The Jayhawk Weekly

Dear Julian Parents and Guardians,

It was such a pleasure seeing so many of you at Middle School Connections and our Welcome Night! Tomorrow our staff returns to learn together for 2 days before we welcome students back on Wednesday for the start of the 26-27 school year! If you haven't had the opportunity, please read and review the information in the District 97 Welcome Back Newsletter! There is a lot of helpful information and a message from our new Superintendent, Dr. Terri Bresnahan.

As we embark on this new school year, our entire Jayhawk community is rallying around a single, powerful theme: Choose Kindness. As a vital part of our team, we ask all our parents to join us in this journey as well! While we can teach kindness through lessons and discussions in the classroom, its true impact comes from seeing it in action. That is why we are reaching out to you—our partners in education—to help us show, share, and live kindness every single day through modeling.

Middle school is a pivotal time of growth, self-discovery, and transition for our students. They look to the adults in their lives to learn how to navigate challenges, communicate through differences, and build strong relationships. When we, as educators and families, partner together with mutual respect, patience, and compassion, we model the very empathy and grace we hope to instill in our children.

Here is how we can model and live kindness together this year for our students' success:

• Show Kindness: Practice patience and active listening during our communications, recognizing that we all share the exact same goal: supporting your child’s growth, well-being, and academic journey.

  
  

• Share Kindness: Celebrate the wins, big and small—whether it’s a moment of effort in the classroom, a supportive word at home, or a collaborative triumph between family and school.

  
  

• Live Kindness: Approach everyday interactions and unexpected challenges as opportunities to demonstrate empathy, constructive dialogue, and care for one another. In moments of challenge, assume positive intent and reach out to educators with curiosity.

  
  

When our students see us listening to one another, working through problems together, and treating each other with consistent care, they learn that kindness isn't just a sentiment—it's a way of living.

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for bringing your heart, commitment, and partnership to our school community. Together, let’s make this a year defined by deep learning, lasting memories, and above all, relentless kindness. 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

Jayhawks together,

Nick Filipowski, Principal

Adrienne Court, Associate Principal

DaWanda Fountain-Dotson, Associate Principal

Thank you to all the staff and students who made Middle School Connections such a success. This program is always a highlight to start the year. The excitement is palpable around the school, and the smiles make it all worth it! A special thank you to Ms Court and Ms. Jaffe for all they did to coordinate this program! Click here for the awesome video posted from the D97 Instagram account!

All elective course rankings were considered, and top rankings assigned whenever available. We cannot guarantee all selections for all students. There are a variety of factors that go into the master schedule, including balancing classes and determining when various classes are offered throughout the day. We try to ensure students get at least 2 of their top choices each year. Given these and other scheduling constraints, we are not always able to honor all requests. At this time, elective selections are finalized for this school year. Team assignments are also finalized as these are carefully balanced to ensure that student schedules and needs are supported for all students at Julian.

Please note: student schedules are currently missing their lunch and recess time for all students. This period does NOT show on the class schedule at this time due to a technical glitch in PowerSchool. We are working with our Tech Dept to correct this issue by the first day of school.

If you need any assistance reading or understanding your schedule, please click this link for helpful tips to assist you with understanding the information on the class schedule.

To help support a welcoming and smooth transition back to school, we will have an altered bell schedule on the first day. Students will report to their 1st period class, and teachers will help ensure they have their schedules and know how to operate their lockers. This will also give an opportunity to kick off our Choose Kindness theme for the year and start making strong connections in their classes!

School begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Students will now have 8 class periods per school day. All students should arrive at 8:50 a.m. to be prepared and seated when the bell rings for the first period class at 9 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:57 a.m. will not be in 1st period on time and will be marked tardy.

• Below is the Bell Schedule for 2026-27. Please note the lunch and WIN class period for your child's grade level.

On Wednesday, August 26th, 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 proceed to their 1st period class. To help support a welcoming and smooth transition back to school, we will have an altered bell schedule on the first day.

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 and staff 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 not have enough time to go to their lockers, get materials, and make it to 1st period. Any students not in 1st period at 9 a.m. 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.

We will have our first lockdown and fire drills on Tuesday, September 1st at 9:15 a.m. Oak Park Fire Dept. and Oak Park Police Dept. personnel will attend to observe our response time for each drill. Students will practice evacuations and protocols in WIN prior to this date so everyone knows what to do in the case of an emergency.

For more information on D97's Emergency Preparedness, please visit this page of our district website or click here to learn more about the I Love You Guys Foundation Standard Response Protocols.

We will not utilize the locker rooms in the main gym or PE Uniforms for PE classes. Students should wear gym shoes or sneakers, as well as wear clothing that will permit participation in PE on the days they are scheduled for PE class. Please be sure your student wears appropriate footwear and clothing on the days they are scheduled to attend PE classes.

Do you like fashion, music and the arts in general? Well there's a new club in town (starting in the fall) and it might just be for you! Contact Ms. Marie at mjones@op97.org for more club details.

Who Can Participate in the Pre-Season Cross Country Camp?

Any incoming or returning Julian student can join, regardless of whether they plan to join Cross Country during the school year. It's open to all students interested in exploring the sport, improving fitness, or enjoying outdoor activities with peers.

