The Mustang Minute

The 2021-2022 School Year is off and running. It has been great welcoming our new students, staff, and families to Brookwood. We are looking forward to a fantastic school year!

Many of our students are coming back to school after a summer of fun; others are re-entering the school building for the first time in a year and a half, while others are starting with us for the very first time. Regardless of the circumstances, we are EXCITED to get this year going as we help ALL children "GROW INTO GREATNESS!" If there is anything we can do to assist your family in the transition back to school, please don't hesitate to reach out.

We will be using the Mustang Minute to showcase all of the GREAT things happening in our schools, and as a way to deliver important information to you. You will receive this newsletter weekly on Sundays throughout the school year.

Wishing you all a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!!!

Mr. Braden & Mrs. Franz

• 9/6- LABOR DAY - NO SCHOOL!
• 9/8 - Cross-Country Meet @ Salem
• 9/9 - Softball Game @ Randall
• 9/13 - Cross-Country Meet @ Union Grove
• 9/13- Softball Game @ Home
• 9/15 & 9/16 - 6th grade @ Camp Wonderland
• 10/1 - BFO Glow Run
• 10/12 - Picture Retakes
• 10/23 - Fall Fest

The Middle School is going to be running a 4:30pm late bus for students who have after school activities or who wish to stay at school longer for extra academic support. We will be working out an option to bridge the gap between 3:30 and 4:30 for those students whose activities end at 3:30. The late bus will cover the entire district, so the ride home will be a little longer than normal, but it will provide a transportation option for students who have not been able to stay after school for activities because they didn’t have a ride home.

It’s spirit wear order time! The online store will be open until September 19, 2021. All orders will be delivered at school unless USPS is selected during checkout. New this year: baseball hats and alumni gear!

Beginning on Tuesday, September 7th, BMS students will be able to purchase both ala carte items as well as a second meal from the lunch line, if they have money in their lunch account.

All students will continue to receive free breakfasts and lunches.

Parents can check their child's lunch account balance in PowerSchool, and can send a cash or check deposit or make an electronic deposit via efunds.

Read below for details!

Just before the start of the school year, our 7th and 8th grade students were invited to come to BMS for an evening of team building and leadership activities. Twenty Five students responded to the call, and fun was had by all! Among the favorite activities: school decorating, the rope challenge, and pow wows with Mrs. Franz. This event was the perfect opportunity to get our upperclassmen together to discuss ways to new ways to empower students at BMS. Can't WAIT for next year!

August 30th was our first day back to school! Our goal was for students to reconnect with each other, with our staff, and of course with Brookwood! Students were greeted outside by all teachers and staff, and MIGHTY MUSTANG HIMSELF! Mr. Guth brought his speakers and played upbeat music to get students and staff pumped up for the first day!

After enjoying breakfast, homerooms engaged in various culture building activities to set the stage for a great year. Students collaborated with each other to establish "social contracts" to ensure for a positive and inclusive environment. They did a myriad of fun indoor and outdoor icebreaker activities, door decorating, and even a Marshmallow Challenge!

In the afternoon, we held "mini" grade level assemblies in the gym where students learned more about the MANY activities they might get involved in this year, as well as upcoming family events. They then competed in four class vs. class games: scooter races, cup stacking, balloon up, and lightning! The highlight? Mr. Dittner and Ms. Cottrell's classes were tied 2-2 with the classroom games challenge. To break the tie, Ms. Cottrell and Mr. Dittner THEMSELVES faced off in a hula hoop contest. At the end of the day, Ms. Cottrell came out on top to WIN the 6th Grade Mustang Games. Better luck next time, Mr. D.!

A great way to get your child involved in sports is to take them to observe others playing. For your convenience, here is the Lake Geneva Badger High School Athletics Schedule: www.southernlakesconference.org.

There is significant research available today which points to the important and positive impact that sports and physical activities can have on educational outcomes. Here is a list of reasons why getting involved and playing sports might benefit your child:

• Integrating sport and physical activity into the routines of young people has demonstrated effectiveness in increasing students’ ability to learn and apply new skills and knowledge.
• Participation in light to moderate physical activity can significantly impact a student’s ability to (1) access knowledge and experience; (2) apply organizational skills; (3) remain attentive; (3) bolster memory skills.
• Participating in sport and physical activity provides students with new opportunities to interact and engage with one another – promoting strong friendships and helping to make the classroom a positive space for learning.
• Students who participate in extracurriculars (including sports) have also shown a higher commitment to school and an increased desire and ability to participate in school life.
• Sport and physical activity in schools can produce gender diverse role models that empower young girls who continue to be under-represented in school sports and physical education.
• Enhanced physical activity via sports is associated with decreased cardiovascular risk in adolescence through adulthood.
• Participation in physical activity has a positive correlation with lower drug and alcohol use in schools.
• Sport and physical activity can positively impact mental health by fostering feelings of safety, connection and purpose – ultimately leading to better mood states.
• Integrating sport in education can also help to reduce levels of anxiety, stress and depression. Physically active students commonly have higher levels of confidence, self-esteem and self-worth.
• Sport and physical activity in schools can enable students to develop the skills, knowledge and networks not only to succeed in the classroom, but at home, in the community and in their careers.
• Through skills development and increased confidence, active students are more likely to have the desire and capability to pursue higher education.
• Sport and physical activities allows students to learn skills and internalize values which are attractive to employers, with studies showing that they are also more likely to secure high-quality employment as a result.
• Studies also show that students who participate in extra-curricular sports are more likely to be active participants in their communities and engage with social and charitable issues.

Have we convinced you YET to join a sport? If so, contact Ms. Metcalf for details regarding opportunities at BMS or in the community at large: jessica.metcalf@gcj2.k12.wi.us.

7th and 8th Grade Art Appreciation classes got their creative muscles moving with this back to school art warm up and review. Students applied their knowledge of color theory to these 6x6 oil pastel tie dye radial rainbows! Each student made one square, but when they are all placed together, the results are even more stunning!

During the first week of 3rd grade, Ms. Skalecki and Ms. Burke’s students worked together to create their “Be Brookwood” classroom expectations. In preparation for this, the students learned about using kind words to one another. Each team emptied a tube of toothpaste, and tried to put all the toothpaste back into the tube using only toothpicks. After the activity, the class discussed how when someone uses unkind words, it can leave lasting hurtful feelings behind. Following the activity, the class created their “Be Kind” expectations that included, “Using kind words and voices” and “Helping one another.”

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