First, I am grateful for your ongoing support and involvement in your child’s education. Whether you attended Parent Visitation Day, Hispanic Heritage Family Night, or supported learning at home, your partnership is invaluable in ensuring the success of all our students.
Our awesome teachers have been working diligently to ensure students are focused and on track. We encourage you to review your child’s grades on PowerSchool and contact their teachers if you have any concerns or questions about their progress. Communication is vital to helping our students thrive academically.
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.
Thank You for your continued support and partnership. Your involvement makes a significant difference in our students’ success.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Wishing you and your family a Wonderful Thanksgiving season!
As the crisp days of November approaches, I want to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful things happening at Brookwood Junior High School and share some important updates and events coming up this month.
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 decisionmakers.
BROOKWOOD DISTRICT 167 MISSION STATEMENT
We Believe...
• Families shape their children’s motivation, confidence, and academic success by being interested and involved in their overall development.
• All students are unique and should be challenged to the highest level of academic and artistic excellence.
• In the importance of staff development opportunities based on best practices and educational research.
• In educating our children in a safe and nurturing environment
with access to state-of-the-art technology.
• The school system should teach students to think critically, enabling them to become contributing citizens in our global society.
• In continuous improvement in all aspects of the school system to foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and integrity.
• In responsible stewardship of financial and physical resources.
“My
mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
-- Maya Angelou
BROOKWOOD DISTRICT 167 VISION STATEMENT
Our overall vision is to improve the achievement of all students, regardless of race, socio-economic status, gender, or ability levels (disabilities). We share the accountability of student achievement throughout the school. We believe in using research-based practices to achieve our goals. We promote school and community involvement because we believe that these partnerships help us meet all our students’ needs.
We Are Committed To...
• Providing students with highly qualified teachers
• Providing our staff with professional development
“Success is about dedication. You may not be where you want to be or do what you want to do when you’re on the journey. But you’ve got to be willing to have vision and foresight that leads you to an incredible end.” --Usher
Dress Code
Brookwood Jr. High School believes that student dress and overall appearance should foster a positive and productive environment and reflect pride in oneself and our school. We further believe that student dress and appearance are shared home and school responsibilities. The administration will make the final judgment on the appropriateness of clothing and/or appearance and reserves the right to prohibit students from wearing any clothing or other items that lead to or may foreseeably result in the disruption of, or interference with, the school environment.
Please read our Parent Student Handbook for specific dress code expectations.
VISITORS
If you need to come into the school for any reason, you will need to have a current Driver’s License that will be checked in our Raptor Security System. 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. This is important for safety reasons.
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 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.
IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE INFOMATION
Please remind your child that daily attendance is required. If your child anticipates being absent, please make sure the reason is valid. A chronically absent student is a child subject to compulsory school attendance and 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 5/262a considers a truant rate of more than 5% of the last 180 days to be excessive.
You probably already know that research shows that when you prioritize school attendance, your student benefits in several ways:
• Higher academic achievement,
• A stronger sense of community at school,
• More opportunities to engage in instructional activities, and
• Better social-emotional health and well-being.
You might not realize how harmful even a few absences each month and routine tardiness can be to your student’s success. Numerous studies have underscored the critical importance of attendance, with clear findings. Educators consider an absence rate of 10% or more the ‘breaking point’. If your student misses more than 10%, or eighteen school days, in a year, it significantly impacts their academic performance and socialemotional health.
Many parents may need to be made aware that their students
are missing this much school, whether through whole classes or portions, due to tardiness.
Here are some suggestions to help you stay informed about your student’s attendance:
• Have regular conversations with your student(s) about their school day.
• Check your student’s daily attendance through your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.
• Reach out to our social worker or an administrator early if you have concerns about absenteeism.
Additional information can be found on this website: Attendance Works
Our consistent message about the importance of regular school attendance is one way we can work together to support our students in their school experiences.
Students who are frequently absent often miss important information being taught, fall behind, and lose interest in school. Improving
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 struggles to attend school consistently, we must work together to improve their attendance, as this will improve their chances for success.
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, please reach out to our Social Workers.
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 of 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 before 8:30 a.m. to report your child’s absence (708) 758-5252 (Option 1).
please leave the following information:
• Students full name with spelling of the last name
• Reason for absence
• Your name and relationship to the student
reporting a student’s aBsence...
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 by 9:00 a.m.
reporting a student’s early dismissal...
