

Jayhawk Weekly Communication
December 17, 2023
Happy holidays, everyone!!
**THURSDAY**
Last Day of School Info
**Don't forget to plan accordingly and please discuss with your Jayhawk student about the last day:
- The library will be closed before and after school on Thursday, December 21.
- The school building will open at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, December 21. Staff will be in a holiday celebration, so the doors and the school office will not open until 8:45am on 12/21.
- The school office closes at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 21.
- The Lost & Found will be cleared out at dismissal on Thursday, December 21 (see the previous JWC reminder for more details).
- The school building will be closed after 4:00 p.m. on 12/21 (see the previous JWC reminder for more details). And remember, there will be no opportunity to retrieve forgotten belongings or musical instruments over the Winter Break.
Show Your Julian School Spirit!
Spirit Week starts tomorrow!
As a countdown to Winter Break, staff and students will celebrate by having a seasonal themed "Julian Spirit Week":
- Mon 12/18 PLAID DAY - Wear your favorite plaid attire with holiday or Julian colors!
- Tues 12/19 PAJAMA DAY - Wear your favorite warm pajamas, cozy robes, and fuzzy slippers!
- Wed 12/20 GRINCHMAS - Show your love for all things green and grouchy!
- Thurs 12/21 UGLY SWEATER DAY - Wear your most fabulous, over-the-top holiday fashion on the last day of school before the Winter Break begins!
Mr. Lee will have prizes for costumes and for the advisory teacher with the most participation. Students should stay tuned via the Jayhawk reminders for more contest details!
**PLEASE NOTE: We don't have a J day this week.
There is no school on Friday, December 22nd.**
- Monday and Wednesday are A days.
- Tuesday and Thursday are B days.
Volleyball tryouts this week!
Girls' Volleyball
Girls' Volleyball tryouts are this week. Please contact Ms. Kiefer or Ms. Tucker directly if you have any questions.
Principal Search
Dear Julian Families,
Thank you to those of you who were able to attend the Julian Principal Search Family Listening Session on Wednesday, Dec. 13 after the PTO meeting!
If you were unable to attend, but would still like to share your perspective on the qualities and characteristics you are looking for in the next principal of Julian Middle School, please be sure to complete the Staff/Family Principal Profile Survey. Individuals who are interested in serving on the staff or family interview teams must complete the second part of the survey.
This week, all Julian students will have the opportunity to complete a brief principal search survey co-created by the student leadership team during their advisory time on Tuesday, Dec. 19 or Wednesday, Dec. 20.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter and for your assistance in selecting the next leader for Julian Middle School. If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to us via Let’s Talk.
Sincerely,
Dr. Luis Fernando De León
Assistant Superintendent of Middle Schools
Oak Park Elementary School District 97
Virtual Event
District 97 to Host Virtual Erin's Law Session for Families
District 97 will host a virtual Erin's Law session for families on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
"Erin's Law," or Illinois Public Act 097-1147, requires all public schools to implement a prevention-oriented program that teachers students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade age-appropriate techniques for recognizing sexual abuse and ways to tell a trusted adult.
The program also includes training for school personnel, and provides education and resources to parents and guardians.
The virtual parent session will be facilitated by the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. Virtual meeting details will be available closer to the meeting date at www.op97.org.
Friendships & Healthy Relationships
Event for Middle School Parents and Guardians
I just wanted to share an event with you all that will be taking place at Brooks Middle School for parents/guardians. The event will be on January 16, 2024 from 6-7:30pm in the auditorium at Brooks Middle School. This series will focus on healthy friendships and relationships in middle school.
