Julian Middle Matters Newsletter
A weekly communication from Dr. Fitzgerald
Friday, May 15
Remote Learning Update
Trimester 3 Assessment, Grading, and Report Cards Update: As we lean into our equity imperative in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that not all students are experiencing remote learning in the same way. Based on guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), we have developed grading guidelines for Trimester 3 that support students’ social-emotional health during this time. As such, we have shifted the Trimester 3 reporting to a Progressing or No Grade model to record student participation and academic progress for grades K-8 during remote learning. Additionally, report cards will be distributed for all students on June 8, 2020. Click here for the complete update >
- Update on Summer Plans for District 97 Student Devices: Due to the current situation, we will not be collecting devices from students who are currently in third through seventh grade. This decision was made with the health and safety of our students and families in mind, considering the logistics of collecting more than 4,000 devices. It will also ensure access for all students who are participating in the summer school sessions being offered by the district.
The Technology Department is working with both Brooks and Julian to schedule a collection of devices from the eighth-grade students at the completion of the school year. This will provide our team time to have them ready for the incoming sixth-graders in the fall. We will be providing further details on our plans as more information becomes available regarding the 2020-21 school year. Click here for the full message
Registration Open for 2020-21 School Year in District 97
Returning Students - Registration for returning students will be open May 6 through May 20, 2020. All current families received an email on May 6 from InfoSnap@is.op97.org to remotely register your child for the 20-21 school year. We ask that all returning students complete registration as quickly as possible in order to accurately plan staffing, materials, devices, etc. for the upcoming school year. Remember to upload any required documents to InfoSnap (PowerSchool Enrollment) before submitting. Click here for the May 6 communication to families. Detailed information about the returning registration process is available on the district website at https://www.op97.org/hr/student-registration. If you have any additional questions, please email d97registrar@op97.org.
New Students and Kindergarteners - Please note that Kindergarten and New Student Registration will be open through June 6. Families who wish to enroll a kindergartner or new student should start the registration process now by completing a Google survey form on our website.
Navigating PowerSchool during Remote Learning
Please watch this brief video on how to navigate PowerSchool during remote learning. Angelica Love, an assistant principal at Brooks, put this together for our middle school parents/guardians. Please contact Cory Marshall (cmarshall@op97.org) if you need assistance with accessing PowerSchool for your student.
Media Center - Remote Tutoring
Join for a remote check in and an opportunity to get some academic support. We miss seeing you in the media center so come and "stop in" if you need some tips on staying organized or motivated or just wanted to say hello!
MONDAY
Ms. Winchell and Ms. Tucker
Monday, May 18 - 8:00 am
Monday, Jun 1 - 8:00 am
Ms. Omenazu
May 18 - 3:30
June 1 - 3:30
https://zoom.us/j/99740235674?pwd=bk5wOUl2U2k0dGs0R0daTE5FL2tPdz09
Meeting ID: 997 4023 5674
Password: 2Vhh7p
TUESDAY
Mr. Murawski and Ms. Brazen
May 19, 8:30-9:00
May 26 - 8:30-9:00
June 2 - 8:30-9:00
https://meet.google.com/rww-ovtp-hzp
WEDNESDAY
Ms. Buccieri
May 20 - 9:30-10:30
May 27 - 9:30-10:30
June 3 - 9:30-10:30
FRIDAY
Ms. Hill and Ms. Kelly
May 29 - 8:30-9:30
https://zoom.us/j/99931852994?pwd=RDVNeGNRNVFzZEdTQXRMNFlLWElCZz09
Meeting ID: 999 3185 2994
Password: 9Ncemw
Are you interested in helping others during this time?
Student Belongings still at Julian
Julian Virtual Book Group
Attention all readers! Join Ms. Winchell in a virtual community with other Julian readers on Mondays at 2pm. Share what you are reading and get new book ideas. Be ready to share and listen!
Monday, May 18 @ 2pm
Tuesday, May 26 @ 2pm
Monday, June 1 @ 2pm
Jayhawk Lunchtime Socials
We believe that during this time, it is important for our students to have the opportunity to come together. Starting next week, we are offering a space for Julian students to get together to socialize with their peers. Assistant principals will be facilitating these sessions next week. The “Julian Jayhawks Lunchtime Socials” will take place every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 11:00-11:30 using Google Meets. We will be sharing this information and the Google Meets link with our students on Monday morning.
