Our next material pick up is next week on Tuesday, November 17th (K-2nd) and Wednesday, November 18th (3rd-4th) from 3-4pm. 5th graders currently have all the necessary materials and therefore will not need to participate in this pick up. Due to the rising COVID numbers, this will be a NO CONTACT event. Please adhere to all guidelines outlined in this letter such as wearing a mask, staying in your vehicle, and allowing 6 feet of space between you and any other individuals if walking. Thank you!
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 our next “Coffee with the Principal” on Wednesday, November 18th from 8-8:45am 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/81597085484?pwd=V2hCcndqWWgwQk9XWnhSMGx6eVRrZz09
Meeting ID: 815 9708 5484
Passcode: tigers
Hatch Yearbook 2020-21 Information
Picture Day, November 23rd: School photos will be taken by the Hatch staff this year to be added to the 2020-2021 Yearbook! To take the photos, a Hatch staff member will go to a breakout room with each student and take a screenshot of the student. To help the photo turn out the best it can please follow these tips:
Make sure there isn't direct lighting behind or above the child
The best light source for Zoom is when there is a light source in front of the child.
Feel free to pick out a special picture day outfit!
Photos: Over the next week, each room parent will be sending you a link for a dropbox for you to drop photos of your child's remote learning experience. Feel free to share photos of Tiger Head Parties, workspace, your child learning and more. Please start sharing photos now! We need all photos to be in the dropbox by February 28th. Please add photos to the dropbox as we are relying on you, the parents and caregivers, to make this yearbook happen!
Ordering a Yearbook: More information to come about how to order a yearbook!
Hatch Library Book Checkout: Students have the opportunity to check out Hatch Library books! For all the information please click here. If you have already requested books you are more than welcome to request books again! Please note that there will be no pick-up on Monday, November 23rd.
IMPORTANT ART INFO from Ms. Klemp: Please have your student bring their art kits with the watercolor set, brush, painting paper and construction paper mat to art next week. (November 16-20) They will also need crayons, a paper towel and a small plastic cup for water. Thank you for supporting your artist's art education. I can't wait to see their paintings! If your student artist needs art kit supplies replaced, the following links are for similar materials on Amazon.
Sarah Mendez
Hatch School Principal
1000 N Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3095
PTO Reminders:
November PTO Meeting will be Tuesday, Nov 17 at 7 p.m. Hear from Mr. Cruz with tips to keep kids active over the winter as well as Ms. Kruse on ways to support students’ mental and emotional health and check out a tour of the brand new media center (aka the library) with Mrs. Howe. Join via Zoom:
https://op97-org.zoom.us/j/81452259269?pwd=NGUvbUNETzBVV3Y5aGdpYlJ2SjZ1UT09
Meeting ID: 814 5225 9269
Passcode: tigers
The Hatch Virtual Turkey Trot 2020
Cost: Free
Dates: Wednesday, November 25th – Saturday November 28th (due to COVID-19, you are welcome to complete anytime during these dates. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are asking that you only participate with members of your household and don’t arrange meet-ups or group runs.)
Distance: With your student, chart a course from your house to Hatch and back. The official distance to aim for is 1 mile, but feel free to adapt that based on the age and ability level of your family members. You can use mapmyrun.com to map your route and see the distance. Make sure your route goes past The Hatch Patch on the northwest side of the building where there will be a special place to take your selfies and share them. Feel free to start closer to the school if you would like a shorter route. If you are unable to run or walk for The Hatch Virtual Turkey Trot, you can use your scooter, bike, or even do an exercise/activity at home that works for you.
Make Your Own “Hatch Virtual Turkey Trot 2020 T-shirt:" Take your race up a notch by making your own t-shirt or costume. You can draw on a blank t-shirt or you can even draw a picture of a Turkey, cut it out, and tape or pin it to your t-shirt.
Post your pictures to FlipGrid and to social media using the hashtag #hatchturkeytrot2020. Make sure to take a start line picture at your house, a close up of your homemade race day t-shirts, and a picture in front of the Hatch Patch Turkey! Please do your best to not linger at the Hatch Patch. Try to get a fast photo (or even an action photo as you run/walk past the Hatch Patch.) Have students post to FLIPGRID and to any social media with the hashtag.
D97 Updates/Reminders:
Erin's Law Information Session for Families: District 97 will host a virtual 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, "Keeping My Family Safe," will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. via Zoom. Families are invited to attend to learn more about Erin’s Law and tips for protecting their children. Erin’s Law Parent Night Details >
Next Meal D97 Meal Distribution: Tuesday, Nov. 17: 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. 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.
D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - November 2020
'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, 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.
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers" Program: The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, and DePaul University’s Community Counseling Center have partnered to deliver a vast array of educational and therapeutic services to staff, families, and youth through the “Mindful Middle-Schoolers Program.” Below is a list of upcoming VIRTUAL talks, which will be held via Zoom. Registration via the Eventbrite links below is requested. Once you register, a link will be emailed to you four hours prior to the start of each event.
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers" Community Talk Flyer
Wednesday, November 18: Understanding Depression in Youth and Strategies for Treatment and Support https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-depression-in-youth-and-strategies-for-treatment-and-support-tickets-124167264631
Tuesday, December 1: LGBTQ Youth: Understanding and Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-youth-understanding-and-supporting-mental-health-and-well-being-tickets-124167752089
Wednesday, December 9: Understanding Anxiety in Youth and Strategies for Treatment and Support https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-anxiety-in-youth-and-strategies-for-treatment-and-support-tickets-124168632723