BJHS | September 2024 Newsletter by Brookwood 167

Junior High

Jill Larson, Principal

Brookwood Junior High School

Thank you to all our families who came out for our Open House/Curriculum Night on August 27th. Parents who attended received their child’s home computer and home supply kit.

Students received $10.00 in Brookwood Bulldog Bucks if their parent or guardian was in attendance. We had a great turnout, and I am grateful to all of our supportive families. If you could not attend the open house, please contact the school for a time to come in and pick up your child’s materials.

We also look forward to partnering and collaborating with you to achieve our collective goals for all students.

We believe that parent involvement is crucial for student success, and our goal is to communicate and connect with you regularly.

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 get in touch with the school office if you need help signing up for this awesome FREE communication tool!

I wish you all As always, please reach out to your child’s teachers for any questions/concerns. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to

Thank you for an amazing start to the school year. Our kids have been awesome. We are looking forward to another wonderful school year!

contact me. I can be reached at the school number (708) 758-5252, by email at jlarson@brookwood167.org, or by cell phone at (708) 362-0115. I am honored to serve as your Principal

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

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 student 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 student 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.

If a student continues to be absent or tardy without a valid excuse, 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 to attend school consistently, it is essential that we work together to improve their attendance, as this will improve their chances for school success.

A student who misses ten (10) days is 25% less likely to enroll in college. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to graduate and find good jobs.

I commend the families for instilling in their children the importance of being present daily.

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.

Ms. Watt (708) 758-5252 ext. 5331 jwatt@brookwood167.org

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.

keep them 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 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.”

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. London at slondon@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

Math is very useful in everyday life. Math can help us do many important things in our everyday lives.

here are some daily tasks for which math is important:

• Parents can help teens connect the math they learn in school and their everyday lives.

• As a parent, you could talk to your teen about how you use math daily.

• You could also ask family members and friends how they use math daily.

• Please talk to your teens about these math connections to the real world.

• Share examples of everyday math applications with your child.

• When your teens hear how math can be used daily, they will be more likely to view math as essential 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.

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.