The Jayhawk Weekly

Dear Julian Parents and Guardians,

District 97 is closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is a call to action for individuals and societies to strive for justice, equality, and peace through courage, empathy, and determination.

At this time, we foresee District 97 schools being open tomorrow. Please see the Cold Weather Update section below for more information on this. This week we have also included updates on several items including parent teacher conferences in February.

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students' growth and success.

We hope you are enjoying the long weekend!

Jayhawks together,

Nick Filipowski

Principal, Percy Julian M.S.

As we look ahead to next week, forecasts predict extremely cold temperatures in the Chicago area Sunday, Jan. 19, through Tuesday, Jan. 21. While schools will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday. At this time, we plan for schools to be open, but we will continue to monitor the weather forecasts closely over the weekend. If there are any changes to our plans, we will notify families and staff as soon as possible via email, phone and our district website. Students and staff should be sure to take home their devices and chargers Friday, just in case.

In anticipation of the cold weather, we are asking staff and families to review the safety reminders below to ensure that everyone stays safe and warm:

• Dress in Layers: 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.
• Limit outdoor time: Classes are only permitted to go outside when the temperature, with the wind chill, is 15 degrees or higher. Based on Tuesday’s forecasts, all students will remain inside for the full school day.
• Be prompt at drop-off and pick-up: Minimize time spent outside by arriving as close to designated times as possible.

You can access more cold weather tips from Village of Oak Park, including the locations of warming centers, by clicking here.

• Dr. King Holiday: Monday, January 20th (NO SCHOOL)
• Family/Teacher Conferences: Thursday, February 13th (Full Day of Classes)
• Family/Teacher Conferences: Friday, February 14th (No School for students)
• Presidents' Day: Monday, February 17th (NO SCHOOL)
• 8th Grade Cap Gown Picture Retake Day: Friday, February 21st
• Institute Day: Monday, March 3rd (No School for students)
• Spring Break: Mon., March 24th - Fri., March 28th (No School)

• 8th Grade Class Trip: Sunday, May 25 - Tuesday, May 27th
• 8th Grade Graduation: Tuesday, June 3rd

Join us for our 8th grade Poetry Slam at Robert's Westside, 7321 Madison Street on Wednesday, January 22nd 3:45-5:00pm.

Hosted by the Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF) and serving all District 97 middle school students, the Spoken Word residency is a visiting artist program that brings a local poet into District 97 middle school classrooms as a way to deepen students’ understanding of the language arts curriculum, foster social-emotional connections and create new opportunities for them to excel in school.

Save the date for February 13th and 14th! Conferences will be offered virtually in February. There will be a full day of school on February 13, followed by virtual conferences from 4:30-8:30 pm. On Friday there is no school. Conferences are from 8-12 pm virtually.

Please continue to watch the Jayhawk Weekly for sign-up information in the coming weeks.

REGISTER FOR OAK PARK YOUTH BASEBALL & SOFTBALL

Registration is open for OPYBS spring t-ball, baseball and softball leagues. We offer leagues for kindergarten through 8th/9th grade. It's never too late to play baseball or softball. All levels welcome. $50 late fees will apply after February 9th. Questions? Email Megan Elsener at meganelsener@gmail.com

District 97 believes that all students should be challenged and supported to develop to their maximum potential. For students who demonstrate they may benefit from accelerated placement, we provide opportunities to participate in an instructional setting that is usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades than the child. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Early entrance to kindergarten or first grade

• Single subject acceleration

• Whole grade acceleration

For families interested in District 97's Accelerated Placement Program, we invite you to attend one of our family information sessions (details below), which will provide an avenue for families to share questions as well as receive information about the acceleration process and the upcoming application/referral windows (Feb. 1 through April 1 for early entrance; March 1 through April 25 for acceleration).

Join District 97 for an Accelerated Learning Family Information Night on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Julian Middle School. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements for single-subject and whole-grade acceleration (Grades K-8).

Click here to view the event flyer >>

We are in the process of updating our websites to reflect this year's dates and any new changes.

For families who are seeking early admission to kindergarten or first grade, the district will be hosting a Family Information session on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m, at the D97 Administration Building. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements for early admission to kindergarten or first grade.

Click here to view the event flyer >>

We are in the process of updating our websites to reflect this year's dates and any new changes.

