December Newsletter B rookwood J unior H igh S chool
Brookwood Junior High School 201 Glenwood-Lansing Road Glenwood, IL 60425
School: (708) 758-5252 Absentee Line: (708) 757-2115 Ms. Jill Larson, Principal
A Message From The Principal
Ms. Jill Larson As we approach this holiday season, we should remind ourselves why it’s better to give than to receive. THE POWER OF GIVING There has been much psychological research into the power of giving, with fascinating results. In a survey of over 600 US citizens, Liz Dunn (a social psychologist) found that spending money on others caused people greater happiness than spending the same amount of money on themselves. This result was found throughout all income levels – both the rich and the poor felt better when they were giving something to someone else.
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Brookwood Junior High School
HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING Students at BJHS will be participating in a holiday gift giving activity on December 20th. The purpose of this activity is to help students understand why it is better to give than to receive. Students will participate in making holiday crafts that they will be able to wrap for gifts for their loved ones. This is an important activity as it shows students how and why it is important to show kindness towards others. Think about how you can give to others this holiday season (and all year round as well). We don’t have to be wealthy to be able to give. If we don’t have a lot of money, we can be generous with our time or by helping someone by shoveling their sidewalk, babysitting their kids, running errands for them when they are ill and generally assisting them whenever you can. Or, just spend some quality time with someone, sometimes that it is the best gift of all.
These acts of kindness are fulfilling and they model for our children why it’s important to give to others. Our winter break takes place December 23rd thru January 6th. Please encourage your child to read every day for at least 30-60 minutes. The amount of time students spend reading independently does have a positive impact on their academic achievement. Students can also access our online programs (Mathia, Study Island, Study Sync, Math 180 and R180). If you need a copy of your child’s log in and password for any of these programs, please contact the school office at (708) 758-5252 or e-mail me at jlarson@ brookwood167.org. Enjoy the upcoming Winter break, and from all of us at Brookwood Jr. High School, have a happy and healthy holiday season and thank you for your continued support! Ms. Jill Larson Principal, Brookwood Junior High School
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“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X
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Brookwood Junior High School
ClassDoJo 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.” From the mobile app, parents view their child’s feedback, message directly with teachers and school leaders, and see beautiful photos and videos of classroom moments. Please join my ClassDojo so you can stay informed on what is happening at your child’s school. We have mailed home invitations to you, specific with your child’s class code. If you would like to join, and misplaced, the code, please contact the school at (708) 758-5252.
GET INVOLVED AND STAY INFORMED! 33
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Brookwood Junior High School
GET INVOLVED!
Parents, Please check your child’s homework and planner everyday!
CONFLICT RESOLUTION TRAINING... Conflict Resolution Training for all 7th Graders! Research shows that when conflict occurs in middle school environments, students affected often lack the developmental maturity and interpersonal skills necessary to ensure healthy outcomes without adult guidance. Our hope that once trained, students will have the needed skills to help resolve any conflicts they might encounter throughout life.
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Student Tutoring... EVERY MORNING FOR MATH IN GRADES 7TH AND 8TH FROM 8:00 A.M. / 8:30 A.M. | LIBRARY EVERY WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY MORNING FOR ALL SUBJECTS FROM 8:00 A.M. / 8:30 A.M. | ROOM 14 DURING 7TH GRADE & 8TH GRADE LUNCH AFTER SCHOOL TUESDAY & THURSDAY FROM 3:10 P.M. / 4:30 P.M. | LIBRARY
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Brookwood Junior High School
SPORTS PHYSICALS Any student planning on participating in a sport (*) must have a current physical on file.
THE RONALD MCDONALD MOBILE CARE VAN CAN HELP! Please contact the district nurse, Ms. Knowles if you would like to sign your child up. The van comes right to the school and students receive their complete physical that day! Nurse knowles can be reached at (708) 758-5252 or by e-mail at kknowles@brookwood167.org.
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PTO | THURSDAY @ 6:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. | MEETING ROOM (TBD) October 24th | Hickory Bend November 21st | Junior High January 23rd | Middle School December 19th | 10 minutes @ Middle School (during Gingerbread Activity) February 27th | Longwood March 26th | Hickory Bend April 30th | Middle School May 21st | Junior High
BJHS | FOOD DRIVE Please support our food drive. We will be sponsoring families in need during the holidays. Please have your child bring non-perishable food items to school. We appreciate your kindness.
THE NATIONAL JUNIOR HONORS SOCIETY & STUDENT COUNCIL Are sponsoring a holiday food drive to help families in need. During the month of December, we are asking students to continue our food drive from Thanksgiving by bringing in non-perishable food items to school. These items will be collected and distributed to local families in our surrounding communities.
