Gwendolyn Brooks Special Education DD/DLP Blog

Up-Coming Events

2011-01-17T12:40:00.000-08:00

Institute Day: January 24th. No School

Parent Teacher Conferences: February 3rd

Best Buddies Meeting: February 9 3:30-4:30

Best Buddies Fundraiser: February 14-18

Best Buddies Meeting: February 23 3:30-5:00

Best Buddies Meeting: March 9 3:30-4:30

Parent Meeting: March 10 6:45-7:45

Welcome Back

2010-07-27T07:52:00.001-07:00

Welcome back to the 2010-2011 school year!

This year is going to be very exciting. We have some new curriculum, progress monitoring strategies and project's we'll be doing this year. There are 2 new pages on this blog. Ms. Diehl's page and Ms. Kripton's page to show off what our students have been working on throughout the year. Click the tabs above to find your son/daughter's online portfolio.

We will use our website https://sites.google.com/a/op97.org/diehl-s-gbms-teachings/
to keep you updated with information, up-coming events and field trips.

We look forward to seeing all of you at our first parent group meeting. It will be held on:

Congrats to our 8th grade graduates! We will miss you!

2010-05-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

Check it out!

2010-05-03T11:42:00.000-07:00

Cool New Website by Ms. Diehl!

Check it out!

https://sites.google.com/a/op97.org/diehl-s-gbms-teachings/

DD/DLP Parent Night

2010-04-30T16:14:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone!

We have set the date for our new DD/DLP Parent Night. Please join us on May 6th, from 7:00-8:00pm for an informal opportunity to discuss with other parents high school/post high school transitions. We've invited former GBMS parents to join us to share their experience and answer questions you may have. We strongly encourage everyone to come. This meeting is beneficial for ALL DD/DLP Parents. Let us know if you have questions.

All our best,

Sue, Jordan, Kari

--
Jordan Kripton
jkripton@op97.org
Instructional teacher
Brooks Middle School

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."Robert Collier

Up-coming Events and Dates

2010-04-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

Best Buddies Enchanted Castle Field Trip ---May 4th Field Trip forms came home this week.
Best Buddies meeting Wednesday May 5th
DD/DLP Parent Night-- Thursday May 6th 7:00-8:00pm @ Brooks
Morton Arboretum Field Trip--Friday, May 14th
Best Buddies Banquet---Wednesday May, 19th
5th Grade Welcome/Transition Social: Thursday May 20th 12:15.

Congrats Miss Diehl

2010-04-22T07:10:00.001-07:00

Miss Diehl is the Illinois Best Buddies Advisor of the Year!

We all know she's amazing, passionate and truly an inspiration.
We are proud to see that others around the State also recognize her hard work and dedication.

Way to go Miss Diehl!

Best Buddies Fundraiser

2010-04-22T07:07:00.000-07:00

The Best Buddies Photo Booth!

We are excited to share that our Best Buddies Photo Booth was very successful. Throughout the week we had a photo booth up outside the lunch room. Students could dress up in silly costumes and hats to take photos with their friends.

Our DD/DLP class and the Best Buddies Group made posters, announcements and went around to different lunch tables to advertise the cause.

It was a ton of fun, and we are proud of all the people who contributed and helped! Thanks everyone!

Up-Coming Events/Dates

2010-02-17T16:27:00.001-08:00

February 22nd-March 19th IAA (Illinois Alternative Assessments--ISAT) window.

February 26th---8th graders are heading to the High School to watch a basketball game and see their new school!

March 19th---Best Buddies Carnival at Brooks from 3:30-6:30.

Saturday March 20th---OPRFHS All Day Conference---2 parents are coming to talk about how they supported their daughter (who has significant needs) transition from school to adulthood. We've been told they are wonderful speakers and will not just tell you a story, but will share tips and strategies on how they did it and how it can be done. A flyer will come home soon.

March 25th---DD/DLP District Bowling Field Trip to Circle Lanes

SPRING BREAK! March 29th-April 2nd

Museum Opportunities

2010-02-17T16:21:00.000-08:00

The Art Institute in Chicago is FREE for the month of February

The Shedd Aquarium is FREE February 15th-19th

8th grade cap and gown pictures!

2010-01-28T14:06:00.000-08:00

Attention 8th Grade Parents!

Cap and gown pictures are Friday, February 5th! Order forms went home today. Please return them to school asap! Questions or Concerns e-mail Ms. Diehl or Ms. Kripton

Parent Teacher Conferences Feb 4

2010-01-23T07:03:00.001-08:00

Parents of Ms. Diehl's students:

Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for February 4th. Schedule forms were sent home last week. Please return them to Ms. Diehl asap.

