Jayhawk Weekly Communication
May 5, 2024
Thank you to all Julian teachers & staff!
Happy Appreciation Week to YOU!
We are, and will continue to be, Jayhawk Strong!
Potbelly's special offer
A message from Potbelly's:
We want to give a big shout out to Teachers and Nurses. Seriously, you all deserve a standing ovation for the incredible work you do.
As we celebrate Nurses Week and Teachers Week from May 6-12, we're offering a free fountain drink or cookie with entrée purchase when you show your staff ID at the register.
Celebration dance for 8th graders on Saturday!
8th Grade News
Graduation Day Early Dismissal
After the graduation rehearsal on Friday, 5/31, if you are planning to have an early dismissal for your 8th grader, please indicate that on this permission form. If you give your child permission to walk home from OPRFHS, if you will be picking up your student from Julian, etc., we need to know so teachers can prepare in advance. Typically, several families are doing final ceremony prep activities (getting hair cuts, nail salon appointments, etc) with their students. So we want to be clear about which students will stay for the afternoon and those that will not. Fill out the google form by May 17th so we can notify teachers and the school office in a timely fashion. Thank you.
Event Reminders:
8th Grade Dance - Saturday, May 11 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Graduation Materials Distribution - Wednesday, May 22 @ 3:15pm
Chromebook and Charger Collection - Thursday, May 30
Graduation Rehearsal - Friday, May 31 @ 10:00am
Graduation Ceremony - Friday, May 31 @ 6:30pm
Jayhawks are the best!
Congratulations to Mr. Seymour and Julian Jukebox
On Saturday, April 27, Jukebox participated in the IGSMA Festival in Westmont, IL. This year's Jukebox was the most mature and talented I've had the pleasure to work with for many years. They were incredibly sensitive to every detail, and I threw a lot at them as a result. The singers handled adversity with grace as the power went out in the host school, as we were about to go on stage so we started our warm up outside and the school was VERY warm inside! Their performance was phenomenal and they earned the highest rating possible from the judges.
Click HERE to listen to the recording.
--
Andrew Seymour, NBCT
Choral Director
Percy Julian Middle School
2020 - 2024 NAMM Best Communities for Music Education
Summer Opportunity for Incoming 6th Graders
Spring/Summer Cleaning begins now!
Lost & Found cleared out regularly
Parents/Guardians:
Have your Jayhawk student check the Lost & Found area now for any lost or forgotten belonging(s). Please note: we remove the items every week. Things that are labeled can be returned and other items are donated (if in good condition) or discarded.
For the first week of summer break, student lockers will be cleared out immediately. Students will not be able to store items over the summer. So please remind your student to start bringing home their belongings now, if they do not need them for classes.
JAYHAWK REMINDERS:
School Office hours
As we prepare for the end of the year celebrations, field trips, graduation activities, etc., please be aware that the school office will close at 4:00 p.m. on the following days:
- Wednesday, May 22 (Graduation Materials Distribution)
- Friday, May 24
- Friday, May 31 (Graduation Day)
- Tuesday, June 4 (Last Day of School)
Students that do not own cell phones are allowed to use classroom phones, with the classroom teachers' permission, at the end of the school day to call home for rides. Or they can ask their coach or after-school club sponsor to use their classroom phone to reach a parent or guardian when the school office is closed. If you have any questions, please contact us via email at julianoffice@op97.org.
Register today for the 2024-2025 school year!
If you have not already done so, please register now!
6th and 7th grade families:
Online registration for the 2024-25 school year in District 97 is now open for all students. Complete details about the process—including residency documents, timelines and other helpful resources—are available on the district web site: www.op97.org/registration.
Returning Students
Registration for returning District 97 students is now open. Complete details can be found at https://www.op97.org/hr/returning-student-registration.
New Students and Kindergarteners
Registration for kindergarten and new students opened Feb. 22. Please click the links below to learn more about the registration process for kindergarteners and new students.
In order to register your student, you must be the custodial parent/guardian and currently reside in Oak Park. Students who are registering for kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year must be at least 5 years old and must be born on or before Sept. 1, 2019.
We appreciate your partnership in preparing for a successful 2024-25 school year!
Spring Panorama Student Survey - May 6 - 15
Please take a moment to review the details about the upcoming Spring Panorama Student survey.
Background Checks for Chaperones
Parents/Guardians,
We will be utilizing a new link to sign up for background checks. This new format utilizes Google Calendar.
Community News
Cheer and Drill Team Info
Oak Park and River Forest High School will have summer programs and tryouts coming up soon. Please check out the flyers or scan the QR codes for more information. Contact the high school if you have any questions.
Community Block Party
Sunday, May 19 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Join Oak Park and River Forest High School for an exciting day featuring the legendary alumni band The Jade 50's, a variety of food trucks, face painting, bounce houses, and numerous other family-friendly activities. It’s all happening on the Mall on the west side of OPRF, where you’ll also have the chance to take a lap on the new track! Don’t miss out on the fun! Check out the flyer here.
