10/21/2022

Thank you to everyone who attended our first PTO meeting of the year on Tuesday evening. It was wonderful to see so many families getting involved and supporting our school!

This week we hosted visitors from Chicago West Side Christian School in Chicago, IL. Teachers from this private school in Chicago came to observe some of our amazing professionals as they implemented best practices in literacy instruction. We are so proud of our teachers not only for all they do daily for our children but also for serving as a resource in supporting the professional growth of colleagues beyond D97!

Our students did an amazing job completing a bus evacuation drill today. While we do not have daily busing at Hatch, this is one more way to prepare students and staff in an emergency. Everyone did a great job, and we had beautiful weather too!

It is not too late to sign your 3rd - 5th grader up for The Well-Read Tigers! Our November book is Take Back the Block by Chrystal D. Giles. Copies can be found on a special shelf at the Dole library or The Book Table. Club sign-up is here, and information and purchase of t-shirts can be found here. Email Ms. Stringham at [email protected]. 

Picture Retake Day will be held on October 26th, 2022. Please see attached flier.

Conferences are coming! Our amazing teachers will provide appointments on Thursday, the 27th, from 12:00-7 pm. Please get in touch with your child's teacher if you have not yet signed up for a conference slot. Students will be dismissed at 11:00 am both Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th. We have wrapped up our fall assessments, and teachers are busy preparing for productive conversations around each child's learning. 
 

As we prepare for the upcoming Family/Teacher Conferences, we'd like to extend an invitation for you to meet with our specials and support staff. Please click the Specials/Support Staff Fall Conferences link to sign up for a conference spot! This is not mandatory, but our team is available if you have any questions.

Next week during conferences, we will bring the Lost and Found out to the front of the building. Please take a moment to check for any items your child may have misplaced while you are here. All it is not claimed will be donated to families in need. Also, please write your child's name on any item that might find its way to the office so we can return it to them. 

Our Hatch Directory is now available!!

Morning Car Drop-Off Lane Reminders: 

• Please be patient in the drop-off line; with colder temperatures; we have long lines.
• Please have your child ready to leave your car; please have their backpack and lunch box easily accessible. 
• Please stay in your car; we have staff to help kids out of cars and with doors if they cannot do it themselves.
• Please let your child out of the car in front of the school at the main doors; please wait in line to let your child out until you are at the entrance. It can be icy along the curb, and we do not want children hurt. 
• Please have your student exit from the right side of the car. 
• If you need to park, please pull up at or past the playground; ample parking is available. 
• If dropping off, please allow extra time. Speeding through drop-off is dangerous for students and staff. 

Thank you for your help in keeping our students safe!

Hatch Parents- have your children grown out of board games, card games, or puzzles at home? We want to use them in the auditorium and library on rainy or cold days. If your child is willing to part with a gently used game (with most or all the pieces), please send it to school with a note that says - Attention, Ms. W . If you would like to purchase a game, here is our Amazon Wish List.

Save the date! Our next "Coffee with the Principal," in collaboration with the PTO, will be Thursday, November 10th, from 8:00-8:45 am in the cafeteria. This is an informal gathering, but please sign in at the main office. Feel free to stay 5 minutes or 45 minutes as your schedule permits. See you then!

Halloween: We will continue the tradition of our annual Halloween parade on Monday, October 31st, at 1:45 pm. Classes will exit through the West playground doors, walk on the sidewalk around the field, and re-enter through the East playground doors. Families are encouraged to gather along the route to cheer on our tigers! Any volunteers entering the building must check in with the main office to gain access. Mark your calendars!

Halloween reminders:

• Students will change into costumes after lunch.
• Costumes need to go on over students' clothing, and children should be able to put their costumes on independently.
• The Parade will begin at 1:45. We will exit through the West playground doors, head South on Ridgeland, 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 to participate in the Halloween celebrations, please speak with your child's teacher about the alternate activity.

We are looking forward to celebrating with our fantastic Hatch community!

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>>

Recording: Family University' Session on Student Assessments: On October 18th, District 97 held a Family University Session to help parents learn about the student assessments given across our schools, how the results are used to support teaching and learning, and how you can use the information to understand your child's progress and next steps. 

Thank you to all who attended! If you were unable to attend, you would view this session by clicking on the link below. 

• Click to view "Family University: Understanding District 97 Assessments">>
• Click to view the session deck >>

SAVE THE DATE: Middle School Math Enrichment Program 2023: In 2023, District 97 will be offering Math Enrichment Bridge Courses for Acceleration and Summer Math Review Courses for students in grades 5 through 7. Families should SAVE the DATE if their student is interested in participating in these courses (CLICK HERE to view the program flyer>>).

Registration information and additional details about this program will be shared with families in January.

BRAVO Performing Arts Presents Raise Your Voice! BRAVO Performing  Arts at Brooks Middle School presents Raise Your Voice on November 3 & 4. Raise Your Voice is a new musical revue featuring songs from 15 different musicals across MTI's Broadway Junior® collection. Classic titles include Guys and Dolls and Oliver! to beloved Disney shows like The Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins and heartwarming contemporary stories like Once on This Island and 13!

Familiar songs, heartwarming selections, and inspiring production numbers include "Right Before Your Eyes" from James and the Giant Peach JR.; "The Spark of Creation" from Children of Eden JR., "Matchmaker" from Fiddler on the Roof JR and "So Much Better" from Legally Blonde JR. "Agony" from Into the Woods JR., "Good Morning" from Singin' in the Rain JR., "These Palace Walls" from Disney's Aladdin JR., and so many more! Raise Your Voice will have audiences singing along and entertained from start to finish with show-stopping numbers and heartwarming moments.

Performances are on November 3 & 4 at 7:00PMTickets are on sale now! (https://oakpar .revtrak.net/performing-arts- programs/bravo/bravo-production/raise-your-voice-tickets/#/list)