ISSUE: 009 / MAY YEAR: 2022
BROOKWOOD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL As we are nearing the end of a very eventful school year, please encourage your children to FINISH STRONG! This has been a challenging year for all our Junior High School students and we’re proud of them for persevering. We also appreciate all of the support we have received from our parents! It is hard to believe that summer vacation is just around the corner. These final weeks are packed with educational field trips, activities, and special events for our students. The junior high years are a time of tremendous change and growth, and the end of a school year highlights how much each student has progressed. It is an honor and a pleasure to help educate your children and to take this journey together with them. This has been a most unusual year, and we continue to be to be amazed at all we have experienced and to be grateful for having had this full year of in-person learning. With this final push in the 4th quarter, it is also a great time to reach out to your child’s teacher to inquire about their goals. Goal setting in the classroom is a great way to get students moved ahead to their end of year goal, whether that be a reading proficiency, math fact fluency, the list is endless. If you want to know more about your child’s end of year goals, ask them! If they are not sure, you can always reach out to their teacher. We look forward to these final weeks and the special events to come. We wish you all a safe, happy, and enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing you again for the new school year!
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.
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!
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.” 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...
Just a reminder 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. Happy Summer 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 to Protect your kids on Social Media: 1. Keep an Open Dialogue with Your Children. 2. Educate Children on the Risks of Social Media. 3. Follow Age Requirement Guidelines. 4. Set Ground Rules for Social Media Use. 5. Stay Up to Date on Your Child’s Privacy Settings. 6. Consider Products That Help You Monitor Online Activity. 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 MAY Shopping Your teen will use math when buying different items. When buying a new computer, your child will need to figure out which store offers the best price or best financing. Math is useful in finding the best deal for food items. For example, your teen will need to decide which pack of soda to buy when given a choice of 20 oz., 2-liter, 12 pack, or 24-pack. Stores often have sales that give a percentage off an original price. It is helpful for people to know how to figure out the savings. This math skill is very useful because it helps us calculate discounts so we can buy an item for the best price offered.
WATER BOTTLES Every student was provided with two (2) plastic water bottles 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 May 2nd May 3rd Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week 7th Grade Boys Basketball Field Trip to Design Championship Ring May 5th Springfield Trip | 8th Graders SSJHSA Track Conference Meet 6th & 7th Graders | 9:00 a.m.
May 6th 8th Graders who attended Springfield Trip | No School
May 9th Board Meeting @ 7:00 p.m
May 11th Sky Zone Field Trip
May 13th May 14th Fire Drill IESA Track Sectional @ Watseka Jr. High School | 9:00 a.m. May 16th - 19th May 18th 7th Grade Trip | Navy Pier/Architectural Boat Tour Virtual Family Trivia Night Number the Stars Field Trip May 20th May 25th IESA State Track Meet | East Peoria, IL Awards 7th & 8th grade Recognition | 1:15 p.m. May 27th May 30th 8th Grade Graduation Dance @ Glenwoodie Golf Club Memorial Day | No School June 2nd 8th Grade Graduation | 11:30 a.m. Dismissal for 8th Graders Only Dismissal for 7th Graders | 2:00 p.m. 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony | 6:30 p.m. June 3rd Field Day | 7th Graders/Last Day of School | 11:30 a.m. Dismissal
“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 May is “Kindness In Our Families Month” Offer to do another family members chores; Prepare a meal for your family; Organize family game night; Leave your family members encouraging post it notes; Remind family members how much you love them!
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.
SUMMER SCHOOL SUMMER SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS OFFICIALLY OPEN! All Brookwood School District students in grades K-7 can participate in Brookwood School District 167’s Summer School Program to reinforce Reading and Math skills and to regain any learning loss. The program will run Monday thru Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. from June 20th, 2022 - July 14th, 2022. There will be no session on Monday, July 4th, 2022. There will be no summer school held on Fridays. Each child in the program will receive intensive Math and Reading instruction and a fun enrichment activity. A cold breakfast and lunch will be provided as well. This summer program is being offered by the school District at “NO COST” to the child’s family. Students will attend a morning SEL session along with one session of Math and Reading and a fun enrichment session. 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Morning SEL Meeting/Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
1st Session Reading or Math
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
2nd Session Reading or Math
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Lunch (Health and Nutrition Lesson)
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Enrichment Activity
If you are interested in signing up your child for summer school, please email: rmitchell@brookwood167.org or pmarcus@brookwood167.org
Student Expectations: •
Your child is expected to be in attendance and on time each and every day during learning hours to maximize instructional effectiveness.
•
Your child is expected to complete the assigned work from their assigned teacher.
•
Your child is expected to be respectful of teachers and classmates while learning and must adhere to the District acceptable Internet use policy.
•
Your child must attend both sessions in math and reading.
Parent Expectations: •
Make sure your child is in attendance every day.
•
Remind students of expected behavior (PBIS).
•
Ensure attendance and engagement for all fifteen (15) days during this summer program.
If you have any questions, please call or email: •
Ms. Marcus, Summer School Administrator, at Brookwood Middle School, (708) 758- 5350 pmarcus@brookwood167.org
•
Ms. Mitchell, Summer School Administrator, at Brookwood Jr. High School, (708) 758-5252 rmitchell@brookwood167.org
8TH GRADE GRADUATION THURSDAY JUNE 2ND, 2022 6:00 P.M. DOORS OPEN. CEREMONY STARTS AT 6:30 P.M. GRADUATES WILL RECEIVE THREE (3) TICKETS EACH. ALL OCCUPANTS MUST HAVE A TICKET INCLUDING CHILDREN AND BABIES
+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!