Christian's Weekly Communication
May 17, 2021
Parent Input
Principal Christian needs your help! Principal Christian is seeking the voices of Julian parents and students as we plan for next year. Please complete the form below to provide information that will help us make decisions that is in the best interest of students. We look forward to hearing from you.
8th Grade Graduation
8th Grade Graduation
8th Grade Graduation Information
Graduation Information
- Sunday, June 13th at 3pm at Oak Park River Forest High School Stadium
- 2 Tickets will be provided per Graduate to ensure we align with the COVID-19 Social Gathering Guidelines
- Graduate Attire: Cap and Gown or Dress Attire
PCR Testing
PCR Test
Parents,
PCR testing takes place every Thursday and Friday from 4pm-8pm in our main gym. It is important to remember the following:
- Anytime a student is learning on-site they must take the PCR test the prior Thursday or Friday
- Only PCR test from Northshore and through our testing procedures and protocols will be accepted
- Please ensure that all forms are complete and legible. Students will need to have the consent form completed WEEKLY. The requisition form only needs to be completed once.
PCR Testing (Additional Information)
It is critical and important that we keep the safety of our students and staff as a priority as some families/students return to school. To that end, we ask that all families keep our mandatory testing consideration at the forefront of our minds.
PCR testing will take place every Thursday or Friday. Parents have the option of choosing which day students will complete testing if students are coming onsite for IAR testing, Hybrid Learning, etc. Students will not be allowed to attend on-site learning without the completion of the PCR test facilitated by NorthShore Clinical Labs.
In addition, we are asking for your partnership. Northshore is asking that we have all forms completed in advance. This will assist us in lowering wait times and allow for minimal clerical errors as information is input into their data systems. I am humbly asking that all parents complete the requisition forms in advance.
Lastly, if you do not receive your results within 48 hours to please contact Northshore Clinal lab at:
customerservice@northshoreclinical.com, or 773-570-6510PCR TESTING Sign-Up INFORMATION
New Process
New Process
As we transition to full day, on-site learning in May, please keep in mind that we are still following CDC and Oak Park Health Department protocols to keep all Julian families, staff and visitors safe. Here are a few guidelines in reference to office procedures:
- If you need to pick up a student for early dismissal, please notify the school office in advance. You must bring a valid photo ID. Your student will be called out of class once you arrive to pick them up (students will not be allowed to wait in the school office due to the limited ability to socially distance in the space).
- If you need to drop off a forgotten lunch, materials, etc. we are asking you to place it in the new school vestibule bin. Please fill out the name tag, place it on the item being delivered and place it in the grade appropriate bin. Bins will be checked before each lunch period and 1 time in the morning and afternoon. Unfortunately, school staff will not accept or sign receipts for lunches delivered by local restaurants.
- If a student rides a bike to school, they are required to bring a lock and use the outdoor bike racks. Bikes, skateboards and scooters will not be stored inside of the school building.
Updated Contact Tracing Procedures - Responding to a Positive Case
Beginning April 26, designated seating charts will be used for all classrooms to streamline and accelerate the contact tracing process when a person tests positive. This will allow nurses to focus their contact tracing investigation on those who are designated close contacts and follow the associated guidance for quarantine requirements. A close contact is defined as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days before getting tested) until the time the patient is isolated.
As a result of our updated process, schools will no longer automatically quarantine entire classrooms when a positive case is identified, and will instead focus on isolating close contacts. Full classroom and/or school quarantines may still be possible depending on the outcome of contact tracing; nurses will work closely with the Oak Park Department of Public Health to determine if additional safety measures are needed.
The following communication procedures will be used for positive cases, beginning the week of April 26:
- The principal will send an email notification to all students and staff of the affected classroom that there was a participant in the class who tested positive. All new cases will then be publicly reported on the district’s COVID-19 Metrics Dashboard.
- If the participant(s) are determined to have been close contacts and/or significant exposure, they will be contacted separately by the school and told to quarantine for 14 full days from their last contact with the case. The nurse will clear those close contact participants on a case by case basis to return to school/work.
Vaccine Information
On May 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for all children age 12 and older. Click here for information about the vaccine and nearby clinics, including the Cook County Community Vaccination Program.