Additional details: While daily attendance is not mandatory, we highly encourage participation as it will help students prepare for the upcoming Cross Country season. Whether your child is new to the sport or a seasoned athlete, this camp offers a fantastic opportunity to enhance skills, build endurance, and foster teamwork.

Official Season Kickoff - JULIAN

Mark your calendars!

The first official practice of the 2026-2027 season for Julian students will be on Monday, August 24th, from 3:45 to 5:00 p.m.

The first morning practice will be held on Thursday, August 27th.

Regular Practice Schedule:

● After-school practices: Monday & Tuesday (3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

● Morning practices: Thursday & Friday (7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.)

● NO PRACTICE ON WEDNESDAYS

All practices start on the Julian turf field/back field. Athletes should come prepared to run and remember to bring water for every practice!

Forms Required:

Ensure your child has the following ready:

● Up-to-date IESA Sports Physical form or the IL Physical Exam form (with the interscholastic sports box checked; see more details on our Cross Country Website.)

● 2026 Athlete Survey (survey coming in August!)

Contact Information:

*For any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Coach Tysse at ktysse@op97.org or Coach Talarico at mtalarico@op97.org.

Looking forward to an awesome season ahead!

-Coach Tysse and Coach Talarico

There's FREE shipping on orders $85 or more!

😎Need a back to school gift for your incoming 6th grader? Did your 7th grader grow 2 inches taller over the summer? Is your 8th grader in need of new drip for their final middle school year? Then stop by 1stPlace SpiritWear for the newest Julian merch!! Not only do they have cool t-shirts, hats and shorts, there are water bottles, backpacks, totes and more!! Check out the website 'cause there's items available for the whole family!

A percentage of your purchase is donated to Julian M.S.!!

***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 have your child pack a lunch or purchase a school lunch with their student ID (it will be charged to their MealTime account) each day.***

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, Cornelia Mack at cmack@op97.org. To make payments on student lunch accounts please visit, https://www.mymealtime.com/signin.aspx

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

Menus for our elementary and middle schools are available on our Food Services webpage. During the 2026-27 school year, students may:

• Bring a nut-free lunch from home

• Order school lunch
  

My MealTime

Breakfast and lunch payments are processed electronically through your student's My MealTime account. To set up an account and add funds, visit My MealTime. You may elect to sign up for scheduled deposits and/or low-balance alerts. You may also view transaction reports. Please note you will need your student's ID number for registration.

Free and Reduced Lunch Application

All students are required to pay for their breakfast and lunch meals unless they are directly approved by the State of Illinois or approved after completing the 2026-27 Free and Reduced Lunch Application (English/Spanish). We encourage all families who currently qualify to complete the application as soon as possible. Please visit our Food Services webpage for more information.

Food Allergies/Nut-Safe Schools

Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any District 97 schools. This includes products labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.” Our schools have been nut-safe for the past two years — helping to create safer, more inclusive environments for all of our students.

Please visit https://bit.ly/4xFtS83 to access information about the district’s food allergy management program, as well as tips and options for identifying food that is safe for snacks and field trips. We appreciate your support of this important initiative!

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 (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:

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.

When students do not meet expectations, a staff member may record a Behavior Incident Report (BIR). A BIR is simply a record of the unmet expectation. As outlined in our student handbook, level 1 or 2 behaviors may be recorded as a minor BIR. When a student has 2 minor BIRs, a teacher will meet with them for a remediation session to reflect on their behavior, relearn expectations, and make a plan for future success. The teacher will share this with the parents/guardians after the remediation session. Each trimester is a fresh start for our students!

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.

• Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any of our schools. This includes products that are labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.”

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

• There is NO eating or drinking on school buses.

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 - Sergio Torres (storres@op97.org)

• 7th Grade - Becca Murray (rmurray@op97.org)

• 8th grade - Kasey Fleming (kfleming@op97.org)

Please use our Julian School Supply List to get the needed supplies for the upcoming school year. For your convenience, school supplies are listed by grade level and course subject.

THE ONLINE OPTION IS NOW AVAILABLE!

Fees may be paid online at https://oakpark.revtrak.net/Middle-Schools/JMS/julian-school-fees/

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. Debit/credit card payments can only be processed online or at the district office (at 260 Madison Street), not in the Julian school office. The school office can only accept cash (exact change please) or check (made payable to District 97) payments.

• Institute Days: Monday, August 24th and Tuesday, August 25th (School CLOSED for staff trainings/meetings)
• First Day of School: Wednesday, August 26th

• Back to School Party: Friday, August 28th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
• • Lockdown and Fire Safety Drills: Tuesday, September 1st from 9:15am (1st period)
  • Labor Day: Monday, September 7th (District 97 Closed)
  • Curriculum Night: Wednesday, September 9th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm
  • No School: Monday, September 21st (District 97 Closed)
  • Indigenous Peoples Day/No School: Monday, October 12th (District 97 Closed)
  • Student-Family Conferences: Thursday, October 22nd through Friday, October 23rd

***(Full day of classes on 10/22/No school for students on 10/23)***

• • End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 20th

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-524-3040

www.op97.org/julian