I have added the link to the Eventbrite as well as a QR for this event. Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything else.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/friendships-healthy-relationships-tickets-773243681667
Luxury Bryant, LMSW
Project Director
DePaul Family and Community Services
2219 N. Kenmore Ave. Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60614
P: 773-325-3021
F: 773-325-7781
Email: lbryan17@depaul.edu
JAYHAWK REMINDERS:
School Office (Winter Break/Lost&Found/Lockers)
School Office Notifications:
WINTER BREAK
The school will be closed from December 22 - January 5 for winter break. The school office will close at 4pm on 12/21. Students should take home their belongings (coats, boots, chromebooks, musical instruments, etc) that they will need over the break. The building will not be open to pick up forgotten instruments, clothing or chromebooks after 4pm on 12/21. Reminders will be read aloud in the daily Jayhawk announcements for students from Dec 18 - Dec 21. We ask that you remind your child to make sure that they bring home all their belongings they may need over the winter break.
LOST & FOUND
This is a reminder that we will continue to regularly clear out the Lost & Found area each month. And as we approach the time for Winter Break, the Lost & Found area will be cleared out completely. The Lost & Found area will be cleaned over the break. Therefore, we are not able to store the numerous lost clothing items, shoes, water bottles, lunch bags, etc that are currently in the Lost & Found area. All unclaimed items will be disposed of or donated to local charities. The last day of school, before the winter break begins, is on Thursday, December 21st. The Lost & Found area will be cleared out completely at the end of the school day on 12/21. Please remind your student to check the Lost & Found area for their own lost belonging(s) before winter break begins.
LOCKERS
We are asking parents and guardians to check-in with their child about their school locker. And whether or not they have a lock for it. We have had multiple instances of children leaving items before or after their lunch periods in the Lost & Found area. Or placing items on top of the school lockers. The Lost & Found is not to be used as a secondary storage area by students. Students must place their coats and backpacks inside their own assigned lockers (not in a friend's locker, not in a teacher's classroom and not in the Lost & Found area). Students should not remove any items from the Lost & Found area that do not belong to them. We ask that you please review these expectations with your Julian student.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Chaperone Background Checks
Are you considering being a chaperone for upcoming field trips or wish to help out more at the school? Then please sign up to have a background check done so that we can add you to the approved volunteer list.
The process:
- Make an appointment (drop-ins not permitted)
- Bring your valid State ID, Driver's License or Passport
- Sign in at the front desk
- Provide Identification
- Complete volunteer form
- You will have your fingerprints scanned
- Prints will be saved and submitted (FBI and State)
- Results come back within 3-7 business days (so please plan accordingly)
- If cleared, your name will be added to district’s volunteer list
To make an appointment to have a background check completed or if you would like more information, please contact Ms. Latimer at alatimer@op97.org or 708-524-3000.
--
Autesha Latimer
HR Receptionist
Oak Park Elementary School District 97
708-524-5836
District 97 Winter Preparedness
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
This season, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is encouraging individuals to be aware of respiratory viruses, including the flu, RSV and COVID-19. CLICK HERE to watch a brief video of everyday strategies to keep our schools healthy this winter >>Spots Still Available - D97 Blended Early Childhood Program
There are still a handful of 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.
If you have any questions, please contact the district's early childhood coordinator, Michele Suedbeck, at 708-524-3134.
Oak Park Park District News
Free Drop-In Tutoring at the CRC
Would your child benefit from tutoring? The Community Recreation Center (CRC) has Triton College students on-site to provide tutoring for middle school students from 3:30pm - 5:30pm Monday through Thursday. In order to access their free tutoring services, parents/guardians must first register their child here, for the drop-in Youth After-School Program.
For more information, please visit their website and/or reach out to Annie Banuet, CRC Youth Engagement Supervisor, at annie.banuet@pdop.org.
SMART Hephzibah
SMART Hephzibah, a supplemental math program currently offered to D97 elementary students is now being offered to all 6th graders. SMART Hephzibah gives students a boost in their math studies and is conveniently taught via Zoom. The Winter 2024 session runs from January 18th through February 29th. Registration opens for this session November 27th and can be accessed by scanning the QR Code or visiting our website: https://www.hephzibahhome.org/smart-hephzibah/. Cost is $84 and financial aid is available.
Ellen Riggsbee
Communications Manager
Hephzibah Children’s Association
708.649.7154
FOOD DELIVERIES ARE NOT PERMITTED FOR STUDENTS
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.
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
ATTENDANCE LINE INFORMATION
*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:
- 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