2/11/2022
Thank you to our amazing PTO for the delicious conference lunch provided to our staff. Thank you also for the incredible amount of support and random treats that have shown up on our doorstep to support our teachers through this time. We are very grateful to work in such a loving community! Thank you also to those of you who attended “Coffee with the Principal” this morning. It is wonderful to connect, even virtually, and hear about your experiences at Hatch!
Please be sure to complete this year’s Illinois 5Essentials Survey! This is a unique opportunity to not only provide feedback to the school and district, but to support Hatch on a larger scale. You can access more detailed information on this survey in this D97 5Essentials Parent Letter. School-level reports will be generated if at least 20 percent of parents respond to the survey. We are currently at 8%. It should only take approximately 10 minutes to complete. If parents have more than one child that attends the same school, they may elect to participate multiple times. For parents with children enrolled in multiple schools, we recommend that they participate in the survey for each school. Thank you for your support!
To take the 2021-22 Illinois Parent Survey
Visit: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
As we prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day we'd like to remind you that District 97 has been "Food Free" since the 2020-21 school year. To help ensure the safety and inclusivity of all students, regardless of food-allergy status, religious or cultural practice, or medical condition, no food should be served during celebrations at our schools. CLICK HERE to learn more about District 97's Food Free in Three program >
MAP Reports 2nd to 5th Grade Families: By now you should have received your child’s Winter MAP reports. If you have any questions, you can reach out to your child's classroom teacher.
We are very happy to report that our SHIELD results this week only yielded one new case of covid. We also had 3 new cases from outside testing. Our current student vaccination rate is 84%! Thanks to this high number, many of our students who have been considered close contacts have been able to stay in school without disruption as they are fully vaccinated and symptom free. For more local COVID-19 vaccine information, visit www.oak-park.us/vaccine. If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Rossi. Thank you for your support and partnership in keeping our schools safe!
Submit Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination After Second Dose
According to the Centers for Disease Control and state/local health officials, fully vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine due to potential COVID-19 exposure as long as they are asymptomatic. Additionally, achieving a high rate of vaccination will strengthen our overall safety plan and will put the district in the best possible position to reconsider other mitigations as conditions improve in our community.
To help us reduce any unnecessary quarantines and accurately track our student vaccination rate, District 97 requests that families submit proof of vaccination for their students as soon as they have received their second dose. There are two options:
- IF YOU HAVE A GOOGLE ACCOUNT: Fill out a brief Google Form and upload a copy of the student’s vaccination card. CLICK HERE to access the Hatch vaccine form.
- IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A GOOGLE ACCOUNT: Email a copy of your student’s vaccination card to Nurse Andrea Rossi. ([email protected]). Please include the child’s full name and grade.
Students Who Participated in Clinics at District 97 Schools
If your student completed their vaccine series at one of the school-based clinics, a staff member should have taken a photo of their vaccination card following the second dose.
- If your child's card was documented, no further action is needed.
- If your child's card was not scanned or photographed, or if your child did not receive their second dose at a school clinic, please email a copy of the card to your school nurse.
D97 Updates
All of February, our school will be celebrating the remarkable lives, histories and contributions of the Black community. We'd love to hear how you and your family are celebrating, too! You can share your Black History Month stories, photos and videos by tweeting (@OakPark97, using the hashtags #MyD97 and #OakPark97) or emailing [email protected].
Vaccine/Booster Opportunity in Oak Park on Saturday, Feb. 12
The Oak Park Health Department is hosting a vaccine clinic for anyone age 5 and older from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 12, at OPRF High School. Click here to register.
Individuals can sign up for their primary vaccine series or for a booster dose. Booster doses are available for anyone age 12 and older who completed their primary vaccination series at least five months ago. Anyone under the age of 18 attending the clinic must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you are coming for a booster dose, please bring your vaccine card with you. For more local COVID-19 vaccine information, visit www.oak-park.us/vaccine.
IMPORTANT: Calling Your Child In Sick from School
Please support our school nurse by LEAVING A REASON when you call your child in sick from school. Our nurse follows up on every absence call when a specific reason is not provided. If your child is staying home due to reasons unrelated to COVID-19, sharing that information in the message helps the nurse determine whether a call is necessary. When calling please slowly state:
- Your Name
- Your Child’s Name
- Your Child’s Grade and Homeroom/Advisory Teacher
- Reason for the Absence
- Best phone number to reach you
We appreciate your assistance with this process!
Reminder: Stay Home When Sick!
Staying home when sick is essential to keep COVID-19 infections out of schools and prevent spread to others—regardless of vaccination status. Symptoms that should be monitored daily by ALL 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