MAP TESTING make-up
Fall MAP Testing began last week. On Tuesday, September 26th, we will have the final make-up day. Please click here to review the MAP testing days and times, as well as the class bell schedules during the testing times. We ask that you plan ahead and communicate with your student, if you should need an early dismissal for a dental or doctor's appointment. We will NOT be able to call into classrooms when MAP Testing is in progress.
Fall MAP Reminders:
- Please be sure your student gets a good night's rest prior to the testing dates.
- Your student should bring their fully charged chromebook to school daily.
- Students will be asked to turn off their cell phones so that there are no disruptions during testing.
SAFETY DRILL *this week*
Our first fire drill with the Oak Park Fire Department is on Thursday, September 28th. We will practice evacuating the building. Our goal is to have all staff and students be aware of the expectations necessary for everyone to be safe and secure in the event of an emergency.
Julian Sports LIVESTREAM
Do you know you can watch Julian games from home? Beginning on 9/28, for the first home game of the season, you can catch the Girls Basketball team play in-person or you can watch online via YouTube from the comfort of your home! Our team will play Macarthur at 4:30pm in the Julian main gym on Thursday, September 28th. Go Jayhawks!
2023-2024 SCHOOL FEES
Please be sure to make your 2023-24 school fee payment by Friday, September 29th. You may pay the $225 school fees online at your convenience. The annual school fee helps to cover costs of such items as instructional materials, staff supervision for before and after school events & activities, and the purchase & repair of district issued devices (i.e. students' iPads and chromebooks).
Please click here to make a payment using your debit/credit card. Check or cash payments can be made at the Julian school office anytime between 8am - 4pm on school days.
October 16 * Deadline for School Health Requirements
The State of Illinois requires all kindergarteners, sixth-graders and students new to our district submit a current State of Illinois school physical with up-to-date immunizations. Detailed information on the requirements can be found here under “Health Requirements.”
Please note that according to Section 27-8.1 of the School Code of Illinois, District 97 is obligated to exclude students from school beginning on Monday, Oct. 16 who have not provided proof of the required physical examinations and/or immunizations, until they are in compliance.
If you have been contacted by your school nurse that your child is missing any of the required forms/information, please submit those records directly to the health office before the October 16th deadline.
Thank you for your assistance with this important matter!
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Students can purchase breakfast or lunch at school. Breakfast is served in the commons at 8:30am on school days (except when there are half days for the Parent-Teacher Conferences). Please see the Julian website for the meal prices and the daily menus at https://www.op97.org/julian/food-service.
PARENT FEEDBACK
If you haven't done so already, please be sure to share your thoughts about the Curriculum Night with us. We'd love to get your feedback on what you enjoyed and/or what you feel could be improved upon for next year!
*8th Grade Families* PLEASE REVIEW
- WASHINGTON DC TRIP***Please complete the Student Interest Form by September 27th at 3 p.m., if your student plans to attend the trip!***The Washington, D.C. trip will be taken in March 2024. There are deadlines for payments and scholarship requests that need to be submitted now in order for your 8th grade student to participate. So please be sure to review the webpage. And fill out the Student Interest Form today.
- GRADUATION CAP & GOWN Please remember to purchase your 2024 cap, gown and tassel set for your 8th grader by Friday, October 27th. Students were given order forms during advisory classes. 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). Additional order forms are available in the school office.
STUDENT LOCKS FOR LOCKERS AND PE LOCKERS
Parents and Guardians,
Please double check with your Julian student to see if they are in need of 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.
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.
CALCULATION CORNER
Calculation Corner has begun! 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 will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays in A213 both before school (8:00-8:50am) and after school (3:40-4:30pm). See Ms. Gunnell to sign up!
NO LIBRARY ACCESS ON WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
The library is now open before school starting at 8:00 AM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. We are closed Wednesday mornings because of teacher meetings.
***We are working to open the library during recess as soon as possible. We will communicate with students, teachers, and families when lunch recess in the library will start.***
Please feel free to direct library questions, concerns, or ideas to Jamie Winchell, Teacher Librarian jwinchell@op97.org.
Ms. Winchell
Teacher Librarian
Percy Julian Middle School
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.
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
