Christian's Weekly Communication
September 26, 2020
A SPECIAL message from Principal Christian
"Over Communicate & Over Deliver"
Email Communication
Our theme for the year is to “Over Communicate & Over Deliver!” I’ve expressed these sentiments to our Administrative team, our teachers, and our staff collectively. In order to do so we’ve established a Julian Info email. Now you may respond directly to emails from this exact communication and it will directly reach the main office. If you’d like to contact our main office with questions you might email us at julianinfo@op97.org or simply reply to this email communication. Thank you for partnering with us!
Mindful Middle-Schoolers Program
Mindful Middle-Schoolers Program
Mindful Middle-Schoolers Program: Resiliency Skills for Anxiety, Depression and Executive Functioning
DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and D97, plan to offer the following services and supports to the Julian and Brooks Middle School communities during the 2020-2021 school year:
- Parent/Student/Staff Community Talks (open to all): Strategies to support executive functioning and self-regulation development based upon brain science; Mindfulness-based strategies and their applications in academic and home environments; Understanding depression in youth and strategies for treatment and support; Understanding anxiety in youth and strategies for treatment and support; Technology and mental health: strategies to promote mindful digital citizenship; exact dates and topics TBD
- 4 & 12-Week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Groups: Evidenced-based approach for children with symptoms of anxiety, depression and difficulties with attention. Groups will be delivered during the school day.
- Individual and Family Therapy: Individualized counseling services for those children & families needing more tailored support
- All services and supports will be offered virtually at this time
Parents may refer their students through a school-based team process here:
Julian Middle School:
Victoria Doobay
Victoria Doobay, Ph.D. (She/Her) is a licensed Clinical Psychologist at the DePaul University Family and Community Services Clinic (FCS). Victoria is interested in providing mindfulness based therapy to children, teens, and families, and working with communities to provide accessible mental health care. She is also an advocate for racial justice, works through a social justice lens, and is committed to lifelong learning. She is looking forward to working with the Oak Park community again this year! Assigned Schools: Brooks Middle School. vdoobay@depaul.edu
Candice Martin
Candice Martin, B.A. is a Care Coordinator at DePaul Family and Community Services. She will be assisting families navigate, link and enroll in the various school- and community-based services and supports that are available with a particular emphasis on helping students transition into and out of middle-school. CMART230@depaul.edu
Cary Klemmer
Cary Klemmer, Ph.D., MSW (He/They) is a licensed Social Worker and therapist at the DePaul University Family and Community Services Clinic. Cary is a long time practitioner of mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation. Cary is also a member of the LGBTQ community and an advocate for LGBTQ people of all ages. He looks forward to sharing his practice experience with your school community this year! ! Assigned Schools: Julian Middle School, Holmes and Irving Elementary Schools. cklemme1@depaul.edu
Lauren Trinca
Lauren Trinca, LPC (She/Her) is a licensed Professional Counselor and is both clinic and community based in her current role as Staff Therapist at DePaul Family and Community Services. She has experience working from a trauma-informed lens and has interest in anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, relationships, and mindfulness. She looks forward to being a part of the Mindful Middle Schoolers program this school year! Assigned Schools: Julian Middle School. ltrinca@depaul.edu
Orson Morrison
Orson Morrison, Psy.D. (He/Him) is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Director of the DePaul University Family and Community Services (FCS). He provides clinic oversight, staff training, clinical supervision, and is involved in program development and the evaluation of clinical services at FCS. Dr. Morrison’s professional interests and areas of expertise include psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and families, psychological assessment, contemplative practices, culture and identity, and working within a social justice/empowerment framework. He is also an Oak Park resident and has children at Brooks and OPRFHS. omorriso@depaul.edu
Superintendent Carol Kelley to Host Virtual Coffee Chat on Sept. 30
Superintendent Carol Kelley to Host Virtual Coffee Chat on Sept. 30
District 97 families and community members are invited to connect with Superintendent Carol Kelley during a virtual coffee chat on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
If you are interested in attending, please click here to RSVP. Zoom details will be emailed to registered participants prior to the event.
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October Breakfast/Lunch Menus Now Available
District 97 will utilize a two-week cycle menu for its breakfast and lunch programs through Trimester 1. Please click the links below to access the breakfast and lunch menus for October and the last week of September. Each Tuesday, students will receive the meals outlined for that day and the following four school days. Click here for more information about food service during Trimester 1.
D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - October 2020
D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - September 2020
Next Meal D97 Meal Distribution: Tuesday, Sept. 29
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.
'Stamped' Family and Community Discussions
In conjunction with Brooks and Julian middle schools' fall curriculum read, the sessions will follow along with the chapters being read by students and staff. Breakout sessions will be led by students from Dominican University, who will follow a peace circle format and draw on the Stamped Educator's Guide.
Events will be held:
- Tuesday, Oct. 20 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
- Tuesday, Nov. 17 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
- Tuesday, Dec. 1 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
These sessions are made possible with the support of: District 97 staff; Oak Park and River Forest School District 200; the Oak Park Public Library; the E-Team of Oak Park; and Dominican University’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) group.
Continued Social-Emotional Wellness Check-Ins for Students
To sign up or learn more about these services, please visit https://bit.ly/3m3Xece.
If your child is experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please do not use this service and instead call the Thrive 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at 708-383-7500. You may also refer to this local resource guide created by the Community Mental Health Board of the Oak Park Township.