The Jayhawk Weekly
September 29, 2024
Principal's Greeting
The Jayhawk Weekly
Dear Julian Parents and Guardians,
This week, we will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Our Student Spirit Team has worked to develop an assembly for each grade level, which will take place on Monday, September 30, during Advisory. Students will learn more about the amazing contributions Hispanic Americans have made in our country. This week also brings the celebration of the Jewish New Year with Rosh Hashanah. There will be no school on Thursday, October 3, but classes will resume on Friday, October 4.
October is also an important time for our 6th-grade families with Health Requirements being due on October 15th. Our health office is working hard to help families ensure they are meeting this state requirement. Please see the information included in this newsletter below if you have not yet completed the necessary documentation.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. If you need to reach an Administrator, please include all 3 of us so that we can address your questions promptly and effectively.
Jayhawks together,
Nick Filipowski
Principal, Percy Julian M.S.
Mrs. Court, Associate Principal
Mr. Filipowski, Principal
Mrs. Fountain-Dotson, Associate Principal
No School on Thursday
Game Day Reminders
Basketball and Volleyball games
Here are the game day expectations:
- 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 bring snacks and beverages into the school on game days.
Thank you for reminding your child of the game day expectations.
Daily School Supplies
Student Preparedness
Parents/Guardians:
We want all Jayhawks to be successful. And a great way to help achieve that goal is to have students come to school each day with the items they need for their classes. Several teachers have reported that students are showing up to class unprepared (uncharged chromebooks, no headphones for their chromebook, etc). Here is a basic list of supplies that Julian students will need for all their classes on a daily basis:
- school ID
- fully charged chromebook
- headphones compatible with the chromebook (not earbuds for iPhones)
- pen, paper, notebook
- water bottle
- lunch/snack (food is available for purchase in the lunchroom if your child doesn't pack their lunch)
Here is the 2024-25 grade level school supply list. It's also on the Julian website at www.op97.org/julian. Please be sure to review it with your child so that they bring the school supplies recommended for their classes. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Bike Safety
Bike concerns
If students ride their bikes to school, please make sure that they obey the rules of the road, whether they are riding solo or in a group. Also, students must bring their own bike locks and keys. We do not store bikes inside the school building. Therefore, they must lock up their bikes on the bike racks. We ask that no one locks their bikes to poles, benches, or trees. All students that ride their bike to school should utilize the bike racks. Thank you.
Parent/Guardian Input
Out-of-school Learning Opportunities Survey
We Need Your Feedback! Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunities for Students
Dear Middle School Parents and Guardians,
On Oct. 2, we will be conducting a short survey to identify barriers to out-of-school learning opportunities for our students, such as access to after-school programs and community resources. In addition to students taking the survey during advisory, we are also asking for your input as parents and guardians to help us better understand the challenges your family may face.
Your feedback is invaluable, and we encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the family survey. The information gathered will help guide our work with community partners to improve access to resources for all students.
CLICK HERE to take the parent/guardian survey >>
The parent/guardian survey will be open for one week, from Friday, Sept. 27 to Friday, Oct. 4. Please know that individual responses to the student and family surveys will be kept confidential. We plan to share results with community leaders but only in the aggregate.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out via Let’s Talk. Thank you for taking the time to share your family’s experience.
Sincerely,
Dr. Eboney Lofton
Chief Learning Innovation Officer
Oak Park School District 97
Estimados Padres y Tutores de Estudiantes de Secundaria,
El 2 de octubre realizaremos una breve encuesta para identificar las barreras que enfrentan nuestros estudiantes en el acceso a oportunidades de aprendizaje fuera del horario escolar, como los programas extracurriculares y los recursos comunitarios. Además de que los estudiantes participen en la encuesta durante su clase de asesoría, también pedimos su colaboración como padres y tutores para ayudarnos a comprender mejor los desafíos que enfrenta su familia.
Sus comentarios son muy valiosos, y los invitamos a que se tomen unos minutos para completar la encuesta familiar. La información recopilada guiará nuestro trabajo con los socios comunitarios para mejorar el acceso a recursos para todos los estudiantes.
