Message from February 16, 2018

This week our entire student body attended an assembly given by “Mad Science” to kick off their work on various science fair projects. The science fair is an independent project that is optional for all Hatch students. It is a great way to encourage discovery learning and get our kids hooked on science! Please see this link for more information on this year’s event. This week Hatch students also participated in Jump Rope for Heart in partnership with the American Heart Association. Our young athletes learned about heart health and helping others as they jumped with their book buddies in the gym! 

I know that we are all saddened by the news of another school shooting, another act of violence in a space that should be one of the safest spaces in the world. Tragedies affect us all and school tragedies hit especially close to home as they remind us of the incredible responsibility we hold in caring for other people's children. If your child seems upset, our support staff is available. Here is an an article to help us think about how to talk to students about violence if it comes up (remember we need to follow our students' lead with our youngest of children.) I have also included some information below on district wide procedures that are in place so that you are aware. Please know that we continue to evaluate and improve our safety procedures in our school and district, and I appreciate each and every family for the special way we care for each other at Hatch. Each morning and afternoon I observe families at Hatch depending on one another for the care and safety of ALL children in our community. Your vigilance and concern for our students brings comfort and hope in the afterhours of tragedy. Thank you!

Our families can rest assured that we take the safety of our students and staff very seriously. That is why we have a number of plans and procedures for dealing with a variety of dangerous situations, including lock down drills that we implement in response to the presence of an intruder in our buildings. We practice/review these plans and procedures with our students and staff on a regular basis to ensure that everyone knows how to respond in an emergency (e.g., what announcement to listen for, where to go inside the building, the names and addresses of off-site evacuation locations.)

We also have protocols and resources in place that we will use to provide parents/guardians with critical updates and information they need in a situation like this. This include the emergency notification system that we utilized last week to notify families that school would be closed due to the snowstorm. We encourage you to please make sure we have your updated contact information (phone number and email address.)

In addition to these plans, procedures and protocols, we have preventive measures such as secured entrances, swipe access cards and security cameras that help us monitor who is coming in and out of our schools. We also continue to work closely and collaboratively with the Oak Park Police Department to ensure that the necessary precautions are being taken to protect our students and staff on a daily basis.

The 4th Annual Spring Arts Fiesta is just a few short months away! Please mark your calendars for the 1st-3rd grade show on Wednesday, May 9th and the 4th -5th grade show on Thursday, May 10th.  Please note all k-5th students will have an artwork in the gallery and all 1st-5th grade students will participate in the music and language performances. 

Yearbooks are available for purchase in advance.

Reminder there is no school this Monday, February 19th due to Presidents Day!

PTO Reminders

PTO Meeting Tuesday. Join us Tuesday at 7pm in the Library/Media Center. Free childcare provided in the lunch room. This meeting is a little different. The Hatch Diversity Committee is having a presentation on technology and kids' mental health at 7:30 in the auditorium that is open to all schools. This means we will have a shortened PTO meeting from 7:00 - 7:30 in the library. Make plans to attend and hear Ms. Mendez’s report on the school day schedule and how interventions are included. Along with updates on PTO events.

Following the PTO meeting: Hear from Hatch parent and clinical psychologist Orson Morrison on screen time, technology use and kids’ mental health. Learn about strategies to support healthy technology use for your child. This presentation sponsored by the Hatch Diversity Committee is open to all D97 schools so please register at http://bit.ly/DivCoEvents5

Thank you volunteers, managers and co-chairs at the recent Fun Fair, Book Exchange and Teacher Appreciation Breakfast/Lunch. Your time and efforts made them a success. 

Hatch Green Team “Shoe Drive” and “Textiles Drive” Coming Up. Please help the Green Team prevent shoes and other items from going into the landfill! 

SHOE DRIVE: February 26 – March 16 the Green Team is shoes to donate to Share Your Soles. Please bring in new or gently worn (and clean) shoes of all sizes -- women’s, men’s, children’s, gym shoes, sandals and boots. 

TEXTILE DRIVE: March 19 -April 6 the Green Team will be collecting used (but washed) garments, towels and household linens (such as socks, pants and sheets with holes in them) for Chicago Textile Recycling. 

Collection boxes will be at the school entrance. Questions? email [email protected] or [email protected].

Hatch Tiger Bowling Tournament. Remember to sign up for the Hatch PTO “Parents’ Night Out” bowling tournament, coming up April 7. Registration form

Community Conversation about Supporting Learning at the Middle School Level

On Thursday, February 22, Brooks and Julian Middle Schools will co-host a community conversation about supporting learning at the middle school level. During this session, which will be held in the Commons at Brooks from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., parents/guardians of middle school students will have the opportunity to talk to school and district representatives, as well as each other, about their family's educational experiences in District 97, but also the learning goals they have for their children going forward. Questions? Contact Principal April Capuder at Brooks ([email protected]) or Principal Todd Fitzgerald at Julian ([email protected]).