Jayhawk Weekly Communication

Save the Date - Conference Night will be held on Thurs, Feb 8th.

Conference sign up links will be shared on Friday, January 26th. As a reminder, winter conferences will be with your child's ADVISORY TEACHER or Case Manager. Conferences will be student-led. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to your child's teachers via email or log on to PowerSchool to check your child's Trimester 2 academic progress.

**Students will have classes from 9am - noon only on 2/8 and 2/9.

Parents & Guardians, it may be time to replenish your child's basic school supplies. Check in with your Jayhawk to see if they are need of such items as antibacterial wipes, Kleenex/Puffs facial tissues, hand sanitizer, pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, etc.

Each school day, all Jayhawks should bring the following items:

• school ID (to be worn and visible)
• fully charged chromebook
• a refillable water bottle
• basic school supplies (including a pen, pencil, notebook, etc)

We appreciate the assistance with reminding students to be prepared daily for their school day.

**Please note that students will still be able to come BEFORE school (8:00am - 8:50am, MTuThF) to the library. And remember, the library is always closed before school on Wednesdays due to professional development meetings.

The library media center will be CLOSED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY on Tuesday, January 23 through Friday, January 26 due to MAP Testing days (and make-up days). The space will be utilized during the school days for the assessment testing sessions. Therefore students will not be able to utilize the library during their class periods nor during lunch periods 1/23 - 1/26. We apologize for any inconvenience.

BASE CAMP: SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP

The Oak Park Education Foundation offers 2 full weeks (or four half days) of summer BASE Camp for FREE for students who receive free/reduced lunch or who are experiencing a financial hardship. The scholarship application opens tomorrow, Wednesday January 17th and the application can be found here: BASE Camp Scholarship Application 2024

More information can be found at our website at Scholarships - Oak Park Education Foundation (opef.org).

Early Registration

Campers receiving scholarships are able to register early for camp. The date/time for this early registration is Wednesday, January 31st. It opens at 12pm and closes at 5pm. If you miss this period, you can still register and still use your scholarship funds but the general registration period doesn't open again until Sunday, February 4th at 2pm. There are limited spots available for each camp during this early period and more spaces will become available during regular registration.

Please contact Tara Oetting, Program Director at toetting@opef.org with questions or for more information.

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Tara Oetting
Program Director

Oak Park Education Foundation

(708) 524-3027

For families who are seeking early admission to kindergarten or first grade, the district will be hosting an information session on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements for early admission to kindergarten or first grade.

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.

Join District 97 for an Accelerated Learning Family Information Night on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brooks Middle School. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements for:

• Single-subject and whole-grade acceleration (Grades K-8)
• Middle School Math Enrichment Program (Grades 5-7)
• Summer Math Review (Grades 5-7)

Click here to view the event flyer >>

For more information about the process for single subject and whole grade acceleration, please visit https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/acceleration.

2023-24 Julian School Calendar

The One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest (non-profit) is free for students to enter. And prizes from $100 to $1,000 in scholarships, plus matching gifts are available.

We would love to see more submissions from your students so they may have a chance to be honored as winners and for your schools to receive recognition once again!

We invite students from age 8 to age 25 to submit their short, environmental films to the Young Filmmakers Contest by: June 25, 2024.

• Winning films will be screened at a special Gene Siskel Film Center in September 2024 and/or at the One Earth Film Festival in March 2025.
• Scholarship awards, prizes, and matching grants (from $100 to $1000) for 3 to 8-minute films or 45+ second animations.
• Visit One Earth Film Festival Young Filmmakers Contest for details and to see past winners, visit our winners page.

Two-minute video explains what the Young Filmmakers Contest is all about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqVg0qsDGhk&t=1s

Here is our media kit to share with your students.

If you have any questions, just send me an email or call the number below.

Kindly,

Lisa Files

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Lisa Biehle Files

Young Filmmakers Contest Program Director and Digital Media Associate

cell 708-267-5713

One Earth Film Fest returns March 7 to 10, 2024
Learn more about the Young Filmmakers Contest:
https://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/contest-details

Emergency Closings and E-Learning Days

Please take a moment to review the information shared in the district’s Weekly Wrap-Up on Dec. 1 regarding winter preparedness. The district’s emergency closing and E-Learning procedures are outlined in this brief deck; full details are posted at https://www.op97.org/communications/emergency-closings.

Cold Weather Reminders for Families
District 97 believes it is important for students to have opportunities for physical activity and play time during the day—even during the cold winter months. This winter, students will be permitted to go outside for recess when the wind chill or temperature is 15 degrees or higher. The district utilizes the Wind Chill Chart developed by the National Weather Service.

• It is important that students dress in warm layers when cold temperatures are expected. Students should remember to bring hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, coats, snow pants and boots. It is recommended that families label these items with their children’s names.

• Our staff will carefully monitor students while outside and take the necessary steps to ensure students are appropriately clothed/prepared for the cold weather, watching out for signs of frostbite and other cold-related issues.

Keeping Our Schools Healthy

Effective immediately, 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. 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. 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 school lunchroom.

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.

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

*PLEASE GIVE THE REASON FOR YOUR STUDENT'S ABSENCE*

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:

1. Your Name
2. Your Child’s First and Last Name
3. Your Child’s Grade Level and Advisory Teacher
4. Reason for the Absence
5. Best phone number to reach you

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-524-3040

www.op97.org/julian