Christian's Weekly Communication
August 28, 2022
PTO's Back to School Party
**Bring money for pizza and other food that will be for sale. This event is proudly sponsored by the Julian PTO.
Congratulations, Ms. Flynn!
Created in 2006 through a gift to the Illinois Reading Council from (then) Senator Obama, the award provides the winning teacher with a $1,000 collection of books that are culturally relevant and inclusive, representing Black and brown characters and cultures.
Flynn has been a middle school literacy specialist for six years, four of which have been in District 97. She is the first MTSS literacy interventionist at Julian, where she serves striving readers and builds structures of support in her six dedicated Strategic Reading support classes, two at each grade-level.
"The classroom library is a tool that supports readers' choice and voice," Flynn said "We have great libraries in our community, but to have one in the place where you are working hardest to read is powerful."
Thanks Ms. Flynn for "giving it your best, and then some"!!
IDs and Lock Distribution Update
On Monday, August 29, 2022 students will need to choose between Red Group=outside recess first or BlackGroup=Lunch first. Unfortunately, these groups will be split into equal parts and be provided on a first come first serve basis. This is done to protect the integrity of our supervision schedule and allow groups to be divided evenly. We humbly ask that you speak with your child about their selection over the next few days as we aim to provide them with the most optimal experience possible.
Student IDs for returning students and those 6th graders from the elementary schools, will receive their school IDs during Advisory on tomorrow. Students that are new to District 97 will have IDs at a later date (newly transferred students can stop by the office on Thursday to check, otherwise we will deliver the IDs to their advisory teachers).
On Thursday, students whose families paid for student locks after 8/17 will be able to pick up the lock for their lockers from the school office during their advisory period.
We thank our Julian parents and guardians for their understanding and patience.
Culture & Climate Team Info
Heritage Month Celebrations - HELP NEEDED!
The Culture & Climate team is looking for help planning our Heritage Month Celebrations. Last year we partnered with the Julian PTO, the DuSable Museum, the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Oak Parker Dima Ali, the Oak Park Village Board, and the Oak Park Public Library to put together 6 educational and memorable assemblies. This year, we'd love to have a more representative group of Julian students, staff and parents to join in the planning. Click here to indicate your interest.
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.
DePaul "Mindful Middle-Schoolers" Groups
DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and D97, offers school-based group mindfulness-based services for students. If you would like your child to be considered for participation in a mindfulness-based small group, please complete this Request for Assistance Form.
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Katie Trathen, LCSW
Culture & Climate Coach
Percy Julian Middle School
416 Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park, IL
Julian Gear
Curriculum Night
Safety Drills
- 8/29 - Advisory practice fire drill
- 8/31 - 10th period fire drill
- 9/8 - safety drill with OPFD
If you have any questions, please contact our school office or your student's grade level assistant principal.
Julian Bell Schedules
Julian Library Media Center
The Julian Library will be open to independent student use starting Monday, August 29.
Students will need to get a digital pass before coming to the library.
- Use the Library Pass bookmark on your Chromebook or scan a QR code on a poster at school.
- Look for the slot appropriate to you (before school or 6th, 7th, or 8th grade recess).
- Enter your ID number (this can be found on the Grades & Attendance page of Power School). Write this number down in a safe place for easy access.
- When you get to the Library, scan your ID or enter your ID number on the self-check computer.
Before school, the Julian Library is open M, T, Th, and F from 8:00-8:50 AM. We are closed on Wednesdays for teacher meetings. Students must arrive before 8:30 AM.
During the recess part of lunch, the Julian Library is open on A & B days (and closed on J days because the periods are so short).
Students are welcome to read, work independently or collaboratively, or do other quiet activities in the Library. Library supervisors or Ms. Winchell and Ms. Jones will be available to support students with their needs.
There is a limit of 60 students per slot (before school or 6th, 7th, or 8th grade lunch).
Please reach out to Ms. Jamie Winchell with any questions or concerns. jwinchell@op97.org
We hope to see you in the Library soon!
School Supplies
The 2022-23 School Supply list is on the Julian website. It has a list of common supplies that students will need for each grade level. Each school day, Jayhawks will need the following:
- school ID
- fully charged chromebook
- a refillable water bottle
- basic school supplies (pen, pencil, notebook, etc)
***Periodically throughout the school year, please check with your child, as it may also be time to replenish such items as antibacterial wipes, Kleenex/Puffs facial tissues and hand sanitizer. We appreciate the assistance with reminding students to come prepared daily.
Food Services *REMINDER*
2022-23 FOOD SERVICE LETTER TO FAMILIES - 8/15
Oak Park Elementary District 97
2022-23 School Meal Information
Welcome to the 2022-23 school year, District 97 families! Below is important school meal information to help you prepare for the upcoming year. Breakfast and Lunch Menus for the 2022-23 school year are now available on the district website and school websites.