Monday: 6th Grade
https://meet.google.com/jfe-hwao-wwr
Tuesday: 7th Grade
https://meet.google.com/tja-scvf-zfb
Wednesday: 8th Grade
https://meet.google.com/tto-ixpv-pte
Remote Learning Planning Days for Teachers:
Friday, May 22
Students are NOT assigned work by their teachers on these days.
Social Emotional Learning Lessons for Julian Students
CAST Update
Click here to see photos from 6 out of 8 CAST productions originally scheduled for the 2019-20 school year. Despite the pandemic, 4 productions were seen by audiences, 2 made it to the final dress rehearsal, 1 about 75% finished and only 1 was canceled before it even started rehearsal. CREW also had a great year, including the formation of a new design component called CORE.
As a result of the large numbers of students and audience members needed to make our summer a success, plans for CASTSummer 2020 were canceled last week, read more here.
Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois Package clearly lays out a path to CAST’s return however and we can’t wait to get back on the Julian stage when the time is right!
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers" Program
The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, and DePaul University’s Community Counseling Center have partnered to deliver a vast array of educational and therapeutic services to staff, families, and youth through the “Mindful Middle-Schoolers Program.” Below is a list of upcoming VIRTUAL talks, which will be held via Zoom. Registration via the Eventbrite links below is requested. Once you register, a link will be emailed to you four hours prior to the start of each event.
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers" Community Talk Flyer
Wednesday, May 20: Strategies to Support Executive Functioning and Self-Regulation Development Based upon Brain Science https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strategies-to-support-executive-functioning-and-self-regulation-in-middle-schoolers-tickets-104370637386
Wednesday, May 27: Mindfulness-Based Strategies and Their Applications in Academic Environments https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mindfulness-based-strategies-and-their-applications-in-academic-and-home-settings-tickets-104458977614
Thursday, May 28: Understanding Anxiety in Youth and Strategies for Treatment and Support https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-anxiety-in-youth-and-strategies-for-treatment-and-support-tickets-104370791848
Wednesday, June 3: Technology and Mental Health: Strategies to Promote Mindful Digital Citizenship https://www.eventbrite.com/e/technology-and-mental-health-strategies-to-promote-mindful-digital-citizenship-tickets-104361018616
Wednesday, June 10: Understanding Depression in Youth and Strategies for Treatment and Support https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-depression-in-youth-and-strategies-for-treatment-and-support-tickets-104459673696Mental Health Wellness Appointments
We recognize that this time of crisis may create stress and trigger emotional difficulties for your child. D97’s school psychology department is offering acute (short-term) access to mental health wellness checks. Scheduled appointments are available daily between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for mental health triage services during the COVID-19 school closure beginning April 13, 2020.
Parents/Caregivers, you may sign up your student for a 15-minute slot here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/selfsched?sstoken=UUVKMGZxZ0E0ZkpvfGRlZmF1bHR8ODI4ZTEzZmFkOTFjYWY5OGU5NjFiZDBkMDExZjkzNmY if you think your child would benefit from an empathetic ear and a few coping and self-care tips. When signing your child up, please provide the email (for video chat) or phone number you’d like us to contact at the time of the appointment.
Although this crisis may also be tough for adults, these mental health triage appointments are reserved to focus on student needs. If you have questions as a caregiver/parent, please email your building’s assigned school psychologist, your child’s educational team, or refer to this resource guide, created by the District 97 Social Work Department: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uKPIgKHr6sDnj_YHb1t6S9UbukwE2JUAZS4cv37H9QY/edit
Technology Support
District 97 Staff Referral Program
Meal Distributions
District 97 will hold meal distributions every Monday, 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. Meals are available to any District 97 family in need. Each student will receive breakfast and lunch items for five days.
OPRF Youth Summer Camp Program and Swim Camp Canceled
Yearbooks Available for Purchase
Commemorate this Historic School Year with a 2019-2020 Julian Yearbook - $30.00
Available on the Oak Park SD97 Webstore.OPRF Huskie Store
Upcoming Events
Remote Learning Teacher Planning Day - Friday, May 22
Email: tfitzgerald@op97.org
Website: op97.org/julian
Phone: 708-524-3040