Message from May 22, 2020
It’s hard to believe we are in the last weeks of school. As we wrap up this school year, we are especially missing the buzz of childrens’ voices in our classrooms and hallways. We are continuing to learn from this experience and reflect on this journey as we plan for the future. Your input has been so helpful in that process. Please continue to share via our parent survey so that our Building Leadership Team can review your feedback. I know the end of the year brings many questions about the fall. Please know that our district is involved in a complex planning process as we prepare for all possibilities. Here is the link to the planning update for the community. We will continue to keep you updated as decisions are made and plans unfold.
District 97 administrators will also provide an update on our planning work for the 2020-21 school year during the May 26 board of education meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting link and dial-in details will be posted with the agenda at: https://www.op97.org/boe/meeting-packets.
As you may have noticed, construction is well under way at Hatch! Since we are not able to be physically in the school building, we have bumped up our timeline on the scheduled improvements. We are very excited to be getting climate control on the 3rd floor, a brand new library media center including a STEAM lab, as well as additional office space and bathroom improvements. Over the next couple of weeks, we will work around the construction areas to pack student belongings in preparation for pick up. Once we have this complete, we will send out a schedule of times and areas in which you can retrieve your students’ items. We will be observing social distancing during these processes and limiting contact as much as possible. More info to come!
2019-2020 Yearbook! You can still purchase the Yearbook. Click here for more information and/or click here for link to purchase.
Here is another steel band video for your enjoyment....80's style! These 5th graders are amazing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNNa-RQh32I
Registration Open for 2020-21 School Year in District 97
Returning Students - All current families received an email on May 6 from [email protected] to remotely register your child for the 20-21 school year. We ask that all returning students complete registration as quickly as possible in order to accurately plan staffing, materials, devices, etc. for the upcoming school year. Remember to upload any required documents to InfoSnap (PowerSchool Enrollment) before submitting. Click here for the May 6 communication to families. Detailed information about the returning registration process is available on the district website at https://www.op97.org/hr/student-registration. If you have any additional questions, please email [email protected].
New Students and Kindergarteners - Please note that Kindergarten and New Student Registration will be open through June 6. Families who wish to enroll a kindergartner or new student should start the registration process now by completing a Google survey form on our website.
District 97 Art Teachers are pleased to announce a districtwide, end-of-remote learning art show called "Physically Distant: Socially Connected". It's been so wonderful to watch our students create artwork despite our current limitations. Art class has always been a safe space to be social, learn about artists, express ideas and emotions, and experience new artforms. Our students often collaborate in the classroom as they develop their artistic process and make connections, which is an important part of being an artist. Since being home, sharing our art and process outside of the family unit has been extremely limited. The “Physically Distant: Socially Connected” art show will give us an opportunity to share the creativity and inventiveness District 97 students have been presenting in their work while we have been apart. Teachers will not officially assign the final art show project to students until May 26. However, we want to give you time to plan, prepare, and begin creating if you should need it. Here is the presentation. If nothing else, just look at all the great examples to get the creative ideas flowing. Please reach out to Ms. Klemp if you have any questions.
Here is a quick overview:
Choose Art:
1. Choose existing art and display as is or with updates like coloring it in
OR
2. Create a new piece of art
Choose Display: (there will be 3 levels)
Level 1. Hang art inside your home (just wait, there's more)
Level 2. Display art to be viewed outside your home for neighbors to see
Level 3. Create a porch installation to be viewed for neighbors to see
No matter which experience you and your child decide upon, there will be a digital component.
Choose your Way to experience the amazing artwork:
1. Go to this website with links to each School's Virtual Show
2. Go for a "Physically distant: Socially connected" walk, bike ride, or drive through the streets of Oak Park.
Due to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, the District 97 meal distribution will be held Tuesday, May 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Longfellow Elementary School and Brooks Middle School. If families are unable to pick up food during the meal distribution, they can reach out to our food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, to make other arrangements. She can be reached at [email protected].
Flu/COVID Information: If you or a family member have a fever, cough, or and/or flu-like symptoms, please consult with your primary care provider BEFORE going to urgent care or the emergency department. There are specific protocols in place for managing illness at this time that are designed to protect you and others. Your primary doctor or health care provider can help keep you safe while managing your symptoms.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss any health care related issues further, Nurse Rossi is available and happy to help. Please email her at [email protected]. In your message please indicate if you would prefer to email or talk via phone.
As you know, the situation regarding COVID-19 is rapidly changing. Please go to one of these links for the most current information:
Continue to follow frequent handwashing, not touching your face, and physical distancing. We will get through this together!
As we continue to learn and grow our practices in remote learning, we want to thank you again for your patience and support!
We hope you all enjoy the long weekend! There is no remote learning on Monday, May 25th due to the Memorial Day holiday. We will resume our learning schedules on Tuesday, May 26th.
Sarah Mendez
Hatch School Principal
1000 N Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3095
