Message from January 10, 2020

We hope you enjoyed a lovely holiday break full of family and friends! It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces on Monday as we jumped back into our learning routines. You know you are in a truly special place when the children can’t wait to go back to school! We kicked off the new year with a Jazz performance and also a Flamenco demonstration. Thank you to Ms. Bruno and Mr. Jacobson for bringing these high level arts experiences to our students.

This week we welcomed visitors from central office once again who walked the building with some of our teacher leaders in order to help us as we work toward our school improvement goals. Here are just some of the trends they noticed across classrooms. Kudos to the amazing teachers who spend hours planning for our students’ educational experience at Hatch. Creating this type of school culture, centered in all students learning, is no easy task!

  • There was a strong connection between teachers and students; 
  • Library texts reflected the diversity of the student population:
  • Student voice was privileged; 
  • A variety of instructional approaches were utilized; 
  • There were a variety of ways that teachers solicited feedback; 
  • Students were promoted as experts; 
  • There was explicit instruction around accountable talk/academic discourse; 
  • Transitions were seamless; 
  • A high level of student engagement was evident; 
  • Routines were well established and existed in all classes; 
  • Classroom culture based on positive student/teacher relationships was evident; 
  • A sense of urgency existed around learning; 
  • Math facilitation was evident (readiness for middle school math was noted); 
  • Math workshops were employed to support differentiation; 
  • Student independence and ownership of learning was evident - there was an emphasis on allowing for productive struggle; 
  • Positive reinforcement alongside guidance/cueing to the next level of work was evident; 
  • Students are reading with a high level of proficiency; 
  • The use of co-teaching models was seamless and reflected high levels of collaboration

 

January is a time when we “take the temperature” on our students’ progress to ensure we are designing instructional experiences to meet the needs of each individual learner. Our MAP testing for 2nd-5th graders will begin next week. As with every school day, please be sure your child has gotten a good night’s rest and eaten a healthy breakfast as they head off to school on time! 

 

Thank you to those of you who are already signing in at the main office when entering the building. We love having such a strong parent presence in our school! As we work together to ensure everyone’s safety, please try to remember that all visitors must enter through the main office and get a visitor’s badge.  Beginning on Monday, January 13th, we will be piloting a new system called LobbyGuard, similar to what the high school uses to check in visitors. The letter describing the change is posted on the district website, and includes a link to the FAQs. This small step in our procedures is important in emergency situations to make sure every person in the building is accounted for. We appreciate your cooperation as we work together to keep our children safe!  Please also click here to see the flyer about new visitor procedures at Hatch.

 

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. We are currently at 14%. 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. Thank you for your support!

 

To take the 2019-20 Illinois Parent Survey Visit: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/

 

District 97 will host a parent information session on Erin's Law (Illinois Public Act 097-1147), which requires all public schools to implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program. The session will be held Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brooks Middle School, 325 S. Kenilworth Ave. Families are invited to attend to learn more about Erin’s Law and tips for protecting their children. Erin’s Law Parent Night Flyer >

 

For families who are seeking early admission to kindergarten or first grade, the district will be hosting a Parent Information Session on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the District 97 Administration Building. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements, as on-site support for parents. Click here to view the event flyer .

 

District 97 is excited to announce the dates for the upcoming 2020 Summer Launch Program. Summer Launch will be held June 15 through July 10, 2020 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon). The program for Grades K-4 will be held at Holmes Elementary School, and Grades 5-8 will be held at Brooks Middle School. Summer Launch is a summer program designed for students in kindergarten to seventh grade who are identified as needing intervention support in reading and/or mathematics during the school year and fall below the 11th percentile in reading and/or math. Our Summer Launch Program will include Reading/Writing Workshop and Math support, in which students will be able to build upon the reading and writing strategies they have learned during the regular school year, as well as participate in math activities.

 

The Summer Launch program is designed to support students:

  • In continuing to build their skills towards becoming strong, confident readers and writers.
  • By allowing them personalized instruction in reading, writing and math.
  • By supporting them in sharing their voices and helping to feel valued.
  • By supporting them in building meaningful connections with their teacher and peers.

Participation in the Summer Launch program is by invitation only; letters will be sent to eligible families via email in late January. Click here to view the Save the Date flyer >

 

Whooping Cough/Pertussis Alert: There are 4 confirmed cases of Whooping Cough in Oak Park. Children are vaccinated for it. However, those who are vaccinated, in rare cases, can contract the disease. Please read the attached link for detailed information about this illness.

https://www.oak-park.us/news/whooping-cough-cases-prompt-public-health-response?utm_source=December+5%2C+2019&utm_campaign=enews&utm_medium=email

 

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

 

Click here  for information to purchase the 2019-2020 Yearbook.

 

Sarah Mendez

Hatch School Principal 

1000 N Ridgeland Ave

Oak Park, IL 60302

(708) 524-3095

 

 

Hatch After Hours SESSION 3  REGISTRATION OPEN JANUARAY 13!

The PTO is happy to offer Hatch After Hours (HAH).  This after-school enrichment program provides fun, creative, and educational activities at Hatch School immediately following the school day. 

 Registration is online at ​HOMEROOM.COM.  Roster of programs available on attached flyer.

Scholarships​: ​please contact ​[email protected]​ by Jan. 10th for best placement. Our Scholarship Coordinator will provide you with your CODE to use on Homeroom. 

Early Bird Registration ​is open January 13 to 17. ($15 DISCOUNT) The final ​deadline ​to sign up for ​Session is Friday, January 24​th​.​ Also, final deadline for scholarships.

 

REMINDER: MOVIE TONIGHT
Friday January 10 - Hatch Movie Night 

 “A Dog’s Journey” at 6 p.m. PTO hosts Friday night family movies in the auditorium. Parent or guardian must accompany all children. $1 admission (max $5 per family) Concessions sold. Cash only.

 

 

PTO Meeting, January 21, 8am - 8:35am

Please attend the next PTO Meeting on Tuesday, January 21 at 8:00 a.m. right after dropoff. Coffee and treats served. Ms. Polley will talk about assessments at Hatch, and how to help your child with testing; reading & math strategies. Also learn about Fun Fair and other upcoming Winter/Spring events. And help vote on funding requests.

 

UPCOMING HATCH EVENTS AND REMINDERS:

January 9 & 10 – Hatch Hosts kickoff meetings Required 30-minute meeting for interested hosts for our new fundraising program. Jan 9 at 7 p.m. or Jan 10 at 8:05 a.m. (call-in option available below)
January 10 - Hatch Movie Night Tonight “A Dog’s Journey” 
January 13 - Hatch After Hours Registration Opens (More to come)
January 16 -  Divco Meeting 7:00 p.m.,  Lunch room
January 21 - PTO Meeting 8:00-8:35 a.m. Lunch room. Speaker: Martha Polley – Assessments at Hatch, how to help your child with testing; reading & math strategies. Coffee & treats served.
January 24  - Hatch After Hours Registration Deadline
January 28 - Panera Bread Fundraiser - River Forest Location (4pm -8pm)
February 7 - Hatch Fun Fair (6pm - 8pm)