Effective November 6 - FOOD DELIVERIES ARE NOT PERMITTED
In recent weeks, we have observed a number of students missing instructional time to come down to the first floor to meet delivery drivers at the front entrance or at the commons' doors. No child should be meeting a stranger at the door of the school or during their lunch/recess time outside. This is a major safety and security concern. Parents and Guardians are welcome to drop off forgotten lunches to their children. Also, sandwiches and salads are available for purchase from the lunchroom if a student forgets their lunch at home (it can be billed to their lunch account, they do not need cash to purchase a lunch in the lunchroom).
Effective Monday, November 6, Julian Middle School will no longer accept food/beverage deliveries for students from outside food delivery services, and students are not permitted to order GrubHub, DoorDash, UberEats, etc for lunches, snacks or beverages. Parents/Guardians are welcome to drop off forgotten lunches to their children. However, students are not permitted to place orders via their chromebooks or cellphones. We appreciate your cooperation and we thank you in advance for helping to remind your student of the safety & security protocols. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a Julian administrator (Ms. Butler, Dr. Whitfield and Mr. Lee).
Future Huskies*Permission Slip were due on 10/20*
**ATTENTION 8TH GRADE PARENTS & GUARDIANS:
Julian 8th graders will go over to Oak Park and River Forest High School on tomorrow Monday, October 23 for a tour. Students come to Julian first and will be taken to OPRFHS by Julian staff via bus. They will then get a special introduction to the high school, and meet current OPRFHS students and staff! 8th Grade Parents/Guardians should click the link to fill out the permission slip for this field trip. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Fleming, the 8th Grade Student Success Coach, at kfleming@op97.org. Please complete the online permission slip today!
SAVE THESE OPRFHS DATES:
- Future Huskie Tour - October 23, 2023
- Incoming Freshmen Transition Night - December 13 & 14
- Future Huskie Open House - January 18, 2024
Contact Angie Hawkins, the Student Activity Coordinator at AHawkins@oprfhs.org or at 708-434-3774 if you have any questions regarding the Future Huskies tour.
Soup Fest
Hello, Parents & Guardians.
The Julian PTO will be hosting a Soup Fest for lunches for our Julian teachers and staff that will be working on Conference Night. They could use some assistance with donations. Please click the link if you able to donate and/or volunteer! Thank you in advance.
Lost & Found
Please be sure to check the Lost & Found area (under the main hallway stairwell on the first floor) when you come in for conferences on Thursday afternoon/evening. There are many lost water bottles, clothing items, shoes, notebooks, etc in the Lost & Found area that your child may have misplaced. All unclaimed items will be donated or disposed of on Friday, October 27th.
Julian Book Fair during Conferences
The Julian Book Fair is fast approaching and we need volunteers to make it happen! The book fair will be open to students and families from 9am-7:30pm on Thursday, 10/26 and 9:00am-12:15pm on Friday, 10/27.
We need your help! Please sign up to volunteer!
Teacher librarian Jamie Winchell is also looking for 1-2 lead volunteers to help with the management aspects of the book fair this year and beyond! To volunteer or if you have any questions, please email Jamie Winchell at jwinchell@op97.org.
Ms. Winchell
Teacher Librarian
Percy Julian Middle School
For Halloween, our goal is to create a positive and safe environment where all Julian students and staff feel a sense of belonging. In that spirit, if you choose to dress up in a costume, please make sure that your costume choice does not portray a stereotypical image of any group of people or culture, or be offensive to any racial, ethnic or religious group. We appreciate you being proactive in making thoughtful costume choices. If your child will be participating in Halloween activities, PLEASE carefully review this District 97 message regarding allowable costumes on October 31st.
District 97 message
Family-Teacher Conferences Oct. 26 and Oct. 27
Family-Teacher Conferences are next week! As a reminder, school will dismiss early on Thursday, Oct. 26, and Friday, Oct. 27, for Family-Teacher Conferences. The elementary schools will dismiss at 11 a.m. and the middle schools will dismiss at noon on both days.
Family-Teacher Conferences are an exciting opportunity to better understand our students and their strengths, needs, behaviors and progress.
We encourage you to explore our Getting Ready for Family-Teacher Conferences webpage before next week in preparation for your student’s conference. Click here to view the Getting Ready for Family-Teacher Conferences webpage >>
Thank you in advance for taking the time to support our students and schools!