• Please call the main number (708) 758-5252 (Option 1) at least (45) minutes “PRIOR” to the early dismissal.
• In order for your student to be excused, you must sign them in and out in the main office; otherwise, their absence will be marked as “UNEXCUSED”.
please leave the following information...
• Students full name with spelling of the last name
• Reason for absence/tardy/early release
• Your name and relationship to the student
ClassDojo
Healthy communication between the school and home is essential; we are working to provide numerous ways for this vital communication. To help suppress paper usage, we will continue providing information as much as possible using digital communication.
We encourage you to do the following to help us communicate with you:
• Please ensure we have an accurate email address. If you are not receiving Dojo messages from us, it probably means we have incorrect information on our end.
• Please sign up for the digital tools that Brookwood School District and the school have provided. 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.
• Please follow us on Facebook
• Please visit our website at www.brookwood167.org
• Please feel free to email us or call us at (708) 758-5252
We are almost at 100% and are asking that every parent sign up for the Principal ClassDojo. This is an excellent way for parents to stay informed about important events and information throughout the school year. Don’t hesitate to contact the school office if you need help signing up for this excellent FREE communication tool!
Honor Roll
Students are given a quarterly report card at BJHS. If a student earns an academic G.P.A. of 3.95 or higher, he/ she is placed on the High Honor Roll.
If a student makes an academic grade of 3.45 - 3.94, he/ she is placed on the Honor Roll.
Students earning those honors will be invited to a special Student Recognition Luncheon each quarter.
7th grade students who make the High Honor Roll all four (4) quarters will be inducted into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at our awards assembly in May!
Technology Help Desk
If your child is having any technology problems connecting to their teacher’s Google Classroom, please get in touch with our help desk at (708) 300-3553 or email our help desk
helpdesk@brookwood167.org
Please leave a detailed message with your name, child’s name, phone number, and the issue you are having with the device.
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.
Daily Bell School Hours
8:30 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Meeting 8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
1st Period 8:50 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. 2nd Period 9:45 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. 3rd Period 10:40 a.m. - 11:35 a.m. 4th Period 7th Grade Lunch | 11:35 a.m. - 12:05 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. 5th Period 1:00 p.m. - 1:55 p.m. 6th Period 1:55 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. SEL Meeting 2:50 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.
3:10 p.m.
3:10 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Education Facts
Positive Behavior Intervention & 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.
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
Set Home Expectations
If your child is in a school that uses PBIS, the school will have a chart with desired behaviors, including a description of how those behaviors will look like in each setting.
For example, your child’s school might ask students to “Be Respectful” (what’s expected) in the classroom (where it’s expected) by raising their hand before speaking (the desired behavior).
Often these charts can be found on the school’s website homepage.
Schools that actively use PBIS might have an orientation on what behaviors are expected and where, and set a time in the beginning of the year to teach students and staff the specific behaviors.
These can be adapted by families to fit the home setting. Examples of an expectations table for home and school are below.
•
• Be Respectful
Keep background noise to a minimum when engaged in lesson
• Be Responsible
Do your best work. Turn in your homework when it is due
• Be Safe
Keep open drink away from computer keyboard
Be kind to family members during conversation. Put your dishes in the sink
Be polite when reminded about bedtime
Wash your hands before helping with meal preparation and/or eating
Go to bed on time
Keep feet on the floor
Wash your hands before brushing your teeth
• Be Respectful | Example: Kind Language
Describe what kind of language does (and does not) sound like in your home. Demonstrate kind language and ask children to practice kind language with you.
At the start of the day and each new activity where kind language is expected, remind kids to be kind. For example, “Playing games together is fun, and let’s remember to be kind with our words.”
• Be Responsible | Example: Do Your Best Work
Describe what “doing your best” means in your home. Examples might include focusing on your work, reading/listening to all instructions before beginning, asking for help when needed, and sticking with it until done. Discuss what this looks like (and does not look like) across the types of learning activities.
At the start of the day and at the beginning of new or difficult activities, remind children to “do their best work.”
When your child is kind, provide specific praise. For example, “Thank you for being kind when your sibling was having a hard time.”
When you see your child doing their best, provide specific praise. “It’s great to see you doing your best! I think you’ll be proud of your work!”
• Reward With Positive Feedback
Describe and demonstrate how to wash hands (using various posters available from CDC). To ensure your children wash their hands for 20-30 seconds, have them pick a portion of a favorite song to sing.
