Christian's Weekly Communication
October 2, 2022
Save the Date
Here are a few important reminders about upcoming days off and school events:
- District Closed (No School) - Wednesday, October 5
- Indigenous Peoples' Day (No School) - Monday, October 10
- Parent-Teacher Conference Night - Thursday, October 27**
Half Day - classes are 9am - noon only on Thurs, 10/27
Half Day - classes are 9am - noon only on Fri, 10/28
- Election Day (No School) - Tuesday, November 8
- Student Picture Day - Wednesday, November 9**
Click here to see all holidays that will be observed during the 2022-23 school year.
**More details will be shared this month regarding the conference night and picture day, so that parents/guardians are aware of the logistics and are able to plan ahead accordingly.
Jayhawks in the news!
"Within Julian and throughout the district are highly-skilled professionals who meet kids' needs every day. We have a league of teachers, social workers, Wilson teachers, co-teachers, Reading and Math interventionists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, multilingual teachers, TAs, amazing staff members... all who are supporting kids with what they need, when they need it. I am one of many, and I feel so grateful to be part of a team that works so hard to support young people."
Keep up the great work, Nora! We're fortunate to have you as part of the Jayhawk family!
Progress Reports on October 14
At any time, parents/guardians can see their student's academic progress online via PowerSchool. If you need assistance, your Jayhawk student can show you how to access the PowerSchool portal. Or you can contact the school office at julianinfo@op97.org. We encourage you to reach out to your student's teacher(s) if you have any questions regarding their academic progress.
Math Help**Sign Up Now**
Calculation Corner - NEW!
- Free math support provided by the Julian math teachers.
- BE SURE TO SIGN UP NOW! Teachers are still accepting new students. Students are required to sign up for Calculation Corner ahead of time using this link.
- Available to any Julian student in need of math help.
- Students who visit the Math Lab can:
- receive help on their homework
- prepare for upcoming assessments
- get assistance with assessment revisions
- retake summative assessments
- Hours of Operation:
- Tuesdays & Thursdays
- Before school 8:00-8:50 AM
- After school 3:40-4:30 PM
- Location: Room A213
- More specific information about Calculation Corner will be shared by your student's math teacher and published on Canvas.
Community Talks
DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and District 97, is offering a series of free community talks to the District 97 community as part of the Mindful Middle Schoolers and Mindfulness Matters Program. The next community talk, "Mindfulness-Based Strategies and Their Applications at Home and School," will be held on October 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The session will focused on how mindfulness practices can be helpful in supporting youths' academic and emotional functioning at school and at home. Please go to this link to register.
District 97 Family University
The session will help parents learn about the student assessments given across District 97 schools, how the results are used to support teaching and learning, and how you can use the information to understand your child's progress and next steps. Please use this form to register and submit any questions you have to our team ahead of time; we will address the most common questions submitted.
Please note that the session will be recorded and shared on the District 97 website for future viewing. We look forward to seeing you there!
Culture & Climate Team
Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly - PANELISTS NEEDED
Julian will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in several ways - one of which will be grade level assemblies on Wednesday, October 12. If you identify as Hispanic/Latinx and would like to join our panel, please indicate your interest here. Thank you for considering!
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Throughout the year, teachers will be reinforcing students' positive behavior with Jaybucks (this year we have paper tickets AND a digital version!), which can be spent at the school store. Can you support our PBIS efforts by providing items for our school store? Check out our Amazon wishlist. THANK YOU!!
DePaul Community Coordinator
Could your family use some extra support in housing & rent assistance, coordinating medical and mental healthcare, insurance and benefits applications, after-school programs and tutoring, or support groups and parent coaching? Reach out to our DePaul Care Coordinator at jbroadn2@depaul.edu.
Care Coordinator Flyer
Request for Assistance Form
If your child might benefit from some additional social emotional support such as Check In Check Out or the DePaul Mindfulness Group, please complete this Request for Assistance Form. Our Culture & Climate team will review submissions at our bimonthly meeting and will follow up with you about potential next steps.
--
Katie Trathen, LCSW
Culture & Climate Coach
Percy Julian Middle School
416 Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park, IL
Oak Park Public Library
Family & Community Discussion Circles
Main Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park
Join your neighbors, families, students and friends in interactive community discussions inspired by The 1619 Project. This is a safe, structured anti-racist space where all are empowered to share personal stories, honor our history, and grow in hope.
