Christian's Weekly Communication
May 14, 2023
Special Olympics/Best Buddies Banquet
And congratulations again to Mr. Tim McDonald (D97's very own Adapted Physical Education Teacher and Special Olympics Coach) for organizing a heartfelt event for the families. The students had a great time with the giant games, plentiful food choices, and the amazing awards presentation. Great job, everyone!
End of Year Report - Julian Culture & Climate Team
Our Julian Culture & Climate team has a lot to celebrate this year!
Check In Check Out - This year we added a new program, wherein a Julian staff member meets with a student each day to check in, provide a pep talk, establish a relationship, provide reminders about assignments, and/or troubleshoot issues, depending on what the student needs. We had 33 students and 28 staff participate in the program this year.
DePaul University Partnership - Our DePaul clinicians, Luxury Bryant and Gabriella Arcidiocono, offered individual and group services to approximately 60 students this school year. With an additional DePaul clinician’s support, we were able to increase the types of programs offered, including Mindfulness, Executive Functioning, and Healthy Relationships.
Amity - This year we partnered with Amity Children’s Aid, a local organization that covers 100% of the cost for eye exams and eyeglasses for students who need it. Together, we identified and supported 10 Jayhawks in getting free exams and glasses!
Monthly Heritage Month Celebrations & Assemblies - In collaboration with the PTO and many students and staff, we celebrated 6 heritage months this year, in a variety of ways, including: assemblies showcasing student music and spoken word, guest speakers, display cases, bulletin boards, special playlists during passing periods, Advisory lessons, and more!
Jaybucks and School Store - This year we provided specific feedback on expected student behavior by passing out thousands of digital “Jaybucks” to our Julian students for being safe, respectful and responsible. We also utilized an online platform, PBIS Rewards, which increased our efficiency and fun-factor. In collaboration with our Julian parents and because of their generous contributions, we were able to host 4 school stores.
PBIS Recognition - We have been recognized by the Midwest PBIS Network for our work toward implementing a PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports) framework that leads to improved student outcomes.
Student Team Members - This year we were thrilled to welcome back 4 student members from last year, and welcome 3 new student members. They are incredibly helpful to our team and we can’t believe we ever existed without them!! Thank you Audrey Bell, Xander Caroll, Lauren Nelson, Quinn Barr, Jesus Escobedo, and Sophia Ott!
Our Culture & Climate team consists of the following staff members - Christina Bultas, Anthony Cole, Steve Hoskins, Jessie Fenske, Nora Flynn, Cecilia Foronda, Betsy Hercher, Philip Swistowicz, Erika Thomas, Katie Trathen, Jillian Williams, and Jamie Winchell. THANK YOU for all of your hard work this year, team!
YEMBA Summer Empowerment Program
8th Grade Corner
8th Grade Parents and Guardians,
1 - Please be sure to let us know if your 8th grader and your family will attend the graduation ceremony. Fill out the google form by Friday, May 19th please. **NOTE: this is NOT an extra ticket request form. Each 8th grade student is eligible to receive a total of 4 tickets for the ceremony. The school does not provide extra tickets, the school can not replace lost graduation tickets, and does not have a ticket "wait list". Please do not contact Julian staff regarding extra tickets because they do not receive any. The google form is to indicate if your family will actually attend to ceremony. It is for the school's planning purposes only.
2 - Families that have already paid for the Great America field trip, or requested financial assistance, should be sure to fill out the Great America permission slip before the end of this month. Details about when the bus returns and the amusement park rules can be found here. IT IS TOO LATE TO ADD A PAYMENT, AS THE DEADLINE WAS APRIL 28TH. Thank you.
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Monday, May 22 - Music Dept field trip (for Choir, Band & Orchestra students)
- Tuesday, May 30 - Graduation Materials Pick Up Night (a parent or guardian, 18yrs old+ must sign for the graduation tickets, class of 2023 t-shirt and/or cap & gown orders) 5:30pm - 7pm in the commons
- Tuesday, June 6 - Six Flags Great America field trip
- Wednesday, June 7 - Chromebook Collection (students turn in D97 devices and chargers)
- Friday, June 9 - rehearsal for graduation (10am) and graduation ceremony (6:30pm) @ OPRFHS
OPPL
Save the Date! APIDA Event at OPPL on May 21
School Office hours *REMINDER*
As we prepare for the end of the year celebrations, field trips, graduation activities, etc., please be aware that the school office will close at 4pm on the following days:
- Tuesday, May 15
- Wednesday, May 16
- Friday, May 26
- Tuesday, May 30 (Graduation Materials Pick Up Night)
- Friday, June 9 (Last Day of School/Graduation Day)
Students that do not own cell phones are allowed to use classroom phones, with the classroom teachers' permission, at the end of the school day to call home for rides. Or they can ask their coach or after-school club sponsor to use their classroom phone to reach a parent or guardian when the school office is closed. If you have any questions, please contact us via email at julianinfo@op97.org.
