Board of Education
SPIRIT OF BROOKWOOD BROOKWOODSCHOOLDISTRICT167
Submitted By: Bethany A. Lindsay, Superintendent
DearStudents,Families,andCommunityMembers,
AstheSuperintendentofBrookwoodSchoolDistrict167,itismygreatpleasuretowelcomeyoubackforthestartofa brand-newschoolyear!Whetheryouarejoiningusforthefirsttimeorreturningafterarestfulsummer,Ihopeyou shareinourexcitementforalltheopportunitiesandexperiencesthatlieahead.
Thisyear,wereaffirmourcommitmenttoprovidingasafe,supportive,andengaginglearningenvironmentforevery student.Ourteachers,staff,andadministratorshavebeenhardatworkpreparingclassrooms,updatingresources,and designinglessonsthatwillinspirecuriosity,fostercreativity,andencouragealifelongloveoflearning.
Weareespeciallyproudofthepartnershipsthatmakeourdistrictstrong.Ourschoolsthrivebecauseofthe collaborationbetweenstudents,families,educators,andcommunitymembers.Yourcontinuedsupport,whether throughvolunteering,cheeringatevents,orsimplyencouragingourstudentsathome,playsavitalroleintheir success.
Asweembarkonthisschoolyear,letusembraceboththechallengesandthetriumphsahead.Together,wewillcreate acultureofrespect,kindness,andhighexpectations,ensuringthateverystudenthasthetoolsandencouragement theyneedtoreachtheirfullestpotential.
Onbehalfoftheentiredistrict,Iwishyouayearfilledwithgrowth,achievement,andjoy.Thankyouforbeingan essentialpartofourschoolcommunity.
Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
Sincerely, Bethany A. Lindsay
BethanyA.Lindsay Superintendent BrookwoodSchoolDistrict167
Doreen Davis Member
Dr. Tiffany Graham President
Mary Taylor Member
Erica Brnfre Secretary
John Dixon Member
Valencia Lynch Member
Stepfanie Johnson Vice President
Board of Education Accomplishments FY25
•Completion of the HB Performing Arts/Steam Capital Project—Ribbon Cutting Event & Celebration
•School security at Longwood and Hickory Bend using LawDog
• IASB Board Recognition – we received this recognition- only 1 of 7 school districts in south suburbs out of 66 districts received this (we have received this now for the past 4 years)
•New library shelving at Longwood and Hickory Bend
•Secured a contract with Acutrans to provide qualified interpreter services for parents at all special education IEP meetings as needed
•Provided a stipend to all USA/GEA and related service support staff in the amount of $150.00 for full completion of mandated trainings via GCN
•Scheduling, Promoting and Hosting Monthly Job Fairs
THE NEWS
•Wrote and received Title I Grants - allocation of Title Funds as appropriated by ISBE for intervention and academic supports, resources, and programs; professional development; SEL resources; technology integration; and family engagement; completion of Consolidated Plan for Title Funds
•South Chicago Dance Theater – after school dance club at LW and HB
•Nexplore Chicago – after school chess activity with a chess master at Longwood & Hickory Bend
•Wrote and received Teacher Vacancy Grant (ISBE)
•Continued Financial Literacy Program – Intertwined Grades 5-8 – partnering with Old National Bank
•New carpeting at HB library, hallways, and select conference rooms completed
•Full implementation of Red Cat (Audio Enhancement System) to ensure audio equity in all classrooms
Add a littleLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturadipiscingelit,seddoeiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisiutaliquipexeacommodoconsequat.
