Thanks to everyone for your participation in the “CAN DO” challenge! Ms. Ficca will be delivering the food and donations on Tuesday after school on behalf of the Hatch community.
For the last 26 days of the year, we have a spirit day for every letter of the alphabet. This year in keeping with our theme of making the world a better place, students council will be sponsoring an ABC Countdown that is based in random acts of kindness. Please see the list of activities so that you can participate as a family. The countdown is already off to a great start! #ItsYourWorld #untilthelastday
Yearbooks are in and were distributed today. It’s not too late if you are still interested in purchasing one, see attached flyer on ordering details.
In an effort to help our students enter the building in a safe and orderly fashion, please have students on the blacktop no later than 7:55 when we will blow a “line up” whistle. Parents, please remain on the blacktop or in the outdoor classroom area and do not stand on the sidewalk so that we have a clear path for the children to enter. Teachers need to be able to pick up their classes at the 7:57 bell in order to help our students start on time. Thank you!
Spring is another time when we “take the temperature” on our students’ progress to ensure we are designing instructional experiences to meet the needs of each individual learner. Our springMAP testing for 2nd-5th graders will begin next week. As with every school day, please be sure your child has gotten a good night’s rest and eaten a healthy breakfast as they head off to school on time! The specific testing days and times are listed below for your information.
2nd Grade
Tuesday, May 1st at 8:15: ELA
Thursday, May 3rd at 8:15: Math
3-5th Grades
Monday, April 30 at 8:10am : ELA
Friday, May 4th at 8:10am : Math
Please see the attached document regarding class placements for next year.
The Hatch Steel Band is proud to present a performance from the Northern Illinois University Steelband. NIU has the first and of the most prestigious collegiate steel band programs in the world. Mr. Jacobson has been developing a strong connection between NIU and Hatch. In the fall, Hatch students have been invited to the NIU campus for a masterclass and performance. This time, the NIU band is coming to Oak Park to work with the Hatch kids and also put on a performance for the entire Oak Park community. The performance is tonight at 7pm at Julian Middle School and it is completely FREE! Hatch kids will get to work with the NIU students and professors, and then they will also perform some music as the opening act for big show.
Author Visit: On Tuesday, May 1st, the author, Lauren Tarshis, of the amazing I Survived Series will be visiting Hatch! She will talk with the 3rd-5th grade students on how she uses non-fiction text for research to write her Historical Fiction series! After her 45 minute presentation, she will answer the student's questions and then autograph her books! The students have the opportunity to order her books to have signed. All students were given an order form in library this past week but click here for an extra copy. All order form are due to Mrs. Howe by Monday, April 30th. This visit is made possible because of all the purchases made during the Book Fairs, so thank you!
Spring is officially here, and the 4th Annual Spring Arts Fiesta is just around the corner! 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 available for $20 cash or check purchase and all 1st-5th grade students will participate in the music and language performances. There is no obligation to buy student artwork. More details on grade level performance times coming soon!
PTO Reminders
TEACHER APPRECIATION EVENT: We need additional families to bring breakfast items, desserts and drinks for the May 8 Teacher Appreciation meals. Visit the sign up link to see the items needed: http://signup.com/go/mGJZEyz
HATCH STEEL BAND WITH NIU IN CONCERT: Tonight at Julian Middle School at 7 p.m. Come support Hatch students and enjoy great music celebrating the steel pan. Details
DECORATE FOR SPRING ARTS FIESTA: Additional volunteers are needed May 7 & 8 to decorate for Hatch's annual celebration of our Spanish, Art and Music programs. Sign up here.
JOIN HATCH IN ETHNIC FEST PARADE: District 97's annual Ethnic Fest and World Languages Day is May 5. Hatch will have a float in the morning parade and families are welcome to participate. Ms. Mendez will have details.
HATCH CAREER DAY
The Hatch PTO Diversity Committee is hosting a 2-part career day event on Tuesday, May 22, that will provide our students with a fun and tangible experience designed to foster a connection between their daily studies and the jobs they dream about. During the day, participating classrooms will be visited by adults from various careers. At 6:30pm families are invited for pizza dinner and to learn from three very interesting people in our community including a bona-fide aerospace engineer aka rocket scientist!
Call for Career Day Volunteers We need YOU during lunchtime on Tuesday, May 22. We invite you to sign up to help welcome our guest speakers and escort them to their classrooms. You’ll get a chance to listen in on these very exciting presentations! We are looking for folks who can be available for one shift either between 11:30am - 1pm or 12:30pm - 2pm. Also, if you or someone you know loves what they do (in any field) and would be available to spend an hour with us as a Guest Speaker, please let us know! Both signups here: http://bit.ly/HatchCareerDay
APRIL PTO MEETING SUMMARY VIDEO is posted at https://youtu.be/tOJArZXR0mY
PLEASE CONSIDER FILLING OPEN CHAIR POSITIONS ON THE PTO in Fun Fair, Hatch Coffee House, Movie Matinee, and PTO Babysitting. Contact Beth at [email protected] if you are interested or have questions.
DISTRICT FUN RUN is May 5. Details
HELP IMPROVE THE FENCE BY THE HATCH PATCH. the Hatch Patch is looking for a couple parents to improve the appearance of the fence around the dumpsters near our school garden. We need a parent to sand with a power sander in early or mid May. We are also looking for another parent to lend a hand with painting in mid May (we have one painter, but an extra hand would help it go faster). Email [email protected] to sign up.
D97 EQUITY POLICY: Community Engagement. What is equity and what does it look like in D97 schools? The School Board of D97 has drafted an equity policy. They would like the schools and community’s input on it. Visit http://www.op97.org/equity to learn more, read the draft, and contribute your ideas. There is also a community discussion on May 3 at Julian.