The Jayhawk Weekly

Dear Julian Parents and Guardians,

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer and is soaking in the beautiful weather. We are sharing some important information with you in preparation for the upcoming school year. Please read all the items carefully with your child.

BElieve

THEre is

GOOD!

This year's theme, “Believe there is good. Be the good.” is a powerful call to both mindset and action. Believe there is good, emphasizing hope, optimism, and trust—in others, in the world, and in our school. It encourages all Jayhawks to:

• Look for the positive in people and situations.

• Assume good intentions.

• Recognize acts of kindness, growth, and resilience happening every day.

• Cultivate a culture where people feel safe, seen, and supported.

Be the good is the action step—an invitation to lead by example and actively contribute to making Julian a better place. It encourages everyone to:

• Show kindness, empathy, and inclusion.

• Stand up for what's right.

• Help others, even in small ways.

• Take personal responsibility for creating a positive and respectful environment.

Together, the theme reminds everyone that a strong, caring community starts with belief and continues through action. It challenges us to see the good around us and then choose to be a part of it—through words, choices, and character.

We are excited for all the good that this year will bring when our Jayhawks are back TOGETHER!

If you have questions about the upcoming school year, please don’t hesitate to contact our Admin team at:

nfilipowski@op97.org, acourt@op97.org, dfountain@op97.org

Our team has been working hard to prepare for a great school year and we look forward to seeing you at Middle School Connections and/or Welcome Night!

Jayhawks together,

Nick Filipowski

Principal

Your child’s schedule will be emailed home on Wednesday, August 13th, 2025. All requested courses were considered and assigned whenever available. However, if your student’s registration hasn’t been fully completed, including uploading all documents, we will not be able to send your student’s schedule at this time.

School begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Students will now have 7 class periods per school day.

• Here is the Bell Schedule for 2025-26. Please note the lunch and WIN class period for your child's grade level.

The Middle School Connections program which will be held on Tuesday, August 12th, Wednesday, August 13th, and Thursday, August 14th from 9 am to 12:15 pm. If your student registered to participate, you received a communication about the program's logistics. Students in this program will be getting a lock and locker assignment at some point during the program. On Thursday, August 14th, all 6th-grade students participating in the program can bring their school supplies to place them in their locker to be ready for the first day of school. Attending the Back to School “Welcome Night” event is optional, as all things that can be done during this open house-style event are being done during the Middle School Connection program.

• Our student and family Welcome Night will be held on Thursday, August 14th. Students can come alone or with their families and bring their school supplies to place them in their lockers to be ready for the first day of school. If your student will walk their schedule, plan to spend 30-60 minutes.

  
  

  Sensory Friendly Welcome Event: Thursday, August 14th from 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

  Students with IEPs and/or 504s that support the need for small group or sensory-friendly accommodations are invited to join us at this time. Please reach out to DaWanda Dontson (dfountain@op97.org) if you plan to attend.

  
  

  6th Grade and New Families Welcome Event: Thursday, August 14th from 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

  • Julian T-shirt will be given to all incoming 6th graders and new students (stop by the PTO table)

  • iPads from 5th grade (if a returning student) will be collected, and Chromebooks will be distributed to 6th graders and new students.

  
  

  7th & 8th Grade Welcome Event: Thursday, August 14th from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

  ****It is preferred that you attend on the designated time for your student as we are distributing many materials for 6th graders and new students, but if you are unable to attend during the assigned time, we will try to accommodate. Please email Nick Filipowski (nfilipowski@op97.org) for more information.

  
  

  During the Welcome Night, your student will receive the following information:

  • Bus Route (if applicable)

  • ALL students will be assigned a hallway locker with a lock and combination. Students will be able to set up their school supplies and organize their locker.

  • Opportunity for your student to walk their schedule (please bring your emailed copy that will be shared on 8/13)

  • 6th grade or new to District 97 students will pick up a Chromebook and return an iPad/charger (if returning student).

  • If you need to pay for a lost iPad charger or lost device, please use the webstore to make a payment.

  • Learn about extra-curricular opportunities and community partners

  • Meet the Julian PTO

  • Incoming 6th grade and New students will get a Julian T-Shirt from PTO at our Back to School Party on the 22nd

On Wednesday, August 20th, students will attend school from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. On the first day of school, all students should report to their arrival entrance locations (see below) prior to 8:50 am. At 8:50 am, students will head to their lockers and then to their 1st period class.

WIN teachers will collect shared school supplies during WIN time, so students should place those in their lockers at the start of the day. Teachers will be in the hallways to assist students with their lockers and guide them to where they need to be.

Students should arrive at their designated entrance (see below) by 8:50 am. Starting after Labor Day, Students who arrive after 8:56 am should enter the main entrance at Ridgeland Ave and check in to the main office to receive a tardy pass to their first class. Pick-up and drop-off procedures are located here.

