As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, please take a moment to express to your child’s teacher about 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!
Are you planning a family trip for the holidays? As you think about your arrangements, we want to stress the importance of sending your child to school every day possible. Every year, absences spike in the weeks before and after the winter holidays as families squeeze in a few more vacation days. We know that just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and put your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school. We recognize that holidays are an important time for reconnecting with families far away. The costs of plane tickets often influence when you want to travel. But keep in mind the costs to your children’s education if they miss too much school— and the message you will be sending about the importance of attendance. Even if you’ve got a homework packet from the teacher, it doesn’t make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning, right up until vacation starts and the first day back. You can help us convey that message. This holiday season, give your children the gift of an education and the habit of attendance. Thank you!
FLU SEASON IS HERE!!! Flu is a serious illness. The BEST way to prevent flu for you and your child is to get a flu shot. Feel free to contact Nurse Rossi for additional questions.
For more information:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/family/flu-guide-for-parents-2018.pdf
Last chance to receive a discount on the purchase of the 2019-2020 Yearbook! Purchase by November 30 to receive a 5% discount. See flyer for more information and go directly to Treering.com to purchase a Yearbook.
The Hatch Book Fair is coming December 3rd - December 5th! This is a great chance to do some holiday shopping while giving back to Hatch. The profits from the bookfair come right back to Hatch. Ask your children about the wobble stools or fun liquid mats in the library or the amazing books added to the classroom libraries. These are all made possible because of Hatch families shopping at the book fair! If you can't make it to the book fair you can also purchase books online or even set up a virtual wallet for your child to go shopping on a budget. View all the hours and information.
Over 30 fifth graders here at Hatch have been busy reading nine books as a team of three to compete in the Reading Olympics Competition on Wednesday, December 4th. If your child is competing in the competition, you are welcome to come and watch the event in the library at 10:30 on December 4th. You will need to check in at the office before coming up. Be sure to wish all the 5th graders luck!
Save the date! The Teaching and Learning Department is hosting a Parent University on Saturday, Dec.14, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lincoln Elementary School. The theme of Parent University is "Cozy Up to Curriculum." Our focus is to help families understand more about our curriculum and how to assist their child at home. Families will receive the opportunity to attend three 40-minute sessions of their choice.
District 97’s vision is that EVERY child experiences a sense of belonging in our schools. Belonging means access to teaching and learning that is engaging, stimulating and challenging for ALL instead of just a select few. Read the latest post in the superintendent’s blog, "Around the District with Dr. Kelley," to learn more about why District 97 believes in the importance of our students feeling a sense of belonging -- http://bit.ly/34Q0fnl
On behalf of Hatch faculty and staff, we want to wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
UPCOMING HATCH EVENTS AND REMINDERS:
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November 19 - PTO Meeting (7pm -8:30pm) Hatch Library
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November 26 - Turkey Trot - Taylor Park (1pm - 3pm)
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November 26 - Last Day for Coat Drive - Bins Located in Hatch Entryway
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November 27-29 - No School (Thanksgiving Break)
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November 30 - Last Day to Purchase Yearbook at Discount - Click Here
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December 3-5 - Book Fair
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December 6 - Gingerbread Making Workshop (6:30pm -8:00pm)
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December 6 -Report Cards Distributed
Gingerbread House Workshop - December 6, 6:30 – 8 pm, Hatch Multi-purpose Room (cafeteria)
Come help support Hatch PTO in this super-fun community event. You bring the ideas and we provide the supplies at this Hatch Gingerbread House Making Workshop.
Cost: $5 per Gingerbread House. Register (Register by December 4th - pre-registration is necessary). Space is limited.
Green Movie Night – December 3, 6pm – 8pm - Beye Elementary School
Join us to view two short films that focus on waste reduction:
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The Clean Bin Project
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A Plastic Ocean
Snacks will be provided and a discussion will follow after the films to inspire ideas for how to reduce waste this holiday season and throughout the year. All ages are welcome!
A separate activity will be available for kids, if they prefer. Please email [email protected] with any questions.
Winter Book Fair - December 3 – December 5, 2019
The Hatch Book Fair runs on Tuesday, December 3rd from 3-6pm, Wednesday, December 4th form 2:30-7pm, and Thursday, December 5th from 3-6pm. Here is a link to a flyer with all the information you need to know. We also need parent volunteers for this event. Please sign up to volunteer.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Restaurant Benefit Days fundraiser. This position is a low-stress way to help raise funds for the PTO! Simply coordinate three school-year fundraisers with Oak Park restaurants, where the restaurants donate a portion of profits for a specific day back to Hatch. Many restaurants already have fundraising programs established, so it is really just a matter of coordinating and communicating. The current chair is leaving Hatch but has already arranged 2 of the 3 restaurant nights for the year. She is very organized and will help orient the new chair to the position. If interested, contact [email protected]
BOOK FAIR (December 2-5) - Volunteers needed to help run this phenomenal event that puts books in the hands of our kids and the school library. School-hour and after-school shifts are available. To sign up please use this link: https://signup.com/go/AOJMWAw
TURKEY TROT (November 26) - looking for donated items and run day volunteers – Sign Up Here as well as a chair for the 2020 event. We are looking for a parent to coordinate the Turkey Trot with Mr Cruz next year. It is a well-oiled machine and will be very easy to take over. If you're interested, email [email protected]. There's still time to shadow the current chair to learn the ropes this year!
Sarah Mendez
Hatch School Principal
1000 N Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3095