The Jayhawk Weekly

Dear Julian Parents and Guardians,

Wishing you a very happy Labor Day! We thank all of our American workers on this day for all that they do to add to our daily lives. We hope you were able to enjoy some time connecting with family and friends.

For our families who are new to District 97 and all incoming 6th families: please remember that you MUST have a wellness physical and dental exam for your child on file with the school, 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. Send your scanned documentation, proof of upcoming doctor's appointment and/or if you have any questions, contact Nurse Allison at juliannurse@op97.org. We do not want any student to miss classroom instruction because this documentation is not yet on file.

This week, 7th and 8th grade students will swap our their Chromebooks on Tuesday and Friday. On Wednesday and Thursday, we will have our first round of the STAR reading and STAR math assessment. The STAR assessment is replacing the MAP assessment this year on our Assessment Calendar. You can learn more about the STAR assessment at their family resource page. To ensure that all students receive their accommodations, we will implement an adjusted bell schedule on Wednesday and Thursday. Please ensure your young scholar(s) get a great night's rest, have a good breakfast, and arrive at school no later than 8:50 am with their fully charged Chromebook ready to test!

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

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.

Reminder: Chromebooks Swap for 7th/8th graders:

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.

Thank you for helping us keep our Chromebooks safe and ready for learning!

Our front office handles attendance, transportation inquiries, and keeps our building running smoothly!

Ms. Jackson - Building usage requests, school fees, Cap & Gown payments, minor schedule corrections (such as classroom location - but see an administrator for any schedule adjustments due to IEPs & 504s, etc), FRL applications, driver's ed forms and work permits, as well as supports Principal Filipowski & staff.

Ms. Craig - Student attendance, announcements, locker repairs, locks, locker assignments, student IDs, admin team and student support, etc.

Ms. Euring - Field trip payments, record requests, school IDs, admin team and student support, etc.

Until further notice, school office hours will be 8:00am - 4:00pm. Once we have a receptionist, we will extend regular office hours to 4:30pm.

Our Student Success Coaches manage 504 plans as well as support students with their academic and executive functioning needs. Our Student Support Specialist will be helping students with self-regulation and supporting reteaching of expectations.

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

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

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

Karintha Shaw - 6-8 Student Supports (kshaw@op97.org)

Team Leaders are a great first contact if you are not sure what teacher you want to talk to or have a more global academic concern or question about your child.

SY26 Team Leaders:

6.1: Sam Tracy (stracy@op97.org)

6.2 Steve Hoskins (shoskins@op97.org)

6.3 Jessica Clark (jclark1@op97.org)

7.1 Jen Baldassarre / Christina Welchko (jbaldassarre@op97.org, cwelchko@op97.org)

7.2 Felicia Garcia (fgarcia@op97.org)

7.3 John Beck (jbeck@op97.org)

8.1 Matt Downs (mdowns@op97.org)

8.2 Ashley Kannan (akannan@op97.org)

8.3 Kit Kadlec (ckadlec@op97.org)

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.

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

🎓🚌🧳As we approach the 2026 graduation celebration, we will share information here for 8th grade parents and guardians:

• 1 - We do not have a date yet for the 2026 ceremony. Once an agreement between the high school and our district office leadership has been reached, we will share the graduation date.
• 2 - Cap and Gown order forms were shared in WIN classes. 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 all "one size fits all"), as well as the condition of the gown (no stains, no holes, etc.).
• 3 - We will have the results of the 2026 class trip vote next week. Students from Brooks and Julian voted last week during their WIN classes. The 8th grade class trip will be to Nashville, TN or to St. Louis, MO/Springfield, IL (tentatively between March 14 - March 16, 2026).

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Torres, the 8th grade Student Success Coach or Ms. Jackson, the Julian Executive Coordinator.

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.

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).

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.

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)

Need a new Julian t-shirt, water bottle, hat or cinch sack to show your school spirit? Then check out 1stPlace SpiritWear...they have a great back to school sale going on now. There's FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75!

So take advantage of 25% off plus a portion of the sale will be donated to Julian Middle School. Check out their sale today!!

Navigating the schedule can be confusing at first. Here's a quick guide to how to read about your classes.

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.

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.***

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 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.

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

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

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.

• No School: Monday, September 1st, 2025 (Labor Day)
• 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)
• End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 14th

416 S. Ridgeland Ave.

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-524-3040

www.op97.org/julian