11/5/2021
As we settle into November after our exciting Halloween, it is wonderful to see the incredible learning that is taking place in our classrooms. Students and teachers are hard at work as our students develop their skills. We also had two successful safety drills this week. At the beginning of each year we practice routines throughout the building including our safety procedures. Students did a wonderful job completing both the shelter in place and the lockdown drills.
Once again I am pleased to report that we have made it another week of school with zero positive cases of covid. We are now in November and have only had 1 confirmed case of Covid all year. 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 look forward to vaccine availability for our students. Thank you!
Vaccines for 5-11 year olds are here! We are hoping to accommodate as many Hatch families as possible at our clinic on Thursday from 4:30-9:00. Once you receive the link from central office, please sign up to ensure your spot. After you have selected an appointment time, please arrive at Hatch on time and enter through our east playground doors (5S) and our staff will direct you to your designated health care provider for vaccine administration. After your child receives their vaccine we ask that they wait on site for 15 minutes. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work to provide this access to as many families as possible. This is an important step in moving us out of the pandemic. Thank you to D97 and the Oak Park Health Department for coordinating this enormous endeavor!
SECOND STEP: Last week, our students finished the Bullying Prevention Unit lessons and engaged in the fourth, and final, lesson. Our K-3rd grade students learned about bystander power. They learned that when you see or know about bullying, you are a bystander. They practiced standing up to a bully and reporting the bullying to an adult. They learned that the problem gets bigger if they join in, laugh, or don’t report the bullying as a bystander. Our 4th and 5th grade students learned about cyberbullying. They learned that cyberbullying can be just as harmful as other types of bullying. In some cases, it can be even more harmful, because the hurtful material can be spread to more people much more quickly. Students practiced how to stand up and stop the bullying by responding with supportive messages and reporting the cyberbullying to an adult. This wraps up our bullying prevention lessons and we will resume Second Step lessons next week!
Kindergarten- Bystander Power
First Grade- Bystander Power
Second Grade- Bystander Power
Third Grade- Bystander Power
Fourth Grade- Bystanders to Cyber Bullying
Fifth Grade- Bystanders to Cyber Bullying
Turkey Trot is back! During the week, November 15th, 2021 our third, fourth and fifth grade students will be walking to Taylor Park during their scheduled P.E. class times to participate in a fun run. After a long pandemic pause, we are excited to once again participate in this annual tradition to promote healthy habits and begin to celebrate Thanksgiving!
We wanted to take a minute to announce a new resource available to our Hatch families. D97 and DePaul University have partnered to offer care coordination to families across all of our schools. Care coordinator, Tetyana Krutsik, is available to Hatch families who are interested in community support with securing housing, rental assistance, benefits, insurance, medical/mental health care, tutoring programs, and child care programs. We are lucky to have this amazing, free resource for our families. Please check out the attached flyer and feel free to spread the word to families.
DEPAUL Family and Community Services Presents: LGBTQ & Gender Non-Conforming Youth: Supporting mental health & well-being. How do we effectively support youth who identify as LGBTQ and gender non-conforming at school and at home? Link if you would like to register.
When? November 18th 6:00- 7:15 Where? Zoom
D97 Updates
D97 to Host 'Family University' Session on K-5 Literacy Instruction - Wednesday, Dec. 1
District 97 will host a virtual Family University session on Dec. 1 focusing on elementary literacy instruction.
The session will be held virtually, via Zoom, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1. Families will receive a link once they register.
Join us to learn more about our approach to literacy instruction in kindergarten through fifth grade. Staff from the Teaching and Learning Department will discuss the district's resources and the student experience, and will answer the most common questions submitted by families. Please use this form to submit any questions you have no later than 12 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16. We look forward to seeing you there! CLICK HERE to register for the event!
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.
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