9/30/2022
No School on Wednesday, October 5th, in observance of Yom Kippur!
What beautiful fall weather we are having! Just a reminder, as the temperature fluctuates, please write your child's name on any item that might find its way to the Lost and Found. Labeled items will be returned to students ASAP. We also encourage you to have your child check that their bag is prepared the night before as we work on our "Be Responsible" Hatch habit.
The Specials teachers at Hatch are currently collaborating on a Monarch Butterfly Migration unit. This unit will connect with our Día de Los Muertos discussions and the creation of our Hatch school ofrenda for the Oak Park/River Forest Ofrenda Walk. If your family would like to participate in creating your ofrenda, see the attached program flier.
As a reminder, full payment of student fees for the 2022-23 school year is due by September 30th. Online payments may be made at www.op97.org by selecting the payments link at the bottom of the webpage and then selecting your child's school through the Web Store. Click here for more information and to view the 2022-23 School Fee Letter >>
Hatch Needs Room Parents! Please consider signing up to be a room parent. Each class needs three parent volunteers who will work together to plan class parties, gather funds, and purchase gifts for the teacher. This role requires a 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 want to be a room parent, please sign up with the PTO here!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084da4ab2fa3f94-2223
This week our students were taught lesson 5 of Second Step in their classrooms. Our Kindergarteners and 1st graders learned how to use an assertive voice (not a passive voice or an aggressive voice) to meet their needs. This looks like making eye contact, using a "level 2 voice," and calmly stating what you need. Our 2nd and 3rd graders learned about identifying feelings, which is an important foundation for having empathy for others. Our 4th graders worked on understanding complex feelings, which is important for self-awareness and also crucial for understanding others. And finally, our 5th graders practiced taking others' perspectives which is so essential to understand the thoughts, needs, and feelings of others. Not every grade will have a home link each week!
D97 Updates/Reminders:
Our goal in District 97 is to create a positive learning environment where all students, staff, and families feel a sense of belonging. We have gathered information and resources regarding culturally-sensitive Halloween costumes in that spirit. We appreciate families being proactive with their children in making thoughtful costume choices. Click here for more details>>
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers and Mindfulness Matters" Community Talks - Spring 2022
DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and District 97, is offering a series of free community talks to the District 97 community as part of the Mindful Middle Schoolers and Mindfulness Matters Program. The next community talk, "Mindfulness-Based Strategies and Their Applications at Home and School," will be held on October 19th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The session will focus on how mindfulness practices can help support youths' academic and emotional functioning at school and home. Please go to this link to register.
D97 to Host' Family University' Session on Student Assessments - Tuesday, October 18th
Join us to learn about student assessments in District 97!
The district will host a virtual Family University session from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18th. Families will receive a Zoom link once they register.
The session will help parents learn about the student assessments across District 97 schools, how the results support teaching and learning, and how you can use the information to understand your child's progress and next steps. Please use this form to register and submit any questions you have to our team ahead of time; we will address the most common questions submitted. Please note that the session will be recorded and shared on the District 97 website for future viewing.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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) 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 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.