BJHS | November Newsletter

ISSUE: 003 / NOVEMBER YEAR: 2021

BROOKWOOD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IT APPEARS OUR STRETCH OF WARM WEATHER IS OVER! I hope you were all able to enjoy it. With the change of weather in mind, please remember to send your child to school with appropriate clothing for outdoor fall/winter weather.

Parent-teacher conferences/report card pick up will be held on site on November 8th, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. for parents only.

Like Open House, students will not be able to attend due to IDPH and ISBE mitigation procedures.

We encourage all parents to take this opportunity to discuss your child’s academic progress with your child’s teachers. You do not need an appointment for conferences.

Having a home school connection is an important component in your child’s school success.

December. We will be sending home information soon on how you can contribute to this great cause.

Our Student Council and NJHS students are busy planning events for our school community.

In recognition of the upcoming holidays, they will be hosting a food drive for the Bloom Township Food Pantry through the month of

We hope to see you on November 8th for Parent Teacher conferences, and we hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

As a reminder, if your child is absent from school due to illness, please be sure to call the school prior to 8:00 a.m. You may also call our health office if you have any questions.

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.

JILL LARSON, PRINCIPAL

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.

ClassDojo is a school communication platform that teachers, students, and families use every day to build close-knit communities by sharing what’s being learned in the classroom home through photos, videos, and messages. *Students and parents will be linked to their class through a code provided by the teacher* ClassDojo is actively used in 90% of U.S. K-8 schools.

From the mobile app, parents view their 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.

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.”

MATH MATTERS Children inevitably learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide in school, but there is great importance in talking about mathematical situations with kids every day. It is important to help children love, and see a purpose for, math while they are still young. We can make math “real” by pointing it out in the world around us. Include your child with checking and comparing prices, calculating coupons, reading recipes, measuring around the house to rearrange furniture or make a cake.

Math requires practice to master. While knowing your facts builds a foundation for concept readiness, so does flexible thinking and strategy. Encourage your child and share strategies… 5+9 is 5+5+4 which is 10+4, much easier to do than 5+9, for some. Foster a love for math in your children, instill enthusiasm for it, as this will support a growth mindset for learning this language of numbers.

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.

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.

HOME ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND HOME SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION

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.

If you were not able to make it to our on-site Open House in September or our three (3) pick up dates on September, FALL please contact the school CROSS COUNTRY office at (708) 758-5252.

SPORTS

GIRLS BASKETBALL

We can provide you with a BOYS BASKETBALL pick-up day and time.

CHEERLEADING

WINTER

SPRING

WRESTLING

TRACK

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL BOYS VOLLEYBALL

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, November 2nd, November Girls Basketball @ Home vs. Colin Powell | 4:15 p.m. Election Day | School in Session Boys Basketball @ Colin Powell | 4:15 p.m.

3rd, November

Lunch with the Law Mentoring Program Girls Basketball @ CHMS | 4:15 p.m.

Boys Basketball @ Home vs. CHMS | 3:30 p.m.

5th, November Dismissal - School Improvement Planning | 11:30

6th,November Daylight Savings (Time Fall back one (1) hour)

8th, November Parent Teacher Conferences/ Report Card Pick Up 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (No appointment needed)

9th, November Family Math Night | 6:00 p.m.

10th, November Quarter 1 Honor Roll Luncheon | 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Home vs. Huth | 4:15 p.m.

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

11th, November

Veterans Day | School in Session Quarter 1 Honor Roll Luncheon | 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Obama | 4:15 p.m.

Girls Basketball @ Home vs. Obama | 4:15 p.m.

15th, November Boys Basketball @ Memorial | 4:15 p.m.

Girls Basketball @ Home vs. memorial | 4:15 p.m.

17th, November Boys Basketball @ Hart | 4:15 p.m.

23rd, November Parent University | Stress & Anxiety | 6:30 p.m.

24th - 26th, November Thanksgiving Break

29th, November Boys Basketball @ Home vs. Parker | 4:15 p.m.

“A good education can change anyone. A good teacher can change everything.

STAFF Teacher

Position

Period Contact Hours

Email

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

3rd

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

7:30-4:00 p.m.

jlarson@brookwood167.org

Principal

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).

+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!