Our spring book fair was a huge success! Thank you to our amazing parent volunteers for their hard work in facilitating this event. It was great to see our students so excited to pick out new books to read!
As part of an ongoing project on exploring ways to make the world a better place, our student council members completed random acts of kindness this week. Each and every child received an anonymous kind note on their locker! Please keep the momentum going at home by brainstorming as a family ways to influence others in a positive way. #ItsYourWorld
On March 14th, 2018 some members of the community are proposing a walkout at 10:00am for our students as a nationwide, student-led effort to end gun violence. At the elementary level, we do not anticipate many students taking part in the walkout. If students choose to walk out at that time, we will have a space for them to peacefully and quietly demonstrate in our school lobby supervised by administrators and staff. Teachers are directed to allow students to leave their classrooms if they want to participate. However, teachers will remain in their classroom to continue regular instruction with students. Students will be allowed a space and opportunity to let their voices be heard on this important issue, while also making sure that the activities do not create safety issues or disrupts the learning and instruction for those who choose not to participate.
Please let us know if your child will be taking part on March 14th. This will help us to better plan for our students. Please know that within the classrooms we will not be specifically discussing school violence or any current events involving school violence. If you or your children have concerns or questions, please feel free to reach out.
Next week is P.A.C.K. week-please see the attached flyer for information on participating.
Last year, 173 of our Hatch kids engaged in one-of-a-kind, hands-on projects in science, architecture, and technology -- all free of charge thanks to the support of the Oak Park Education Foundation. We saw wonderful moments of real-world connections. We are so fortunate that OPEF brings these exciting programs into our classrooms for free. As a nonprofit, OPEF receives no government funding and for more than two decades has relied on the generosity of the community to support these programs. As a parent, you can support this organization in several ways:
·Grab some friends, and attend OPEF’s biggest fundraiser of the year coming up on March 17th. The William C. Staszak Annual Gala is a hip cocktail party and fundraising auction. Mix and mingle with passionate supporters of Oak Park public education. Enjoy small plates, desserts and an open bar! Click here for more details and here to purchase tickets and/or raffle tickets.
·Not able to attend the party but still want to give? Donate online here.
·Interested in volunteering your time and talent to OPEF? Click here.
Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead this weekend for daylight savings time!
PTO Reminders
HATCH AFTER HOURS – REGISTRATION. Sign ups for the final session of Hatch After Hours continue through next Friday, March 16 at 9 p.m. Registration is online. HAH Session 4 classes start April 2 (the Monday after Spring Break). New this session - Garden Art. Nature inspired art and projects with Ms. Klemp on Fridays after school.
HATCH MOVIE MATINEE - MULAN on Friday, March 16. Admission is $2. Most concessions are $1. Students need an online permission slip. End time is approximately 4:30 p.m. and students are expected to stay until that time. Kindergartners must be accompanied by an adult or older sibling (exceptions made for Hephzibah and Apollo program participants). Can you lend a hand for 45 minutes after school? Volunteer sign up
PTO MEETING – March 13 Tuesday- Our guest speaker will be a representative from the Oak Park Education Foundation discussing the in-school and summer programming that they offer at Hatch and throughout the district. 7- 8 p.m. in Media Center. See the agenda.
BRICK PAVER FUNDRAISER The PTO invites you to commemorate a graduation, celebrate a special occasion, or remember a friend or loved one by purchasing a commemorative brick paver. The next bricks will be installed this spring/summer along the “Tiger Trail”, located in the outdoor garden near the playground. Sponsoring a paver is an easy way to leave your legacy and support Hatch’s new outdoor gardens. Your custom brick or plaque can be engraved with a family’s or student’s name, an organization, or you could choose to honor a favorite teacher or loved one. Here’s the form to learn more and purchase a brick. Personalized bricks are the ultimate graduation or teacher gift!
HATCH GREEN TEAM TEXTILE DRIVE: Please help the Green Team prevent textiles from going into the landfill! The Textile Drive begins March 19. 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].
THANKS TO ALL WHO DONATED SHOES TO THE SHOE DRIVE!
PTO BOWLING PARENTS NIGHT OUT: Hatch Tiger Bowling Tournament. There's still time to register for the April 7 fundraiser and fun night out. Registration form
HATCH ORCHARD NEWS/VOLUNTEER REQUEST Spring is approaching and it's time to prune the orchard! Let's meet in the orchard in front of Hatch on Sunday, April 8, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to stop by and help prune - byos (bring your own shears)! The Hatch Orchard team is looking for a few more families to adopt a couple of orchard trees. You will help prune it on April 8 and keep an eye on it throughout the year to look for any problems and also -the fun part- help harvest the fruit when it's ready! If interested in "adoption" please email [email protected] by March 23.