Here is the January Mustang Minute! Make sure to click on the grade levels to view grade level newsletters! BMS & BES calendar links are also linked and available to view via a QR code. Enjoy:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NPZ9FVR4NNxHWQI9xbCvAbMjii0a0XDt/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NPZ9FVR4NNxHWQI9xbCvAbMjii0a0XDt/view?usp=sharing
No School - January 19, 2026
Thank you to all those that donated to the food drive the middle school hosted for the Genoa City Food Pantry: Loaves & Fishes. We are also thankful for those that dropped off toys for the holidays as well!!
In December, BES Kindness Squad learned about Meals on Wheels and then worked in partnership with another student community service group to make 150+ holiday cards for those who would be receiving Walworth County Meals on Wheels the week of Christmas. Students created cards and then wrote encouraging messages inside each card they created. Way to go, Kindness Squad!
4th Grade Students Apply for Careers at the North Pole! 🎄
Mrs. Ocker partnered with 4th-grade teachers Ms. Lind and Mrs. Cornelius to co-teach a creative and engaging lesson that blended career exploration, literacy, and holiday fun.
The lesson began with a read-aloud of How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky. Students followed Santa’s journey as he tried a variety of jobs—postal worker, zookeeper, circus performer, and more—before discovering his perfect fit with the help of the elves. The story sparked thoughtful conversations about skills, perseverance, and finding a career that matches personal strengths and interests.
Inspired by the book, students learned that Santa was hiring new helpers at the North Pole! Available roles included:
🎁 Baker Elf
🦌 Caretaker Elf
🎨 Decorator Elf
🚚 Delivery Elf
🧸 Toy Tester Elf
📜 Nice List Elf
🕵️ Security Elf
…and many more!
Each position included a job description and required skills. For example, the Caretaker Elf is responsible for caring for the reindeer and must love animals, feel comfortable working in a barn, and have the energy to run and brush the reindeer.
After reviewing the job descriptions, students selected a position that matched their interests and strengths. They then completed official North Pole job applications, explaining their skills, experiences, and why they were a great fit for the role—practicing real-world career readiness skills in a fun and age-appropriate way.
To wrap up the experience, students “elf themselves” by creating life-sized elf cutouts featuring their faces. 🎅✨
This festive project combined career awareness, application skills, creativity, and joyful learning, giving students a memorable and meaningful experience!
Mrs. Ocker partnered with 4th-grade teachers Ms. Lind and Mrs. Cornelius to co-teach a creative and engaging lesson that blended career exploration, literacy, and holiday fun.
The lesson began with a read-aloud of How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky. Students followed Santa’s journey as he tried a variety of jobs—postal worker, zookeeper, circus performer, and more—before discovering his perfect fit with the help of the elves. The story sparked thoughtful conversations about skills, perseverance, and finding a career that matches personal strengths and interests.
Inspired by the book, students learned that Santa was hiring new helpers at the North Pole! Available roles included:
🎁 Baker Elf
🦌 Caretaker Elf
🎨 Decorator Elf
🚚 Delivery Elf
🧸 Toy Tester Elf
📜 Nice List Elf
🕵️ Security Elf
…and many more!
Each position included a job description and required skills. For example, the Caretaker Elf is responsible for caring for the reindeer and must love animals, feel comfortable working in a barn, and have the energy to run and brush the reindeer.
After reviewing the job descriptions, students selected a position that matched their interests and strengths. They then completed official North Pole job applications, explaining their skills, experiences, and why they were a great fit for the role—practicing real-world career readiness skills in a fun and age-appropriate way.
To wrap up the experience, students “elf themselves” by creating life-sized elf cutouts featuring their faces. 🎅✨
This festive project combined career awareness, application skills, creativity, and joyful learning, giving students a memorable and meaningful experience!
2025 BES Winter Extravaganza is just that…. an extravaganza filled with fun and activities and visitors that we hope our students will never forget…hands down a special day everyone looks forward to!! Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help make it extra special!!
In December, students competed in classroom-level spelling bees across BMS. Now, our classroom spelling champions are ready to take the stage!
The BMS School Spelling Bee will be held on Monday, January 12th at 2:45 PM on the BMS cafeteria stage.
All students, families, and staff are welcome to attend and cheer on our spellers. We hope to see you there supporting our BMS champions!
For further information contact kylie.coggins@gcj2.k12.wi.us
Brookwood Middle School Spelling Bee - Jan 12 @2:45 BMS Cafeteria
The BMS School Spelling Bee will be held on Monday, January 12th at 2:45 PM on the BMS cafeteria stage.
All students, families, and staff are welcome to attend and cheer on our spellers. We hope to see you there supporting our BMS champions!
For further information contact kylie.coggins@gcj2.k12.wi.us
Brookwood Middle School Spelling Bee - Jan 12 @2:45 BMS Cafeteria
The Friday before winter break is always fun-filled at the middle school as students have a plethora of mini-courses to be a part of...ranging from lego building to nail art to karaoke to Mario Kart to weight lifting to open gym to arts and crafts to Tek Decks and the list goes on and on.....
