The Jayhawk Weekly
September 7, 2025
The Jayhawk Weekly
Dear Julian Parents and Guardians,
We hope that you will join us on Thursday evening at 5:30pm for the Curriculum Night. We will start off the evening at 5:30pm in the auditorium. After a brief presentation and instructions, parents & guardians will have an opportunity to walk their child's class schedules. This evening is designed specifically for parents and guardians. Therefore, due to space limitations in the classrooms, we do ask that families do not bring students/children with them. If you have not already done so, please click on the "Curriculum Night Information and Schedule" tab (see below).
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. Mr. Filipowski does not receive those emails.
Jayhawks together,
Nick Filipowski
Principal
Adrienne Court
Associate Principal
DaWanda Fountain Dotson
Associate Principal
New SmartPass System at Julian Middle School
We’re excited to share that District 97 middle schools are launching a new digital hall pass system called SmartPass. This tool will help us keep students safe, make the most of classroom learning time, and keep our hallways running smoothly.
How It Works
SmartPass replaces traditional paper hall passes. Students use their Chromebooks to request permission to leave the classroom.
Each student has a limit of three passes per day for bathroom, water fountain, locker visits, or getting a temporary ID. (Teachers maintain the ability to override this if a student needs to leave the classroom.)
This limit does not apply to visits to the nurse, early dismissals, going to the media center during lunch, or visiting a teacher/class during lunch or WIN.
Students must have their school ID or TempID visible at all times when in the hallway. The IDs allow staff to confirm where students are, why they left, and how long they’ve been away via SmartPass.
We believe SmartPass will help students build responsibility, minimize unnecessary time out of class, and ensure a safe and positive school day. Please remind your child to keep their school ID with them and to use their passes responsibly.
Last week, principals and teachers reviewed the new SmartPass procedures with all students to make sure they understand how it works and what’s expected.
From Mr. Charles
ALL students went beyond the call of duty with our first Community Project Based Learning Task: Discovering and drawing MAPS
SAVE THE DATE
Students will take class pictures on Wednesday, October 29th.
Away for the Day
In order to help your child with the school expectations, please do not text, message, or call them on their cell phone during the school day. If you need to get a message to your child(ren), please call the school office so we can assist you. This ensures that students are clear about the expectations and provides a better sense of psychological safety.
If your child is not feeling well, they should go see the nurse immediately. The school nurse will ensure they are being triaged and connect with you to share any information. If your child(ren) is texting you that they are not well and asking to be picked-up, please direct them to the nurse's office so we can make sure they are cared for until you arrive.
We appreciate your help and support. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Reminders about our New Chromebooks
This week, students in 7th and 8th grade will be swapping out their Chromebooks (if they have not already). Please be sure to send your student to school with their Chromebook and charger on Tuesday (if your child has Health or PE on an A day) or Friday (if your child has Health or PE on a B Day). After this week, all students should have their new Chromebook. These devices are an important tool for learning and should be taken care of and treated as a valuable.
Reminder: Chromebook Cases Must Stay On Devices
We want to remind everyone that Chromebook cases should remain on the devices at all times. These cases are an important part of keeping our devices in good condition and ensuring they last throughout the school year.
Benefits of Keeping Cases On:
Protection: Cases help prevent damage from drops, spills, and everyday wear and tear.
Longevity: Protecting the Chromebook reduces repairs and extends the life of the device.
Consistency: Cases ensure that all devices are safeguarded in a uniform way, making it easier for students to handle and transport them safely.
September 12 tryouts
Parents and Guardians,
Please make sure your child is prepared and dressed appropriately for the Cheer Squad tryout. Students should bring a water bottle and a towel, if needed. Students are asked to wear the following: a t-shirt, shorts or leggings, socks and sneakers/gym shoes. We will not accept late arrivals, bare feet and/or street shoes. We will begin promptly at 3:45pm. Students will be shown a routines, asked to learn the cheer routines, and then asked to perform them. We anticipate that we will conclude tryouts at 5:45pm, no later than 6:00pm on Friday, September 12th. The team roster will be posted the week of September 15th at the end of the school day.
If you have any questions, please contact the Cheer coaches: Ms. Marie at mjones@op97.org or Ms. Southward at csouthward@op97.org.
