1/13/2023
Just a reminder that this Monday, January 17th, there will be NO SCHOOL for students in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Thank you!
We hope you enjoyed a lovely holiday break full of family and friends. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces on Monday as we jumped back into our learning routines. You know you are in a truly special place when the children can’t wait to go back to school!
Just a reminder that No dogs are allowed on school property. We do have some students with either allergies and/or anxiety around dogs. Thank you for your cooperation!
Winter Gear: Please help us have your child prepared for all outdoor time at school. Students must have snow pants & boots on to play in the snow, as we do not want children to sit in wet clothes after recess. Students who do not have the appropriate gear play on the blacktop only. We will go outside for recess as long as the temperature and windchill are above 15 degrees. Please send your child in clothing they can manage independently. Please practice independent zipping & bundling at home, so it becomes a smoother transition at school. If you need support accessing winter gear for your child, please let us know, and we can provide assistance!
Every day there is snow on the ground or in the forecast, please send:
- Gloves
- Hat
- Boots (if you don’t have any, send two pairs of shoes)
- Snow Pants
- Winter coat
Second Step: This week, we focused on reteaching our Hatch Habits and expectations around the school. The students are excited because when their class fills up their bingo board, Ms. Winfield will come and hang out in their classroom for 30 min of FUN!
D97 Updates/Reminders:
Low and Negative Balance Lunch Robocalls/Emails
In an effort to streamline communication for families, starting Jan. 15, automated low or negative lunch balance calls/emails from District 97 will go out to families once a week on Sundays around 5 p.m. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at [email protected].
Be Safe and Healthy: Preparing for Winter in District 97
As we head into the winter months, we all must 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 Nov. 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 now has the option of calling 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. In that case, 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.
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.