12/09/22
Many thanks to the members of our Kindness Club for coming up with new and exciting ways to spread joy and kindness at our school. We all enjoyed being cheered into school during your “Cheers for Peers” project. Keep up the good work!
Trimester 1 Report Cards were emailed home Friday, December 9, 2022. Please be on the lookout!
WINTER MAP TESTING begins Monday, December 12. Please send your student a fully charged iPad and headphones on Monday.
Last week our 5th graders competed in the Hatch Reading Olympic Competition! The teams read multiple books over the past few months and answered a series of questions about the books. The winning Hatch team competed at the Oak Park Public Library against 11 other River Forest and Oak Park Schools this Tuesday. Great job to everyone that participated!
Holiday parties will be held in classrooms on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 21, and will be food free in accordance with our D97 policy. If you have questions about the holiday party, please get in touch with the headroom parent for your child’s classroom. We are looking forward to celebrating together. Thank you!
Hatch is excited to announce that the Rainbow Tigers group is starting back up during lunch and recess every other Friday, and it is offered to all 4th and 5th-grade students who are interested. The mission statement of the Rainbow Tigers group is:
We aspire to create a positive, affirming, and safe space for students of the LGBTQ+ community as well as allies. The Rainbow Tigers inclusively celebrate and promote justice and equity and want to ensure that all students’ voices are heard and represented. The goal of this group is to serve as a protective factor to improve the experience and outcomes around bullying, belonging, and self-esteem for youth who identify as LGBTQ+.
As we prepare for the holiday break, please remember to check the lost and found for any missing items. Labeling your child’s clothes and outerwear is a great way to avoid having to search!
Second Step
Lesson 10 for K and Lesson 9 for 2nd-5th
This week our students learned about feelings during their Second Step lessons. Kindergartners learned about accidents and how to show care and concern when accidents happen. Our first graders learned that feelings change over time, and how they feel about something now might be different from how they feel about it later. Our second-fourth graders focused on showing compassion. We’ve worked hard to help students develop empathy over the past trimester, and now students can put empathy into action by showing care and concern with compassionate words and actions. Finally, our fifth graders began a unit devoted to emotions. In this unit, they’ll learn what triggers strong emotions for them, how emotions affect their brain and body, and how to manage their emotions. Check out the home links below to extend what’s being learned in school!
Hatch After Hours Winter Session registration starts Monday, December 12 at 7 am Register at: https://www.homeroom.com/sites/hatch-elementary-oak-park/. Several new classes are being offered this session. Check out the offerings like Ovation Show Choir, Video Game Design, Lego Club, Play Dough Club, Music Ensemble, Creative Writing, and Dance from the Academy of Movement and Music!
To see the entire catalog go to the Hatch PTO website or go to: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LxfuZteW3hziGzgKUFbJjjyYlV9oad1p/view?usp=share_link.
D97 Updates/Reminders:
Update: Outdoor Recess During Winter Months- District 97 believes it is important for students to have opportunities for physical activity and playtime during the day—even during the cold winter months. This winter, students will be permitted to go outside for recess when the wind chill or temperature is 15 degrees or higher. The district utilizes the Wind Chill Chart developed by the National Weather Service.
- It is important that students dress in warm layers when cold temperatures are expected. Students should remember to bring hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, coats, snow pants, and boots. It is recommended that families label these items with their children’s names.
- Our staff will carefully monitor students while outside and take the necessary steps to ensure students are appropriately clothed/prepared for the cold weather, watching out for signs of frostbite and other cold-related issues.
Be Safe and Healthy: Preparing for Winter in District 97
As we head into the winter months, it’s important that we all continue to work together to keep our schools safe and healthy for learning. Please take a moment to review the district’s Winter Preparedness 2022-23 deck or watch the presentation from the November 15 board of education meeting.
Winter Illnesses and Everyday Preventative Strategies
This year, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has noted an increase in individuals getting sick from respiratory viruses, including the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. Health officials are urging individuals and families to take basic precautions to protect themselves this winter—stay home when you are sick, wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, and stay up to date on your vaccines. CLICK HERE to watch a brief video of everyday strategies to keep our schools healthy this winter >>
Emergency Closings and E-Learning Days
District 97 always strives to have schools open. However, if heavy snow or extreme cold makes it dangerous to travel, we may need to close schools. The district’s emergency closing procedures are outlined at https://www.op97.org/communications/emergency-closings.
In July 2021, the District 97 Board of Education approved an E-Learning Plan for students to receive instruction electronically in lieu of traditional emergency days (or inclement weather days). This means that instead of canceling school, the superintendent can call it an “E-Learning Day” where students and staff learn and work virtually at home. This provides a continuation of learning and prevents the loss of critical instructional days, particularly in our first and second trimesters.
Suppose the superintendent decides to close buildings and hold an E-Learning Day. The information is shared through multiple channels, including email, the district website, our Facebook and Twitter social media pages, and the Emergency Closings website. Staff and families are also encouraged to OPT into text messages from the district by texting YES to 87569.
Bravo will offer its “Junior Bravo Performance Workshop” for 2nd-5th graders again this January. This is an excellent opportunity for the Middle School Bravo performers who help run the camp and the Elementary School kids who get to sing, dance, and have a great time gaining exposure to musical theatre!
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:
- 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.
- 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.