Principal Patten's Newsletter

Dear Onahan Community,

We have so much to celebrate! Come join us Thursday night, February 19th to meet candidates for our next Local School Council Term @ 6:30 pm in the auditorium.

It's that time of year when CPS honors Crossing Guards. We have an exceptional Crossing Guard at Devon and Natoma who cares deeply about our community and school. She goes way beyond making sure students and families cross Devon safely. Her name is Marge Specialle. She always calls ahead to the school with any important safety information that the school may need. She has contacted me during off hours if something seems amiss at the school. She has been a crossing guard for over 32 years!

Nominations for the Crossing Guard of the Year award opened this week and will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026. Four exceptional individuals will be chosen as winners, one from each region, and their names will be revealed at a District event later this spring. Chicagoans, including students, school leaders, and families, are encouraged to participate in the nomination process starting today. Nominees will be evaluated based on factors such as years of service and attendance, among other criteria. Nominations can be submitted here.

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Another amazing Onahan person to celebrate is our school nurse, Kathleen Manley. She has a chance to be nominated for the Honorary Captain Experience at the Chicago Bulls Nurse Appreciation Night on April 1st. This is a huge honor and we all know how much heart Kathleen puts into her work every day, and there's no one more deserving of this spotlight. How you can help: We need your votes to help her win! It only takes a few seconds:
click here: Vote here
Find: Kathleen Manley
Cast your vote

Break out the neon and leg warmers — the Friends of Onahan Annual Fundraiser is going full 80’s! Support our school by purchasing tickets, becoming an event sponsor, making a donation, or contributing an auction item or experience. Every totally awesome contribution helps fund programs and opportunities that benefit Onahan. Don’t miss this rad night for a great cause! Event Website: https://aesbid.com/ELP/ONAHAN26

Our annual fundraiser website is LIVE and promotion has begun! Here is the website Link: https://aesbid.com/ELP/ONAHAN26

This calendar is designed to help you and your child explore the big feelings and small moments that make up their day. There are no right or wrong answers—just opportunities to listen, share, and grow together. Use these prompts as a bridge to deeper connection whenever you have five quiet minutes.

Click on flyers below for sports sign up and volunteering.

Click on the following link for more details about tryouts. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R3fknhEv4kcbCSxvithYDkyZFib4kvoN/view?usp=sharing

Sign up to receive the CPS Early Childhood newsletter, and get an alert when the SY26-27 application opens. https://www.cps.edu/ChicagoEarlyLearning/connect/

This April, families across Chicago can apply for high-quality Chicago Early Learning programs for children from birth to age five. Explore options across CPS schools and Community-Based Organizations to find a program that fits your family’s needs.

When applying, families will be able to choose from over 500 high-quality early learning programs for every child in every neighborhood in Chicago.

Explore Program Options

Chicago Early Learning offers two types of programs designed to support children from birth to age five and meet families where they are.

CPS School-Based Programs (Ages 3–4)
Chicago Public Schools offers Pre-K programs for 4-year-olds and half-day programs for 3-year-olds.

Community-Based Organization (CBO) Programs (Ages 0–5)
Community-Based Early Learning and Preschool Programs serve families with children from birth to age five and offer programs for expecting mothers. They include Head Start, Early Head Start, Infant-Toddler programs, Home-Visiting Programs, and Doula Programs. Hours vary by site.

Flyer with Email Link

ATTENTION NEEDED: ACTIONS STEPS FOR OUR FIELD

OUR 7TH AND 8TH GRADE HOMEROOMS ARE COMPETING IN WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS. THEY KICK IT OFF WITH DODGEBALL AND THE 8TH GRADE MCGLOONIES ARE IN THE LEAD.

THIS CLASSROOM FILLED WITH STUDENTS IS THE ECHO NEWSPAPER WRITERS. THEY DON'T ALL FIT IN ONE CLASSROOM, SO THE 8TH GRADERS ARE NEXT DOOR! THIS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM IS AN EXAMPLE OF DEDICATION AND HAVING PURPOSE ON THE PART OF STUDENTS. (IF YOU AREN'T TEARING UP WITH AMAZEMENT AND JOY, YOU SHOULD BE!?!)

PE THIS WEEK

Students are taking part in a Choice Fitness lesson where they choose between Gaga Ball, Nine Square, and Just Dance while working on staying active, making good choices, and showing respectful behavior during activity time. We’ve been emphasizing sportsmanship, staying engaged, and keeping a positive attitude whether they win or lose. Gagaball, Nine Square and just dance.