School Picture Day - November 1
Students will take their school pictures on Wednesday, November 1st. Please be sure that students do not wear green tops or green hair accessories, as that may interfere with the picture quality. If you wish to pre-pay online or have any questions about picture orders, please contact Van Gogh School Photographers at ordervgil.com or at 847-382-2282 ext7. The School Event Code to use is 20032801.
PTO Fundraiser for DC trip
The Julian PTO will be hosting a weekly fundraiser to help raise money for the 8th graders' Washington, DC trip. If students and staff are interested in purchasing donuts, *CASH PAYMENTS* will be accepted. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Julian PTO or contact PTO co-president Lauren VanderBerg at PTOjulian@gmail.com. "Donuts for DC" will continue through November.
Before & After School Math Help **UPDATE**
Calculation Corner is in full swing! Please click here to review the frequently asked questions and for more details about the math help that is available to all students. Calculation Corner takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays in B104 (please note the change in location) both before school (8:00-8:50 am) and after school (3:40-4:30 pm). Students should use this Google form to sign up. Reach out to your child's math teacher with questions.
Ms. Gunnell
8th Grade Mathematics Instructor
Math Department Chair
Percy Julian Middle School
GAME DAY EXPECTATIONS
- JULIAN STUDENTS MUST WEAR THEIR SCHOOL IDs, in order to attend the home athletic games (for basketball or volleyball). Julian students without their school IDs and all non-Julian students without parental supervision will NOT be allowed to attend the games. All non-Julian students without an adult to supervise them will be asked to leave school grounds.
- FOOD AND BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE GYM. Students, family members, and visitors can have water or water bottles.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding safety protocols, please contact Associate Principal, Dr. Mekita Whitfield, at mwhitfield@op97.org.
Julian Sports LIVESTREAM
Do you know you can watch Julian games from the comfort of your home? You can catch the sports home games (for basketball and volleyball) in-person or you can watch online via YouTube!
Go Jayhawks!
SPORTS PHYSICALS
The state of Illinois, Office of Education, requires that any student who wishes to participate in interscholastic sports must have an Athletic Physical Examination, dated no less than one year prior to the first day of the current school year. It is mandatory that your child has their physical form completed before they will be eligible to tryout or participate in any interscholastic activity.
STUDENT LOCKS FOR LOCKERS AND PE LOCKERS
Please double check with your Julian student to see if they need a lock for their school locker. You can still purchase a lock online. Or they can bring $7 cash or check to the school office anytime between 8am - 4pm. If they need to store their belongings during their PE class, they can purchase a PE lock online as well.
All students are encouraged to utilize the lockers to store their belongings. Students are permitted to go to their lockers before school, during passing periods and after school.
8TH GRADE CORNER
Julian 8th graders will visit OPRFHS on Monday, October 23 for a tour. 8th Grade Parents/Guardians should click the link to fill out the permission slip for this field trip. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Fleming, the 8th Grade Student Success Coach, at kfleming@op97.org. Please complete the permission slip by Friday, October 20th.
- GRADUATION CAP & GOWN ORDERS
- $25 - Cap, Gown & 2024 Tassel set
- $20 - Gown & 2024 Tassel only
- $18 - Cap & 2024 Tassel only
- $10 - 2024 Tassel only
Students were given order forms during advisory classes at the beginning of September. You can also go online to make the $25 cap & gown payment.
If you only need a cap or just the gown, or simply a tassel to go with a used cap & gown, you will need to pay via cash or check with the hardcopy order form in the school office (8am - 4pm on school days).
If you need financial assistance with the purchase of the cap & gown set, please contact Ms. Jackson at ejackson@op97.org prior to the deadline. All orders, as well as requests for financial assistance, must be placed on or before Friday, October 27th.
The 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony will be on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 6:30pm in the OPRFHS auditorium. More details will be shared in the coming months.
DePaul University and the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board services
DePaul GROUP
DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and D97, offers school-based group services for students. This year, there are two group topics - Mindfulness and Peer Relationships. If you would like your child to be considered for participation in one of these groups, please complete this Request for Assistance Form. To learn more about the services DePaul offers in our school, click here to view their flyer.
