Thank you to all the parents who came out to our October PTO meeting! Thank you also to the Powers Family for their recent donation of a Little Free Library. Last week the little free library was installed at Hatch near the playground. We encourage all families to discover new books in this FREE library. Please remember that whenever you borrow books from a little free library, you need to return books or even donate extra books to keep spreading the love of reading. Thank you!
Conferences are next week! Our amazing PTO will be providing child care on our late night, Thursday the 24th from 12:30-7pm. Students will be dismissed at 11:00am both Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th. While you are here for conferences, please take a moment to check the Lost and Found. All items not claimed will be donated to families in need after conference week. Also, please write your child’s name in any item that might find its way to the Lost and Found.
As we gear up for the 31st, here are a few Halloween reminders:
- Lunch is from 12-12:55 Students will change into costumes after lunch.
- The Parade will begin at 1:30. We will exit through the west playground doors and head south on Ridgeland, then east on Berkshire and then north on Harvey back to school. Please stand on the grass to take pics and cheer us on!
- If you are coming in after the parade to volunteer in the classroom, please be sure to sign in and get a visitor’s badge at the main office.
- No weapons, scary masks/props, or culturally insensitive costumes. Please remember that cultures are not costumes.
- All food items must have been pre-approved by the nurse two weeks in advance. Food free celebrations are encouraged. The safety of our students is of the utmost importance.
- Any families that prefer their child(ren) not take part in the Halloween celebrations please speak with your child’s teacher about the alternate activity.
Looking forward to celebrating with our amazing Hatch community!
Our goal in District 97 is to create a positive learning environment where all students, staff and families feel a sense of belonging. In that spirit, we have put together information and resources regarding culturally sensitive Halloween costumes. We appreciate families being proactive with their children in making thoughtful costume choices. Click here for more information >
Every child should be able to experience the joy and tradition of trick-or-treating on Halloween. But kids with food allergies are often left out of the fun, since most candy is off limits. FAREs Teal Pumpkin Project helps make sure all children will come home on Halloween night with something they can enjoy. It just takes ONE simple act: offering non-food treats, such as glow sticks, pencils or small toys, as an alternative to candy. The Teal Pumpkin Project raises awareness of food allergies and promotes a safer, happier Halloween by encouraging households to make non-food treats available so that trick-or-treaters who need to avoid candy - due to food allergies or other reasons - can fully participate. Households can show they are participating by placing a teal pumpkin in front of their home. Working together, we can keep children with food allergies safe and included this Halloween season.
Visit tealpumpkinproject.org to learn more!
If you purchase the 2019-2020 Yearbook by October 31, you will receive a 10% discount! Click here to see flyer for more information and click here to go directly to Treering.com to purchase a Yearbook.
Absentee and Retake Picture Day is Wednesday, October 23rd. Please email your child’s teacher if you would like a retake or absentee picture taken. Click here for more information.
We are seeing continued success with our new system for the delivery of forgotten items, which was rolled out in October 2018! There is 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.
Each year we strive to improve the school experience we provide to our students. In order to do so, we need your input. I’d like to invite parents to a “Coffee with the Principal” on Tuesday, November 5th at 8am in the conference room. This is an informal gathering. Please feel free to stay 5 minutes or 45 minutes as your schedule permits and be sure to sign in at the main office. See you then!
We are having another BPAC (Bilingual Parent's Advisory Committee) meeting in November. Please click here to see the flyer.
Super STEAM Saturday! Please join the Oak Park Education Foundation for a free fun morning of crafting, collaborating, and creating. Build a robot, design a skyscraper, unleash your inner artist and learn more about OPEF with great activities for kids ages 5-12. Join us Saturday, November 9th from 10am-12pm at Longfellow School. You can learn more about the event on OPEF's website or Facebook page.
Looking to volunteer? Come help in the library! The library is always looking for volunteers to help shelve books, help with birthday books, and keep the library organized for the students. If you are interested please click here to learn more!
Please return your completed Chipotle Reading Logs to the library starting Monday, October 21st. Be sure the student's name and homeroom is filled out on the log. All logs must be turned in by Friday, October 25th as the coupons for the free kids meal expires on October 31st.
PTO Reminders
Teachers Appreciation Breakfast (10/24)
The teachers appreciation breakfast will be Thursday 10/24. We are in need of a few volunteers and donated items (see below)
Volunteers and Donations Needed to Assist:
Breakfast Items: Croissants, Muffins, Fruit, Desserts, Beverages
Set-Up Crew: 2 volunteers to help move items into the lounge on Thursday 10/24 - 7:15am - 8:00am
Sign Up Here - https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/3029144/false#/invitation
Hatch Halloween Disco (10/25) - Volunteers Needed & Advance Tickets on Sale!
The 2019 Hatch Halloween Disco will take place on Friday, October 25th from 6-8 p.m. Kids are invited to dress in their Halloween costumes and parents are welcome to join in the fun! Come join the fun including: DJ/Dance Party, Costume Contest, Crafts and More...
Tickets are $3 in advance and $4 at the door (2 and under is free). The order form for advance tickets will come home in your child's folder.
Open PTO Volunteer Positions
We have needs for parents to lead the following events/fundraisers:
- Halloween Disco: we are in need of volunteers to help with games and decorations. Link to Volunteer can be found HERE
- Adult fundraiser: this annual outing can be whatever you want it to be. In the past it has been things such as bowling and a golf outing, but you will be able to make this your own!
- Hatch Hosts: this is a brand new fundraiser that allows volunteers to host themed events in their homes. This chair would be responsible for recruiting and supporting hosts as needed.
- Tiger Cash: the PTO gift card fundraising program is well-established and has former chairs to provide guidance
To sign up or learn more email [email protected]
Hatch After-Hours Session 2 - Registration and Catalogue Now Open
SESSION 2 November 11, 2019 to January 24, 2020
Early Bird Registration is open October 21 to 25, The final deadline to sign up for Session 2 is Friday, November 1st at 9 p.m.
Registration is online at HatchPTO.org/hatch-after-hours
REMEMBER: SESSION 1 runs until Friday, NOVEMBER 8
Please help share the warmth and consider donating a New winter coat, hat, gloves, snow pants or boots. These items will help another student at Hatch. Please click here for more information.
The Oak Park Public Library, in partnership with Rush University Medical Center, is offering free mental health assessments (through pre-scheduled appointments) for children and adults on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Main Library. A Rush psychologist will conduct the onsite assessment. For more information, please visit https://www.oppl.org/news-events/announcements/free-mental-health-assessments-available/.
Sarah Mendez
Hatch School Principal
1000 N Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3095