Jayhawk Weekly Communication
January 7, 2024
Happy New Year, everyone!!
Last month, we enjoyed closing out the calendar year with so many activities. Among them, the Holiday Gift program, the Makers Fair, championship basketball games, the School Spirit Week, and a host of concerts & performances. It's 2024 and we're ready to start the year off "Jayhawk Strong"!
JV Rocks!
Back to Back Champions!
Congratulations to the Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Team!!!!!!!!!
Let us celebrate our Boys' Junior Varsity Basketball Champions, Coach Fuller, Coach Gates, Mr. Garcia, and Mr. Askew. Huge thanks as well to Mr. Bill and Ms. Cecil who were present and supportive this season. The boys secured the 2023-24 championship title last month. We are Jayhawk proud!
MLK Holiday on January 15
Future Huskie Night@OPRFHS - 8th Grade Open House
OPRFHS News
8th Grade Families,
I wanted to share with you all the information on OPRF's Future Huskie Night (8th grade open house) that will occur on Thursday, January 18th. We are very excited to host our incoming freshmen and families during this event. All divisions, departments, athletics and activities will have staff on hand to share information and answer questions. And, probably of most concern to our new students, we will have school tours available.
Please reach out with any questions,
Angie Hawkins
Student Activity Coordinator
Oak Park and River Forest High School
708-434-3774
Cap & Gown Photo Day - January 19
8th Grade News - SAVE THE DATE
8th graders will take their cap & gown photos in the morning on Friday, January 19th. The school photographer, Van Gogh, will provide the Cap and Gown for the photos. There will be one cap & gown photo and one pose without the cap & gown. Please have students refrain from wearing green clothing or accessories, and they should refrain from having high ponytails or up-do hair styles (so that the cap will fit securely on their head).
**Cap & Gown orders for the graduation ceremony will arrive after Spring Break. We will inform parents/guardians and students when those orders, that were placed in November '23, can be picked up. Past practice has been to hand them out as close to the graduation date as possible, so that we can reduce the chance of cap and gown orders being lost or damaged. Therefore, distribution will most likely take place in mid-May.**
JAYHAWK REMINDERS:
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.
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
P: 773-325-3021
Email: lbryan17@depaul.edu
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 >>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