10/22/2021
Thank you to our amazing PTO who donated our teacher conference lunch! Our dedicated teachers worked long and hard to prepare for the many conference meetings. We truly appreciate your time and generous donations to help make their days a bit easier.
The Hatch staff wants to ensure that we used Parent/Teacher Conferences effectively and that the time spent together discussing your child(ren)’s progress was helpful. The goals of Parent/Teacher Conferences are to effectively promote open lines of communication between home and school, keep parents informed about their child(ren)’s progress—both academically and socially— and to develop cooperative strategies that can ultimately benefit every student. As we look to grow our practices, we are asking for your feedback. Please take a few moments to answer the questions in this Post Conference Survey from your child’s teacher about your experience during Fall Conferences. This feedback will be used to enhance your future experience during this time. Thank you in advance for your support.
Reminder: We are a nut safe district. All snacks and lunch that is sent to school must be free of nuts. Please see our back to school reminders for more information: https://www.op97.org/communications/news/1664682/food-allergy-safety-guidelines-2021
We are in the last week of October and have only had 1 confirmed case of Covid. As you know, this is not the case in other schools and districts both in our area and across the country. Your support in following all mitigation strategies have been paramount to our success as we await vaccine availability for our students. Thank you!
Mark your calendar for Fall Picture Retake - Wednesday, October 27th.
This week, our students were taught lesson 3 of the Bullying Prevention Unit lessons. Our youngest students (grades K-3) learned how to refuse bullying by saying words that mean “no” in an assertive way when bullying is happening. Our older students (4th and 5th grade) learned about bystander responsibility. They watched videos to identify bullying and brainstormed actions that bystanders can take. They then role-played what to do after bullying occurs. We never have students role play bullying; however, practicing the supportive actions they can take as a bystander makes it easier to follow through in real life situations! Below are the home links for the upcoming lesson if you’d like to preview them with your child.
Kindergarten- Refusing Bullying
First Grade- Refusing Bullying
Second Grade- Refusing Bullying
Third Grade- Refusing Bullying
Fourth Grade- Bystander Responsibility
Fifth Grade- Bystander Responsibility
Would you like to have your VERY OWN HATCH TIGER PBIS SHIRT? (The shirt your student received.)
We have extras for Parents to purchase!!!!
Small 5 Available
Medium 10 Available
Large 6 Available
We would like to sell these shirts for 10 dollars, in hopes that we can purchase shirts for some of our staff that haven’t received a shirt because of manufacturing issues. If there is extra money left over, it will go to the PTO. We will also have more shirts available if you want a specific size that isn’t listed. The smallest order that we can make is 24.
Please fill out this google form to order your t-shirt.
Thank you for supporting PBIS and Hatch Students & Teachers!
Halloween: While our no visitors policy currently does not allow for parents to attend classroom parties, we will be continuing the tradition of our annual Halloween parade with some slight modifications. Classes will participate one grade at a time and parents can gather across the street to cheer on our tigers just as we did for our 5th grade clap out in the spring. Mark your calendars for Friday October 29th at 2pm. As we gear up for the 31st, here are a few Halloween reminders:
- Students will change into costumes after lunch.
- Costumes need to be able to go on over students’ clothing and children should be able to put their costume on independently.
- The Parade will begin at 2:00. We will exit through the west playground doors and head south on Ridgeland, then east on Berkshire and then north on Harvey back to school. Please stand across the street to take pics and cheer us on!
- No weapons, scary masks/props, or culturally insensitive costumes. Please remember that cultures are not costumes.
- NO food items are allowed. Food free celebrations are part of our district wide policy. The safety of our students is of the utmost importance.
- Any families that prefer their child(ren) not take part in the Halloween celebrations please speak with your child’s teacher about the alternate activity.
Looking forward to celebrating with our amazing Hatch community!
D97 Updates:
2-MINUTE SURVEY: COVID-19 Vaccinations for District 97 Students Ages 5-11
As you may be aware, authorization of the first COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 is currently under consideration by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The federal government is already planning for approval and distribution, which could happen by early November.
In order to prepare for the eventual rollout of vaccines locally, District 97 is partnering with the Oak Park Department of Public Health to gather data about the 5 to 11 age group and determine the need for future clinics/distribution events. To help us with our planning, we are asking that all families of children ages 5 to 11 complete a brief, two-minute survey by 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26. The survey is anonymous. Please complete one form per family. CLICK HERE for the COVID-19 Vaccine Survey
Additional Information about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found at https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/resources-information/faq.html.
COVID-19 Symptom Checklist and Instructions for Symptomatic Students
In October, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education released updated guidance and an updated exclusion decision tree. As a result, we have updated some of our protocols and required documents for symptomatic students. CLICK HERE for a one-page summary of the required steps and testing for students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Spaces Available in District 97 Early Childhood Blended Program
District 97 is currently accepting applications for the early childhood blended classrooms at Whittier Elementary School.We are seeking non-IEP students who:
- Are between the ages of 3 and 4 years by Sept. 1, 2021;
- Are Oak Park residents;
- Are not currently enrolled in a preschool
Demonstrate age-appropriate language and social skills.
Students must be available to participate in the afternoon session (12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.). In-person attendance will be required. For more information on the District 97 Early Childhood Blended Program, or to apply, please visit https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/ecblended.
Reminder: Stay Home When Sick!
Staying home when sick is essential to keep COVID-19 infections out of schools and prevent spread to others. Symptoms that should be monitored daily by District 97 staff, families and students are:
- Fever (100.4 or higher)
- New cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue from unknown cause
- Muscle or body aches from unknown cause
- Moderate/severe headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea