Jayhawk Weekly Communication
August 10, 2023
A Message from Interim Principal Lee
Dear Parents/Guardians:
My name is Mr. William Lee, and I am the Interim Principal at Percy Julian Middle School. This is my fifthteenth year in education, and my seventh year at Percy Julian Middle School.
I am excited to begin what I am sure will be a fulfilling year for all of us. It is my belief that we all are constant learners and that teachers are obligated to share their wealth of knowledge, so that our children may reach their full potential. My educational philosophy is founded on the ideals that children should be able to work in a positive learning environment, one that fosters excellence in education through hard work.
If you have any questions or concerns on the information that will be given out this summer or at any time during the school year, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at wlee@op97.org or call the school office at 708-524-3040. It is important that we work as a team to provide your child with all the support they may need throughout the school year. With your help and commitment, I am sure we will have a successful school year.
Sincerely,
Mr. William Lee
Class Schedules
Class Schedules for 2023-24 will be shared with families on Tuesday afternoon, August 15th. Registered Parents and Guardians will be emailed a copy of the class schedule next week, so be sure to check your email prior to the Welcome Night event.
First Day of School
***School begins promptly at 9:00am on Wednesday, August 23. It is a full day of classes, therefore dismissal is at 3:30pm. 6th graders should line up by the turf field, 7th graders should line up on Washington Blvd, and 8th graders should line up on the sidewalk in front of the school on the Ridgeland Ave side of the building. Advisory teachers will hold up signs with their last names on them. Students should line up with their advisory teachers starting at 8:50am and follow them into the school building for the first day of school.
For those families that are unable to join us on 8/17 at the Welcome Night or that still need to exchange their devices, 6th graders will have an opportunity to exchange their D97 issued iPads for chromebooks on the first day of school. **New to District 97 or 6th grade families that are unable to attend on Thursday, 8/17, will have an opportunity to do a mini-tour of the school with the associate principals on Monday, 8/21 or Tuesday, 8/22 between 2:30pm-3:30pm. You must make an appointment via email at mwhitfield@op97.org or tbutler@op97.org by Friday, August 18th. The mini-tour option is for new Julian families that are new to District 97 or incoming 6th grade families that are not able to attend on 8/17. **All students will have plenty of advisory and team time during the first week of school to familiarize themselves with the school building and classroom locations.
**Due to the Institute Days, without an appointment, the school office will be open between 8:30am - 1pm only on 8/21. And only open between 8:30am - noon on 8/22 due to scheduled meetings and the professional development trainings for all teachers and staff members.**
REMINDERS:
Pre-Season Cross Country
We hope you are having an amazing start to your summer. While it may seem like cross country is a ways away, it’s never too early to get some information out about the upcoming season!
PRE-SEASON CAMP - This year, we will have a two-week pre-season camp. We will be meeting Monday-Thursday on August 7th-10th and August 14th-17th from 9-10:15 AM each morning at the turf field at Julian. This camp will consist of various methods of training throughout the two weeks, including two timed mile runs to see the growth we can make. Our goal is to be able to complete a 2-3 mile run without stopping by the end of the camp. We understand if runners already have plans and cannot attend or if they can only participate on certain days.
SUMMER TRAINING PLANS - while we will not be officially meeting until August, getting in some mileage over the summer goes a long way in preparing yourself for the season. We understand if you’re focused on another sport during the summer and don’t have much time to train, but it’s a good idea to set yourself up for success in the fall. Below are some ideas to follow during the summer based on your skill.
5k Training Schedule: Beginner: This would be the ideal plan for someone new to running, someone looking to get into shape for personal reasons, or to get/stay in shape for another sport.
5k Training Schedule: Intermediate & 10k Training Schedule - Novice: Though these training guides are called "Intermediate" (5k) and "Novice" (10k) they are more of an Advanced training schedule for middle schoolers. This plan is for those who were on the CC team last year, can run a long run of 4 miles without needing to stop, and/or have a mile time faster than 7:30. The only change would be for the Sunday run. I would suggest decreasing each Sunday run by 1-2 miles.
