Henry Hawk News
Week of December 13, 2021
A Message From The Principal
Dear Henry Families,
We hope everyone had a nice weekend. Please be sure to read the information in our newsletter this week. We did have one additional Covid case this past week.
This upcoming week will be a week of some fun and excitement with our Winter Holiday Spirit Week. Be sure to see the activities listed below in this newsletter.
This week will be the last week to purchase any Henry Hawk Spirit Wear. Be sure to place your orders.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
- Henry School will have covid testing on 12/14/2021 at HENRY from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Scholastic Book Fair (Online until Friday, December 17th)
- LSC Meeting: December 14th @ 4:30 p.m.
- Go CPS High School Application Closes: December 15th
- Progress Reports: December 17th
- Winter Break: December 18th-January 2nd
- Return from Winter Break: Monday, January 3, 2022
Have a great week!
Juan Gutierrez, Principal
Mary Ann Reynolds, Assistant Principal
Lora Abraham, Assistant Principal
What's New?
Holiday Spirit Week (NEW!)
Community Letter on Current COVID Data in Chicago (NEW!)
New Security Procedure for Visitors (NEW!)
Accountability Redesign Survey – Reimagining District Accountability (NEW!)
Ensuring Restroom Equity Compliance (NEW!)
Henry Spirit Wear Orders Extended!
Class of 2022 Fundraiser
Scholastic Book Fair: Online This Week! (NEW!)
Scholastic Book Fair Pics (NEW!)
Student Covid Testing Registration
Go CPS Application Live (DUE DEC. 15TH!)
Student Fees: Pay via E-pay
Submit a Copy of Student Vaccination Records
Protocol For Suspected Illness
Holiday Spirit Week Grades PreK-4
Holiday Spirit Week Grades 5-8
Community Letter on Current COVID Data in Chicago
Dear Families,
As you may have seen in the news, the new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus has now made its way to Chicago. There’s a lot we still don’t know about this variant, including how contagious it is and what level of illness it causes. What we DO know is that the best way to protect ourselves from this and every COVID variant is by getting vaccinated, and by continuing to adhere to proven health and safety protocols.
I am proud of the way our students have adjusted to wearing their masks, washing and sanitizing their hands, and staying socially distanced whenever possible. It’s clear that these protocols are working, because the rate of virus transmission within schools remains very low. In fact, research shows transmission happens much more often outside of school in social gatherings. Unfortunately, COVID-19 does not stop at the classroom door, which means we need everyone to remain vigilant outside of school.
We will continue making sure all health and safety protocols are firmly in place at school. But we need our students, staff and families to do their part to lessen community spread. This is especially important right now, when cold temperatures are forcing us indoors and holiday gatherings are bringing more of us together.
Chicago is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases this holiday season, but there are things we can do to help reduce our risk:
Get vaccinated and boosted. This is by far the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the virus. It’s also the best way to stop future variants from forming. make an appointment today through vaccines.gov, chi.gov/covidvax, or a CPS regional COVID-19 vaccine clinic, mobile event, or school-based health center.
Stay Safe at Holiday Gatherings. If you are NOT fully vaccinated, strongly consider taking a COVID-19 test before and after the gathering, and mask and social distance when possible.
Travel Safely. If you are fully vaccinated, you can safely travel for the holidays. If not, be sure to follow the CDPH Travel Advisory guidelines.
Stay Home if You're Sick. If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, do the selfless thing and skip the holiday gathering. The best gift you can give your friends and loved ones this season is the chance to stay healthy.
CPS will continue to follow the science with regard to the Omicron variant, and if it turns out that adjustments to our health and safety protocols are needed, we will provide updates as soon as possible.
In the meantime, I urge you to continue being positive role models to our students by following the above guidance and making choices that are considerate of the health and safety of others this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Principal Juan Gutierrez
New Security Procedure for Visitors
When entering the building, visitors will be asked to scan their Drivers License/ID, take their picture, and wear a visitor pass. Please be sure to have your ID with you as this will be needed to enter the building. Whether you are going to the office for an early dismissal, dropping off documents to the main office, or any reason, all visitors will be expected to go through this security procedure.
Accountability Redesign Survey – Reimagining District Accountability
Thank you for taking part in this survey!
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is trying to improve the way it measures and shares information about school quality.
CPS students, parents, teachers, principals, and community members helped design this survey for you to share your priorities on:
- the information you want to have about schools
- the information you believe CPS should use to measure how well a school is doing
The survey . . .
- Should take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete
- Is completely voluntary and you may skip any question
- Will not collect any information that may directly identify you
- Results will be summarized and made publicly available
The University of Illinois Chicago’s Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement is administering this survey. If you have any questions about the survey, you may contact UIC Senior Researcher Matt Sweeney by email at mesweene@uic.edu.
ENGLISH | SPANISH
Ensuring Restroom Equity Compliance
Dear Henry Hawk community,
I am writing today to inform you of an important announcement from Chicago Public Schools’ Office of Student Protections and Title IX regarding changes to our restroom signage.
This past summer, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued guidance expanding the breadth of Title IX’s protections against discrimination on the basis of sex to include: (1) discrimination based on sexual orientation and (2) discrimination based on gender identity. For our school community this means that students must have fair and equitable access to restroom facilities that align with their gender identity and comfort.
I would like to assure you that this guidance is not new for CPS. These changes to Title IX are in direct alignment with our District’s 2016 guidelines regarding the support of trans and gender noncomforming students and our policy on nondiscrimination. Now, CPS is simply taking further steps to ensure a broader understanding of this requirement.