Oak Park Health Department Extends Vaccination Registration to Residents 12 to 15 Years Old
Parents of Oak Park students ages 12 to 15 can pre-register their children to be alerted when COVID-19 vaccine clinic appointments are available through the Oak Park Department of Public Health. Local public health officials expanded the registration criteria to include this newly eligible age category as federal officials approved the Pfizer vaccine for use in individuals 12 and older. Pfizer is the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in individuals age 17 and younger. Individuals who pre-register will be contacted by email to schedule an appointment on a first-come, first-served basis. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the vaccination clinic.
District 97 will work with the health department to provide details about vaccine clinics once they are finalized.
Face Mask Reminder
On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that face coverings are no longer required for individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While this news represents an important milestone in the pandemic, the mask mandate for Illinois schools has not ended at this point.
District 97 follows the guidance of the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Board of Education and the Oak Park Department of Public Health. We do not have information at this point about the impact this latest development will have on schools. Until we receive further guidance, face coverings will continue to be required in all of our schools regardless of vaccination status.
Finish Strong: Reinforcing Safety with Staff and Families (Amanda Siegfried)
The decisions we make during these next few weeks have a direct impact on our ability to maximize in-person learning for our students. Whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated, we all have a responsibility to follow ALL safety guidelines set by state and local health departments in order to reduce potential spread of the virus.
With this in mind, please help us "Stay Safe and Finish Strong."
- If you are sick, STAY HOME.
- Wear a face mask or covering at all times while at school.
- Maintain social distancing (6 feet, as much as possible).
- Wash or sanitize your hands often.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.
Registration Communication
Online registration is currently open for the 2021-22 school year in District 97. Please visit https://www.op97.org/hr/student-registration for complete details.
Returning Student Registration Extended through June 30
Returning student registration will be entirely online and is extended through June 30 for returning students who are currently in kindergarten through seventh grade. The parent/guardian listed as PG1 in PowerSchool will receive an email from infosnap@is.op97.org with their student’s snapcode and instructions to register. Returning Student Registration Information >
Note: In order to register, Oak Park renters must have a lease that covers August 31, 2021, or the student’s first day of school.
VIDEO: "The ABCs of Registration are 'D-E-F'"
CLICK HERE for a brief video that outlines the District 97 registration process!
As you begin the process, remember that the "ABCs" of registration are "D-E-F."
- D - Documents: All required documents must be scanned and ready to upload before starting registration.
- E - Early: Registration is a longer process and we ask that families register early!
- F - Finish: Registration is finished once you receive a confirmation email from the district.
Families who wish to enroll new students or kindergarteners must first gather all required documents and make an appointment to have them reviewed. At your appointment, the registrar will explain the online process, verify your documentation and child's grade level, and enter the student into the online registration system. After your appointment you will receive an email for each student with a unique link to submit that student’s registration information. Information for Incoming Kindergarteners >
Appointments can be scheduled using this link:
https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?event=3548&culture=en
2021 Virtual Summer Step Up Program
District 97 is holding a Virtual Step Up Summer Program for students in Grades 1-8 (students who are in kindergarten through seventh grade during the 2020-21 school year). The program will run July 26 through Aug. 5, 2021 (8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. OR 12 pm. - 2:30 p.m.).
Summer Step Up is designed to support any District 97 student that could benefit from revisiting grade level standards from the previous year. Additional information and sign up forms will be shared by schools in May 2021.
The Asian American Experience: Community Education Event on May 20
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. In light of the recent rise in AAPI hate crimes and violence, making space to acknowledge the impact that the historical and present day anti-Asian sentiment has on our community is more important than ever. On May 20, Districts 200, 97, and 90 and the Oak Park Public Library are partnering with community members to host a virtual conversation about the racial equity challenges of our Asian-American community members. Click here for the event flyer >
School Lunch 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 through the end of the school year. It's easy to apply, and your time would have a direct impact on our ability to provide full days for our students. Click here to learn more and apply.
Meal Distributions
May Breakfast/Lunch Menus
Meals will be provided free of cost this fall to any District 97 student in need. Each bag of food will contain five breakfasts and five lunches.
Meal distributions will be held every Tuesday, 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.