2023 Cross Country Practice and Meet Schedule - We will meet for practice four days a week - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Practices on Monday and Tuesday will begin at 3:45 PM and last until 5 PM. Practices on Thursday and Friday be before school from 7:20 AM to 8:30 AM. Each practice will meet at the turf field. All athletes will need to have an up-to-date sport physical to participate.
Races are not all confirmed, but most, if not all, will take place on Saturdays. Confirmed meets include the Hart Invite on September 9th (top 7 boys & girls), September 16th (St. Helen Open), September 30th (Bengal Invite), October 7th (Sectionals), and October 14th (state). Those running at each race will be notified the week before.
Looking forward to a great 2023 Cross Country Season! Please feel free to pass along our camp info to any newcomers - all are welcome to join our running family.
---
Coach Tysse, Coach Talarico, and Coach Bacalzo
Health Forms
6th Grade families and New to District 97 parents/guardians:
You can bring your child's health forms to the Welcome Night on Thursday, August 17th. Or drop them off at the school office during the first week of school. All new students and all 6th graders need to have up-to-date health forms on file:
- Physical examinations are required of all students entering 6th grade and must be completed within one year prior to the first day of school (August 23, 2023). This physical exam must be recorded on the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination form.
- Students that require medication during school hours must have a medication authorization form completed by a physician: this includes prescription or over-the-counter medications. If your child has a severe allergy and/or asthma; forms titled Food Allergy Action Plan and/or Asthma Action Plan must be completed by your child’s physician and submitted to the school nurse. Forms can be found on our website under the Department Tab and then under Health Services. Please contact the nurse at your school if you have any questions or require any additional information. The health office can be reached at juliannurse@op97.org.
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 no less than one year prior to the first day of the current school year. It is mandatory that your child has their physical form completed before they will be eligible to tryout or participate in any interscholastic activity.
2023-2024 School Fees
The Julian webstore is open and you may pay the $225 school fees online at your convenience. The annual school fee helps to cover costs of such items as instructional materials, staff supervision for before and after school events & activities, and the purchase & repair of district issued devices (i.e. students' iPads and chromebooks).
Please click here to make a payment using your debit/credit card. Check or cash payments can be made at the school office during office hours on school days. Cash or check payments can be made during the Welcome Night on Thursday, August 17th also. Please be sure to make your 2023-24 school fee payment by Friday, September 29th.
Julian Bell Schedules
School Supplies
The 2023-24 School Supply list is on the Julian website. It has a list of common supplies by grade level that students will need for their classes. And each school day, Jayhawks should bring the following items with them to school:
- fully charged chromebook
- school ID
- a refillable water bottle
- basic school supplies (pen, pencil, notebook, etc)
***Periodically throughout the school year, please check with your child, as it may also be time to replenish such items as antibacterial wipes, Kleenex/Puffs facial tissues, and hand sanitizer. We appreciate the assistance with reminding students to come to school prepared daily!
Julian Library Media Center
The Julian Library will be open to independent student use starting Monday, August 28.
Students will need to get a digital pass before coming to the library.
- Use the Library Pass bookmark on your Chromebook or scan a QR code on a poster at school.
- Look for the slot appropriate to you (before school or 6th, 7th, or 8th grade recess).
- Enter your ID number (this can be found on the Grades & Attendance page of Power School). Write this number down in a safe place for easy access.
- When you get to the Library, scan your ID or enter your ID number on the self-check computer.
**Before school, the Julian Library is open M, T, Th, and F from 8:00-8:50 AM. Students must arrive before 8:30 AM. We are closed on Wednesdays for teacher meetings.
During the recess part of lunch, the Julian Library is open on A & B days (and closed on J days because the periods are so short).
Students are welcome to read, work independently or collaboratively, or do other quiet activities in the Library. Library supervisors or Ms. Winchell and Ms. Jones will be available to support students with their needs.
There is a limit of 60 students per slot (before school or 6th, 7th, or 8th grade lunch).
Please reach out to Ms. Jamie Winchell with any questions or concerns. jwinchell@op97.org
We hope to see you in the Library soon!
Calling Your Child In Sick from School
Please support our school nurse by LEAVING A REASON when you call your child in sick from school. Our nurse follows up on every absence call when a specific reason is not provided. If your child is staying home due to reasons unrelated to COVID-19, sharing that information in the message helps the nurse determine whether a call is necessary.
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