The Jayhawk Weekly

Dear Julian Parents and Guardians,

We hope you're enjoying the extra hour from Daylight Saving Time after a fun-filled Halloween! It was great to see our students and staff enjoying the Halloween spirit with some really creative costumes on Friday! There were music icons, classic snacks, and movie references. We even had a team that displayed "Portrait of an 8th grader" in a really creative way. So much fun and celebration!!

As we head into the winter season, we continue to reflect on how we can BElieve THEre is GOOD. This week, our students will engage in the annual Panorama Survey, which helps us measure the culture and climate of our building. This information helps us shape support for areas of need and continue to develop a stronger, inclusive community. This week will also bring our first Pep Rally of the year! In preparation for the Brooks v Julian game on Monday, students will have the opportunity to show their school spirit on Thursday (6th and 7th grades) and Friday (8th grade) during WIN! We'd love to see everyone in their Julian gear and/or school colors those days!

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. ****Please note that the julianinfo@op97.org is only for attendance purposes. Mr. Filipowski does not receive those emails.

Jayhawks together,

Nick Filipowski, Principal

Adrienne Court, Associate Principal

DaWanda Fountain-Dotson, Associate Principal

With the ongoing federal government shutdown, some families may be concerned about a possible pause in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits beginning Nov. 1, 2025. Please know that no student will go without a meal—students who qualify will continue to receive free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch at school, and any student in need of a meal will always be served.

To help ensure that all families have access to healthy food during this time, our District 97 school social workers have compiled a list of local and regional food assistance resources. The document will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.

👉 View Food Assistance Resources for Families

Families who may qualify for meal assistance are encouraged to complete a Free or Reduced Lunch application at any time. Information is available here: www.op97.org/business-office/food-service

If your family could use additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school. Additional resources may be available through our PTOs or community organizations, and our staff will do their best to connect you with what you need.

We are grateful to our social workers and community partners for their ongoing care and support of our families. 💛

This year, District 97 is utilizing the Standard Response Protocol language and visuals developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation, a national organization dedicated to school safety. The SRP is action-based, flexible and easy to learn.The premise is simple - there are five specific actions that can be performed during an emergency incident (e.g., inclement weather, fires, accidents, introducers or other threats). The five actions are: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.

One of the most important things we do to keep our schools safe is practice a variety of drills each year to ensure that everyone is prepared should an emergency occur. As part of our ongoing preparedness training, all students K-8th grade will receive instruction on the five SRP protocols during the month of October/November.

All content will be delivered in developmentally-appropriate ways for the student's age. This will occur during your child's year-long elective 1 class.

If you have any questions about our emergency preparedness lessons, please contact your building principal.

The registration window for the Access to Algebra Bridge Course closes on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.

If you are interested in signing up, please visit the District 97 website to register your student before it closes. Classes run from Nov. 17, 2025, through June 2, 2026, and students must pass the end of course exam with an 80% or higher to move on to the next level of math. Students who are already accelerated in math or who have successfully completed the Access to Algebra program in the past are not eligible to participate.

Need assistance?
Please contact Director of Teaching and Learning, Emilie Creehan at ecreehan@op97.org regarding questions about the Access to Algebra Bridge Courses. Administrative assistant Allie Foleno may be contacted at afoleno@op97.org for all registration questions.

Starting tomorrow, students will have the opportunity to indicate their interest in Modern African American Studies during their WIN period. The sign-up form will be posted in their Canvas Lunch Course and shared in announcements. The interest form must be completed by Tuesday, November 11th. We will enroll students in this opportunity at the start of Trimester 2 OR Trimester 3, depending on the number of interested students. If you have questions, please connect with your current Social Science teacher.

On Thursday, Oct. 30, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the 2025 School Report Card, which provides a detailed look at each school’s progress on academics, student success, school culture and climate, and financial investments. The report card for Percy Julian Middle School is linked here.

District 97 continues to use Report Card data to help measure progress toward our district-wide Transformation Goals and to inform each school’s continuous improvement work. At Percy Julian Middle School we continue to work on our school improvement plan (SIP), which outlines our key goals and strategies for the year. We look forward to keeping families updated on our progress and sharing the ways we’re working together to support every student’s growth and success.