OAK PARK TOWNSHIP
Oak Park Township offers many services for students and families including school-based individual services for students, community-based student groups, parent support groups, and more. Click here for more information about an upcoming LGBTQIA+ group they are starting. Click here for more information about parent support.
SCHOOL PICK UP/DROP OFF AREAS
This is a friendly reminder about the Julian drop off and pick up procedures . As we approach cooler temperatures, please keep in mind the following safety procedures:
PICK UP AND DROP OFF AREAS
- Drop off and pick up for sixth graders will be on the south side of the school in the alley.
- The designated area for seventh graders is on Cuyler just off Washington Boulevard.
- Eighth graders can be picked up or dropped off on Ridgeland Avenue.
PLEASE DO NOT PICK UP OR DROP OFF STUDENTS IN EITHER THE SCHOOL’S STAFF PARKING LOT NOR IN THE BUS ZONE ON WASHINGTON BOULEVARD
Using these areas creates an unsafe situation for students. Please do not pick up or drop off students in the staff parking lot. Emergency vehicles may need access to this space.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In cases where the weather prevents students from safely waiting outside until it is time to enter, the staff will open the doors at 8:30 a.m. and invite students to wait indoors. Seventh and eighth graders will wait in the commons, while sixth graders will wait in the area outside the auditorium. Students are not allowed to go to their classrooms or lockers early.
ENTERING EARLY (before 8:50am)
All students entering the building before the regular time must come through the main entrance doors (1W).
Students are allowed into the building in the morning, IF they have a pre-arranged meeting with a teacher. They must have a pass from that teacher.
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER BEFORE SCHOOL
On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, students are allowed to enter at 8 a.m. to study in the library media center. They must have their student ID and sign in both at the door and in the media center. They are to go directly to the media center, not their lockers or classrooms. And remember, the library is NOT open before school on Wednesdays due to teacher meetings andprofessional development sessions.
BLENDED EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM
P.M. Session Spots Available - D97 Blended Early Childhood Program
There are still a handful of p.m. session spots available for early childhood blended classrooms at Whittier Elementary School for the 2023-24 school year!
District 97 is seeking students who:
Are non-IEP students who will be between the ages of 3 and 4 years by Sept. 1, 2023;
Demonstrate age-appropriate language and social skills;
Are Oak Park residents;
Are not enrolled in a preschool program.
Click here to apply to the 2023-24 Early Childhood Blended Program>>
For more information about the Early Childhood Blended Program, including please visit https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/ecblended. The program flyer can be viewed here.
If you have any questions, please contact the district's early childhood coordinator, Michele Suedbeck, at 708-524-3134.
SAFE AND HEALTHY SCHOOLS: Information about Student Illness
District 97 remains committed to maintaining safe and healthy schools. We continue to work in partnership with the Oak Park Department of Public Health, following guidance set by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
When should a child remain home from school?
Staying home if you are ill is essential to keep infections—including the virus that causes COVID-19— out of schools and prevent spread to others. Please visit the District 97 Health Services page for more information about when to stay home. If you have specific questions, please contact your school nurse.
COVID-19 Guidelines for 2023-24
Following IDPH guidelines, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must stay home for five days after the first day of symptoms or testing positive (Day 0). They may return to school on Day 6 if:
They are 24 hours fever free with no fever-reducing medication AND
No diarrhea or vomiting for 24 hours AND
Improvement of other symptoms.
Masks are strongly recommended around others for five days (through Day 10). Per local guidance, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should also complete Oak Park Department of Public Health's Positive at Home COVID 19 Test form.
For more information, please visit: COVID-19 Guidelines for D97 Students and Staff
CALLING YOUR CHILD IN SICK
Please support our school nurse by LEAVING A REASON when you call your child in sick from school. Our nurse follows up on every absence call when a specific reason is not provided. If your child is staying home due to reasons unrelated to COVID-19, sharing that information in the message helps the nurse determine whether a call is necessary.
When calling the Julian attendance line at 708-665-3064 or leaving a message on the school office voicemail at 708-524-3040, please slowly state the following:
- Your Name
- Your Child’s First and Last Name
- Your Child’s Grade Level and Advisory Teacher
- Reason for the Absence
- Best phone number to reach you