•Continued 2:1 Technology Device Program for students – every student has a device at school and home
•Full support for families to enroll their child in the Band Program
•School supply kits provided to every student for school and for home
•EBC Insurance offerings to all staff for support and outreach
•Continued partnership with Glenwood Police Department for a Mentoring Program Cops and Bobbers
•Continuous updating of all IASB Press Plus Policies
•Hosted Parent Engagement Activities on Bullying, Cyber-Bullying and Social Media Safety
•Continuing the Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra to provide onsite violin lessons to students
•Quality of Excellence Review from Compliance Health and Life Safety from ISBE/ISC
•Completed proposal for C.A.S.E. Chicagoland, Inc for a Real Estate Taxation Intervention
•Fully Support and implemented PBIS at all schools
•Purchased 6 new lunch tables for HB and 3 new lunch tables for BJHS
•Partnership with the Glenwood Fire Department to provide CPR/AED Training to students & staff
•Secured a 3-year contract with Clear, an online residency verification system to assist the district in protecting resources for residents and streamlining registration
•Approval of the FY25 budget with ISBE
•Received the School Maintenance Project Grant
•Created an Instructional Classroom to offer a continuum of services/flexible delivery model for Special Education, allowing for the addition of a Special Education Teacher and 2 additional Paraprofessionals
•Renewal of the contract with PCG to continue EdPlan Management Services of Easy IEP and 504's
•Serve as a Trustee of the Bloom Township Trustees of Schools
•Installation of a new drinking fountain and water filler stations at HB & LW
•Created a plan to recycle “End of Life” technology and to dispose of obsolete/broken technology
•Led the E-Rate Category 1 Project for FY26 that includes 150 Hotspots for students/families in need -- for 3 yrs. of service through AT&T at 90% discounted price
•Met all Criteria to Receive Comprehensive Reports from the 5Essentials Survey from all subgroups...Students, Parents and Teachers (7 years in a row)
Board of Education Accomplishments FY25
-cont.
•Continuation of the Personnel Tuition Reimbursement for staff
•Planned and Implemented the Staff Wellness Institute Day for all staff
•Wrote and received the School Maintenance Project Grant
•Initiated the 3-Year AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act) contract with Midwest Environmental for asbestos inspection
•Secured the repair and asphalting of the easement at Light of Islam (Peoria Street) per the District Agreement by North Creek Builders, LLC
•Secured a new financial platform and began the conversion from IVisions to Skyward
•Completed successful negotiations with the GEA and USA; Collective Bargaining Agreements with the GEA and USA for a 3-year duration FY25, FY26, and FY27
•District Scripps Spelling Bee
•District Math Bowl Competition (Prairie State University)
•Secured Renewal of Teaching Strategies Gold for the Preschool For All Program
•Compliance with SOPPA-Student Online Personal Protection Act -- requires all IL. school districts to provide additional guarantees to protect student data privacy (105 ILCS 85/15)
•Continuing the contract with Zeller and Associates, LLC for FY25 for the successful filing of E-Rate reimbursement for Brookwood School District 167
•Initiated the renewal of the contract with Verifent to provide assistance with mandated employee verifications in compliance with Faith's Law Legislation
•Applied Title Grant funds to contract with Brightly Asset Essentials Enterprise for the Technology Inventory and Help Desk District Systems
•Initiated the renewal of Unique Learning System, Special Ed. Curriculum, funded by the IDEA Grant
•Successful completion of the Tax Levy
•Completed the Annual Report of Fund Balances in relation to average fund expenditures
•Tile replacement on the stage at Brookwood Junior High School by Creative Carpet and Flooring; Stairwells repainted at Brookwood Middle School
•Proposed and planned the 2025 Summer School Program to support student learning--programs included Reading, Math, STEM, and Fitness
•Initiated renewal of our Background Check Program, iTouch Biometrics
•Initiated renewal of a 1-year Service Plan for our Sonicwall Firewall CDW-G
•Initiated renewal of School Messenger, a Power School Program, that supports district and school communications
•Proposed addition of a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to our District
•Renewal of the Bridges Beyond Brookwood Program offering summer employment opportunities for our local students
•School Safety: The Intermediate Service Center Presented a Certificate of Excellence Award to Brookwood School District 167 for achieving a perfect score with no citations in all of its buildings during the FY25 Health/Life Safety Inspections.