Culture & Climate Corner
HELP NEEDED - May 30th School Store
Our final school store of the school year is upon us and we need your help!
Restock - Can you support our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) efforts by purchasing items from our Amazon wish list for our next school store? THANK YOU SO MUCH for your generosity!
Volunteer - If you have 30 minutes available on Tuesday, May 30, we could use your help to set up, tear down, or work the store during a lunch period! Check out our sign-up sheet here. Any questions? Please reach out to Katie Trathen at ktrathen@op97.org. Thank you so much!
Literacy Lab
We are excited to announce that the Julian Literacy Lab launched on 4/10. Literacy Lab is a place where students can get help from teachers with their reading and writing assignments, study for assessments, make revisions and/or proofread writing, and re-take assessments. It will be held in the library media center before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays (8-8:45am) and after school on Wednesdays (3:40-4:30pm).
Sign up here ahead of time to attend (required). If you have questions, please reach out to Ms. O'Keefe at kokeefe@op97.org.
Calculation Corner
Students are required to sign up ahead of time using this link.
Concordia University Chicago Basketball
Kindergarten and New Student Registration is Now Open!
Online registration for kindergarten and new students is now open for the 2023-24 school year. Kindergarten and new students may register from May 5, 2023, through July 1, 2023.
Kindergarten Eligibility:
In order to register your student, you must be the custodial parent/guardian and currently reside in Oak Park. Students who are registering for kindergarten for the 2023-24 school year must be at least 5 years old and must be born on or before Sept. 1, 2018.
All students entering kindergarten, including those currently enrolled in one of District 97’s early childhood programs, are considered “new students” and should follow the kindergarten and new student registration process on May 5. All other currently enrolled District 97 preschool students who are not entering kindergarten should register as a returning student beginning on May 26.
Please click the links below to learn more about the registration process for kindergarteners and new students.
Returning student registration will open on Friday, May 26. Instructions for returning students will be shared in the coming weeks. We appreciate your partnership in preparing for a successful 2023-24 school year!District 97's Blended PreSchool Program
2023-24 District 97 Blended Preschool Program
District 97 is accepting applications for the early childhood blended classrooms at Whittier Elementary School for the 2023-24 school year. There will be a limited number of spaces available. Click here to view the 2023-24 D97 Blended Preschool flyer >>
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.
Julian Health Office
Be Safe and Healthy Reminders
In District 97, we understand and appreciate that it will take all of us—families, staff, community members—working together to have a safe and healthy winter. As we continue through the winter months, we want to remind you of a few preventative measures our school community can take to reduce the spread of illness in our schools:
- Wash hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. These are the most common ways for germs to enter the body.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your arm when you cough or sneeze.
- Get plenty of sleep!
- Eat whole, unprocessed foods and include fruits and vegetables at each meal.
- Stay up to date on your vaccinations
Should students get sick, they should not come to school. Please do not send your child to school with any of the following symptoms:
- Constant coughing
- Constant “runny” nose, especially with yellow or green mucus
- A temperature of 100 or higher
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Rashes or any scratching for unknown reasons, with or without fever
- Watery, itching eyes that have drainage or are crusted shut upon waking
Reporting Positive Covid-19 Cases
Process for Reporting Positive COVID-19 Cases to D97 Schools
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they must complete the following steps:
1) In order to notify the school nurse and receive a return-to-school date, families/staff must complete the confidential COVID-19 Positive Case Notification Form as soon as possible following the positive test. Information provided will also be shared with the Oak Park Department of Public Health.
2) Families must continue to report student absences via the school attendance line, and staff must enter their absences in Frontline.
To see the rules for isolation and quarantine, click here. Additional resources are linked below.
School Text Communication
District 97 partners with a company called BrightArrow to deliver important information to families through calls, emails and text messaging. Next week, the BrightArrow system is adding a new texting phone number to speed up text delivery. Please note that your family may start seeing text messages from our school coming from the short code phone number 79041, in addition to the number 87569.
As a reminder, you may opt-in to text messages from our school at any time by sending YES to the shortcode 87569 and 79041. You must have your phone number on file with the school to receive text messages. Once you opt-in, BrightArrow will send you a confirmation that your phone number is opted-in.
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.)
Percy Julian Middle School
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-524-3040
We give our best, and then some!