• All 6th graders should line up to enter the building at the entrance near the turf field

• All 7th graders should line up to enter the building at the entrance on Washington

• All 8th graders should line up to enter the building at the main entrance on Ridgeland

Research shows that attendance matters! Attendance includes being on time to have a successful day and ready to learn. Please talk as a family about your nighttime and morning routines to support on-time arrival to school. Please be sure students are arriving daily by 8:50 am. Students arriving after 8:57 am will receive a tardy for the day.

DROP INSTRUCTIONS: ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS should be dropping students off on Ridgeland Ave and then have their child exit on the passenger side of the car and then walk to their designated line-up location (see above). Please refrain from pulling into the staff parking lot, as it is hazardous with multiple cars in motion, as well as staff members driving in for work. This is a safety and security concern, so we thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Hot lunch will be available to students who wish to participate and have a funded or approved lunch account, starting the first day of school. 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

***Please note students or parents/guardians may NOT have food delivered to the school through any food delivery service (i.e. DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub, etc). Deliveries will not be accepted during the school day. Please plan to pack a lunch or purchase a school lunch each day.***

1. PTO Friday - Firehouse Subs/Domino’s Lunch Options will be available.
2. CAST Thursday - Buona Beef/Domino’s Lunch Options will be available.

Ordering information for these lunch options will be shared separately by the CAST Theater program and the Julian PTO, as they are both fundraising programs for each organization. PLEASE NOTE: The school office does not collect payments for either fundraising program. You must contact CAST or the Julian PTO directly if you have questions or wish to sign up. They will communicate details soon, so be sure to check your email for more info.

Our school-wide expectations reflect our commitment to positive, evidence-based practices that support students’ academic, social, emotional and behavioral success. Administrators, teachers and staff play a crucial role in this supportive process, and we believe that clear and consistent adult practices will create a middle school learning environment where every student can succeed.

Key Links:

• School-Wide Behavior Expectations for 2025-26 (one-page overview in English and Spanish)

• Frequently Asked Questions - Created by the middle school team with the goal of being clear about expectations and answering some common questions before the school year starts.

Supporting Our Students:

While some of these expectations and procedures were in place in our middle schools before the pandemic, we understand that changes around phones, backpacks and lockers may be new for some. We’re committed to helping students adjust to these expectations both before the school year starts and throughout the year, but we need your support and partnership to make the transition as smooth as possible.

We’ll introduce the expectations to sixth-graders during District 97 Middle School Connection and to seventh- and eighth-graders (and any sixth-graders who are unable to attend District 97 Middle School Connection) at our middle school welcome nights. In the first two weeks of school, and again at the start of Trimesters 2 and 3, teachers will review these expectations during advisory. We'll celebrate when students meet expectations and provide reminders and extra support to foster independence to ensure everyone feels confident and successful.

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.

We strive to improve the attendance of all of our students. Each minute of each school day provides opportunities for learning and it’s noticeable when students miss time. Absences, even if they are excused, can add up to academic trouble. Please be sure students are arriving daily by 8:50 am. Students arriving after 8:57 am will receive a tardy for the day.

Missing only 2 days a month (excused or unexcused), means your child misses 10% of the school year. If your child is going to be absent, please notify the office prior to 9:00 a.m. by calling (708) 665-3064 or emailing julianinfo@op97.org. When we do not receive a call or email from a parent/guardian, school regulations require that parents/guardians are contacted to verify the child's absence.

Should you need resources to support your child’s attendance please visit this link or reach out to your child’s Student Success Coach.

• 6th grade - Becca Murray (rmurray@op97.org)

• 7th Grade - Kasey Fleming (kfleming@op97.org)

• 8th grade - Segio Torres (storres@op97.org)

We will not be utilizing PE locker rooms or PE Uniforms. Students will need to wear gym shoes and clothing that would permit participation in PE on the days they are scheduled for PE. Please be sure your student wears appropriate footwear and clothing on the days they are scheduled to attend PE class.

Math accelerations' letters have been emailed to families whose students participated in any of the acceleration pathways. Your student’s schedule will reflect the needed math class.

Please use our School supply list to get the needed supplies for the upcoming school year.

THE ONLINE OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME

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

Starting Monday, August 11th, you may pay fees in person at the Julian School Office during the week between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM. We accept only cash (exact change please) and checks (made payable to District 97) at the school office. We will also accept cash or check payments during the Welcome Night on 8/14.

We will notify families in a separate communication when the online payment option via the webstore is available.

• Welcome Night: Thursday, August 14th (See hours above)
• First Day of School: Wednesday, August 20th from 9:00am to 3:30pm
• Back to School party: Friday, August 22nd from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
• No School: Monday, September 1st, 2025 (Labor Day)
• Curriculum Night: Thursday, September 11th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm
• No School: Monday, October 2nd, 2025
• No School: Monday, October 13th, 2025
• Family/Teacher Conferences: Thursday, October 23rd through Friday, October 24th, 2025
• End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 14th

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-524-3040

www.op97.org/julian