FYI to parents in Ms. Kripton's class---she will not be at Brooks on the 4th. For those wishing to conference, we need to schedule a time on a different date.

West Suburban Rec Summer Camp Information

2010-01-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

This is information from WSSRA! :) Summer will be here before we know it!

Yes, it is only January but WSSRA is thinking summer! The WSSRA Day Camp registration drive ends on Friday, Feb. 5 at 5pm. We do a lottery. I know IEP's may still be planned for spring but if families wait until then to think summer camp, it will be too late. Please encourage all the Dt. 97 parents of special education students to think about day camp and other recreation options. WSSRA had 9 camps last year, serving 180 students. WSSRA offers 2 preschool camps and all other campers are grouped by age and ability level. Half day slots are available for those students attending Dt. 97 summer school. Camps are usually held at recreation facilities in Berwyn, Oak Park and Forest Park. Families can down load a registration form from our winter brochure found at www.wssra.net. They can complete the form and fax it to us at 847-455-2157 or mail it to us. NO deposit is required to enter the lottery. If they "win" a slot in camp, we'll arrange payment plans and scholarships for those who need them. Thanks for your help in sharing this news with your students' families. Please call me if you have any questions. Feel free to give my number to parents who may have questions about camp. Thanks for your support.

Maryellen Bilek
Outreach Speciaiist
West Suburban Special Recreation Association
847-455-2100,ext 228

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-21T16:11:00.001-08:00

Wishing you all a fabulous Winter Break!

Ms. Diehl and Ms. Kripton

Best Buddies

2009-12-10T20:05:00.000-08:00

Last week we wrote and decorated holiday cards for the soldiers over sea. The kids poured their energy into each card and they looked great! :)

Our next meeting will be Thursday, December 17. We will be watching a holiday movie and drinking hot chocolate. This is an activity day and ends at 5:00.

Be on the lookout...Best Buddies T-shirt forms will be coming home soon!

DD/DLP Update

2009-12-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

Our trip to Target today was spectacular! The students were so excited to shop for their friends. We'll be doing the gift exchange on December 18th. The Julian students will be coming to Brooks in the afternoon.

Report cards went home today. Sign your son/daughter's envelope and return it to his/her advisory teacher asap.

IEP Progress reports are coming home tomorrow, Friday, December 11.

Up-Coming Events

2009-12-04T06:25:00.000-08:00

We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Break.

Next week (Thursday) we will be going to the Super Target in Hillside. This trip focuses on money, holidays, giving/receiving gifts and appropriate social skills when in a store.

On the 18th of the month we will be exchanging gifts with the DD class from Julian.

On Friday December 12 IEP Progress Reports will be sent home.

Time in Flying

2009-11-16T15:14:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

We had an absolutely wonderful time at the Nature Museum last week. Pictures will be posted very soon. It was a beautiful day outside. The museum exhibits were fun, enticing and of course just perfect for the concepts we've been learning about. Every way we turned we saw a different student with a smile on his/her face as they looked at something new. :)

This week Thursday there is a Best Buddies Activity Meeting. That means we stay from 3:30-5:00. We'll be having a Wii Tournament and Game Room. (Always a favorite).

The Thanksgiving Feast is a tradition for the DD/DLP program. We go all out and cook a Thanksgiving Feast for the staff members. We write and send out invitations, we plan the menu, make a grocery list, go shopping and of course cook everything. Today we sent home a letter asking if you'd share your traditional dish recipes with us. The students made us hungry today talking about all their delicious favorites. The Feast is on November 23 during the lunch periods. (4, 5, and 6)

If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact Ms. Diehl or Ms. Kripton.

Field Trip Forms Went Home

2009-11-03T16:03:00.000-08:00

Just an FYI the field trip permission slips went home today. Please return them to school asap.

Mark Your Calendars!

2009-11-03T16:00:00.000-08:00

Special Education 8th grade Parent/Guardian Forum.

Wed. Dec. 2 – 7:30 p.m.,

3rd fl. Library

*For questions please contact Ms. Diehl---(sdiehl@op97.org)

Up-Coming Events/Dates

2009-10-31T08:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! Happy Halloween!

We had an absolutely wonderful Halloween celebration. The student's in costumes looked terrific! The Best Buddies dance was super successful. The students were smiling, dancing, singing and chatting away with their friends. We can't wait to hear how the Halloween weekend went.

In 2 weeks we will be heading to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. We will be sending home permission slips later this week.

We are off this Friday because of Veteran's Day.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Ms. Diehl or Ms. Kripton.

Happy Halloween.

2009-10-31T08:21:00.000-07:00

Decorating Cookies

The whole group at the zoo

2009-10-31T08:20:00.001-07:00

Viewing the Wolves habitat

2009-10-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

The beginning of our trip at the zoo.

