8/26/2022
What a great first week!
We are so proud of our Hatch Tigers! They did an amazing job engaging in the first week of school. Please know that we understand that this transition is a shift for some of our students and we’ll be responsive to their changing needs. The first week is all about building relationships and teaching students the learning expectations. This morning we had our first all school assembly on the blacktop to celebrate being back in school. Our scholars were introduced to all our staff members and we reviewed our Hatch Habits! As we transition into a more academic focus, please reach out to your child’s teacher directly if there are specific pieces of the experience that are either working very well or not. Your feedback is important to us as we design our delivery of services around responsive practices!
In order to keep you informed and connected to our amazing community, I will be sending a short message each week along with updates from our PTO. You can be on the lookout for this weekly newsletter each Friday.
One of our many fun traditions at Hatch is wearing school spiritwear on Fridays. This can be actual Hatch gear or anything orange or tiger themed. We hope you will join the fun next week!
Please join us for our annual Hatch Curriculum Night on Wednesday, August 31st. From 6-7pm. During our Curriculum Night, you will have the opportunity to hear about the various learning experiences we have planned this year. There will be two sessions per grade level so that families with more than one child can attend each classroom presentation. Session A will run from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Session B will run from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you do not need to attend two classroom sessions, I highly recommend you visit our Library, Music, Art, PE, and Spanish teachers as well as our Support Team in the Library/S.T.E.A.M. Lab. We have an amazing fine arts and support team that would love to share their curriculum and programming information with you!
We enjoyed beautiful weather this week! In the event of inclement weather, please do not send your child to their line before their entrance time. We will make every effort to bring students in out of the rain/cold beginning at 7:50, but we have very limited supervision before school. Thank you for your cooperation!
Our first “Coffee with the Principal” will be Friday, Sept. 2nd from 8:00-8:45am at our outdoor classroom by the blacktop. This is an informal gathering. Please feel free to stay 5 minutes or 45 minutes as your schedule permits. See you then!
Volunteer Opportunity! We would love more help during our lunch hour. Here is a link for a Sign-Up Genius. You can contact Ms. Winfield at [email protected] if you have any questions.
MAP TESTING begins Monday the August 29th. Please send your student with a fully charged iPad and headphones on Monday.
Picture Day is September 9th 2022.
As is the case each year, I receive a multitude of emails and phone calls from parents during the first week. I am doing my best to prioritize the various needs and return each message as quickly as possible. Please know your message is important to me, and I will continue to work through the weekend to address concerns as quickly as possible. Thank you in advance for your patience. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our teachers, office staff, or support staff. We are looking forward to another amazing year at Hatch!
Updates/Reminders:
WHAT’S UP WINFIELD Parent Edition
Hatch Music Webpage:
https://sites.google.com/op97.org/hatchelementarymusic/home
Volunteer at the Hatch Library
The Hatch Library is seeking parent volunteers! Do you love the smell of books? Do you like labeling, organizing, relaxing work, and hanging out with the coolest kiddos in the world? This is the place for you! Check the requirements as announced by the District, and come on over to the beautiful Hatch Library. Email Ms. Stringham at [email protected] if you are interested!
Beginning Band & Orchestra registration and Open Houses.
This Tuesday, Aug. 30th, the D97 Instrumental Music Staff provided a Demonstration Assembly for all of our 4th grade classrooms and any 5th grader that may be interested in the auditorium.
Open Houses for families:
Tues, Sep. 6th, 7-8 p.m.: Virtual Open House
Stream will be available for families who may have conflicts.
Thurs, Sep 8th, 5-8 p.m. @ Julian Middle School - In Person
Registration closes Sunday, Sep. 11th.
Student and Family Handbook
This year, the district worked to merge the Effective Student Behavior Handbook and Family Handbook into one comprehensive resource, the Student and Family Handbook, in order to streamline information for families and staff. The new handbook contains important information regarding school policies, procedures, student rights and responsibilities, and important notifications required by state and federal law.
The purpose of this handbook is to outline the expectations for building an educational community where everyone feels safe, included and able to learn. Having shared expectations, procedures and policies helps us respect all members of the school community in which we learn and work every day. Please take the time to read through the handbook and review it with your child.
Meal Information for the 2022-23 School Year
The breakfast and lunch menus for our elementary and middle schools are available at http://www.op97.org/business-office/food-service. During the 2022-23 school year, students may:
- Bring a nut-free lunch from home.
- Order school lunch.
PLEASE NOTE: During the 2022-23 school year, all students will be required to pay for their breakfast and lunch meals unless they are directly approved by the State of Illinois or approved after completing the 2022-23 Free and Reduced Meal Application.
Nut Safe Schools
Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any District 97 schools during the 2022-23 school year. This includes products that are labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.” Our schools have been nut-safe for the past two years—helping to create safer, more inclusive environments for all of our students. Please visit https://bit.ly/3AyGPpI to access information about the district’s food allergy management program, as well as tips and options for identifying food that is safe for snacks and field trips. We appreciate your support of this important initiative!
School Fees
The district is currently accepting fee payments for the 2022-23 school year. Full payment is due by September 30, 2022. You can access the fee information by visiting https://www.op97.org/business-office/fees.
Hatch Needs Room Parents!
Please consider signing up to be a room parent. Each class needs 3 parent volunteers who will work together to plan class parties, gather funds, and purchase gifts for the teacher. This role requires minimal time commitment and is a great way to get more involved at Hatch. There will be a brief orientation for all room parents in September, date TBD. Please send questions to [email protected]
If you would like to be a room parent please sign up with the PTO here!
*NEW* Process for Reporting Positive COVID-19 Cases to D97 Schools
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they must complete the following steps:
1) In order to notify the school nurse and receive a return-to-school date, families/staff must complete the confidential COVID-19 Positive Case Notification Form as soon as possible following the positive test. Information provided will also be shared with the Oak Park Department of Public Health.
2) Families must continue to report student absences via the school attendance line, and staff must enter their absences in Frontline.
To see the rules for isolation and quarantine, click here. Additional resources are linked below.