•Installation of a new internal fire doors at HB and new exterior doors at LW
•Before and After School Care Program Continued –Champions
•SMART Lab Implementation at Hickory Bend and Longwood
•Renewal of Securly, a student safety and technology device management system
•Conducted BPAC/BPEM activities quarterly supporting parents speaking English as a 2nd language
•Community Partnerships: Lions Club, Glenwood Police, Glenwood Fire Department, Glenwood-Lynwood Library, Glenwood Junior Womens Club, Living Springs Church, Miles of Smiles, Sertoma, Ronald McDonald
Health Services, Aunt Marthas, Easter Seals, Illinois Action for Children, Respond Now, Intermediate Service Center (ISC), IASB, IASBO, IASA, COSSBA, NSBA, IPA, NCTM
•Recognition Status for our Financial Profile issued by ISBE
Brookwood School District 167
First Day of School
1 Grade - 8 Grade st th
Thursday, August 21st
Brookwood School District 167
Invites you to our Open House and Curriculum Nights
August 26 at BJHS from 5 - 7 PM
August 28 at BMS from 5 - 7 PM
September 4 at HB and LW from 5 - 7 PM
Thursday, August 21st
•Kindergarten Orientation 9 am
•Pre-K Orientation 1pm
•Come meet your child’s teachers and principal
•Receive your child’s computer
•Receive your child’s school supplies
•Receive important school information
•Learn about the grade level curriculum for your child
Brookwood School District 167 Welcomes New Staff!
LONGWOOD HICKORY BEND
ShondellaMadden-Jones
RosemaryMartinez
ColleenEdwards
AishaCarothers
KellyeRushing-Watson
MatriceWatson
TaylorTucker
WilliamMullen
LaurenHarris
ZoeBridges
DemardJones
Brookwood School District 167 BoardofEducation
July14,2025
August11,2025
September15,2025
October20,2025
November17,2025
December15,2025
January12,2026
February9,2026
March16,2026
April13,2026
May11,2026
June8,2026
Brookwood SD 167
Financial Focus:
We strategically allocate resources to support student achievement and operational needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
This involves budgeting, financial planning, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Key areas of focus include maximizing student outcomes, optimizing resource allocation, and promoting transparency and accountability in financial matters.
BROOKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 167
2025 - 2026 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
August 19 NO SCHOOL – Teacher Institute Day - Parents Welcome
August 20 NO SCHOOL – Teacher Institute Day - Parents Welcome
August 21
August 26
First Day of School Grades 1-8 – Full Day - Kindergarten Orientation 9:00 a.m.
Pre K Orientation 1 p.m.
All schools dismissed 2:00 p.m.
Open House & Curriculum Night – Brookwood Junior High School 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
August 28 All schools dismissed 2:00 p.m.
Open House & Curriculum Night – Brookwood Middle School 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
September 1 NO SCHOOL - Labor Day Holiday
September 4 All schools dismissed 2:00 p.m.
Open House & Curriculum Night – Hickory Bend & Longwood Schools 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
September 24 Half Day School Improvement – 11:30 a.m. Dismissal
October 13 NO SCHOOL – Indigenous Peoples’/Columbus Day Holiday
October 24
Early Release Day – 2:00 p.m. Dismissal – End of Quarter One
October 31 Half Day School Improvement – 11:30 a.m. Dismissal
November 10 NO SCHOOL - Parent/Teacher Conferences 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Report Card Pick-Up
November 11 NO SCHOOL – Veteran’s Day Holiday
Nov 24 – 28 NO SCHOOL – FALL BREAK/Thanksgiving
December 17 Half Day School Improvement – 11:30 a.m. Dismissal
Dec 22 - Jan 2 NO SCHOOL – WINTER BREAK
January 5 NO SCHOOL – Teacher Institute Day – Parents Welcome
January 6 NO SCHOOL – Teacher Institute Day – Parents Welcome
January 7 School Resumes
January 19 NO SCHOOL – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance
January 23 Early Release Day– 2:00 p.m. Dismissal - End of Quarter Two
February 11 NO SCHOOL - Parent/Teacher Conferences 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Report Card Pick-Up
February 12 NO SCHOOL – Lincoln’s Birthday Observance
February 13 NO SCHOOL – (Non-Attendance Day)
March 9 NO SCHOOL – (Non-Attendance Day)
March 18 Half Day School Improvement – 11:30 a.m. Dismissal
March 27 Early Release Day – 2:00 p.m. Dismissal - End of Quarter Three
April 3 - 10 NO SCHOOL – Spring Break
April 13 School Resumes
May 6 Half Day School Improvement – 11:30 a.m. Dismissal)
May 25 NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day
May 29 Half Day School Improvement – 11:30 a.m. Dismissal
June 5 Last Day of School – 11:30 a.m. Dismissal
June 8-12 Emergency Days of School --if needed