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para responder la encuesta para padres/tutores >>
La encuesta para padres y tutores estará disponible durante una semana, desde el viernes 27 de septiembre hasta el viernes 4 de octubre. Tengan en cuenta que las respuestas individuales a las encuestas de estudiantes y familias se mantendrán confidenciales. Planeamos compartir los resultados con los líderes comunitarios, pero solo de manera general.
Si tienen alguna pregunta, no duden en comunicarse a través de Let’s Talk. Gracias por tomarse el tiempo de compartir las experiencias de su familia.
Atentamente,
Dra. Eboney Lofton
Directora de Innovación Educativa
Distrito Escolar 97 de Oak Park
Halloween Costumes: Encouraging Thoughtful Choices for an Inclusive Community
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 >>
Raptor Visitor Management
New School Visitor Management System has begun
REMINDER:
***Visitors will need to present a government-issued ID to check in, and a badge will be provided to wear while on school property.***District 97 implemented the Raptor Visitor Management System on Monday, September 16th. This system will streamline the check-in process and enhance security at all our schools.
For more details and video tutorials on the check-in process, please visit our website. If you have any questions, please contact Principal Filipowski.
Thank you for your support in keeping our schools safe!
Special Education Family Meetings
D97 Hosts Meetings for Families Receiving Special Education Services
The D97 Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) will be meeting every other month. The meeting is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Beye Elementary School. This is an opportunity for families to learn together and act as an advisory committee to the D97 Core Instruction team.
Parents are also invited to the Special Education Parent Support Meetings (SEPSM) which will meet every other month. 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 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Whittier Elementary School.
Special Education Meeting Schedule for 2024-25
October 28, 2024: SEPSM (Whittier)
November 25, 2024: SEPAC (Beye)
December 16, 2024: SEPSM (Whittier)
January 27, 2025: SEPAC (Beye)
February 24, 2025: SEPSM (Whittier)
March 17, 2025: SEPAC (Beye)
April 28, 2025: SEPSM (Whittier)
May 19, 2025: SEPAC (Beye)
Parent Workshop at OPRF: "Accommodations in Higher Ed"
District 97 families are invited to attend a parent workshop on Oct. 8, 2024, titled, "Accommodations in Higher Ed." The presentation will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Oak Park and River Forest High School, and will provide an overview on accessing and using accommodations at higher education institutions.
Click on this link for more information.
Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept 15 - Oct 15
Literacy Lab
Homework help is available
Literacy Lab has Launched! Sign up to get help from teachers with homework, reading and writing assignments, study for assessments, make revisions and/or proofread writing, and retake assessments.
before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays (8-8:50)
after school on Wednesdays (3:40-4:30)
located in room C106
Sign Up Here: https://forms.gle/TZnZRoPtmE6mQQET6
Oak Park River Forest Township News
Girls On The Rise has started
The program focuses on social and emotional learning such as self -management, relationship skills, decision making, and socialawareness. Girls On The Rise allows girls to feel empowered, gain selfunderstanding, improve self esteem, feel connected to community, allwhile celebrating and embracing their cultural roots.
GOTR started last week (the program meets during Advisory period each Friday). If you have any questions regarding the program, please email Ms. Hickman at dhickman@oakparktownship.org.
Dominique Hickman, M.S
Assistant Director
Youth and Family Services
Oak Park River Forest Township
(708) 445-2727
Serving Oak Park & River Forest Communities
Book Fair
Wed, Oct 23 - Fri, Oct 25
Mark your calendar! The book fair will be held during conferences inside the library media center. Graphic novels, non-fiction, young adult novels and more will be available for purchase. Please contact teacher librarian, Ms. Winchell, at jwinchell@op97.org if you have any questions.
FREE Backpacks available
Grab one this week
Could you use an extra backpack or bookbag for your Jayhawk? Then please have your student drop by the school office. Or if you're in the neighborhood, swing by anytime between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00pm to pick up a new backpack for your child. We have a number of stylish backpacks in blue, black, gray, green and red with a small number of school supplies inside each (pens, pencils, notepads, etc). And it's FREE!