1st Grade: Gallery Walk - Save the Date! (time will be announced to families by teachers)
1st Grade teachers invite families to a gallery walk to see students' finished research projects on endangered animals on January 16th. (time TBD)
1st Grade teachers invite families to a gallery walk to see students' finished research projects on endangered animals on January 16th. (time TBD)
Last week was such a magical week.....we hope that many memories were made that our students will never forget. <3 *more pictures on Facebook*
📚 What you’re seeing in this video:
This video shows how we determine a student’s IRLA reading level. Depending on the level, students may complete different parts of the assessment.
✔️ Phonics Check (early levels): Can they use sound patterns to read words?
✔️ Vocabulary Check: Do they know important words automatically?
✔️ Reading Portion: Can they read a new text and understand it?
Each part helps us find a “just-right” level where students can grow with confidence. 📖
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_Uq5jlE9PNY
Follow our Brookwood Parent University Committee on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrsFHpmS/
This video shows how we determine a student’s IRLA reading level. Depending on the level, students may complete different parts of the assessment.
✔️ Phonics Check (early levels): Can they use sound patterns to read words?
✔️ Vocabulary Check: Do they know important words automatically?
✔️ Reading Portion: Can they read a new text and understand it?
Each part helps us find a “just-right” level where students can grow with confidence. 📖
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_Uq5jlE9PNY
Follow our Brookwood Parent University Committee on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrsFHpmS/
No School (Dec 22nd-Jan2nd)
See you back at school on Jan 5th!)
See you back at school on Jan 5th!)
Our 7th and 8th-grade drama students did a phenomenal job in their performance of "A Christmas Carol" this week! Way to make us #MustangProud!!
Reminder: There is no extended after-school care beyond 3:30 on 12/18 and 12/19.
🎁✨ BES Holiday Door Decorating Contest! ✨🎁
***ALL IMAGES ARE ON FACEBOOK***
Our hallways are full of creativity and cheer — now it’s time to VOTE on FACEBOOK for your favorite decorated staff/classroom door! 🚪🎄✨
Take a look at all the festive doors and show your support by hitting that LIKE button on your favorite one! ❤️
👍 The door with the MOST LIKES wins a special holiday prize for their class! 🎉🎁
🗳️ Last day to vote is Thursday, December 18th!
***ALL IMAGES ARE ON FACEBOOK***
Our hallways are full of creativity and cheer — now it’s time to VOTE on FACEBOOK for your favorite decorated staff/classroom door! 🚪🎄✨
Take a look at all the festive doors and show your support by hitting that LIKE button on your favorite one! ❤️
👍 The door with the MOST LIKES wins a special holiday prize for their class! 🎉🎁
🗳️ Last day to vote is Thursday, December 18th!
Today, members of our Brookwood PTO came together to help organize and package our Families in Need winter clothing boxes for families within our school district that signed up for them. Thank you to our PTO for taking time out of their day to support this program. We also are thankful for Trinity Church for supporting this program with providing Thanksgiving meal bags during break and mittens and gloves for these winter clothing boxes, Lakeland Community Church for supplying breakfast bags to be included with these winter clothing boxes, and our local laundromat, The Lost Sock, for their support and donation towards our Families in Need Program, and Herner's Hideaway for the travel size toiletry items.
A HUGE shoutout to all those that adopted children and donated monetarily. We cannot run this program without your support and donations.
Not only does your support help these families for essential items for our students like school supplies and winter clothing items but your monetary donations help these children throughout the year for items that support their needs to get them to school and continue to help them grow into greatness!
For more information about this program, please contact Helen Xiong : helen.xiong@gcj2.k12.wi.us
Our 4K Christmas party and concert were full of joy, creativity, and festive fun! Students explored holiday activities including pin art, writing letters to Santa, coloring Christmas pages, building with Christmas pattern blocks, and reading a variety of Christmas stories. They were especially proud to make their own candy cane ornaments to take home.
The highlight of the day was the concert. The students did a wonderful job performing their songs—they sang with confidence and holiday spirit! We are so proud of all their hard work and enthusiasm.
Thank you to our families for supporting this special celebration!
The highlight of the day was the concert. The students did a wonderful job performing their songs—they sang with confidence and holiday spirit! We are so proud of all their hard work and enthusiasm.
Thank you to our families for supporting this special celebration!
Sorry for the #LatePost, Mustangs! But here is this week's Mustang Morning Show!
https://youtu.be/4XNS4B4k3Sc?si=8IBOopmPP1BWFB8a
https://youtu.be/4XNS4B4k3Sc?si=8IBOopmPP1BWFB8a
7th and 8th graders in Drama Elective have been working on sets for their upcoming performance of "A Christmas Carol."
