What an amazing assembly we had yesterday to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month! Many thanks to Sra. Bruno and the PTO for organizing and supporting this experience for our students. It was wonderful to see their smiling faces and fabulous dance moves!
Just a reminder that our next student materials pick up is next week. K-2nd grade families can pick up materials on Tuesday, October 13th from 3-4pm and 3-5th grade families can pick up materials on Wednesday, October 14th from 3-4pm. Many of our teachers will be present to deliver the items to your car and hopefully get a chance to wave as you move through the line so feel free to bring your students along! Please review the safety procedures for this event in the letter that was sent earlier this week. If you are unable to make it at your designated date and time, please let your teacher know so that we can make arrangements for your child to get what they need.
Thank you to everyone who filled out our family support survey. If you have not done so already, please take a moment to answer the brief questions sent by your child’s teacher. This information is so helpful for us as we plan how best to adjust and support the different needs of each child/family.
You may have already received communication from your child’s teacher regarding conferences, which will be held on October 22nd from 12:00-7pm. Students will be dismissed at 11:00am both Thursday the 22nd and Friday the 23rd. Teachers spend hours preparing for this important time of year when we get to touch base and work as partners in supporting each student’s needs. As a way to prepare, please take a moment to jot down any questions you have prior to your conference so that your most important wonderings are prioritized. Time is always limited and we want to make sure we are able to meet your needs in an efficient way!
To find out all that has been happening in the Hatch specials classes, please click here.
Also, during Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday, October 22nd, the Hatch Specials teachers are available to chat. If you would like to talk to any of the teachers, please send the teacher an email and they will send you a Sign-Up Genius link. For your convenience all of their contact information is below:
Molly Bruno, Spanish Teacher, [email protected]
Cristina Pruitt, Spanish Teacher for 4Q and 4Z, [email protected]
Michael Cruz, P.E. Teacher, [email protected]
Erin Howe, Teacher Librarian, [email protected]
Evan Jacobson, Music Teacher, [email protected]
Casey Klemp, Art Teacher, [email protected]
Each year, we strive to improve the school experience we provide to our students. In order to do so, we need your input. This year, especially, is a time when we will need to work together to support our students. I’d like to invite parents to a “Coffee with the Principal” on Friday, October 16th at 8am on zoom. This is an informal gathering. Please feel free to stay 5 minutes or 45 minutes as your schedule permits. See you then!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://op97-org.zoom.us/j/87856065769?pwd=WFljSlQ2MUF4cXZLbG5xMXBMcFBQUT09
Meeting ID: 878 5606 5769
Passcode: Tigers
As I continue to pop into classrooms, 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!
We hope you all enjoy the long weekend! There is no remote learning on Monday, October 12th, due to the Indigenous People’s Day holiday. We will resume our learning schedules on Tuesday, October 13th.
Sarah Mendez
Hatch School Principal
1000 N Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3095
D97 Reminders
~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.