11/04/2022
As we settle into November after our exciting Halloween (crossing guard Mike kicked the day off right!), it is wonderful to see the incredible learning taking place in our classrooms. Students and teachers are hard at work as our students develop their skills. We also successfully completed our lockdown drill yesterday, and our students did an excellent job! At the beginning of each year, we practice routines throughout the building, including our safety procedures. Please know that teachers have conversations with their classes about all the ways we practice being safe at school and that student safety will always be our priority at Hatch. If your student(s) has any questions or concerns, please let their teacher know so that we can help support that continued conversation.
This week Hatch Spanish students learned about Día de Los Muertos. Sra. Bruno and Mrs. Ruff displayed an ofrenda in front of Hatch school that included photos of loved ones shared by Hatch staff members and the beautiful alebrije art of Hatch students. Below is a short video of the ofrenda. Enjoy and feliz Día de Los Muertos!
Art and Spanish have spent the last few weeks learning about this amazing Mexican tradition. Students have been collaborating, learning about this culture, and even having the chance to create a beautiful work of art on display throughout our school. Students in each grade created a work of art that was added to this display. Kindergarten artists created Monarch butterflies flying by our ceiling, 1st-grade artists created large mixed media Calaveras, 2nd-grade artists created giant symmetrical Monarchs, 3rd-grade artists invented their own Alebrije inspired by the art show at Cantigny Park, 4th-grade artists used air dry clay to create a 3D Calavera, and 5th-grade artists learned printmaking skills to design a unique Calavera using ink, oil pastels, and tissue paper.
5th-grade artists will also be able to design their sugar skulls next week! Attached is a video of how Mrs. Ruff makes homemade sugar skulls for each student. In art next week, they will learn a bit more about the history of sugar skulls and how they are used to honor a loved one. Sugar skull art reflects the Mexican Folk Art style of big happy smiles, colorful icing, sparkly tin, and glittery adornments. Students will have the chance to use frosting, foil, and sequins to design their very own skulls. Students are also reminded that this is a work of art... Not food. Each skull will be sent home once it dries. We hope you will take the time to ask your artist about their unique creation!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11sp2uzi9j0GnAJoaxOEoSGhJoMc88Waf/view?usp=sharing
Our next “Coffee with the Principal,” in collaboration with the PTO, will be Thursday, November 10th, 8:00-8:45 am in the cafeteria. Please sign in at the main office, and feel free to stay 5 or 45 minutes as your schedule permits. See you then!
We are pleased to announce the installation of a permanent fence on Ridgeland Ave that we hope will begin next week! Thank you to our PTO and our amazing buildings and grounds department for making this possible. We are happy to further ensure the safety of our students at Hatch!!
Please check out the October Hatch Music Newsletter for updates on the fun and exciting happenings in the music room!
Second Step: This past week, students finished the Bullying Prevention Unit lessons and engaged in the fourth and final lesson. Our kindergarten-3rd grade students learned about bystander power. They learned that you are a bystander when you see or know about bullying. They practiced standing up to a bully and reporting the bullying to an adult. They learned that the problems get bigger if they join in, laugh, or don’t report the bullying as bystanders. Our 4th and 5th-grade students learned about cyberbullying. They learned that cyberbullying could 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 standing up and stopping bullying by responding with supportive messages and reporting the cyberbullying to an adult.
*Daylight savings time ends this weekend. Please remember to set your clocks back an hour!
D97 Updates/Reminders:
Once a month (Except December), HR will extend hours for parents to get a background check done after hours. We understand that some may have a work schedule like ours. This month's extended hours will be Wednesday, Nov 16th, from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Please spread the word. Slots are available on Sign Up Genius. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c48aaa628aaf8c43-background
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 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.
Recording: Family University' Session on Student Assessments: On Oct. 18, 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 can 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.