As we approach the end of September, I can’t help but reflect on what an amazing job our teachers have done in supporting students and families through navigating Remote Learning 2.0 as we all grapple with this worldwide crisis. Many of you have already shared how teachers are taking incredible lengths to ensure that students are receiving consistent, high quality instruction while still adjusting to the ever changing social emotional needs of each child. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to shower our teachers with love as we continue on this journey together. It can be a quick email or a post on social media-anything that shows our teachers we appreciate them! Please feel free to cc me, and if posting on Twitter, please use #hatchtigers and #MyD97 so we can all see the amazing things that are happening!
Get excited, Tigers, and mark your calendars for Thursday October 8th! Hatch has been celebrating Hispanic Heritage this month in Spanish class and as a culmination to our celebration, we will be hosting a Zoom concert assembly featuring the Los Angeles-based, real life superstar, Nathalia! Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Nathalia’s South American heritage has served as a major influence in the music she creates. From rock to cumbia, jazz to reggaeton, Nathalia's songs are produced and written with the whole family in mind. Feel free to check out her website, www.nathaliamusic.com, to preview her music, videos, and web series! The show will occur during school hours, 2-3 pm, and students will be guided in how to access the zoom link.
Art Alternative Lunch Clubs began this week!
Kindergarten, first and second grade students who are interested in art related activities can pop into the Zoom between 11:05am and 11:55am on Mondays using this link:
https://op97-org.zoom.us/j/8056946924?pwd=SEpZNVIwODlDakJJTTBVWDkraUhldz09
Third, fourth and fifth grade students who are looking for a studio space can pop in between 11:05am-11:55am on Thursdays using the following link:
https://op97-org.zoom.us/j/8056946924?pwd=SEpZNVIwODlDakJJTTBVWDkraUhldz09
Sarah Mendez
Hatch School Principal
1000 N Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3095
D97 Updates/Reminders
Superintendent Carol Kelley to Host Virtual Coffee Chat on Sept. 30
District 97 families and community members are invited to connect with Superintendent Carol Kelley during a virtual coffee chat on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
If you are interested in attending, please click here to RSVP. Zoom details will be emailed to registered participants prior to the event.
October Breakfast/Lunch Menus Now Available
Meals will be provided free of cost this fall to any District 97 student in need. Each bag of food will contain five breakfasts and five lunches.
District 97 will utilize a two-week cycle menu for its breakfast and lunch programs through Trimester 1. Please click the links below to access the breakfast and lunch menus for October and the last week of September. Each Tuesday, students will receive the meals outlined for that day and the following four school days. Click here for more information about food service during Trimester 1.
D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - October 2020
D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - September 2020
Next Meal D97 Meal Distribution: Tuesday, Sept. 29
Meal distributions will be held every Tuesday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Longfellow Elementary School (for Julian and feeder schools), 715 S. Highland Ave., and Brooks Middle School (for Brooks and feeder schools), 325 S. Kenilworth Ave.
'Stamped' Family and Community Discussions
District 97 students, families and community members are invited to participate in a three-session discussion on the book Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Attendees will join together for a presentation followed by discussions in separate breakout rooms. In conjunction with Brooks and Julian middle schools' fall curriculum read, the sessions will follow along with the chapters being read by students and staff. Breakout sessions will be led by students from Dominican University, who will follow a peace circle format and draw on the Stamped Educator's Guide.
Events will be held:
Tuesday, Oct. 20 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
Tuesday, Nov. 17 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
Tuesday, Dec. 1 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
These sessions are made possible with the support of: District 97 staff; Oak Park and River Forest School District 200; the Oak Park Public Library; the E-Team of Oak Park; and Dominican University’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) group.
Continued Social-Emotional Wellness Check-Ins for Students
District 97 school psychologists and nurses have collaborated to offer access to virtual mental health wellness checks at each school this fall. Parents may sign up children for 25-minute Telehealth sessions where they can access an open ear for their sources of stress and learn self-care and coping strategies. Students may attend up to three sessions per trimester and may then be referred for other school-based supports if needed.
To sign up or learn more about these services, please visit https://bit.ly/3m3Xece.
If your child is experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please do not use this service and instead call the Thrive 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at 708-383-7500. You may also refer to this local resource guide created by the Community Mental Health Board of the Oak Park Township.
As a reminder, this year we entered Phase 3 of the "Food Free in Three" program for school celebrations. This means that no food will be served during celebrations
at our schools. Although we are in remote learning, we have heard from some parents that there has been discussion about sending baked goods to students' homes to celebrate their birthdays. Because we are in Phase 3, we are discouraging this practice for celebrations. Parents are encouraged to send non-food items, which will help ensure the safety and inclusivity of all District 97 students. More information is available at: https://www.op97.org/health-services/food-freein-three.