Longfellow Log

Week Ending 12/18

Important Dates/Reminders and Notes

Tuesday, December 22nd - 11:30 - 12:30 PTO Sponsored Dance Party
Wednesday, December 23rd - 1/2 Day (Students will be dismissed at 11:00)
December 24th - January 8th - Winter Break
Monday, January 11th - Welcome Back!!!

Important about Attendance Procedures

Attendance is taken during remote learning as well. If your child is not going to be in attendance, please be sure to call the Attendance # 708-665-3068 OR email: longfellowattendance@op97.org

As the Year Comes to a Close

Dear Longfellow Families,

It is hard to believe this is the last community newsletter of 2020. We imagine many of you, like us, are ready to turn the page to a new year. 2020 has been so challenging with the COVID pandemic and continuous fight for social justice. Last week we celebrated the students' hard work during the first trimester. Today we want to say thank you parents and guardians for your partnership during this unprecedented time. We are very grateful for your support. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! We look forward to seeing you again in 2021!

Ms. Jefferson and Mrs. Sullivan

Zoomin' Dance Party - Tuesday, December 22nd at lunch! Thank you PTO!!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://op97-org.zoom.us/j/86880646233?pwd=SmFzYXA3L2hHTkszVUZYcktqaGRIdz09

Meeting ID: 868 8064 6233
Passcode: bears

The Longfellow Treasure Hunt FUNdraiser is open!

All Longfellow families are invited and encouraged to participate in the Treasure Hunt and a chance to win one of many fabulous prizes.

This is the PTO’s only major fundraiser this year and we need your support. By participating and/or making a donation to the PTO, you will be pledging your support for the PTO's mission. All Longfellow students are eligible to participate in the Treasure Hunt regardless of donation.

Please see all the Treasure Hunt details by clicking the link below to sign up! Good luck to all the Longfellow Treasure Hunters!!!

https://www.gofundme.com/.../longfellow-pto-1st-annual...

Social-Emotional Wellness Check-Ins for Students

We are continuing to provide social-emotional wellness check-ins this fall. The District 97 school psychologists and school nurses collaborated to offer access to virtual mental health wellness checks at each school. Parents may sign up children for 25-minute Telehealth sessions where they can access an open ear for their sources of stress and learn self-care and coping strategies. Students may attend up to three sessions per trimester and may then be referred for other school-based supports if needed. If your child is experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please do not use this service and instead call the Thrive 24hr Crisis Hotline at 708-383-7500. You may also refer to this local resource guide provided by the Community Mental Health Board of the Oak Park Township.

How can my child access this service?

The virtual sessions will occur during school hours.
Use this Longfellow Wellness Sign-Up Link to book open slots. The appointment page will open within your own calendar. (If you do not have a Gmail account, you may contact aguerrier@op97.org & rneubert@op97.org). Prior to the appointment, you will receive a link for the video call or other access information.
During these unusual times, we need to partner with you to ensure your child arrives at the correct video link during their scheduled time and returns to their classroom Zoom after the appointment. Please remember to coordinate with your daycare providers if applicable.
We will inform your child’s teacher, so your child will be excused from class.
Please book appointments by the night before the appointment (at the latest) and not on the day of the appointment.

District News Below

Parent Information Session - Early Admission to Kindergarten/First Grade

For families who are seeking early admission to kindergarten or first grade, the district will be hosting a Virtual Parent Information Session on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2020, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements. Click here to view the event flyer >

For more information about the process for early admissions, please visit https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/acceleration/early-entrance.

Parent Information Session - Single Subject/Whole Grade Acceleration

For families who are seeking single subject or whole grade acceleration for the 2021-22 school year, the district will be hosting a Virtual Parent Information Session on Wednesday, January 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements. Click here for the family letter about acceleration opportunities for the 2021-22 school year. >

Click here to view the event flyer.

Information about the District 97 Accelerated Placement Program, including definitions and timelines, can be found at http://www.op97.org/acceleration.

District 97 to Continue Providing Free Meals to All Students

Last D97 Meal Distribution of 2020: Tuesday, Dec. 22
District 97 will hold its last meal distribution of the year on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Students will receive one week of regular meals, as well as two weeks worth of bulk food.

The next meal distribution will be Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, when students are back from winter break.

The distributions will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Longfellow Elementary School (for Julian and feeder schools), 715 S. Highland Ave., and Brooks Middle School (for Brooks and feeder schools), 325 S. Kenilworth Ave.

D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - December 2020