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!
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.....
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.
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
7th and 8th graders in Drama Elective have been working on sets for their upcoming performance of "A Christmas Carol."
BMS & BES: Tune in to some festive fun! December 12th-19th Dress-Up Days!
12:
BES -Growing Hearts on Grinch Day (wear green or jammies)
BMS-Frosty Hangout after school until 5pm
15: Blizzard Day- Wear blue and white
16: Magical Hat Day- Wear your favorite hat
17: Sock the Halls- Wear your sparkly or festive socks
18: Festive Fashion Day- Create the most fashionable outfit
19: Dreaming of a White Winter Break- Get cozy and stay in jammies
BMS Mustang Council Candy Cane for Kindness Sales $0.75 each
12:
BES -Growing Hearts on Grinch Day (wear green or jammies)
BMS-Frosty Hangout after school until 5pm
15: Blizzard Day- Wear blue and white
16: Magical Hat Day- Wear your favorite hat
17: Sock the Halls- Wear your sparkly or festive socks
18: Festive Fashion Day- Create the most fashionable outfit
19: Dreaming of a White Winter Break- Get cozy and stay in jammies
BMS Mustang Council Candy Cane for Kindness Sales $0.75 each
The 7th and 8th grade Entrepreneurship Class is holding their sale now. You may order a Brookwood bracelet, Christmas ornament, 1.25" button pin (which comes in many designs), or custom engraved keychains and bookmarks. The bookmarks are available in pink, blue, and brown.
The Entrepreneurs will be available at all three concerts to take your order. Community members are welcome to order; orders should be dropped off at Brookwood Middle School. Payment is due at the time of your order, and orders will be filled before Christmas. The deadline for orders is Friday, December 12. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Bullock at karen.bullock@gcj2.k12.wi.us
The Entrepreneurs will be available at all three concerts to take your order. Community members are welcome to order; orders should be dropped off at Brookwood Middle School. Payment is due at the time of your order, and orders will be filled before Christmas. The deadline for orders is Friday, December 12. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Bullock at karen.bullock@gcj2.k12.wi.us
Family Skate Night!
Brookwood Middle School Gymnasium
-Not a drop-off event
-Adults required
Monday, January 19th 5:00pm-6:45pm
Brookwood Middle School Gymnasium
-Not a drop-off event
-Adults required
Monday, January 19th 5:00pm-6:45pm
Please join the 5th, 6th, and 7/8 Band and the 6/7/8 Choir at our Winter Concert on December 11 at 6:30pm
Sharing YOUR Greatness!
We ask our Brookwood families to share with us what our Brookwood students and staff are doing outside of school so we can share in your greatness and how #MustangProud we are of your accomplishments!! If you have something to share....email it to Mrs. Xiong at Helen.Xiong@gcj2.k12.wi.us
Our next sharers of Greatness are Declan from BMS and Deacon from BES, they were able to meet their favorite author, Dav Pilkey, in Milwaukee. Both enjoy reading Captain Underpants, Dog Man, and Cat Kid! Meeting Dav was a dream come true for them. They were also gifted a copy of Dev’s newest Dog Man release, which he also autographed for them. The kids had a blast, and this will be an experience they will never forget!
So #MustangProud of this experience for Declan and Deacon!!
Have something to submit? Email it to helen.xiong@gcj2.k12.wi.us so we can share your greatness!!
We ask our Brookwood families to share with us what our Brookwood students and staff are doing outside of school so we can share in your greatness and how #MustangProud we are of your accomplishments!! If you have something to share....email it to Mrs. Xiong at Helen.Xiong@gcj2.k12.wi.us
Our next sharers of Greatness are Declan from BMS and Deacon from BES, they were able to meet their favorite author, Dav Pilkey, in Milwaukee. Both enjoy reading Captain Underpants, Dog Man, and Cat Kid! Meeting Dav was a dream come true for them. They were also gifted a copy of Dev’s newest Dog Man release, which he also autographed for them. The kids had a blast, and this will be an experience they will never forget!
So #MustangProud of this experience for Declan and Deacon!!
Have something to submit? Email it to helen.xiong@gcj2.k12.wi.us so we can share your greatness!!
We had so much fun at the last hangout, we are hosting another one before the winter break.
