Thank you to all the parents who came out to our PTO meeting on Tuesday! We enjoyed a very informative session on the School Board’s exploration of adopting a policy on equity provided by Ms. Rupa Datta. Please visit the D97 website for more information and an opportunity to give feedback.
This week we also had fellow educators from around the world visiting Hatch for a glimpse of high quality education in the US. The students who visited are all graduate international students at Concordia. They are all studying education and plan on returning to their home countries to continue their teaching careers there. While here, they wanted to see what high quality instruction looks like in schools in the US. What better place to do that than Hatch?! Eight graduate students in total participated from all over the world. One student is from Pakistan, 3 students from Vietnam, 2 students from Korea, and 2 students from Saudi Arabia. They were so impressed with our students and teachers! Also this week, our 5th graders enjoyed an exciting outdoor educational experience at Camp Edwards. Thank you to our teachers and parent volunteers who gave their time and energy in order to provide our students with this experience!
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!
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 the Hatch kids and also put on a performance for the entire Oak Park community. The performance in on Friday, April 27th 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.
Spring is officially here, and the 4th Annual Spring Arts Fiesta is just a few weeks 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 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!
Please see the attached document regarding class placements for next year!
PTO Reminders
HATCH STEEL BAND WITH NIU IN CONCERT: Next Friday, April 27 at Julian Middle School at 7 p.m. Come support Hatch students and enjoy great music! Details
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. Thanks to all who attended this week’s presentation at the PTO meeting!
SHOW OUR TEACHERS WE APPRECIATE THEM: Sign up to help provide food and set up for the last Teacher Appreciation meals of the year on May 8. http://signup.com/go/mGJZEyz
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.
JOIN HATCH IN ETHNIC FEST PARADE: District 97's annual Ethnic Fest and World Languages Day is May 5. Hatch will have a float and families are welcome to participate. Ms. Mendez will have more details closer to the event. Details.
HATCH CAREER DAY: This special event is coming Tuesday, May 22 and DivCo need your help. They need volunteers for two short shifts in the middle of the day to escort guest "career day" speakers to classrooms. They are also looking for ideas of individuals who could talk to students about their interesting careers. Sign up to volunteer or submit a career day speaker. Also, make plans to attend that night. Families are invited at 6:30pm for pizza and to learn from three interesting people in our community including an aerospace engineer.
HOLMES NEED BOXES Calling all Parents who have access to boxes ...your partner school, Holmes, needs moving boxes! Our school is going through a major renovation and expansion and because of it, all of our classrooms have to be packed up. Parents and caregivers can drop off boxes through the end of May on weekdays til 4pm at the Holmes Elementary School office, 508 N. Kenilworth.
PLEASE CONSIDER FILLING OPEN CHAIR POSITIONS ON THE PTO: The following positions are available:
Movie Matinee- Looking for a volunteer to chair the Friday movie after school. This event takes place once a month through out the school year. Responsibilities include: selecting movies that appeal to students, advertising movie, providing permission/sign-up for students, gathering snacks for students to purchase, organizing volunteers, and running the check-in/concessions on movie days. This is a fun event for the kids and an easy way to be involved!
Fun Fair Chair- Did your family have a fabulous time at the Fun Fair? Great! This is your chance to keep the fun going! Looking for a volunteer to take the lead, with two existing co-chairs, in planning this amazing event. Responsibilities include: coordinating with games vendor, communications, food, prizes, tickets, and volunteers.
Coffee House- Looking for a volunteer to Chair this annual event. Students share favorite stories, poems, or original pieces in an open mic setting. Duties include: coordinating with student performers, gathering snacks, and advertising for the event. This is a wonderful event that we don't want to see slip away.
PTO Babysitting- Looking for a volunteer to shadow the current chair next year. This positions involves coordinating the free babysitting the PTO provides at monthly PTO meetings and parent-teacher conferences. Responsibilities include: maintaining and updating current babysitter bank, securing babysitters for each event, and coordinating paychecks with the PTO treasurer. This can all by done in the comfort of your own home!
Contact Beth at [email protected] if you are interested or have questions.
IDENTITY, INTERSECTIONALITY AND EQUITY, A D97 Diversity Committee two-part workshop. Part one is Tuesday at Whittier School from 6-8:30 p.m. This is not only for DivCo members but for any d97 community members interested training how to connect with marginalized groups within your school communities. http://bit.ly/DivCoEvents9