As we begin the new year, let’s work together to keep our schools safe and welcoming for everyone. Below are important reminders to help ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families.

We appreciate your partnership in making our schools safe and secure! Visit our District Safety Page for additional resources.

Be Aware and Report Concerns

One of the most important things we can do as a community is to speak up when we see something concerning. If you notice anything that seems unusual or unsafe, please report it to an administrator or staff member immediately.

It’s also important that students maintain awareness while walking to and from school. Here are some safety tips compiled by school districts 97 and 200 in partnership with the Oak Park Police Department.

Winter Weather Reminders

Emergency Closings and E-Learning Days

Please take a moment to review the information shared in the district’s Weekly Wrap-Up on Dec. 1 regarding winter preparedness.

The district’s emergency closing and E-Learning procedures are outlined in this brief deck; full details are posted at https://www.op97.org/communications/emergency-closings.

Cold Weather Reminders for Families
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 temperature, with wind chill, 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.

Basic Strategies for Healthy Schools

There are several steps students and staff can take to keep our schools safe and healthy 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 >>

Visitor Reminders

• All visitors must check in through our Raptor Visitor Management System at the front office. Please bring a valid ID.

• Once checked in, visitors will receive a temporary badge that must be worn at all times while in the building.

Emergency Preparedness

We are committed to being prepared for any emergency. Our district follows the "I Love U Guys" Standard Response Protocol, which focuses on safety actions like Lockout, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter, and Hold. Learn more about the protocols, and what you can do to prepare, here: D97 Emergency Preparedness.

Secure Gun Storage

Secure storage is a simple action a gun owner can take to reduce access to guns among young people, keeping children and families in our community safe. Best practices for secure storage include storing guns unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition. Click here to visit the village's webpage about safe firearm storage.

INCOMING FRESHMEN AND THEIR PARENTS/GUARDIANS WILL MEET WITH THEIR ASSIGNED COUNSELOR TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COURSE REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT PROCESS. AT THE MEETING, PARENTS/GUARDIANS WILL BE GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SELECT COURSES VIA A GOOGLE FORM.

JANUARY 23, 2025

6:30-8:30 PM - OPRF AUDITORIUM

WELCOME CLASS OF 2029 | PRINCIPAL LYNDA PARKER

REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH ACADEMIC DIVISION,

ATHLETIC TEAM AND STUDENT ACTIVITY WILL BE

AVAILABLE AND READY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS!

OPRF LEADERSHIP STUDENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE

FOR SMALL GROUP TOURS

QUESTIONS? CONTACT THE OPRF STUDENT ACTIVITIES OFFICE:

MS HAWKINS: AHAWKINS@OPRFHS.ORG

MS NASH: PNASH@OPRFHS.ORG

If your child was absent for the Cap & Gown picture day on Jan 17th, there will be another opportunity for them to take a photo. The 8th Grade Cap & Gown picture re-take day is on Friday, Feb 21st. Photographers will only be here for the first two hours of the school day. Please remember that students should not have updo or high ponytail hairstyles, so that the cap fits properly. Although, students should refrain from wearing any shade of green clothing, jewelry, hair accessories, etc., as that would interfere with the photo. Students will be photographed against a green screen backdrop.

We are excited to share that the registration portal is now open for the eighth-grade trip to St. Louis/Springfield, which will take place from Sunday, May 25 to Tuesday, May 27! Below, you’ll find all the details you need to register your student, submit the deposit, and prepare for the trip.

Key Deadlines and Payment Details:

1. Registration and Deposit: Complete your registration and submit a $100 deposit by Friday, January 17, 2025.
2. Final Payment: The remaining balance of $599.00 is due by Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

How to Register and Submit Your Deposit:

1. Click here to visit the registration portal.
2. Enter your email address and create a free account.
3. Use the Tour Web Code: T6ED2P3
4. Follow the prompts to complete your student’s registration.
5. Submit the $100 deposit to secure your student’s spot.

**If financial assistance is needed, please contact Ms. Jackson at 708-524-7512 or at ejackson@op97.org BEFORE registering to see if you qualify. If you have any questions or concerns about registration or payments, feel free to reach out to Julian Executive Coordinator, Ms. Echelon Jackson at ejackson@op97.org. We are happy to assist you and ensure all families have access to the information they need.

