Hatch Message from Principal Mendez

District 97 Vision

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 will create a positive learning environment for all students that is equitable, inclusive and focused on the whole child.

Message from Aug. 30, 2019

We had a wonderful first week of school! Our students spent time learning about our “Hatch Habits” and our school-wide expectations as well as getting to know their new teacher and classmates. Our custodians and teachers did an amazing job of preparing the school for a positive start.  I am always in awe of the incredible community and learning environment we have here at Hatch. Many thanks to our PTO and parent volunteers for all their help in ensuring a smooth first week. At Hatch, we strive to make every day of the school year count, please follow our Instructional Coach, @mspolleyhatch as she highlights instruction on twitter as well as myself @SarahSmendez. You can also look for the hashtags: #HatchTigers and #weCoach97 to see the journey of our students and teachers throughout the school and district this year.

In order to keep you informed and connected to our amazing community, I will be sending a short message each week along with updates from our PTO. You can be on the lookout for this email each Friday. 

On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, school will be in session from 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students who arrive after the 8:00 a.m. bell will be considered tardy. On Wednesdays, school will be in session from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Playground supervision in the morning begins at 7:50 a.m. Children should not arrive at school before then. However, we do ask that they be lined up when the bell rings at 7:57a.m. so they can be ready for the start of the day. We also ask that parents stand behind the children as they line up in order to keep the sidewalk and entryways clear so that students can enter the building. Thank you for your help in creating a safe and smooth start to the day!

Please join us for the Hatch Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 11th  from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. During our Curriculum Night you will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and hear about the various learning experiences we have planned this year. There will be two sessions so that families with more than one child can attend each classroom presentation. Session A will run from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  and Session B will run from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you do not need to attend two classroom sessions, I highly recommend you visit our Library, Music, Art, PE, and Spanish teachers. We have an amazing fine arts team that would love to share their curriculum and programming information with you. We will also have our support staff available in the foyer by the main entrance to answer questions and provide information on the many resources we offer our students. 

This year we will continue our district-wide Social-Emotional curriculum called Second Step. This program teaches skills that strengthen students' ability to learn, have empathy, manage emotions, and solve problems. This program is a universal, classroom-based curriculum designed to increase students' school success and decrease problem behaviors by promoting social-emotional competence and self-regulation. Each Wednesday afternoon, starting next week, students will end their day with the Second Step curriculum. You will be receiving an email each Wednesday that has activities and follow-up information that you can use at home to support what was learned in school. 

We have a number of students with severe food allergies. Please be sure to put a note in your child’s lunchbox each day if their lunch is nut free so that they will have the option of sitting with their peers at the nut free table. Any time your child brings a snack, please be sure it is nut free. Snacks may not be shared.  When possible, please plan for food free celebrations. Any food sent for distribution at a celebration MUST be approved by our nurse 2 weeks in advance and must be from the district wide approved list. Any food to share must be in a prepackaged container (nothing prepared at home can be served.)

As is the case each year, I receive a multitude of emails and phone calls from parents during the first week. I am doing my best to prioritize the various needs and return each message as quickly as possible. Please know your message is important to me, and I will continue to work through the weekend to address concerns as quickly as possible. Thank you in advance for your patience. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our teachers, office staff, or support staff. We are looking forward to another fantastic year at Hatch!

Sarah Mendez
Hatch School Principal 
1000 N Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3095

Picture Day

Fall picture day will take place on Friday, September 6, 2019.  All students will be photographed individually and with their classroom.  No payment is needed at that time. See attached flyer for more information.

Dental Clinic, October 3 and 4

The dental clinic is back again this year! Take advantage of this free service offered by The Children's Clinic of Oak Park. Free exams and sealants will be provided. For students in Kindergarten, 2nd, and 5th grades, this covers your dental form requirement. Any questions, contact Nurse Rossi 708-524-3093 or [email protected]. Permission slips will be sent home on September 9.

Lunch Hour Clubs

Are you willing to volunteer your time to hang out with our FABULOUS students during lunch hour?  Do you like to knit, Build with Legos, Or do you have another idea for something you would like to teach our Hatch Tigers?  Please contact Ms. Winfield if you are interested. [email protected]

Birthday Books for 2019-2020

The Birthday Book program started up again this week at Hatch! Every year we honor students on their birthday by having them check out a brand new hardcover book from the Hatch Library! We take their picture and put a sticker in the book to commemorate the special day. (Take a look back at all the great birthday books from last year here!) Please fill out this form and return it to school with $20 to help keep getting new books in the hands of the Hatch students. Thank you for your continued support! 