ISBE Report Card Resources

• Reading Your School Report Card

• School Improvement Fact Sheet

• School Improvement & Accountability: Annual Summative Designations

• Multiple Indicators of Student Success Fact Sheet

We are so Jayhawk proud of Eli Vander Griend. This super talented student is playing the role of Friedrich von Trapp in the national tour of The Sound of Music. Principal Filipowski attended a performance of this classic musical last week. The touring company ends its Chicago run on November 2nd!

Congrats again to Eli for such an amazing accomplishment!

As we approach the 2026 graduation celebration, we will share information here for 8th-grade families:

• 1 - CLASS CELEBRATION TRIP TO NASHVILLE:

The Nashville registration portal is now open! Students will travel March 14 - 16, 2026. Register For Nashville Trip Online:

Visit www.worldstrides.com/register and use the following Trip ID: Percy Julian – 226932

COST IS $1,059.00. The trip deposit of $115.00 is due November 21st. Final payment is due January 7th. Trip insurance is an additional $147 (if you should need to cancel the trip after making your final payment, you would be able to receive a partial refund - see the WorldStrides website for more info).

**PLEASE NOTE**If you need financial assistance in order to help pay for your student's participation, or you are a Free or Reduced Lunch Status family, please fill out this District 97 Registration Form BEFORE contacting WorldStrides or going online to register. Ms. Jackson, after receiving your completed financial assistance form, will contact you regarding next steps.

Here is the link to the parent slideshow that was reviewed at the in-person and virtual parent meetings in October.

• 2A - USED CAP & GOWN COLLECTION: The Julian PTO will collect gently used caps and gowns for families that are interested in donating or receiving a set for their 2026 graduate. A collection box is in the Julian school office. Email ptojulian@gmail.com if you would like to receive a donated cap or gown for your 8th grade student.

**If you plan to have your child wear a sibling's old cap and gown, please be sure to check the fit and length of the gown (caps are "one size fits all"), as well as the condition of the gown (no stains, no holes, no rips, etc.). You may order a 2026 tassel via check or cash for $10 (please use the order form, the tassel only option is not available online).

• 2B - NEW CAP & GOWN ORDER FORMS: Please be sure to fill out the order form (WITH YOUR CHILD'S HEIGHT AND WEIGHT) and return the envelope with payment (check or cash). The online payment option is available on the Julian webstore. We ask that you make your order/payment no later than Friday, October 31st. **THE ONLINE PAYMENT OPTION WILL CLOSE VERY SOON!!

• Cap & Gown Picture Day - Friday, January 16, 2026

The photographers will provide the cap & gowns for the picture day poses. Families that order a new cap & gown (orders will not be distributed until the Spring) or have a sibling's old cap & gown that they will be using for the June ceremony, won't need these in January. Van Gogh School Photographers will provide a cap & gown for the picture day poses (two poses total: one pose with the cap & gown and one pose without) on 1/16/26.

• Julian Graduation - Monday, June 1st, from 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm (Julian rehearsal - Monday, June 1st, from 10 am - noon; Rehearsal and ceremony both take place at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

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 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.
• 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.

If your child was absent or missed the original Picture Day in October, they can take their school photo on Tuesday, December 2nd. The photographers will only be at the school during the morning hours.

Here is the sign up link for the Picture RETAKE Day. Students who have not been signed up in advance by a parent/guardian will not have their photo retaken. Please complete your child's sign up for the picture retake day no later than 9:00am on Monday, December 1st.

*8th grade families: The Cap & Gown Picture Day is scheduled for January 2026. See the 8th Grade Corner section of this newsletter for more details.

District 97 is launching the search for our next superintendent, with the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) leading the process. Please take a few minutes to complete our community survey—your feedback on district strengths, priorities, and the qualities we should seek in our next leader will help shape the search.

👉 Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D63Y3WB

🗓️ Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 6, at 11:45 p.m.