2009-10-31T08:18:00.000-07:00

What's happening?

2009-10-27T09:47:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone,

It was great to see you all at parent teacher conferences. :)

We have some things coming up that you should know about:

THIS Friday is the Best Buddies Fall Festival at the High School! 5:30-7:30. We need to have permission slips ahead of time. Please return those to Ms. Kripton or Ms. Diehl ASAP.

November 12, a trip to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum downtown. Permission slips will be on there way home soon!

**We will be studying butterflies and water to help prepare for the trip. We will be eating lunch there, please make sure your child comes to school with a sack lunch.

Things are going well!

2009-10-07T09:46:00.001-07:00

Hello!

We had an absolutely wonderful time last week at the zoo. The weather held out for most of the trip. We saw a ton of animals and took some data on what the animals were doing at the zoo. Were they sleeping, eating, talking, swimming, or walking?

We have some things coming up:

October 14 (Wednesday) will be our Best Buddies Matching meeting. 3:30-4:30.

October 30 (Friday) will be our Fall Friendship Festival at the High School. More details and a permission slip will be coming home soon.

Just A Reminder

2009-09-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Tomorrow is our first Best Buddies Meeting! We'll do some get to know you activities, enjoy a light snack, and have some handouts to go home.

Thursday of this week is picture day. Please remember your picture day forms go to child's advisory teacher. (If you give them to Miss Kripton or Ms. Diehl we'll get them to the right place.)

Friday is our first field trip! We'll be at the Brookfield Zoo. Please have your child dress for the weather. Layers are always helpful.

Remember to send your child with a bag lunch.

Up-Coming Events/Dates

2009-09-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!!

This is a reminder that Picture Day is next Thursday. Please get your forms in asap.

The 1st Best Buddies meeting will be next Wednesday, September 30 (3:30-4:30).

And for the most exciting news.....

The field trip forms went home today. They need to be returned to Ms. Diehl or Ms. Kripton by Monday, September 28.

PTO Listserv

2009-09-18T13:14:00.001-07:00

We recommend that all parents subscribe to the PTO listserv. This way you will receive the most up to date and current information from the school. Here is some information on how to sign up if you aren't already.

TO SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE
You can automatically subscribe and unsubscribe to this listserv by going to the Brooks website at: www.op97.org/brooks and then clicking on the Listserv link on the right side of the page and following the directions. You can also send your info to me, but it may take longer to actually get you subscribed or unsubscribed.
BROOKS EMAIL NEWSLETTER/LISTSERV
The PTO manages this service so please let us know if you have any suggestions. This listserv produced and sent via email as information comes to our attention.
If you have any questions or if you would like to submit information to be posted, please contact Listserv Editor Larry McIntyre at bigmac1965@sbcglobal.net or 630-417-0280 cell. Thanks!

Up-coming dates

2009-09-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Now that school is in full swing things are starting pick up. Here are a few up and coming things.

This is a reminder that this Thursday is Curriculum Night (7:00-8:30pm).
All parents report to their son/daughter's advisory class first. There, parents will receive the schedule for the night.

Picture day is coming up too! Thursday, October 1st. If you need another form, please let Ms. Diehl or Ms. Kripton know asap.

We have also scheduled our first field trip! On Friday, October 2nd, we will be heading to the Brookfield Zoo. Ms. Uhen's class from Julian will join us as well. You will be getting more information, and permission slips very soon.

Welcome back!

2009-09-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to Brooks for school for the 2009-2010 school year! We have a great new year planned!! Ms. Diehl is back, and a new staff member, Ms. Kripton is teaching the DLP class. Please feel free to email us at sdiehl@op97.org, or jkripton@op97.org.

Best Buddies Updates!

2009-04-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

The end of the year for Best Buddies is coming! Our end of the year field trip is Thursday April 30th, to Enchanted Castle! May 5th is the end of the year Banquet! We hope to see everyone there for a great time!
Ms. Diehl

Updates to Ms. Chilton's webpage

2009-03-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

http://web.me.com/sarchil82/Site/Home.html

Check out the updates on Ms. Chilton's webpage.

If you forgot the password email Ms. Chilton.

Our Social Wiki

2009-03-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

Ms. Chilton and Ms. Diehl created a social wiki for our kids to stay connected!

http://sites.google.com/site/gbmsbbwiki/Home

WE'RE BACK

2009-02-27T13:52:00.000-08:00

This website has been very neglected. I have been very busy learning how to blog and keeping up with my website. I am excited about keeping you more updated!

Sarah

Welcome back!!

