Thank you to everyone who came to our November PTO meeting on Tuesday evening as well as our Coffee with the Principal on Wednesday morning. It was wonderful to see everyone and to learn about ways to keep our students both active and balanced during the winter months! We also watched an amazing video tour to share our new library media center with families until it's safe to share the space with everyone. Check out the video tour here!
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I am reminded now more than ever how lucky we are to have one another and to be part of a community that goes above and beyond to support our children. Please take a moment to express to your child’s teacher something they may have done for your child that you are grateful for. Maybe they have put a great deal of thought into how to push or support your child academically. Maybe they gave your child extra encouragement or a smile when they needed reassurance. There are countless ways I see our teachers caring for our children without even realizing it. It is part of what makes our school such a special place! I personally am grateful to be a part of such a unique and caring community where putting children first is a daily reality. I am thankful for every child, parent, and staff member who makes that reality possible!
Trimester One PBIS Celebration
Next TUESDAY (24th) we will be celebrating the end of our first trimester with a PBIS dance party from 2-3! We are SO excited to celebrate with you! Here is the flyer. Hatch Tiger Families, we can't wait to see you "BUST A MOVE"!!!!
Here is the link! See you at 2 on Tuesday! https://op97-org.zoom.us/my/ms.winfield?pwd=amhLS2d2b1hab3FZTm11YXhyYklGUT09
Contactless Hatch Library Book Pickup
Due to stricter restrictions, the next scheduled pickup has been moved to Monday, December 14th. We will reassess up-to-date Covid restrictions the week before.
Future pickups will be determined on an on-going basis and announced here as well as on the Hatch Library website.
If you have books to return, hang on to them, and don’t worry about them being overdue. There are no fines, and we will take care of them when we can.
Pickups are from 11-12 & 3-4 and your books will be on the book cart outside Hatch School’s main door on Harvey Ave., arranged by student last name, for you to pick up.
Please feel free to continue to fill out the book request form so we can have library books ready to go for you!
Hatch Yearbook 2020-21 Information
Picture Day, Monday, 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!
Ordering a Yearbook: More information to come about how to order a yearbook!
Hatch Scholastic Book Fair
December 1st - December 14th will be the PTO Hatch Virtual Book Fair! This is a wonderful way to get your holiday shopping done and support Hatch! 25% of the profits come back to Hatch! Starting December 1st, you can shop here. In the meantime, feel free to browse the book selection with your children to see what they are interested in!
As a reminder, there is no school on November 25-27 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. On behalf of Hatch faculty and staff, we want to wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Sarah Mendez
Hatch School Principal
1000 N Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-3095
PTO Reminders:
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.
Save the Date!
The Hatch DivCo is excited to host December Holidays From Around the World this year with the intention of helping our students and families learn about holidays other than Christmas that fall in December---Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and O-shōgatsu. The event is scheduled for Sunday, December 13th from 4:00 - 5:15pm. Zoom link to come!
Attached is the flyer for the event and here's a sign up genius for families to sign up.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084DA5A929AA8-hatch
Join Zoom Meeting
https://op97-org.zoom.us/j/86216404649?pwd=eWpadHlsOFpvT0tya1k2bUx1Rk53dz09
Meeting ID: 862 1640 4649
Passcode: tigers
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. 24: 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. The last event will be held 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
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