**Cuyler and Washington Blvd Intersection
Parents/Guardians,
If your child is in the habit of crossing the sidewalk from the school to the North side of Washington Blvd at Cuyler Ave, PLEASE remind them that this is not a sanctioned crosswalk. All Julian students who are walking or biking, to and from school, should cross the street at the light with a crossing guard. There is no official crosswalk at the Cuyler Ave and Washington Blvd intersection. Therefore, students should not cross themselves. Students should walk to the corner of Ridgeland Ave and then walk to the North side of Washington Blvd. Crossing guards are posted at the light, where students should cross the street. Please be sure to discuss this safety habit with your Julian student.
FOOD DELIVERY POLICY REMINDER
The Food Delivery policy is still in place:
Effective Monday, November 6, 2023 - FOOD DELIVERIES ARE NOT PERMITTED FOR STUDENTS
In recent weeks, we have observed a number of students missing instructional time to come down to the first floor to meet delivery drivers at the front entrance or at the commons' doors. No child should be meeting a stranger at the door of the school or during their lunch/recess time outside. This is a major safety and security concern. Parents and Guardians are welcome to drop off forgotten lunches to their children. Also, sandwiches and salads are available for purchase from the lunchroom if a student forgets their lunch at home (it can be billed to their lunch account, they do not need cash to purchase a lunch in the lunchroom).
Julian Middle School will no longer accept food/beverage deliveries for students from outside food delivery services, and students are not permitted to order GrubHub, DoorDash, UberEats, etc for lunches, snacks or beverages. Parents/Guardians are welcome to drop off forgotten lunches to their children. However, students are not permitted to place orders via their chromebooks or cellphones. We appreciate your cooperation and we thank you in advance for helping to remind your student of the safety & security protocols. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a Julian administrator.
2024-25 District 97 Blended Preschool Program
District 97 is now accepting applications for the early childhood blended classrooms at Whittier Elementary School for the 2024-25 school year. There are a limited number of spaces available. Click here to view the 2024-25 D97 Blended Preschool flyer >>
District 97 is seeking students who:
are non-IEP students who will be between the ages of 3 and 4 years by Sept. 1, 2024;
demonstrate age-appropriate language and social skills;
are Oak Park residents;
are not enrolled in a preschool program.
The registration window will be open through May 24, 2024. For more information about the Early Childhood Blended Program or to apply, please visit https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/ecblended.
Acceleration opportunities for the 2024-25 school year
District 97's Single Subject and Whole Grade Level Acceleration process for the 2024-25 school year is open now!
District 97 believes that all students should be challenged and supported to develop to their maximum potential. For students who demonstrate they may benefit from accelerated placement, we provide opportunities to participate in an instructional setting that is usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades than the child. This includes, but is not limited to:
Single subject acceleration
Whole grade acceleration
In accordance with the Illinois Accelerated Placement Act, District 97 has continued to refine procedures to ensure equitable access to acceleration opportunities for all students. Continuing this year: all students who are grade eligible to take the Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR) must participate in the assessment in order to be deemed eligible for acceleration. The IAR is a critically important measure in determining the mastery of grade level standards and must be considered by the school team along with other sources of data.
Applications for single-subject and whole-grade acceleration will be accepted from March 1 to May 15 of each school year. The general process is outlined HERE.
Information about the District 97 Accelerated Placement Program, including definitions and timelines, can be found at http://www.op97.org/acceleration.
Health Office
SAFE AND HEALTHY SCHOOLS: Information about Student Illness
District 97 remains committed to maintaining safe and healthy schools. We continue to work in partnership with the Oak Park Department of Public Health, following guidance set by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
When should a child remain home from school?
Staying home if you are ill is essential to keep infections—including the virus that causes COVID-19— out of schools and prevent spread to others. Please visit the District 97 Health Services page for more information about when to stay home. If you have specific questions, please contact your school nurse.
COVID-19 Guidelines for 2023-24
Following IDPH guidelines, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must stay home for five days after the first day of symptoms or testing positive (Day 0). They may return to school on Day 6 if:
They are 24 hours fever free with no fever-reducing medication AND
No diarrhea or vomiting for 24 hours AND
Improvement of other symptoms.
Masks are strongly recommended around others for five days (through Day 10). Per local guidance, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should also complete Oak Park Department of Public Health's Positive at Home COVID 19 Test form.
For more information, please visit: COVID-19 Guidelines for D97 Students and Staff
Reporting Absences
ATTENDANCE LINE INFORMATION
*PLEASE GIVE THE REASON FOR YOUR STUDENT'S ABSENCE*
When calling the Julian attendance line at 708-665-3064 or leaving a message on the school office voicemail at 708-524-3040, please slowly state the following:
- Your Name
- Your Child’s First and Last Name
- Your Child’s Grade Level and Advisory Teacher
- Reason for the Absence
- Best phone number to reach you