about the beginning of Black History Month; *How to use Google draw tools to create, poster-type artwork *I have a dream: What is yours? Influenced by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. *I have a dream, poster design and I have a dream reflection *Famous African American portraits - Alma Thomas, Artist *Torn paper portraits, torn paper paper portraits *Puzzle: African American people word search/crossword *What makes a family? Study of family photos: National Museum of African American History *Family mark in timehand prints creation Michael Jackson:A Family of Music *Banjo Lesson, discussion Create a Family Tree: photo and dates OR family collage *Clementine Hunter, Church Ladies Create a place of importance for your family-image *Clementine Hunter completion and reflection *Lorna Simpson, female artist “”Hair Images”” *Lorna Simpson creations *Faith Ringgold, quilt squares OR Children’s Book title and cover design *Faith Ringgold/Book Cover project *Nina Chanel Abney’s art video
PE All students will start with Daily Bellwork: Highlight Black Athletes in the beginning of class. Bill Russel
Simone Biles
Magic Johnson
Alice Coachmen
Laila Ali
LeBron James
Serena Williams
Muhammad Ali
Wilma Rudolph
Herschel Walker
Althea Gibson
Michael Jordan
Gabby Douglas
Colin Kaepernick
Jackie Joyner Kersee
Kobe Bryant
Jackie Robinson
Jesse Owens
Tiger Woods
Debi Thomas
5 ESSENTIALS SURVEY | UCHICAGO IMPACT Brookwood School District 167 relies on parent feedback when planning for the future. We highly encourage you to complete the 5 Essentials Survey for your child’s school. Your feedback matters. We use this feedback to develop school improvement plans and activities to make continuous improvement. The data needs to reflect the voices of our parents in order to address/validate school concerns or support for existing programs. Your honest responses are confidential and needed to better inform our upcoming goals and strategies we will be implementing for the 2022-2023 school year. Please share your input through the annual Illinois 5Essentials survey! The survey is administered by UChicago Impact and is based on the Five Essentials for School Success, an evidence-based framework developed by the University of Chicago. The 5Essentials are: - Effective Leaders - Collaborative Teachers - Supportive Environment -Ambitious Instruction
- Involved Families
Click on the following link to complete the survey: https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois • • • • • •
The survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete Select the necessary language to complete the survey (English or Spanish) Enter the name of your county and the name of your child’s school Advance to survey questions Answer all applicable questions Click Submit Survey
Each school needs a parent response rate of at least 20% to receive a results report. Please complete the survey no later than March 11th. If you have a child in more than one of our district schools, please fill out a survey for each school.
Thank you for your participation!
+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!