Jayhawk Weekly Communication

LOCKERS

We are asking parents and guardians to check-in with their child about their school locker. And whether or not they have a lock for it. We have had multiple instances of children leaving items before or after their lunch periods in the Lost & Found area. Or placing items on top of the school lockers. The Lost & Found is not to be used as a secondary storage area by students. Students must place their coats and backpacks inside their own assigned lockers (not in a friend's locker, not in a teacher's classroom and not in the Lost & Found area). Students should not remove any items from the Lost & Found area that do not belong to them. We ask that you please review these expectations with your Julian student.

LOST & FOUND

This is a reminder that we will continue to regularly clear out the Lost & Found area each month. And as we approach the time for Winter Break, the Lost & Found area will be cleared out completely. The Lost & Found area will be cleaned over the break. Therefore, we are not able to store the numerous lost clothing items, shoes, water bottles, lunch bags, etc that are currently in the Lost & Found area. All unclaimed items will be disposed of or donated to local charities. The last day of school, before the winter break begins, is on Thursday, December 21st. The Lost & Found area will be cleared out completely at the end of the school day on 12/21. Please remind your student to check the Lost & Found area for their own lost belonging(s) before winter break begins.

WINTER BREAK

The school will be closed from December 22 - January 5 for winter break. The school office will close at 4pm on 12/21. Students should take home their belongings (coats, boots, chromebooks, musical instruments, etc) that they will need over the break. The building will not be open to pick up forgotten clothing or instruments after 4pm on 12/21. Reminders will be read aloud in the daily Jayhawk announcements for students from Dec 18 - 21. We ask that you remind your child to make sure that they bring home all their belongings they may need over the winter break.

We thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

***Photo proofs from November's School Picture Day were distributed last week during students' advisory classes.***

School picture re-takes will be done on Wednesday, December 6 in the morning. If your child was absent for the original school picture day, please complete this google form today to sign up so we can add them to the re-take list. And please remind your child, prior to the re-take day, that they should have their picture taken on Wednesday morning.

And remember, please be sure that students do not wear green tops or green hair accessories, as that may interfere with the picture quality. If you have any questions about picture orders, please contact Van Gogh School Photographers directly at ordervgil.com or at 847-382-2282 ext 7. The Julian School Event Code is 20032801.

Youth Voices Live From COP28 in Dubai, UAE

This year’s UN Climate Summit, or COP28, is a critical turning point

for global climate policy. Join this livestream event to hear from 8

dynamic youth delegates about their experience in Dubai where

they will connect with youth and Indigenous leaders from across

the globe and share their perspectives with elected officials and

decision-makers.

Don’t miss out on this conversation between It’s Our Future’s

delegation of 6 Chicago Area High School Students and 2 College

Students who are part of Climate Generation’s delegation!

Classes and clubs encouraged to attend!!

December 6th at 11 am Central Time via Zoom

The Girls' Volleyball season will begin after the winter break. In December, we will host grade level open gyms and tryouts. Please review the open gym and tryout dates & times. And contact Ms. Kiefer or Ms. Tucker if you have any questions.

Parents/Guardians,

Please encourage your child to bring the required items and helpful supplies to school daily:

• School ID (should be visible and worn each day)
• Fully charged chromebook
• Pen/pencil and notebook
• Water bottle

These are just a few of the basics that would help minimize classroom disruption. And will assist us with having smooth transitions in the hallways and in the lunchroom. Thank you for your support.

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 play time 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.

Keeping Our Schools Healthy

Free Drop-In Tutoring at the CRC

Would your child benefit from tutoring? The Community Recreation Center (CRC) has Triton College students on-site to provide tutoring for middle school students from 3:30pm - 5:30pm Monday through Thursday. In order to access their free tutoring services, parents/guardians must first register their child here, for the drop-in Youth After-School Program.

For more information, please visit their website and/or reach out to Annie Banuet, CRC Youth Engagement Supervisor, at annie.banuet@pdop.org.

SMART Hephzibah, a supplemental math program currently offered to D97 elementary students is now being offered to all 6th graders. SMART Hephzibah gives students a boost in their math studies and is conveniently taught via Zoom. The Winter 2024 session runs from January 18th through February 29th. Registration opens for this session November 27th and can be accessed by scanning the QR Code or visiting our website: https://www.hephzibahhome.org/smart-hephzibah/. Cost is $84 and financial aid is available.