- Sunday, October 2, 2pm - 3:30pm
Join us for a Read-Aloud of Born on the Water by Juanta Griffin and live West African music. Activities focused on honoring our ancestors and interactive discussion to follow.
- Sunday, October 23, 2pm - 3:30pm
Inspired by the 1619 podcast Episode 1: "The Fight for a True Democracy." Interactive discussion circles on the fight for democracy that never ended and honoring our long legacy of resistance. Ages 11+ and adults.
- Sunday, November 6, 1pm - 3:30pm
This series is made possible with the support of D97 and D200 school districts, the E-Team of Oak Park, Dominican University's Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) group, The Township of Oak Park, and the Oak Park Public Library.
For more information, visit the Oak Park Public Library's website at www.oppl.org.
Cap & Gown Order Forms *Reminder*
During advisory class last week, 8th graders received cap & gown order forms. The red cap & gown sets are required to be worn during the 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony. We ask that orders be placed by the end of this month on Friday, October 28. You can write a check (made payable to OPESD97) and drop it off with the order form at the school office. Orders can also be made online via the Julian web store. We will accept orders until Friday, October 28.
If your family decides to reuse a former graduate's set, please make sure that it is in condition and that the gown fits the current 8th grader. You can purchase a 2023 tassel for $10 via check or cash (this option is NOT available online).
Please note:
- 1 - The graduation ceremony date will most likely occur during the first full week of June 2023. Once the exact date has been determined, we will share the details with families .
- 2 - The graduation photo day will occur after winter break.The cap & gown order will be placed before winter break (so that there is no supply chain delay) and after the vendor has shipped the order, we will have the graduation photo day in late winter or early spring.
If you have any questions, please contact the school office at julianinfo@op97.org. Thank you.
Friday Night Place is back! *Reminder*
Greeting to all students, parents/families, faculty, staff and administrators. Friday Night Place has kicked off its 28th year! For new and returning students, registration and activities for the Friday Night Place After School Program began on 9/16. It's not too late to sign up. Students who are attending, please come prepared with your gym shorts or jogging pants, t-shirt and gym shoes. If there are any questions regarding further details, please contact Coach Jerome at 773-793-0867. Once again, thank you for your support. And for all new comers, Welcome!
The Friday Night Place program is held at Julian on Fridays from 3:30pm - 5:30pm.
Girls on the Rise *Reminder*
Girls On The Rise allows girls to feel empowered, gain self- understanding, improve self esteem, feel connected to community, all while celebrating and embracing their cultural roots. The program focuses on social and emotional learning such as self - management, relationship skills, decision making, and social awareness.
The program began last week during advisory for interested students. For more information or to register your student, please contact Dominique Hickman, Girls On the Rise Supervisor, at 708.622.8673 or dhickman@oakparktownship.org.
Lost and Found
And remember, please label students' clothing, notebooks, lunch bags and water bottles so that they can be returned to them if they are lost or misplaced at school. All unclaimed Lost and Found items will be discarded or donated at the end of each week.
HEALTH OFFICE MESSAGE
COVID-19: Reminders & Resources
Staying home when sick is essential to keep COVID-19 and other infections out of our schools and prevent spread to others.
If a student or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, please complete the POSITIVE CASE NOTIFICATION FORM.
Families must also report the absences by calling the school attendance line, and staff must enter their absences in Frontline.
To view the district’s COVID-19 Health Safety Plan, along with other COVID-19 resources and information, please visit the COVID-19 Update Center.
Thanks, Misty
--Misty Howe, MSN, RN, CNL
Percy Julian Middle School
Health Office
phone: (708) 524-7648
fax: (708) 524-3035
Communication
In 2020, Principal Christian implemented the theme of "over-communicate" amid the flexibility of the COVID19 virus and how information might change at a moment's notice. Last year, our theme was "growing together". And now in 2022-23, we'd like to continue with our new theme of "Stronger, Together". Here are the ways in which Principal Christian and the Jayhawk staff communicates:
- Our Official Percy Julian Facebook Page (click here)
- Christian's Weekly Communication (every week)
- PowerSchool Daily Bulletin Alerts
- Text Messages (Jayhawk Text Messages District 97 uses the notification system BrightArrow to communicate with families via email and phone calls. This year, we have started using periodic text messages to send reminders directly to parents' cell phones. In order to receive text messages, parents must opt-in by texting YES to 87569. Once you have subscribed, you will receive a text confirmation.)