As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, please take a moment to express to your child’s teacher something they may have done for your child that you are grateful for. Maybe they have put a great deal of thought into how to push or support your child academically. Maybe they gave your child a hug or a smile when they needed reassurance. There are countless ways I see our teachers caring for our children without even realizing it. It is part of what makes our school such a special place! I personally am grateful to be a part of such a unique and caring community where putting children first is a daily reality. I am thankful for every child, parent, and staff member who makes that reality possible!
Our third, fourth and fifth graders are looking forward to our annual Turkey Trot next Tuesday afternoon. Students will head outside for a fun run followed by hot cider and prizes. Thanks to our many volunteers for making this event so much fun!
Purchase a Hatch School Yearbook by November 30, 2018 and receive a 5% Discount. Click here for more information.
Our new system for the delivery of forgotten items has been a success! We are seeing a huge improvement of students remembering to bring things needed for school. Thank you to all families for helping our students with the Hatch Habit, “Be Responsible.” Below are the procedures for dropping off items for anyone who might need them:
The drop off location is in the main entrance vestibule where you can drop off the item for delivery. If you do need to drop off an item that your child cannot do without, please make sure any items you bring are labeled with your child’s name and teacher’s name with the label securely attached to the item and delivered no later than 10am. Place the item in the appropriate bin so that we can ensure your child receives their item. At 10am each day, all items will be distributed directly to the classrooms. No items will be accepted after 10 am.
Dr. Kelley has invited the community to participate in a study and discussion of the book “Whistling Vivaldi” by Claude M. Steele. In the book, Steele talks about his research on stereotype threat, and provides concrete interventions we can put in place to make a genuine difference in our schools. You can access additional information about this opportunity by visiting http://bit.ly/2SV1BI1.
Please be sure to complete this year’s Illinois 5Essentials Survey! This is a unique opportunity to not only provide feedback to the school and district, but to support Hatch on a larger scale. School-level reports will be generated if at least 20 percent of parents respond to the survey. It should only take approximately 10 minutes to complete. If parents have more than one child that attends the same school, they may elect to participate multiple times. For parents with children enrolled in multiple schools, we recommend that they participate in the survey for each school. Mann School has once again challenged us to a competition around parent participation, so please help us reach our goal. Thank you for your support!
To take the 2018-19 Illinois Parent Survey Visit: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
On behalf of Hatch faculty and staff, we want to wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Sarah Mendez
Hatch School Principal
1000 N Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3095
PTO Reminders
- Our annual Hatch Turkey Trot needs additional volunteers. The annual Hatch Turkey Trot is Tuesday, November 20. 3rd-5th grade parents and guardians come cheer on your child while volunteering or buy turkeys and drop them off ahead of time: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4FA9A929A75-hatch2
- Community Cafe Series with Superintendent Carol Kelley- Special Edition. Tuesday, November 27, 6:30-7:30pm. Join Dr. Kelley at a community summit, Vision4All, taking place prior to the board of education meeting. (http://bit.ly/2qANtqt). There will be an opportunity to meet and speak with the following District 97 administrators: Dr. Carol Kelley, Superintendent, Dr. Amy Warke, Chief Academic and Accountability Officer, Eboney Lofton, Senior Director of Special Education, Dr. Carrie Kamm, Senior Director of Equity, and Donna Middleton, Director of Special Education.
- What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? If you are thankful for Hatch School, you and your family can support your school by supporting the Hatch PTO. This Thanksgiving, make a tax-deductible gift to the Hatch Elementary PTO Annual Drive. Please send a check payable to HATCH PTO to Hatch School: 1000 N. Harvey Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. Your donation can also be dropped off at the school’s main office in an envelope labeled Hatch School Annual Drive.
- Tiger Cash: Get a jump on Holiday Shopping! Gift cards make the perfect gift for teachers, coaches, mail carriers, waste management workers and many others on your list. Tiger Cash is also an easy way to raise money for our PTO by simply buying gift cards. A portion comes back to support Hatch. Tiger Cash orders are due Friday, December 7 at 9:00 A.M. Our chair Karen will be collecting paper forms and checks on the blacktop before and after school this week. You may also send it in an envelope marked Tiger Cash with your child to turn in to their teacher. Questions? [email protected] or 815-263-6660.
- Use AmazonSmile and support Hatch. By connecting through Amazon Smile for your Amazon purchases, the Hatch PTO will receive 1.2% of your purchase as a donation. Please select William Hatch School Parent-Teacher Organization as your charity of choice on Amazon. https://smile.amazon.com/
- Save the date for the rescheduled Winter Book Fair, December 3-7. More than 55% of fair sales return to Hatch School in the form of books and supplies for classrooms and our library. In addition to all the new exciting books to browse, Ms. Howe, our wonderful Hatch School Librarian, will host two fun book readings on Wednesday, December 5. Please volunteer to run our pop-up book store and help Hatch students at check-out: http://signup.com/go/tjAgpfo
- Do you have a background in community outreach, marketing, community organization or communications? Consider applying for the D97 Committee for Community Engagement, a school board advisory committee. We strongly encourage members of our Hatch Community to apply! http://www.op97.org/news/1647049/district-97-seeking-members-for-committee-for-community-engagement
- Green Team “Textile Recycling Drive” – Starting now through Friday, December 7. Green Team is collecting used (but washed and clean) garments, towels and household linens (such as socks, pants and sheets with holes in them) for Chicago Textile Recycling. Please refer to this list of acceptable items. Help the Green Team prevent these items from going into the landfill! A collection box will be at the school entrance.
- Reminder: you can recycle old markers and mascara wands with the Hatch Student Green Team. Bins are located at the main entrance.
- Both the Student Green Team and the Babysitting chairs need parents to shadow them this year to take over the leadership roles next year. Please email [email protected] if you would like to fill any of these positions or have questions.