The Jayhawk Weekly

Dear Julian Parents and Guardians,

We hope you'll join us in person on Tuesday for the next Parent-Teacher Organization meeting on 10/7 at 7:00 pm in the library (3rd floor). Your voice as a parent and guardian is welcome. Please see the PTO section below for the Zoom link if you are unable to attend in person but would like to participate.

This past week, many of our students started in new WIN classes. We are excited to have a space in the day to provide additional support to our students in the areas of Math, English Language Arts, and Executive Functioning. Our new master schedule has made this additional support possible and is based on best practices for middle-level education. As the year progresses, we will continue to regularly monitor student progress and adjust WIN supports and classes to meet individual student needs.

6th grade and new to D97 families, please be sure to have your required medical forms submitted by October 15th! The date is fast approaching! More information is 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 purposes. Mr. Filipowski does not receive those emails.

Jayhawks together,

Nick Filipowski, Principal

Adrienne Court, Associate Principal

DaWanda Fountain-Dotson, Associate Principal

ATTENTION ALL Incoming 6th-grade families and/or any new to D97 families who have transferred into District 97 recently:

You 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!

Monday 10/20 - FIRST 8th grade morning tryouts from 7:15-8:45am

Tuesday 10/21 - LAST 8th grade morning tryout from 7:15-8:45am

Wednesday 10/22 - 8th grade morning practice from 7:15-8:45am

Monday 10/27 - 8th grade morning practice from 7:15-8:45am

Tuesday 10/28 - 8th grade morning practice from 7:15-8:45am

Wednesday 10/29 - 8th grade morning practice from 7:15-8:45am,

FIRST 6th/7th grade tryouts from 3:45pm-5:15pm

Thursday 10/30 - 8th grade morning practice from 7:15-8:45am

LAST 6th/7th grade tryouts from 3:30pm-5:15pm

Friday 10/31 - 6th/7th grade morning practice from 7:15-8:45am

8th grade practice from 3:30-5:15pm

Upcoming Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, October 23rd from 4pm to 8pm and Friday, October 24th from 8am to 12pm. Students will have a full day of school on Thursday, October 23rd but there is no student attendance on Friday, October 24th. More information about how to sign-up for conferences will be shared the week of October 13th.

Please look for an email tomorrow about signing up for a parent/guardian PowerSchool account. You will need a parent/guardian PowerSchool account in order to sign up for conferences.

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.

Our goal in District 97 is to create a positive learning environment where all students, staff and families feel a sense of belonging. In that spirit, we have put together information and resources regarding culturally-sensitive Halloween costumes. We appreciate families being proactive with their children in making thoughtful costume choices. Click here for more information >>

We are so proud of our Ultimate Frisbee team, who competed in the Windy City Invite last Sunday. The "top" Julian team was put to the test right away as they faced Zig Zag (Grand Rapids, MI), who started slow but really challenged our Jayhawks by the end of the game. Then, in the "final", we were again put to the test against the defending state champions - Union - who had some very skilled athletes - but the Jayhawks stuck together and really committed to the fundamentals of our offense/defense strategy and won the championship!!!

Julian Omega - 9th Place Winners!

After the first two games, teams were divided into much more "even" matchups, and everyone had a chance to compete for a bracket prize. According to Mr. O'Brien, Omega learned a ton from the first couple of challenging games, showed tremendous Spirit of the Game, and really turned it on in their bracket to win the 9th-place bracket!

Julian Gamma - Spirit Winners!

It was AWESOME to see that Julian Gamma absolutely crushed the spirit competition and came away winners. You are all an inspiration!!!

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.

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:

• Oct. 6, 2025
• 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 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

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.

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

****REVISED DATE: October 7, 2025 ON TUESDAY!!!

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.

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)

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.

• PTO Meeting: Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 (in the Library Media Center)
• No School/District 97 closed: Monday, October 13th
• 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