All Julian students who wish to attend basketball and volleyball games must wear their school issued student ID. We do not allow OPRFHS or Brooks students to attend games without parental or adult supervision. Students will not be able to enter the gym early on game days. Students should eat their afternoon snacks before entering the building (doors will not open until 4:15 p.m. on game days). Only water is allowed inside the main gym.

Here are the game day expectations to discuss with your Julian student:

• All Julian students are required to wear their school ID in order to gain entry to games.
• Children under 18 years of age and teens that are not Julian students must be accompanied by an adult. All OPRFHS, Fenwick and Brooks students must be with a parent or guardian over the age of 18.
• Please do not bring food or drink into the gym. Outside food and beverages are not allowed. Water or water bottles are permitted. But we ask that you refrain from bringing snacks and beverages into the school on game days.

Thank you in advance for reminding your child of the game day expectations.

District 97 parents are invited to the Special Education Parent Support Meetings (SEPSM) which will meet monthly, the next one is scheduled for Nov. 3. The support group will be led by two licensed clinical social workers and will act as a space for parents seeking support/connection. The meetings are held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Whittier Elementary School.

Future SEPSM Meeting Dates:

• Nov. 3, 2025
• Dec. 1, 2025
• Jan. 12, 2026
• Feb 2, 2026
• March 2, 2026
• April 6, 2026

The D97 Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) will be meeting every other month this school year. This is an opportunity for families to learn together and act as an advisory committee to the D97 Core Instruction team. The next meeting will be in December.

Future SEPAC Meeting Dates:

• Dec. 17, 2025
• Feb. 18, 2026
• April 15, 2026

2nd Wednesday of the month: Exec Committee @ 6:30 pm, Open Meeting @ 7 pm

November 12, 2025

December 10, 2025

January 14, 2026

February 11, 2026

March 11, 2026

April 8, 2026

May 13, 2026

PTO Julian Middle School is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89578210054?pwd=z3zBaWFUbMcnvtpcaPMafbwU46nwel.1

Meeting ID: 895 7821 0054 Passcode: 455571

IMPORTANT NOTE: Only SCHOOL ISSUED LOCKS are allowed to be used on the lockers. Due to safety concerns, no student can use a lock that is not issued by the school on their locker.

If you need an alternate lock, please reach out to your 504 or IEP Case Manager. They will ensure the accommodation is listed on the plan and provide an alternate lock.

If you have already put a different lock on your locker, please replace it with the school-issued lock as soon as possible. If you have lost your school-issued lock, a replacement must be purchased for $5.

If you are having issues with your locker, please complete the Locker Challenge Form. There are signs at the end of each locker bay with the link to this form as well.

As a reminder, if your child will participate in Ultimate Frisbee, Basketball, Volleyball or Cheer: On the health form the interscholastic box “yes” must be checked in order for your child to be eligible to try out or participate in any interscholastic activity.

SPORTS PHYSICALS – The State of Illinois Office of Education requires that any student who wishes to participate in interscholastic sports MUST have an Athletic Physical Examination, dated within one year prior to August 22nd, 2025. It is MANDATORY that your child have this physical before they will be eligible to try out or participate in any interscholastic activity. To access student health forms please visit http://www.op97.org/hr/health-requirements

Please submit the appropriate document by mail or in person:

Percy Julian Middle School

Attn: Health Office

416 S. Ridgeland Ave

Oak Park, IL 60302

THE ONLINE OPTION IS NOW AVAILABLE!

The annual school fee of $225.00 can be now be paid on the Julian webstore. You may pay fees in person at the Julian school office during the school day 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. All debit/credit card payments must be made online.

• End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 14th
• ​Thanksgiving Break: Wed., Nov 26th - Fri., Nov 28th (NO SCHOOL)
• Picture Retake Day: Tuesday, December 2nd (9:00am - 11:00am)
• Report Card Day: Friday, December 12th
• ​Winter Break: Mon., Dec 22nd - Mon., Jan 5th (NO SCHOOL) Classes resume on Tues., Jan 6th
• 8th Grade Graduation: Monday, June 1st
• Last Day of School: Tuesday, June 2nd

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)

416 S. Ridgeland Ave.

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-524-3040

www.op97.org/julian