Thank you for your attention to these deadlines and your support as we prepare for this memorable experience for our eighth-grade students!

Sincerely,
The 8th Grade Trip Planning Team

Dear Julian Middle School Community,

We are excited to begin planning the 8th-grade school-wide field trip for the end of this school year! Due to 8th graders going on the out-of-state trip which includes a theme park, we also wanted to provide a day field trip where the students could participate in a social experience as an entire class. As we look forward to celebrating this special milestone with our students, we’d like your student's input to help us choose an experience.

We are considering two exciting options for the trip during the last week of May:

1. A Cubs Game Day at Wrigley Field
2. Another memorable day at Six Flags

To make sure we choose the option that best aligns with the interests of our students, we will be sending out a survey to gather their preferences. The 8th graders' feedback will play a vital role in shaping this experience.

We will be distributing the survey to our 8th grade students during Advisory this week. We look forward to hearing from them and making this a fantastic and unforgettable trip for our 8th graders!

Thank you for your support and encouraging your student to complete the survey.

The D97 MS Team

OPRFHS will be hosting their annual Japan Fest on Saturday, February 1st from noon until 4:00 p.m. There will be music, games, calligraphy, origami, arts & crafts, and food! Admission is FREE. This event will be held at OPRFHS and is sponsored by JCCC Foundation. Please contact OPRFHS directly for more info.

The next D97 Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2025. We meet in the Media Center at Beye Elementary School (230 N. Cuyler) from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Please join us.

• Jan. 27, 2025 (Topic: Special Education Law)
• March 17, 2025
• May 19, 2025

Childcare will be provided. We hope to see you there!

The D97 Special Education Parent Support Group is now meeting monthly, and we would love for you to join us! Meetings will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Community Room at Whittier Elementary School, 715 N. Harvey Ave., on the following dates:

• Feb. 24, 2025

• April 28, 2025

• May 12, 2025

Childcare will be provided. We hope to see you there!

STUDENT PREPAREDNESS

Please have your child prep for school the night before or "before they go out the door" the morning of, in order to make sure they have the items they need for the day.

Here is a list of supplies that Julian students will need for all their classes on a DAILY basis:

• school ID
• fully charged chromebook
• headphones compatible with the chromebook (not earbuds for iPhones)
• pen, paper, notebook
• water bottle
• lunch/snack (food is available in the Julian lunchroom if your child doesn't pack a lunch or if they forget their lunch)

We appreciate your partnership.

Health Reminders

We are so happy when your child can be at school on time and well enough for learning. However, keeping your child home when sick is essential to keep illness out of our schools and prevent spread to others.

*Families must report any absences due to illness or for any other reasons by calling or emailing the school attendance line (708-665-3064 or julianinfo@op97.org).

Please keep your child home if they are exhibiting signs of illness:

• Temperature of 100.0 degrees F° (37 C°)
• Your child should be fever free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Your child must stay home for a full 24 hours after their last episode of vomiting/diarrhea before returning to school
• Strep throat:
• Your child must be on an antibiotic for 24 hours before returning to school and fever free for 24 hours without medication if a fever is present.
• Swollen, red eyes that itch and are draining (possible pink-eye)
• Your child must be on an antibiotic for 24 hours before returning to school for bacterial conjunctivitis and drainage free and/or a note from the doctor.
• Uncontrolled coughing or constant “runny” nose – especially with yellow or green mucus
• However, for a mild runny/stuffy nose and mild cough it is alright to send your child to school.
• An unusual rash, a blistery rash, or a rash associated with a fever
• Your child should remain at home until you have discussed the rash with your physician and your child is not contagious (a note from your doctor may be required)
• COVID? Please see and follow the info in the link: https://www.op97.org/health-services/covid-19-guidelines
• Has symptoms that prevent them from learning:
• Very tired or lack of appetite
• Headache, body aches or earache
• Sore Throat—a minor sore throat is ok for school, but a severe sore throat could be strep throat, even if there is no fever. Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache, stomach upset, or rash. Call your doctor if your child has these symptoms.

Parents and Guardians,

This is a friendly reminder about the Middle School Cell Phone policy. We are "Away for the Day" which means students should not use their cell phones from 9:00am - 3:30pm. If there is an emergency, students can call home from a teacher's classroom phone or the school office. If a student is feeling unwell, they can get a pass from their classroom teacher, and call home from the school nurse's office.