Hatch Gear for Sale!

Please visit this website to order our AWESOME new Hatch clothes! https://hatch19.itemorder.com/sale

Taste of Hatch Patch and Call for Volunteers

Join fellow Hatch parents, teachers and community members on Thursday, September 19, 2019, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on the Hatch blacktop for a delicious sampling of the produce grown in the school's vegetable garden and orchard, now in its 13th year! The event will feature dishes and desserts crafted by local restaurants and volunteers from the Hatch Patch harvest, music by a New Orleans brass band, and a raffle. Purchase your Taste and raffle tickets here. Online ticket sales will end on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 with a limited number of tickets available for purchase at the door.  The Taste of Hatch Patch Committee is also looking for volunteers to assist with preparation, serving and cleanup for the event. Sign up to volunteer here.

Room Parent Volunteers Needed

Do you like parties and can delegate? Please become a room parent. Each Hatch classroom needs volunteers to sign up to be room parents.

You can sign up by following this link (Sign Up Genius): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a49aaa823a4f85-op971

The job requires a very small time commitment—especially if we have several volunteers per class There will be two short Room Parent Training Sessions (optional for repeat Room Parents)

  • Friday, Sept 20 9-945am Hatch Cafeteria (note this is morning) or via Call in # for Remote OR Tuesday, Oct 8 8-845pm Hatch Cafeteria (note this is evening) or Call in # for Remote

During sign-up, please say which info-session you can attend or N/A if you are a repeat Room Parent. Questions? Email Marie, Room Parent Lead ([email protected] OR cell: 513-484-1165)

PTO Reminders

On behalf of the Hatch PTO we welcome you to the 2019-2020 school year. Everyone is a part of the PTO and invited to get involved in our volunteer effort to enhance the school experience for our children. Please join us for a popsicle social after school the first Friday. NEW this year: PTO Meetings will alternate monthly between evening and morning meetings. Please plan to attend to learn, provide your input and help support Hatch!

Important Dates

  • August 30 3 p.m. Popsicle Social (all invited) free popsicles until we run out
  • September 12 Diversity Committee Meeting 7pm Hatch Cafeteria
  • Sept. 17 PTO Meeting 7 p.m. Library/media center, Speaker: Principal Mendez. Learn best practices for helping students at home; equity in the classroom, safety & security at Hatch. Free childcare
  • September 19 Taste of Hatch Patch 5:30-7 p.m.
  • October 5 Diversity Committee Karaoke Fundraiser, 8-11pm at Amy’s Winehouse. Cost $40. Capacity 60. To buy tickets, [email protected] (Zelle) or @Kavita-Vermani (Venmo). Include your full name and note Divco fundraiser.
  • October 10 Diversity Committee Meeting 7pm Hatch Cafeteria
  • October 11 Outdoor Movie 6pm - Blacktop
  • October 15 PTO Meeting 8-8:30 a.m. Lunch room, Speaker: Hatch Staff. Second Step, when to call the social worker, PBIS (positive behavior intervention & supports)
  • October 25 Halloween Disco, 6-8:00 p.m.
  • November 14 Diversity Committee Meeting 7pm Hatch Cafeteria
  • Nov 19 PTO Meeting 7 p.m. Library/media center, Speaker: Bri Kellogg, Registered Dietician. Healthy food choices - prep for lunch & snacks. Free childcare
  • December 3-6 Book Fair, Auditorium 3:00-6:00pm Tuesday; 2:30-8:00pm Wed; 3:00-7:30pm Thursday
  • December 6 Gingerbread House making 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Other important dates:

  • 8/30/2019        Hatch After Hours Session 1 Early Bird registration ends
  • 9/6/2019          Hatch After Hours Session 1 Registration ends
  • 9/16/2019        Hatch After Hours Session 1 Begins
  • 10/24/2019     Parent Teacher conferences- free PTO-sponsored childcare for conferences
  • 10/25/2019     Hatch After Hours Session 2 Early Bird registration ends
  • 11/1/2019        Hatch After Hours Session 2 Registration ends
  • 11/11/2019     Hatch After Hours Session 2 Begins     

Two sites to know"

Welcome,

Cheri Baker & Kara Miller - PTO Co-presidents

Click on the article titles below to read more.