Tryouts will be two days:
September 15 and 16
- 8th-grade tryouts will be from 7:00 am to 8:30 am on both days
- 6th/7th-grade tryouts will be 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm on both days
Coach Kannan will host open gyms for everyone interested on September 11 and 12
- 8th-grade open gym will be from 7:00 am to 8:30 am on both days
- 6th/7th-grade open gym will be 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm on both days
Helpful Hints
The new bell schedule has a lunch period that allows 36 minutes for students to eat and relax. Here are a few tips for students to help navigate the process:
1 - Wear your school ID everyday. Digging through pockets or stopping by a locker to get your ID takes time away from your lunch time. Having your ID out and ready for the lunchroom worker to scan with help you get through the lunch line faster.
2 - Make sure the picture is not covered on the school ID, your name is not blocked out by a sticker, and/or the bar code is not obscured by beads, stickers or other items on your lanyard.
3 - If you forget your ID and/or when you're asked your name, be sure to give your first and last name so that the lunchroom worker can process the lunch purchase quickly.
4 - If an adult is speaking to your group or table, please pause your own conversation and listen to the instructions that are being given. This will save time and directives won't have to be given twice.
The lunchroom supervisors have worked hard to speed up our serving time and ID check time so that students have the most time to eat available! These tips help ensure that time is maximized.
GET YOUR CAP & GOWN ORDERS IN
🎶🎸👩🏻🎓🎉🎓As we approach the 2026 graduation celebration, we will share information here for 8th grade families:
- 1 - We do not have a date for the 2026 graduation ceremony yet. Once an agreement between OPRFHS and our district leadership has been reached, we will share the graduation date with families.
- 2 - Cap and Gown order forms were passed out in WIN classes during the first two week of classes. Parents and Guardians: please be sure to fill out the order forms and return the envelopes with payment (check or cash). The online payment option is on the Julian webstore. We ask that you make your order/payment no later than Friday, October 31st.
**If you plan to have your child wear a sibling's old cap and gown, please be sure to check the size 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).
- 3 - The results of the 2026 class trip vote are in! Brooks and Julian 8th grade students voted to go to Nashville, TN! (tentatively between March 14 - March 16, 2026). More details will be shared before winter break regarding the trip deposit and trip itinerary.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Torres, the 8th grade Student Success Coach or Ms. Jackson, the Julian Executive Coordinator.
DO NOT DOUBLE PARK
If you drive to the school for an event, to drop off a forgotten item for your child, or for a meeting, please do not make up your own parking space in the front staff parking lot. When you double park or make up a space outside of the lines, this causes other vehicles difficulty in maneuvering around your car. Also, you risk impeding emergency response vehicles, like ambulances and fire trucks, should there be an emergency at the school. Large vehicles can not pull in or out of the driveway properly when cars are double parked. If the staff parking lot is full, please find appropriate parking elsewhere.
Thank you for your understanding.
STUDENT ARRIVAL ENTRANCE LOCATIONS
DROP INSTRUCTIONS:
We strongly encourage students who are able to walk or bike to school to do so rather than arriving by car. This reduces congestion around the school and makes dropoff easier for the kids who do need to be driven to school.
IF ARRIVING AT SCHOOL BY CAR, 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 below). 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.
STUDENT ENTRY:
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. This is to ensure that students are in class when the bell rings for instruction at 9 am.
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 8:56 am will receive a tardy for the day (as they still must go to their locker, unpack for the day, and get to class).
Lockers and School Locks
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.
ATTENDANCE
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)
SCHOOL DAY
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 new Bell Schedule for 2025-26. Please note the lunch and WIN class period for your child's grade level.
SCHOOL LUNCH
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 Lunchroom Assistant 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.***
HEALTH OFFICE REQUIREMENTS/SPORTS PHYSICALS
Incoming 6th-grade students and/or any new students who have transferred into District 97, MUST have a wellness physical and dental exam dated within one year prior to August 20th, 2025. Your child's physical must have been performed after August 20, 2024. Your child may not be admitted to school without these documents. 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 no later than September 2, 2025 to the following:
Percy Julian Middle School
Attn: Health Office
416 S. Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
SCHOOL FEES
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.
SAVE THE DATES
- Fire Drill: Monday, September 8th, 2025 from 2:45pm - 3:00pm
- Curriculum Night: Thursday, September 11th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm (Event is for parents/guardians, please remember to leave students at home with a trusted guardian as space in classrooms is limited)
- Lockdown Drill: Tuesday, September 16th, 2025 @ 9:15am
- No School: Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025
- No School: Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
- No School: Monday, October 13th, 2025
- Family/Teacher Conferences: Thursday, October 23rd through Friday, October 24th, 2025 (PLEASE NOTE: NO SCHOOL for students on 10/24)
- Picture Day: Wednesday, October 29th
- End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 14th