2008-08-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to school year 2008-2009! So many things are changing! The biggest change is that GBMS went from two programs, DD and DLP to 1!! We have fewer students, so we only need 1 teacher. Ms. Chilton is currently the DD/DLP teacher. So where is Ms. Seitzinger?! Well, she's changed schools, and names again! She will be teaching at Holmes elementary school this year, and has decided to go back to being Ms. Diehl. Don't worry, she's coming back to do Best Buddies (it's her baby, she can't possibly part with it, or the kids!)
So keep checking the blog for updates to Best Buddies and our program!

Enchanted Castle!

2008-05-12T09:11:00.000-07:00

Best Buddies recently went to Enchanted Castle for our end of the year social field trip! It was a blast! We played tons of games, ate pizza, pop, and ice cream! Students were able to play mini-golf, laser tag, bumper cars, and some were even able to go on go karts! Everyone did a great job of hanging out with their buddies. Students were able to earn extra tokens from the teachers when they were with their buddies. Everyone earned LOTS of tickets, and everyone had prizes with them on the way home! We would like to thank Ms. Kripton, Ms. Tencate, Ms. Bowman, Ms. Jordan, Ms. Hunt, Mr. Mike, Ms. King, and Ms. Chilton for being the greatest chaperone's ever!! Check out our pictures on the sideshow!

Best Buddies Dance!!

2008-04-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

The Best Buddies Dance was a huge hit! We've decided to change the name for next year, and call it the Best Buddies Carnival. We did so many things! We had pizza, danced, played carnival games, had a pie eating contest, and danced some more! The games we had were really fun. We had a cookie walk (like a cake walk, but with cookies) a lollipop tree, scooter races, limbo, baggo, and lots of neat prizes for all the games! Take a look at some of our pictures!

Best Buddies Dance is coming up!!

2008-03-06T08:16:00.000-08:00

The Best Buddies Dance is coming up! It will be here at GBMS on March 14th, in the commons from 3:30-6. We will have games, snacks, and dancing! The Best Buddies Program from GBMS and Percy Julian middle school will both be there. We are also inviting all High school members of Best Buddies to come help run games and activities, as well as join in the festivities. We hope to see everyone there!

Field Trip to Meijers!!

2008-03-06T07:35:00.000-08:00

We recently took a field trip to Meijers store in Plainfield. We took a tour of the store, and identified things that are healthy, and not so healthy! We had a great time. We even brought some money along to choose a healthy snack before we headed home. A great time was had by all. We are all working on making podcast of our trip. We made a song in garage band, we will do some writing about one of the pictures we took on our trip, and read it for our podcast! What a neat way to use technology!

Sensory House!

2007-11-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

On Halloween, our students had a great opportunity to give back to our Brooks community, and practice some great, real life skills at the same time! We put on a Sensory House, with a Halloween theme! We had See, Hear, Smell and Touch. Students were greeted with a Jack O Lantern that was turned on with a switch, along with some scary music, and a recorded message that said 'Welcome to our Sensory house"! Then they went to the smell station. They had to smell 3 different boxes and tell us what they thought they were. We had perfume, fish and sauerkraut! Next was our touch station! We had sticky blood, brains, eyeballs, and bloody hands. Next people signed our banner, then moved onto a corn hole game. It was a lot of fun!

Life Skills

2007-09-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce that our life skills elective has gotten off with a bang. We do something different each and every day. We are contributing to our school community on a daily basis. We have jobs to complete around the school, from helping to wipe down the gym equipment, to watering plants in the library. We are also providing a pencil sharpening service. Ms. LaBarbera donated a large number of pencil boxes, which our students labeled and have passed out to teachers. Teachers will fill them with pencils, and we will collect them, sharpen the pencils and return them. Teachers have claimed that this will be a big help, and pencil sharpeners are often out of service, and make noise during class time. We hope to be of service during ISATs as well! We are also creating grocery lists from chosen recipes, and then waking to the store each week to buy the groceries. We invite parents of students in the DD/DLP program to send a simple grocery list and extra money to pick items up for home.

Ms. Diehl? Or Mrs. Seitzinger?

2007-09-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, it did happen! Ms. Diehl became Mrs. Seitzinger on June 30th, 2007. She married Mr. Michael Seitzinger, formerly a member of the GBMS staff. It was a beautiful day, followed by a beautiful honeymoon in Hawaii. Look around the site for a few pictures. Many former students were in attendance, and made the day even more special. If it wasn't for our students, we never would have met!

Welcome to the 2007-2008 School Year

2007-09-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to everyone for the 2007-2008 school year! GBMS is happy to welcome the DLP program to our school! Ms. Chilton and her students are a wonderfully welcome addition to the GBMS family. Ms. Chilton joins Ms. Seitzinger's DD program at GBMS. The two low incidence classrooms are happily collaborating on a daily basis. Read further for more details on the the collaboration of both classrooms.