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Brookwood Junior High School
ABSENCE REPORTING To report absences please call the attendance line at (708) 757-2115. Please call the school before 8:30 a.m. to report your child absent. Please leave the following information: •
Students full name with spelling of the last name
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Reason for absence/tardy/early release
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Your name and relationship to student
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Please call the main number (708) 758-5252 at least 45 minutes PRIOR to early dismissal.
In order for your student to be EXCUSED you must sign them in and out in the main office or their absence will be marked as unexcused.
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Brookwood Junior High School will be participating in the statewide [5 Essentials Survey] again this year. The survey measures school climate and learning conditions. The survey provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to have a voice in improving their schools. From December 10th through February 14th, students and teachers will be asked to take a 25 minute research based survey to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment. The parent survey supplement will be administered from October 24th through February 14th. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the parent survey to begin. We will have computers available and will be asking parents to complete the survey during our Parent Teacher Conferences which will be held on November 7th. Parents that participate in the survey will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a $100 gift card. These surveys will serve as an opportunity for schools to reflect on progress since the last statewide implementation. Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at our school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. PLEASE GET INVOLVED AND PARTICIPATE!
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Brookwood Junior High School
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Brookwood Junior High School
On November 18th, thirty (30) students in Ms. Hinz’s [M180] class, took a field trip to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Students had an opportunity to find the coin that was hidden at one time in the walls, take a photo with a million dollars in singles, or stand on the money pit, which once served as an elevator. Students also received a free souvenir Fed shreds.
EXHIBITS & INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS Students learned about: •
Real historical currency and artifacts that tell the story of the United States dollar;
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Treasures like a preserved pine tree shilling from colonial America and notes from the U.S. Civil War
Students participated in: •
Games and simulations that allow you to interact with the roles and responsibilities of the central bank of the United States, the Federal Reserve;
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Save the economy as you try your hand at Monetary Policy decision-making in “The Fed Needs You” exhibit;
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Help payments run smoothly as you choose which bills to shred and step into the shoes of a Secret Service agent to detect counterfeits;
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Learn about the Fed’s role in helping banks run safely and soundly as you take the perspective of a bank manager in our “Banker Challenge” game
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Brookwood Junior High School
On November 21st, thirty (30) 8th grade students in Ms. Hughes STEM/Science class went on a field trip to Fermilab, in Batavia, Illinois.
Fermilab is America’s particle physics and accelerator
laboratory. They bring the world together to solve the mysteries of matter, energy, space and time. Students were allowed to visit two buildings, Wilson Hall, where they explored the exhibits and viewing areas as well as the Fermilab Art Gallery. Students were also able to explore the hands-on exhibits at the Leon Lederman Science Education Center. Students had a great time and learned a lot!
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EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
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Brookwood Junior High School
We [EXPECT ALL] students to participate in extracurricular activities at BJHS. We have no cuts for our sport teams, any student wanting to participate will make the team. We offer the following sports and clubs: Cross-Country* Gospel Choir Basketball*
Speech/Debate
Volleyball* Cooking Wrestling*
Chess
Track* Student Council Cheerleading*
Vex Robotics
Band Broadcasting Drumline 3D Printing Mathletes Art Creative Writing NJHS Yearbook Speech
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Any
student planning on participating in a
sport (*) must have a current physical on file.
December 2nd - December 5th PTO Holiday Shop @ BJHS December 2nd
Boys Basketball @ Home Vs. Parker
3:30 p.m.
December 3rd
Boys Basketball @ Crete
3:30 p.m.
December 4th
Conflict Resolution Training (7th Graders)
December 9th
Boys Basketball Home Vs. Columbia Central
3:30 p.m.
December 9th
Board of Education Meeting
7:00 p.m.
December 10th
5 Essentials Student Survey Window Opens
December 10th
NJHS Clinic @ Parker
December 11th
Conflict Resolution Training (7th Graders)
December 12th
Winter Band and Choir Concert
December 16th
3:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Choir Roller Skating Field Trip
December 16th Book Mobile 10:00 a.m. December 16th December 18th
Boys Basketball @ Washington
December 18th
3:30 p.m.
Conflict Resolution Training (7th Graders) Boys Basketball @ Home Vs. Parker
3:30 p.m.
December 18th Wrestling @ Peotone 4:30 p.m. December 20th
Holiday Gift Giving Activities
December 20th
Dismissal School Improvement
December 23rd - January 6th
Winter Break - No School
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STAY CONNECTED...
Brookwood Junior High School 201 Glenwood-Lansing Road Glenwood, IL 60425
School: (708) 758-5252 Absentee Line: (708) 757-2115 Ms. Jill Larson, Principal