❄️ BMS Frosty Hangout – December 12th, 3:00–5:00 PM ❄️
Mustang Council would like to invite you to join us at BMS after school for some winter fun at our Frosty Hangout! Enjoy an afternoon of activities, including Open Gym, Gift-Making, The Grinch Movie, and plenty of Board Games with friends.
Concessions will be available for purchase, and we encourage people to bring a donation for the local Food Pantry to help spread the holiday cheer. Please see the flyer for info on concessions and food pantry needs.
Come hang out, relax, and celebrate the season with us!
❄️ BMS Frosty Hangout – December 12th, 3:00–5:00 PM ❄️
Mustang Council would like to invite you to join us at BMS after school for some winter fun at our Frosty Hangout! Enjoy an afternoon of activities, including Open Gym, Gift-Making, The Grinch Movie, and plenty of Board Games with friends.
Concessions will be available for purchase, and we encourage people to bring a donation for the local Food Pantry to help spread the holiday cheer. Please see the flyer for info on concessions and food pantry needs.
Come hang out, relax, and celebrate the season with us!
Please see the following letter regarding inclement weather from our Interim Superintendent, Paul Weber:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z3Gby6XJCT_pxDXMfU4ZbDlFcAXXsD4I/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z3Gby6XJCT_pxDXMfU4ZbDlFcAXXsD4I/view?usp=sharing
2025-2026 Brookwood Ski Club
We are excited to bring back Ski Club this year! This club is open to ALL of our students and families. Students in 4th-8th Grade have the opportunity to ride a bus after school from the middle school to Grand Geneva and be overseen by staff members there. Students in 4K-3rd grade students MUST be accompanied by a parent at the Grand Geneva. ALL families are welcome to register and sign up for special tickets through our ski club program through Mrs. Horak. You are also welcome to join the club and ride the bus to the hill if you already have a season pass to ski at Grand Geneva.
Please fill out the following form if you are interested in more information or would like to sign up for Ski Club. Mrs. Horak will get you additional information and the link to register for ski lift tickets/rentals/and or lessons: Melissa.Horak@gcj2.k12.wi.us
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlJcXARyoeUEDrOIX3ysT0eYacLSI7EWwvOPs4q7S9kjwd5w/viewform
We are excited to bring back Ski Club this year! This club is open to ALL of our students and families. Students in 4th-8th Grade have the opportunity to ride a bus after school from the middle school to Grand Geneva and be overseen by staff members there. Students in 4K-3rd grade students MUST be accompanied by a parent at the Grand Geneva. ALL families are welcome to register and sign up for special tickets through our ski club program through Mrs. Horak. You are also welcome to join the club and ride the bus to the hill if you already have a season pass to ski at Grand Geneva.
Please fill out the following form if you are interested in more information or would like to sign up for Ski Club. Mrs. Horak will get you additional information and the link to register for ski lift tickets/rentals/and or lessons: Melissa.Horak@gcj2.k12.wi.us
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlJcXARyoeUEDrOIX3ysT0eYacLSI7EWwvOPs4q7S9kjwd5w/viewform
Here is the December 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/1DmxjbPBhJJcrYdw1beUNmnQrWJqdJftc/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DmxjbPBhJJcrYdw1beUNmnQrWJqdJftc/view?usp=sharing
BMS Be Brookwood Students of the Month!
Right before break, we celebrated our incredible Mustangs who were recognized for showing outstanding gratitude throughout November. These students stood out by appreciating others, recognizing kindness, and contributing to a positive school community every day.
We are so proud of their leadership and the example they set for their peers! 💙🤍
As we look ahead, we’re excited to kick off next month’s character trait: Empathy. Our students will be learning how to understand others’ feelings, show compassion, and build stronger connections across our school.
Congratulations again to this month’s winners, keep leading the way, Mustangs.
Right before break, we celebrated our incredible Mustangs who were recognized for showing outstanding gratitude throughout November. These students stood out by appreciating others, recognizing kindness, and contributing to a positive school community every day.
We are so proud of their leadership and the example they set for their peers! 💙🤍
As we look ahead, we’re excited to kick off next month’s character trait: Empathy. Our students will be learning how to understand others’ feelings, show compassion, and build stronger connections across our school.
Congratulations again to this month’s winners, keep leading the way, Mustangs.