Before meal preparation, before eating, after using the bathroom, or after touching their face, remind children to wash their hands.
When you see your child washing their hands, provide specific praisefor example, “Awesome handwashing! Thanks for keeping our family safe.”
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
new grading policy...
We are excited to share that we have implemented a “NEW” Grading Policy for 2nd Quarter to support student’s academic success!
• Parent Teacher Conferences: On November 4th, we will host Parent Teacher Conferences District-Wide from 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. No appointment is needed.
• Fall Break: There will be no school from November 25th to November 29th in observance of our Fall break. We hope you enjoy a restful and joyous time with family and friends during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
• Fall Fundraiser: “DoubleGood Popcorn” is our Fall fundraiser to support school programs. Please consider participating, as all proceeds are used to purchase items for our school PBIS store and to support our PBIS Monthly Student Activities.
• To Participate, Please:
1. Download the DoubleGood App on your phone,
2. Enter our event code IMTDLQ in the app and
3. Create your pop-up store!
The student who sells the most popcorn will receive a $50 Amazon gift card, and the top twenty (20) student sellers will receive a pizza party! Our window is November 19th thru November 23rd. Get SellinG!
here to help...
As we head into the colder months, reminding students to stay physically and emotionally healthy is essential.
Please encourage your child to dress warmly and practice good hygiene. Our counselors can provide support and resources if your child is overwhelmed by schoolwork or social pressures.
thanksgiving...
As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of our amazing community. I am thankful for our dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and hardworking students who make our school such a special place to learn and grow. Together, we are building a foundation for lifelong learning and success.
doJo...
We ask that every parent sign up for the “Principal ClassDojo”, as this is an excellent 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 excellent “FREE” communication tool!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Once again, this year, our Superintendent and the Board of Education have decided to provide our 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 materials.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
our focus this year continues to Be on 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 important partnership throughout the school year. Thank you to all our parents and guardians who attended Parent-Teacher Conferences. We appreciate your continued support!
Attending Parent–Teacher Conferences is one way to be involved and help your child succeed.
a ParenT–Teacher conference is an excellenT oPPorTuniTy To:
• Discuss your child’s progress
• Share your child’s strengths and needs
• Work with the teacher to help your child do well in school
Conferences focus on learning, although behavior and social concerns might be discussed. The teacher will review your child’s progress, including strengths and areas needing improvement.
If you cannot attend our Parent-Teacher Conferences, please contact our Assistant Principal to set up a meeting with your child’s teachers.
To schedule a meeting, please email Ms. Cobbs at ccobbs@brookwood167.org or call the school office at (708) 758-5252.
A Parent’s Survival Guide To Middle School
By Dan Scott
Last week we talked about the ways your middle schooler is changing. As a first time middle-school parent, with all of the changes and not-so-stellar characteristics, I started thinking to myself, “How will we ever get through this?”
During our parent orientation at our kid’s school a couple of weeks ago, the counselor assured us that it is possible to survive the middle school years if you will do 3 things:
1. remember ThaT you are The ParenT.
Many parents want to be their kids’ BFF—doing whatever it takes not to disrupt the magic that happens when everyone is happy. But at this stage in the game, our role is more like that of coach than friend. You’re not done parenting yet, this child is not ready to be launched into the world as an adult, so you have to continue to work at parenting during this stage knowing that the goal of friendship lies just ahead.
They need a parent, and that’s a function only you can fulfill. And yes, while they won’t always be happy with you—or happy in general during their tween/teen years—it doesn’t mean they don’t love you. Parents are the most important thing in a child’s life.
2. don’T Take anyThing Personally.
Because of their hormones, they can and will showcase the full range of emotions in a matter of hours— sometimes minutes! During those moments of insanity, they will say things that might hurt you. They will roll their eyes, huff, sigh, or completely blow you off. WARNING: that’s not the time to pick a fight. You can’t argue with unbalanced people, your children included.
The chances are that they don’t really mean it. Pushing boundaries is now one of the primary activities on the middle school child job description. And it’s not that we shouldn’t enforce those boundaries, it’s just that we need to do so with grace and truth. Grace. Lots and lots of grace.
3. geT and sTay connecTed.
