Christian's Weekly Communication
October 4, 2021
Questions, Thoughts and Answers w/ Principal Christian
Tuesday, Oct 12, 2021, 06:00 PM
undefined
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences should be a forum where parents are made aware of the areas of their child’s success, areas of growth, and possible areas of concern. This platform should be collaborative creating family connections in order to ensure the academic and social-emotional development of the child.
Here is our new process for Parent-Teacher conferences:
The School Administration will contact students that have areas of growth (D's & U's) 4 weeks prior to conferences
Parents of students that are failing will have first access on (Monday, October 4th at 4 p.m.) to sign up for conferences with teachers/classes in which their students might have areas of growth
Conferences will be 10 minutes in length
Conferences are Thursday starting at 12:30.
Parents will be able to use a new system (Myconference Time) to sign-up for conferences with teachers in hopes of fostering a collaborative relationship of success between students, teachers and their academic success.
The link for Myconference Time will be open for all parents on Friday, October 8, 2021, at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct 21, 2021, 12:30 PM
undefined
8th Grade Parents
Dear 8th Grade Parents/Guardians,
8th grade students received a cap & gown order form in Advisory class this week. As we finalize plans with the photography vendor, we ask that parents/guardians to please place their orders now for your 8th grade student. The cap & gown set includes the 2022 tassel, cap and gown that will be needed in order to take the photos. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE PHOTOGRAPHER WILL NOT PROVIDE CAP & GOWNS TO BORROW FOR THE GRADUATION PHOTO DAY.
All students will have to bring their cap & gowns with them on the graduation photo day (this date will be shared soon). Also, the cap & gown set will double as the attire for the graduation ceremony (this date is TBD). If you plan to reuse previously worn items from a sibling, please be sure that the red cap & gown are in good condition and fit your current 8th grader. If you only need to order a 2022 tassel, a cap & tassel, or just a gown & tassel (because you already have a red gown or cap), you can make those individual purchases as well.
Parents/Guardians may place their online order on the Julian webstore at www. op97.org/julian. Please place the order and make the payment by Friday, October 29th.
If you have any questions, or need to request financial assistance to help with the purchase of the cap & gown package, please contact Ms. Jackson at ejackson@op97.org.
School Fees
2021-22 School Fee payments are due by October 1st. Payments can be made on the webstore at www.op97.org/julian.
Annual Halloween Costume Letter to Parents
Dear District 97 Families,
For those of our families who celebrate Halloween, many of you are starting to discuss costume choices with your child. Although students are not required to wear costumes, we recognize that they are a fun and creative part of our schools' Halloween activities.
Our goal is to create a positive learning environment where all students, staff and families feel a sense of belonging. In that spirit, we ask that you take care to ensure that your child’s costume choice does not portray a stereotypical image of any group of people or culture, or be offensive to any one racial, ethinic or religious group. We appreciate you being proactive with your child in making thoughtful costume choices.
To support you in your conversation with your child and to build your understanding around this topic, we have compiled links to resources that you may find helpful:
- "I Am Not a Costume" (information about Laurier Students' Public Interest Research Group campaign): http://www.lspirg.org/costumes/
- “We’re a Culture, Not a Costume” (article about Ohio University campaign): https://www.cnn.com/2011/10/26/living/halloween-ethnic-costumes/index.html
- "Teaching Tolerance" (a lesson for classrooms and can be applied at home): https://www.tolerance.org/classroom-resources/tolerance-lessons/what-do-halloween-costumes-say
- "Teaching Tolerance: Teach About Blackface and Other Racist Halloween Choices" (written for educators, but provides useful prompts for discussions at home): https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/teach-about-blackface-and-other-racist-halloween-choices
Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools.
Oak Park Elementary School District 97
DePaul University
How can we help our children approach technology mindfully? What are some benefits and challenges of technology for children? What are strategies to help promote digital citizenship and wellness in youth? Join us for this free talk!
DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and D97, is offering a series of community talks to the Brooks/Julian/Irving/Holmes communities during the 2021-2022 school year as part of The Mindful Matters and Mindful-Middle-Scholers Programs. The next opportunity is Thursday, October 14th from 6:00-7:15p via Zoom. The topic is "Technology and Mental Health: Strategies to promote mindful tech use." It is open to ALL community members (staff, parents, students). Please click here to register. A ZOOM link will be emailed 4 hours before the start of the event.
For a complete list of other upcoming DePaul talks for the 2021-2022 school year, click here.
Julian Virtual Book Fair
- Encourage reading!
- Support the Julian library! (All proceeds go directly to improving the library and encouraging reading at the school.)
- Get started early on holiday shopping!
- Fulfill teachers’ and the librarian’s wish lists! (Yes, you’ll be able to buy books for specific teachers or for the library.)
- Support an independent bookseller! (Anderson’s Bookshops supply the book fair.)
It’s easy! The book fair will be virtual this year so you can do all this with just a few clicks.
Watch this space for links next week.
Virtual COMMUNITY Forum for D97 Superintendent Search
As you are aware, the District 97 Board of Education has initiated its search for a new superintendent of schools, and we want to hear your thoughts!
The search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA) will be hosting a virtual community forum on Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The forum will be conducted using Zoom Webinar, which allows up to 500 participants. If you are unable to attend this date, you may attend the community forum on Oct. 20 (click here for details).
There are two ways to participate:
- Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81956079457
- Via Phone: Dial 312-626-6799 (Webinar ID: 819 5607 9457)
2021-22 Family Handbook
Additionally, if you would like to request a hard copy of the handbook, please contact the school office.
Washington, DC Trip
Dear 8th Grade Julian Parents/Guardians,
We still have room and would love for your daughter/son to join us on the trip to Washington, DC. If you were unable to attend the parent meeting, here’s a link to the DC Trip Parent Presentation. In addition, here are the next steps:
Washington, DC - Friday, February 18 - Sunday, February 20, 2022 (Presidents’ Day Weekend)
Cost: $1,332 (Registration deadline is Wednesday, September 15)
Deposit: $99
Full Refund Program: $159
Refer to Trip ID when registering:
Julian - 192356
You can either register:
Online at WorldStrides
Call WorldStrides directly (800-468-5899)
Financial Assistance:
WorldStrides FLAG Scholarship - call 800-468-5899 and provide them with your income information and they will provide the eligible scholarship amount.
In addition, contact Mrs. Robinson for the Oak Park Township scholarship. Your child is eligible if they receive reduced or free lunch.
If you don’t meet the income-based scholarship requirement, but you have a financial need, please email Mrs. Robinson and we can consider a PTO Scholarship.
Please share this information with other 8th-grade families. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.
Thank you,
Janorisè Robinson
Parent Volunteer & Program Leader
(312) 241-2639
District 97 Now Hiring!
District 97 is currently hiring for key positions to support in-person learning during the 2021-22 school year!
Certified Nursing Assistants
District 97 has immediate openings for certified nursing assistants. If you know anyone who is looking to work with children, earn competitive pay and support the safety and health of our school community during the 2021-22 school year, please encourage them to apply today at: https://www.op97.org/hr/employment.
Permanent Substitutes
District 97 has immediate openings for permanent substitute teachers. If you know anyone who is looking to work with children, earn competitive pay and give back to the community, please encourage them to apply today at: https://www.op97.org/hr/employment.
Lunch/Recess Supervisors
To support our students and staff during the school day, we are still seeking more parents and community members to serve as lunchroom/recess supervisors during the 2021-22 school year. It's easy to apply, and your time would have a direct impact on our schools. CLICK HERE to apply!
Communication
Over Communicate!
Last year 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. This year we'd like to keep this theme, in addition to our new theme of "growing 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.)