The Jayhawk Weekly

Dear Julian Parents and Guardians,

This week, many of our students will be moving to new WIN classes. Some students will be focusing on math, ELA, or executive functioning for more direct support. Other students will continue to develop executive functioning habits in their WIN while having opportunities for extension and community building. A big thank you to all our teachers who dove into data to ensure that all their students were getting what they need! We will continue to monitor student progress throughout the year and make adjustments as needed to flexibly respond to student needs.

On Monday and Tuesday, we will host our first girls basketball games of the school year. Please note that any student who wishes to attend a home game at Julian must have their school ID (a temp ID sticker does not qualify). We must be able to easily identify students on our premises, as unaccompanied minors without ID will not be permitted. Please be sure to discuss this safety precaution with your child.

We would like to give a thank you to our Julian custodial staff. We have a great team, even though they are short-staffed, they've been giving it their all to help keep our school safe and clean. National Custodian Appreciation Day is on Thursday, October 2nd. Also, on October 2nd, there is no school and District 97 offices are closed. For those of you that celebrate Yom Kippur, we wish you well for your time of introspection and reflection.

REMINDER: Incoming 6th-grade families and/or any new to D97 families 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. State law notes that if the physical forms are not on file by October 15, then your student will be excluded from school until it is completed. Please reach out to the school nurse with any questions!

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

Since the start of September, over 80 students have meandered into the Design Wing and got a glimpse of what robotics is all about. This program is designed to give students an opportunity to "try out" robotics and see if it is for them. Students work with a kit of materials in small groups and build mechanisms and coding techniques to play the game "Push Back." Both new and experienced students can participate.

FALL HOUSE LEAGUE runs from Sept 8-Oct 6th:

Meetings will be on Monday & Thursday from 3:30pm-5:00pm.

COMPETITIVE ROBOTICS TEAM:

For students who enjoyed the "House League" experience and crave more, we will have the Competitive Robotics Teams. These teams will travel to compete against other schools in the area. Participation will be selective. Teams will be set by the coaches based on what they observed during the house league sessions. We are looking for key traits: grit, approach to task, cooperative and collaborative teaming, consistent attendance and stewardship of the supplies.

All interested students need to Click here to apply. (Application due by Oct 1st)

Questions? contact Mr. Walsh at twalsh@op97.org

Last year, Department Chairs from both middle schools worked on updating our grading policy. The policy updates ensure we are aligned with our current practices and have updated some language with the removal of IB programming. You can see the full policy by clicking the link below.

This is for the general ed bus transportation only:

If you are a family that does not live more than 1.5 miles away from the school (and your student does not have a permissive transfer), and your child is not currently assigned to a school bus, here is the current space available bus request form. If your child is already assigned to a bus (their bus number is on the top of their student ID), please do not complete a space available bus request.

If your home address changes during the school year, please make sure that you send your change of address documentation directly to the district Registrar at d97registrar@op97.org. Once district office confirms your new Oak Park address and updates the new home address information in PowerSchool, the school office can then have a new student ID made for your child if they have a new bus assignment.

The bus stop information is posted on the Julian website, www.op97.org/julian, under the Transportation tab.

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.

OPRF Girls Lacrosse Youth Clinic

When: Sunday, October 5th 1:00-3:00pm

Where: OPRF's Track Field

Information: Come and learn the game or advance your skills at OPRF's annual fall clinic coached by current OPRF varsity coaches. No experience necessary. Cost is $10 and includes an OPRF Girls Lacrosse shirt.

Contact Coach Borja (jborja@oprfhs.org) with any questions. Register below...

https://oprfhs.revtrak.net/athletics/athletics-lax/girls-lax/

Students should check the Lost & Found area in the commons when they lose a belonging. The school office will only have lost items such as cell phones, chromebooks, eyeglasses, jewelry, house keys, etc that are found in the building. All other lost or misplaced belongings (such as notebooks, water bottles, lunch bags, jackets, shoes, gloves, etc.) will be in the commons. The Lost & Found area will be cleaned out each Friday afternoon or on the day before the start of a long holiday weekend, winter break and spring break.

This year, District 97 will continue to offer Access to Algebra for students in grades 5 through 7 who are not currently single-subject accelerated in mathematics.

✨ New Changes

This year our course will run throughout trimester 2 and 3 and there will not be a summer portion. Students who sign up will attend Access to Algebra during their WIN period. The end of course exam will take place during the school day on May 22nd.

📅 Family Information Session

Families should save the date for our family information session on October 14, 2025, if their student is interested in participating in these courses. We will be meeting from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Julian Middle School.

• Click here to view the event flyer in English

• Haga clic aquí para ver el folleto del evento en español.

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

The first SEPAC meeting will be held at 7 p.m., with a potluck dinner beforehand at 6:30 p.m. Families are asked to RSVP by completing the following form: SEPAC Attendance on Oct. 15

Future SEPAC Meeting Dates:

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

District 97 parents are invited to the Special Education Parent Support Meetings (SEPSM) which will meet monthly, beginning on Oct. 6. 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

IF YOU ARE A NEW TO DISTRICT 97 FAMILY OR IF YOUR FAMILY IS IN FINANCIAL NEED TO PAY SCHOOL FEES OR SCHOOL LUNCHES:

You may be eligible for the Federal free or reduced meals program as well as waived schools' fees; however, you must immediately submit the household eligibility application. You can complete the application online or drop it off at the school office between 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. To read more about the program, and the income eligibility requirements, please check out the Julian website.

If you are a returning family with a free or reduced application granted in 2024-25, but you have not received a Direct Certification letter from District 97 yet, then you need to complete a NEW application for the 2025-2026 school year. If an updated free or reduced application is NOT received and approved by September 26, 2025, your status will revert to full fees and meals on October 1, 2025. So please get your updated application in before 9/26.

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

October 8, 2025

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

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.

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.

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.

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)

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, Cornelia Mack at cmack@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.***

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

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.

As we begin a new school year, we want to share a reminder of who we are in District 97. Our schools are places where every child should feel safe, welcome, and supported. We are proud to be a community that values diversity, works toward equity, and honors the rights of all students and families.

Recent changes in federal policies have understandably raised questions and concerns within our community. District 97 is committed to protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of every child in our care.

Please know that District 97 follows clear laws and policies that protect student privacy and ensure that all children receive the same high-quality education, regardless of immigration status. Our staff are trained to maintain a safe, minimally disruptive learning environment for students in all situations.

We will continue to uphold Board of Education policies that prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. These commitments are central to who we are as a district and guide us in our work with students each day.

Families can learn more about our approach and the steps we take to support student rights on our Student Immigration Rights page.

Thank you for your partnership in helping us create schools where every child belongs and every family feels supported.

• 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

416 S. Ridgeland Ave.

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-524-3040

www.op97.org/julian