Ellen Riggsbee

Communications Manager

Hephzibah Children’s Association

708.649.7154

A message from OPRFHS:

Time to start thinking about the 2024-2025 school year! The Class of 2028 Incoming Freshmen Parent | Guardian Nights will be held in the OPRF Auditorium on Wednesday, December 13th and Thursday, December 14th from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. There are designated nights for each school (Julian's is on Thursday, 12/14). But if you have a conflict, you can attend on either night. New this year: the Office of Equity and Student Success will be holding a meet-mix-mingle for incoming parents/guardians from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at OPRFHS.

If you have any questions, please contact OPRFHS directly:

Dr. Julie Lam I Director of Student Learning I jlam@oprfhs.org

Kris Johnson I Director of Student Services I kjohnson@oprfhs.org

2023-24 Julian School Calendar

1stPlace Spiritwear is having a sale until 12/8! A percentage of the sale is donated to Julian MS!

• The fall/winter weather is in full effect now! And students will need to store their heavier jackets and coats in their lockers. Please double check with your Julian student to see if they need a lock for their school locker. You can still purchase a lock online. Or they can bring $7 cash or check to the school office anytime between 8am - 4pm. If they need to store their belongings during their PE class, they can purchase a PE lock online as well. Students are not allowed to bring bookbags and back packs to the cafeteria/commons during their lunch/recess periods. Please contact Dr. Whitfield at mwhitfield@op97,org if you have any questions regarding the lunchroom policy.

• All students are encouraged to utilize the lockers to store their belongings. Students are permitted to go to their lockers before school, during passing periods and after school. Back packs and book bags are not permitted in the commons.

Do you know you can watch Julian home games from the comfort of your home? You can catch the sports' home games (for basketball and volleyball) in-person or you can watch online via YouTube!

Go Jayhawks!

• JULIAN STUDENTS MUST WEAR THEIR SCHOOL IDs, in order to attend the home athletic games (for basketball or volleyball). Julian students without their school IDs will be asked to leave school grounds.
• SPECTATORS All non-Julian students without parental supervision will NOT be allowed to attend the games. All non-Julian students (this includes all current OPRFHS students and former Julian graduates) without an adult to supervise them will be asked to leave school grounds.
• FOOD AND BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE GYM. Students, family members, and visitors can have water or water bottles.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding safety protocols, please contact Associate Principal, Dr. Mekita Whitfield, at mwhitfield@op97.org.

Effective immediately, Julian Middle School will no longer accept food/beverage deliveries for students from outside food delivery services, and students are not permitted to order GrubHub, DoorDash, UberEats, etc for lunches, snacks or beverages. We have observed a number of students missing instructional time to come down to the first floor to meet delivery drivers at the front entrance or at the commons' doors. No child should be meeting a stranger at the door of the school or during their lunch/recess time outside. This is a major safety and security concern. Also, sandwiches and salads are available for purchase from the lunchroom if a student forgets their lunch at home. It can be billed to their lunch account, they do not need cash to purchase a lunch in the school lunchroom.

Parents/Guardians are welcome to drop off forgotten lunches to their children. However, students are not permitted to place orders via their chromebooks or cellphones. We appreciate your cooperation and we thank you in advance for helping to remind your student of the safety & security protocols. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a Julian administrator.

District 97 remains committed to maintaining safe and healthy schools. We continue to work in partnership with the Oak Park Department of Public Health, following guidance set by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

When should a child remain home from school?

Staying home if you are ill is essential to keep infections—including the virus that causes COVID-19— out of schools and prevent spread to others. Please visit the District 97 Health Services page for more information about when to stay home. If you have specific questions, please contact your school nurse.

COVID-19 Guidelines for 2023-24

Following IDPH guidelines, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must stay home for five days after the first day of symptoms or testing positive (Day 0). They may return to school on Day 6 if:

• They are 24 hours fever free with no fever-reducing medication AND

• No diarrhea or vomiting for 24 hours AND

• Improvement of other symptoms.

Masks are strongly recommended around others for five days (through Day 10). Per local guidance, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should also complete Oak Park Department of Public Health's Positive at Home COVID 19 Test form.

For more information, please visit: COVID-19 Guidelines for D97 Students and Staff

*PLEASE GIVE THE REASON FOR YOUR STUDENT'S ABSENCE*

When calling the Julian attendance line at 708-665-3064 or leaving a message on the school office voicemail at 708-524-3040, please slowly state the following:

1. Your Name
2. Your Child’s First and Last Name
3. Your Child’s Grade Level and Advisory Teacher
4. Reason for the Absence
5. Best phone number to reach you

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-524-3040

www.op97.org/julian