Be intentional about getting your middle schooler connected to the right people. They can’t navigate this time on their own. They need people in their lives who are not you. They love you, but they will not tell you everything. In their eyes, you’re no longer objective. Connect your kid to a trusted adult such as a coach, play director, dance teacher, or church small group leader. Because they won’t ask you every question that pops into their head, widen the circle and find other adults who would say what you say.
Most of all, we can simply offer our kids safe places to land. Sometimes they just need space to clear their heads. They need us constantly reminding them they have value and that we love them in spite of the crazy. Middle school isn’t easy, but with a little planning, preparation, and parenting you will help your children thrive throughout these important years.
READERS ARE LEADERS
Knowledge is Power! A knowledgeable person cannot be easily deceived. Reading... help your child to continue to learn! Encourage them to read a little bit every day (that is, not just text messages).
Here’s How:
• link movies To books: Your child, like many others, may enjoy watching movies. Encourage them to watch at least one movie based on a book--and read the book first.
• Give books as gifTs: If your child receives 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 a recipe and try it out. If they like gadgets, they could read the instruction manual and put one together. If they like sports, they could check out the newspaper for a look at how their favorite teams are faring.
Library Resources
We encourage our students to continue to read books.
The folloWing links offer sTudenTs elecTronic books:
• Audible Books Library
• Project Gutenberg | Books in children’s literature
(7) WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR KIDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
• Keep an Open Dialogue With Your Children
• Educate Children on the Risks of Social Media
• Follow Age Requirement Guidelines
• Set Ground Rules for Social Media Use
• Stay Up to Date on Your Child’s Privacy Settings
• Consider Products That Help You Monitor Online Activity
• Utilize Cyberbullying Resources
learn more aBout online safety, digital wellness, cell phones and learning with technology with age-specific tips and tools on http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
MATH MATTERS
Helping your junior high child with math at home can be a rewarding experience!
here are some PracTical Ways To suPPorT Them:
• creaTe a sTudy environmenT: Set up a quiet, organized, well-lit, distraction-free study space.
• sTay PosiTive: Encourage a growth mindset by emphasizing that struggling with a concept is a normal part of learning. Celebrate their efforts, not just the outcomes.
• revieW homeWork TogeTher: Review their homework assignments and help them understand mistakes. Ask guiding questions instead of giving answers directly.
• use real-life examPles: Show how math is used in everyday situations, like cooking (fractions), budgeting (addition/subtraction), or home improvement (geometry).
• PracTice, PracTice, PracTice: Encourage regular practice. Websites and apps like Khan Academy or IXL offer interactive exercises tailored to their grade level.
• exPlore resources: Utilize online tutorials or videos to explain concepts they find challenging. Sometimes, a different explanation can make things click.
• encourage Problem-solving: Help them break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts. This builds their confidence in tackling challenging tasks.
• engage in maTh games: Use board games or card games that require math skills. This can make learning fun and more manageable.
• communicaTe WiTh Teachers: Students should stay in touch with their math teacher to understand their progress and receive recommendations for additional resources or strategies.
• be PaTienT: Math can be a source of frustration. Please encourage them to take breaks and approach challenging problems with a fresh mindset.
By fostering a supportive environment and engaging in their learning, you can help your child develop both their math skills and their confidence!
Parents, Please check your child’s homework and Planner every day!
SPORTS
DID YOU KNOW?
We do not have tryouts for any of our sports teams. If your child wants to participate, they just need to show up for practice! Please encourage your child to get involved.
Any student planning on participating in a sport must have a current physical on file (good for one (1) year).
“All” students are welcome to join our Sports Teams!
Athletes will compete against nine (9) other schools in our Conference.
FALL SPORTS WINTER SPORTS
Cross Country
Girls BasketBall
Boys BasketBall
CheerleadinG
WE BELONG TO THE SOUTH SUBURBAN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (SSJHSA) & THE ILLINOIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (IESA)
WrestlinG
Girls VolleyBall
Boys VolleyBall
SPRING SPORTS
student engagement
student engagement
student engagement
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 4th Parent/Teacher Conferences | 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. | No School
November 5th Election Day! | No School
November 6th Lunch With First Responders
Girls Basketball @ Home Vs. CHMS | 4:15 p.m.
Boys Basketball @ CHMS | 4:15 p.m.
November 7th
November 11th
November 12th
November 13th
November 14th
November 18th
Girls Basketball @ Colin Powell | 4:15 p.m.
Boys Basketball @ Home Vs. Colin Powell | 4:15 p.m.
