The Hawk
Holmes Elementary School - Week Ending 10/8/21
IMPORTANT DATES/THINGS TO REMEMBER
- 10/11 - Indigenous Peoples' Day - No School
- Superintendent Search Virtual Community Forum - Oct. 20, 7 p.m.
- 10/21 - Parent-Teacher Conferences - Students Dismissed at 11:00
- 10/22 - Students Dismissed at 11:00
- 10/29 - Halloween Celebrated at School - Details TBD
Proof of Physical Examinations and Immunizations
As a reminder, the State of Illinois requires that all kindergarteners, sixth-graders, and students new to our district submit a current State of Illinois school physical with up-to-date immunizations. Information on the requirements can be found here. Please note that according to Section 27-8.1 of the School Code of Illinois, District 97 is obligated to exclude students from school who have not provided proof of the required physical examinations and/or immunizations on Oct. 15, until they are in compliance.
If you have been contacted by your school nurse that your child is missing any of the required forms/information, please submit those records directly to them before the October 15 deadline.
Students who are excluded on October 15 who have not provided the required documents are not eligible for remote learning.
Halloween Costume Reminder
For our families who celebrate Halloween, you may be discussing 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, ethnic 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
Superintendent Search Virtual Community Forum - Oct. 20, 7 p.m.
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.
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 District 97 Family Handbook
Additionally, if you would like to request a hard copy of the handbook, please contact the school office.
SEL Corner
This week we began teaching the Bullying Prevention Unit lessons during our Second Step time to help students learn how to recognize, refuse and report bullying. This week all students learned to define and recognize bullying. We taught students that bullying is when someone keeps being mean to someone else on purpose. The person it’s happening to hasn’t been able to make it stop. It is unfair and one-sided. Not all unkindness is bullying. Also, bullying is different from conflict, which is a natural aspect of childhood. We reviewed different scenarios and asked students to determine if the scenario describes bullying. Below are home links for each grade level that you may refer to if you’d like to extend their learning at home!
Kindergarten- Recognizing Bullying
First Grade- Recognizing Bullying
Second Grade- Recognizing Bullying
Third Grade- Recognizing Bullying
Fourth Grade- Recognize, Report, Refuse
Fifth Grade- Recognize, Report, Refuse
DePaul Partnership
This school year Holmes School is continuing its partnership with DePaul University. Dr. Orson Morrison and our school PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports team) will be supporting the coordination of various groups to tackle anxiety, depression, and executive functioning that will be led by DePaul clinician Luxury Bryant.
We’re also welcoming Tetyana Krutsik to our team. She will be supporting families by connecting them with various resources in the Oak Park community through her care coordination role. Please check out this link if you believe your child or family would benefit from these supports.
Parent Referral Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6cggi4kyaAl7ftBqPs-_YtU60i4c2qSiuuQPMa0litN2CIw/viewform?usp=sf_link
DePaul Talk Link
To learn more about Ms. Bryant and Ms. Krutsik, click here
District 97 Now Hiring!
Certified Nursing Assistants
District 97 is seeking part-time certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to support the nursing staff in our schools. Applicants must have completed or graduated from an Illinois-approved accredited school of nursing, college, or CNA/Patient Care Tech program, and hold a current CNA or Patient Care Tech certification in Illinois. CLICK HERE to apply!
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!
Free/Reduced Meal Application
Although students will receive free meals, parents/guardians will need to submit the 2021-22 Free and Reduced Meal Application and be approved in order to be considered for a school fee waiver and other state programs. We encourage all families who currently qualify to take a few minutes to complete the application as soon as possible. Please visit https://www.op97.org/business-office/food-service for more information.
Celebrate Holmes Staff
Families, have you noticed a Holmes teacher or staff member who deserves a compliment or a thank you? Has this person made a difference for your child? Please share the reason in a brief email to me (czelaya@op97.org) so that we may recognize and thank them!
Community Hawk Nest
Interested in being a classroom parent?
The new school year is in full swing and our teachers are giving their all! Help them out remotely with a small amount of your time assisting in communication that will have a big impact.
Volunteer to be a classroom parent here https://tinyurl.com/y42dfuft
*Please note-classroom parents will provide virtual support and will not be in the classrooms
Inviting Hispanic Families to Contribute to Morning Announcements
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15th - Oct 15th), we would love to include facts about Hispanic people/countries/artifacts in our morning announcements. We feel the facts would best honor the month if they came from Holmes’ Hispanic community. Please fill out this form if you would like to contribute: Hispanic Heritage Month
Dr. Christine Zelaya
Email: czelaya@op97.org
Website: http://www.op97.org/holmes/
Location: 508 N Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park, IL, United States
Phone: 708-524-3100
Facebook: facebook.com/christine.zelaya.96
Twitter: @ChristineZelaya
Contact your PTO
Email: pto@holmespto.org
Website: https://www.holmespto.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolmesPTO/
Twitter: @HolmesPTO