The Mustang Memo
Week Ending 5/1
Thank You's and Weekly Announcement
Thank you so much to Ms. Espinoza, Ms. Balliet, and Ms. Baylian for all of their work on the Virtual Variety Show! It was so wonderful! Your hard work is appreciated and everyone loved it.
Thank you so much to all of the students who performed in the variety show. We loved your great acts!!!
Friday, May 1st announcements including PBIS winners and Birthdays
Important Dates/Things to Remember
- Friday, May 8th - Remote Learning Planning Day
- Friday, May 15th - Remote Learning Planning Day
- Friday, May 22nd - Remote Learning Planning Day
- Each Sunday you can find the updated weekly plans on the Mann Website in addition to getting them daily from the teachers
Principal's Message
Dear Mann families:
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Mann over the last six years. It is a wonderful community. I wanted to let you know I will be heading back to Longfellow next year to assume the role of Assistant Principal. I have appreciated all of the support while at Mann, and I have learned a lot during my time as a Student Support Specialist and Interim Principal. I will carry many great memories with me as I move onto the next chapter of my professional life. Mr. Hussain Ali has been meeting our different school leadership groups and will meet the whole staff next week. He will be reaching out to the Mann community shortly and will be at the May 14th PTO meeting. I hope you can attend to meet him. I will continue to work hard for Mann and am working closely with him during this transition. Thank you again for the wonderful Mann years.
Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week is coming up: May 4th - May 8th
Important for Incoming Kindergarten Students
Yearbook - Information from Beth Siegel
I would like to invite you to begin uploading your candid photos for potential inclusion into the Mann Yearbook. Follow this link:
http://interstate.pixami.com/ISSMaster/home3/Public.jsp
Click on "Photo Post" and select IL, Oak Park, and Horace Mann
Create an account if this is your first time logging in, or get logged in if you're a repeat helper. I promise not to spam you with anything after you're done uploading photos. (If you had an account last year, it was likely disabled and you'll need to create a new one.)
Follow the prompts to upload your photos.
Select the folder or create a New Folder (name it) --> Upload --> Add files --> select the photos from your computer --> repeat as needed
You can upload photos to the existing folders, or create a new folder. When naming a folder, please use a title that reflects the event. Please see the list at the bottom of this email for ideas of what we're looking for. I will be updating this list and may send out more requests as I start filling in specific pages. You do no need to put the names of the students in the photos, but please somehow include the teacher name the student(s) are in if a picture doesn't fit into one of the specific categories below.
***If you'd like to help with building the yearbook or if you have problems or questions about uploading, please contact me at beth@stormbirds.org The deadline is ever-changing, but we don't want this year to go by without a yearbook. This will be one to look back on for sure!!!
I could use some extra hands to build some of the pages.
Thank you so much for your help!
Beth Siegel
DISTRICT NEWS
Mental Health Wellness Appointments (NEW)
We recognize that this time of crisis may create stress and trigger emotional difficulties for your child. D97’s school psychology department is offering acute (short-term) access to mental health wellness checks. Scheduled appointments are available daily between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for mental health triage services during the COVID-19 school closure beginning April 13, 2020.
Parents/Caregivers, you may sign up your student for a 15-minute slot here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/selfsched?sstoken=UUVKMGZxZ0E0ZkpvfGRlZmF1bHR8ODI4ZTEzZmFkOTFjYWY5OGU5NjFiZDBkMDExZjkzNmY if you think your child would benefit from an empathetic ear and a few coping and self-care tips. When signing your child up, please provide the email (for video chat) or phone number you’d like us to contact at the time of the appointment.
Although this crisis may also be tough for adults, these mental health triage appointments are reserved to focus on student needs. If you have questions as a caregiver/parent, please email your building’s assigned school psychologist, your child’s educational team, or refer to this resource guide, created by the District 97 Social Work Department: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uKPIgKHr6sDnj_YHb1t6S9UbukwE2JUAZS4cv37H9QY/edit
Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee
BLURB: The Oak Park Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) will host an online parent-to-parent support group for parents on Saturday, May 2, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The purpose of the group is to provide support to BPAC and EL parents in District 97 in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Event flyer and details >
Meal Distribution on Monday, May 4th
If you have any questions, please contact our food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at cellis@op97.org.
Free/Reduced Lunch Applications
District 97 Staff Referral Program
OPRF Youth Summer Camp Program and Swim Camp Canceled
Technology Support
Video Created by D97 Social Workers and Psychologists
Mental Health Resource, "Call4Calm"
People can also text other terms, like “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” to the same number to receive information on how to navigate and access supports and services. Call4Calm is free, and individuals who use it can remain anonymous. We encourage you to share this resource with your students, families, and staff.
Community Resources
Community Resources/ Public Health updates:
CDC - Center for Disease Control informational website
Village of OP (resources specifically for OP)
Sign up for Village emergency notifications
How to talk with your child about COVID-19 and talking points from CDC
https://healthconnectionhub.org/ (Community Mental Health Board resources)
Helpful information:
Comcast will provide low-income residents with 2 months of free internet to help them work from home: https://www.internetessentials.com/
Free/Reduced Lunch Supports for D97 students
(OP Food Pantry) - will relax requirements for families to access food. There will be no questions asked for anyone who requests food.
Walgreens is also waiving delivery fees for all eligible prescriptions, beginning Friday, March 13th
Mindfulness Strategies: These are ways to help manage stress and maintain well being. There are many different activities online, these are two suggestions.
Leaves on a stream (mindfulness/meditation)
MindYeti: https://www.mindyeti.com/v2/s/get-started-all-ages
Mustang Memo - biography details
Email: csullivan@op97.org
Location: 921 N Kenilworth Ave. Oak Park, IL
Phone: 708-524-3084
Twitter: @MrsSullivand97