To ensure fair and equitable access to restroom facilities for students who are trans, non-binary, or gender nonconforming, school leaders have been tasked with posting new temporary paper bathroom signage which identify the fixtures available in the bathroom and makes it clear that our restrooms are open for use to anyone who feels comfortable in that space in alignment with their gender identity. Posting these signs is the initial step we are taking while the District works on a long-term strategy for permanent restroom signage that is gender inclusive.
Please note that we will still continue to provide a single stall or private restroom as an option for anyone who asks, while also maintaining separate restrooms for staff.
We understand that this change may bring up many questions and would like to provide some resources to learn more:
National Association of Independent Schools: Transgender Students and School Bathrooms
Gender Spectrum Transgender Students and School Bathrooms: FAQ
These changes to our bathroom signage are important because our students who identify as trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming are more likely to have negative experiences at school. These students suffer stigma, discrimination, harassment, and violence that can adversely affect their health and educational outcomes. Some statistics include:
A 2017 National School Climate Survey by GLSEN reported that among transgender students in schools:
59.5% felt unsafe at school because of their gender expression
42.7% avoid bathrooms at school because they feel unsafe or uncomfortable
A 2018 Human Rights Campaign report noted that gender expansive youth are at high risk for negative health outcomes:
88% felt down in the past week
84% felt hopeless or worthless in the past week
I thank you for your support and look forward to working together to ensure that CPS provides all students with the safe, positive experience they deserve.
Henry Spirit Wear Orders (Extended)
Store is extended!
Click on the button below to order now.
Class of 2022 Fundraiser
Class of 2022 Fundraiser:
You may have already received an email from a current 8th grader requesting that you please purchase a holiday item from an online store. Each student is registered as an online seller. A percentage of the sales will go towards their end of year camping trip. If you can please consider making a purchase to help them out!
If you did not receive a link you can also purchase from the general Henry link: Please consider doing some holiday shopping online at this link https://needsyoursupport.org and register using group ID # PZ9EH.
Scholastic Book Fair Continues Online!
Thank you for a successful Book Fair.
If you were not able to make it to the Fair, then shop online at our school's Virtual Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/henryhawks
(Or click the button below.)
Student Covid Testing Registration
Dear Henry Parent/Guardian,
Welcome back to an exciting and promising school year! As part of the district’s efforts to ensure the safety of our students, we are partnering with Thermo Fisher Scientific and Color Health to provide all students with COVID-19 testing beginning September 1, 2021 for the school year through the ReadyCheckGo™ testing program.
If you are interested in having your child participate in testing, please follow this link https://home.color.com/covid/sign-up/start?partner=tf-hen-609988-students and complete the registration process. A parent or guardian must register any minor under 18 years old, and you’ll give a one-time consent and HIPAA authorization to share your child’s results with the school and district.
Testing is optional for students, except for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated student athletes. Testing will take place during regular school hours and results will be available in 24 to 48 hours. Color Health will follow up with you directly if your child receives a positive result.
For more information on testing with Thermo Fisher and Color, including self-swab testing and receiving results, head to their Support FAQs or call 888-603-1028. You may also email the CPS COVID-19 Testing Team at covidtestingcps@cps.edu.
Thank you for your participation to keep our school community safe and healthy.
-CPS COVID-19 Testing Team
Student Fees: Pay via E-pay
Click the "Henry E-Pay" button on our website patrickhenryes.cps.edu to make payments on student fees, field trips, fundraisers, etc. You will need your child's student ID number to make the online transaction.
Please call the office at 773-534-5060 if you have any questions.
Student Fees
$25 - 1 student
$50 - 2+ students (family)
Submit a Copy of Student Vaccination Records
Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. It benefits not only the individual, but also schools and communities by reducing transmission of the virus.
Nearly 60% of young people in Chicago aged 12-17 years have received at least one dose of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective for children, and is offered at no cost. To find more information regarding vaccine opportunities please visit:
CPS COVID-19 Vaccination Program:
City of Chicago Vaccine Sites:
or call 312.746.4835 to make an appointment
Parents/guardians of fully vaccinated students are urged to submit a copy of their child’s COVID-19 vaccination record to their child’s school. Student vaccination records will be entered into the student’s electronic record in ASPEN, where they can be stored safely and used to inform the contact tracing and quarantining process. School nurses are the only staff who are trained and qualified to enter student vaccination records, so forms that are given to teachers, school clerks, etc. will be routed to the school nurse.
Protocol For Suspected Illness
- Students are seen by the nurse to determine if there is a suspected illness to be sent to the Care Room. If there is a suspected illness, parents are notified to pick up student
Students wait in the Care Room until they are picked up. Ms. Reynolds or Ms. Abraham will speak to the parent regarding the "Referral For Suspected Illness". Parents are provided with the referral that also will need to be reviewed by a medical professional who will determine if a Covid Test is needed. Students may not return to school until there is clearance from the doctor.
Negative Test and no fever - students can return to school
Positive Test - parents have to call the school and self report on cps.edu/covidresults
Administration will get notification of a positive case and will follow the steps with the support from the Network Chief.
Administration will send information to parents if a classroom will have to flip to remote learning due to a positive case.
Please note that we are not allowed to disclose any medical information of any student or staff member due to HIPAA laws.
Patrick Henry School
Mr. Gutierrez, Ms. Reynolds, and Mrs. Abraham
Website: patrickhenryes.cps.edu
Location: 4250 N St Louis Ave, Chicago, IL, USA
Phone: 773-534-5060
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PatrickHenryHawks/
Twitter: @PatrickHenrySc1