Lost & Found
This area in the commons is cleared every Friday
The Lost & Found is now located in the commons (the Julian lunchroom/cafeteria). **Please be sure that your child checks the Lost & Found rack if they are missing any clothing items, lunch bags, water bottles or personal belongings. On Fridays, the Lost & Found will be cleared out at the end of the school day. So students should never use it as a storage space. All personal belongings should be kept secure inside student lockers.
SMART Hephzibah
Looking for extra math or reading enrichment for your elementary student this fall?
Sessions of SMART Hephzibah math and reading enrichment will begin in October, with registration open from Sept. 13 - Oct. 7. SMART Hephzibah offers weekly sessions over Zoom for 2nd - 6th graders in the late afternoons and early evenings from Oct. 21 - Dec. 13. Regular sessions will review and practice grade-level material, and the advanced sessions will go beyond grade-level material. All sessions are taught by D97 teachers. Each 7-week session costs $84, and financial aid is available. For more information, visit our SMART Hephzibah page.
Lockers
SCAN THE QR CODE FOR HELP
Having trouble with your locker? We have your back! Please fill out the Locker Challenges Form. We will be checking this form and taking care of any issues to ensure they are fixed. There is a poster with this link at the end of every locker bay so that students may use their Chromebooks to go to bit.ly/jmslockerchallenges or use the QR code with their phone (before or after the school day) to complete the form as well. Our custodians are fixing any lockers that have issues and checking that all are securely able to close.
Is something missing from your locker? Be sure to complete the locker challenge form if you believe it does not close securely. If something has been taken, please alert your advisory teacher immediately so that an investigation can take place.
Reminders
SAVE THE DATES
- No School: Thursday, October 3rd
- No School: Monday, October 14th
- Health Requirement Deadline: Tuesday, October 15th
- Student-Family Conferences: Thursday, October 24th through Friday, October 25th, 2024
- (Full day of classes on 10/24/No school for students on 10/25)***
- School Pictures: Wednesday, October 30th
- No School: Tuesday, November 5th
- End of Trimester 1: Friday, November 15th
Health Office Requirement - ACTION ITEM
HEALTH OFFICE REQUIREMENTS/SPORTS PHYSICALS
The State of Illinois requires all sixth-graders and students new to our district submit a current State of Illinois school physical with up-to-date immunizations. Detailed information on the requirements can be found here under “Health Requirements.”
Please note that according to Section 27-8.1 of the School Code of Illinois, District 97 is obligated to exclude students from school beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 15, who have not provided proof of the required physical examinations and/or immunizations, until they are in compliance.
If you have been contacted by your school nurse that your child is missing any of the required forms/information, please submit those records directly to them before the Oct. 15 deadline. Thank you for your assistance with this important matter!
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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, 2024. 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 3, 2024 to the following:
Percy Julian Middle School
Attn: Health Office
416 S. Ridgeland Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
School Fees
SCHOOL FEES
Fees may be paid online at https://oakpark.revtrak.net/Middle-Schools/BMS/BMS-School-Fees/#/list
You may also pay fees in-person (with check, money order or cash only) at the Julian School Office during the week between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
PTO Meetings & ZOOM link
WE NEED YOUR VOICE!
Come help Julian be an even more awesome place...all that's missing is YOU! Julian PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) meetings will be held every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Media Center:
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
If you can't make it in person, log onto to Zoom for the PTO meetings:
Every month on the Second Wed, until May 14, 2025, 9 occurrence(s)
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqd-2grzwqH9xbM57ma8Z4koONenHwAstO/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGuqTsuEtWSsByPRpwAB4igLPzzmGZfgvpFnjKwVC1SOjmiPe1tHLdxOM_x&meetingMasterEventId=8BZCj1FGQtmhEqFKmR7G4w
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86704817058?pwd=sQ8438MQAlKe75JZ21eRBMFkOpJDza.1
Meeting ID: 867 0481 7058
Passcode: 325017