If a student is caught using their cell phone/electronic device during instruction time or caught using their device while school is in session for unrelated curriculum activities, then the following occurs:

• 1ST OFFENSE: The device is sent down to the school office by a staff member and the student must retrieve the device at the end of the school day.
• 2ND OFFENSE: The device is sent down to the school office by a staff member and parents/guardians are notified. The student will be able to retrieve the device at the end of the school day.

• 3RD OFFENSE: The device is sent down to the school office by a staff member and parents/guardians are notified. A parent/guardian/caregiver must then come to the school to pick up the device, it will not be released to the student. The parent/guardian/caregiver must also meet with an administrator or student success coach to decide one of two options:

OR

2) The student will leave the device at home and no longer bring the cell phone to school for the remainder of the trimester.

Thank you for your efforts to help us all make school a place of academics and social emotional learning.

Approximately 10% - 15% of students have a food allergy. The most common allergen item is nuts of any kind. Every food-allergic reaction has the possibility of developing into a life-threatening reaction within minutes. Some individuals may react to merely touching the substance, while for others, consumption of a tiny amount of that food can cause a reaction which could be fatal.

• We strongly encourage packing nut-free products in your student's lunches

• We strongly encourage sending nut-free products on field trips

• There is NO food sharing between students at any time during school

How to identify safer foods for your children to eat:

1. Please read all packaging to ensure the item is not produced on equipment shared with nuts

2. Additional safe options may be viewed at: www.snacksafely.com

We appreciate your partnership in promoting the health and safety of our children.

LUNCH

Hot lunch is available to students who wish to participate and have a funded or approved lunch account. If you have questions regarding your student's lunch balance, you may contact the Lunch Manager, Venus Jones at vjones@op97.org. To make payments on student lunch accounts please visit, https://www.mymealtime.com/signin.aspx

FOOD DELIVERY POLICY

***District 97 employees will not sign for food deliveries for students. Julian students or parents/guardians should NOT have food delivered to the school through any food delivery service (i.e. DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub, etc). Food deliveries will not be accepted during the school day. Please plan to pack a lunch or purchase a school lunch each day.***

Parents/Guardians,

Crosswalk Safety is imperative for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. If your child is in the habit of crossing the sidewalk from the school to the North side of Washington Blvd at Cuyler Ave, PLEASE remind them that this is not a sanctioned crosswalk. All Julian students who are walking or biking, to and from school, should cross the street at the light (at the Ridgeland and Washington intersection) with a crossing guard. There is no official crosswalk at the Cuyler Ave and Washington Blvd intersection. Therefore, students should not cross themselves. Students should walk or bike to the corner of Ridgeland Ave, and then walk or bike to the North side of Washington Blvd. Crossing guards are posted at the light, where students should cross the street.

Please be sure to discuss this safety habit with your Julian student.

Fees may be paid online at https://oakpark.revtrak.net/Middle-Schools/BMS/BMS-School-Fees/#/list

You may also pay fees in-person (with check, money order or cash only) at the Julian School Office during the week between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Come help Julian be an even more awesome place...all that's missing is YOU! Julian PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) meetings will be held every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Media Center:

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

If you can't make it in person, log onto Zoom for the PTO meetings:

Every month on the Second Wed, until May 14, 2025, 9 occurrence(s)
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqd-2grzwqH9xbM57ma8Z4koONenHwAstO/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGuqTsuEtWSsByPRpwAB4igLPzzmGZfgvpFnjKwVC1SOjmiPe1tHLdxOM_x&meetingMasterEventId=8BZCj1FGQtmhEqFKmR7G4w

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86704817058?pwd=sQ8438MQAlKe75JZ21eRBMFkOpJDza.1

Meeting ID: 867 0481 7058
Passcode: 325017

• Please call the attendance line at 708-665-3064 to leave a voicemail regarding your child's absence.
• Email julianinfo@op97.org if you have any questions for the school office.
• Dial 708-524-3040 to reach the Julian school office. And remember, if you plan to get your child for an early dismissal, give the school office a call 10-15 minutes prior to your arrival. This will give them time to locate your student and for your student to gather their belongings. Please, whenever possible, have your pick up done prior to 3:00 pm. Thank you for your understanding.

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-524-3040

www.op97.org/julian