“Free School Meals for All” Ends
For the past two years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made it possible for school districts to serve all students free breakfast and lunch through waivers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The USDA free meal waiver is now expired and will not be extended for the upcoming school year. During the 2022-23 school year, all students will be required to pay for their breakfast and lunch meals unless they are directly approved by the State of Illinois or approved after completing the 2022-23 Free and Reduced Lunch Application (see below for instructions).
Free or Reduced Meal Eligibility
Students may receive meals at a free or reduced cost either by being directly approved by the State of Illinois OR being approved after completing the 2022-23 Free and Reduced Lunch Application. In the coming weeks, all families who are directly approved by the state will receive an approval letter by email. If you receive a letter, there is NO NEED to complete an application.
If you feel your student may qualify for free or reduced priced meals but do not receive an approval letter, please complete the 2022-23 Free and Reduced Lunch Application as soon as possible. There are several options for completing and submitting your application (see below).
Apply Online - We recommend families to complete the 2022-23 Free and Reduced Lunch application online. Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to easily set up a secure Mealtime account and complete the application online.
Download, Print and Submit Application - For families who prefer not to use the online system, paper applications in English and Spanish are available to download from the district website or your student’s school website. Completed applications can be dropped off at your student’s school or the district office (260 Madison St.), or emailed to the district's food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at cellis@op97.org. You can also fax the application to 708-524-3019.
Managing Student Meal Accounts
During the 2022-23 school year, payment for school meals can be made through an online portal at www.MyMealtime.com. Families can also make payments to their meal accounts by submitting a check payable to District 97, money orders or cash.
If you plan to use Mealtime, prior to the school year starting please take a look at your student’s account. There, you can see if your student will need funds added for the upcoming school year or if they have a meal balance that needs to be paid prior to school starting. If you do not have an account, you can easily create one by following step-by-step instructions on the MyMealtime website.
We look forward to serving your family this year! If you have any questions about the District 97 food service program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at cellis@op97.org.
Sincerely,
Carla Ellis
District 97 Food Service Coordinator
Food Allergies/Nut-Safe Schools
Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any District 97 schools during the 2022-23 school year. This includes products that are labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.”
District 97 schools have been nut-safe for the past two years—helping to create safer, more inclusive environments for all of our students.
Please visit https://bit.ly/3AyGPpI to access information about the district’s food allergy management program, as well as tips and options for identifying food that is safe for snacks and field trips.We appreciate your support of this important initiative!
District 97 Masking Protocol for Gatherings
District 97 Masking Protocols for Gatherings
Only District 97 students and staff are present
Guideline: Masks are strongly recommended
Examples: During the school day, after-school programs
Gatherings that include individuals who are not students and staff
Guideline: Masks are required
Examples:
Concerts, performances and ceremonies;
Large school events (e.g., back-to-school, open house, curriculum night);
Any portion of field trips spent indoors including on buses, if students are transported to field trips via bus.
Thank you for supporting us by taking this precautionary measure to ensure and maintain the safety and health of our school communities!
Combined Student and Family Handbook 2022-23
The purpose of this handbook is to outline the expectations for building an educational community where everyone feels safe, included and able to learn. Having shared expectations, procedures and policies helps us respect all members of the school community in which we learn and work every day. Please take the time to read through the handbook and review it with your child.
District 97 Reminders
As a reminder, we have created a central location for important back-to-school updates and documents: https://www.op97.org/back-to-school.
The district’s COVID-19 Health Safety Plan is linked below and can also be found, along with other COVID-19 resources and information, by going to https://www.op97.org/updatecenter.
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.)
A Message from the Julian Health Office
Parents/Guardians,
When you are emailing to inform or send the Julian Health Office:
- Any COVID-19 questions or concerns
- Reason for your student's absence
- COVID-19 Vaccination status/cards
- SHIELD Testing
- Submit school physicals or dental exams
- Sports physicals
- Vision exam forms
- Any injuries/PE excusals
IF YOUR STUDENT(S) IS EXPERIENCING ANY SYMPTOM(S) BELOW, PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME & NOTIFY THE HEALTH OFFICE AT JULIANNURSE@OP97.ORG OR 708-524-7648:
- Fever and chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you need immediate assistance, please contact the health office at juliannurse@op97.org or 708-524-7648.
Calling Your Child In Sick from School
Please support our school nurse by LEAVING A REASON when you call your child in sick from school. Our nurse follows up on every absence call when a specific reason is not provided. If your child is staying home due to reasons unrelated to COVID-19, sharing that information in the message helps the nurse determine whether a call is necessary.
When calling the Julian attendance line at 708-665-3064 or leaving a message on the school office voicemail at 708-524-3040, please slowly state the following:
- Your Name
- Your Child’s First and Last Name
- Your Child’s Grade Level and Advisory Teacher
- Reason for the Absence
- Best phone number to reach you