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October 25, 2020
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D97 Planning Continues
Stay the Course with Remote Learning!


Monday, October 26 is an A day


Dear Parents and Guardians:

Your PTO Executive Council continues to work on your collective behalf behind the scenes. We are preparing a summary of the survey results and a cover letter which we will submit to the Board prior to Tuesday's meeting and also share with you. Thank you SO much for sharing your candid thoughts with us - from those in support of the hybrid plan to those having great concerns. All of your anecdotal comments were thoughtful, constructive, and will no doubt be helpful to the D97 Administration and Board as they continue to figure out how to get our students back in person in a safe and minimally disruptive manner.

In case you missed it, check out this announcement regarding a new Superintendent's Advisory Council to guide further planning. If you still have questions or comments about the plans, you can reach D97 via their Let's Talk link and Mr. Christian via the julianinfo@op97.org email address.  

New Topics
  • NEW - Student Announcements
  • SOAR Class Change for Some Students this Week
  • Mindful Middle Schoolers is Back and Virtual
  • (Virtual) Coffee with Principal Christian, Nov 7
  • Cuzzo's Event a Success
  • 7th grade skate event is full but sign up for the waiting list!
  • Have your child vote in the mock election
Repeat Reminders
  • Check out books from the Julian library remotely!
  • Community Conversations about the book Stamped
  • Spiritwear store is open!
  • D97 Social-Emotional Wellness Check-ins
  • Technology Roundup
  • PTO Meeting Schedule
  • Meal Distribution Schedule
Do you know someone who needs to be added to our newsletter email list? Go to the PTO website and sign up on the homepage. Have questions? Email us at ptojulian@gmail.com.

Use this new email address to easily contact the school: julianinfo@op97.org.
 
- Your Julian PTO Executive Council
 
THIS WEEK
Mon/Wed/Fri = A Days   Tues/Thurs  = B Days

See full schedule here

*NEW* Student Announcements 
Encourage your student to watch for a weekly email on Mondays with student announcements. This is intended to fill the void left by not having morning and afternoon announcements. The administration hopes this will allow students to have direct access to information about ways students can get engaged outside of the school day - such as reminders, PTO events or virtual library checkouts. We will provide parents with a link to those announcements once they become available. 
 
SOAR Class Change for Some Students
On Monday, October 26, 2020, some students may see a change in their SOAR teacher/class. We encourage students to look at their PowerSchool and Canvas dashboard on Monday to confirm they know where to go on Tuesday. Students enrolled in a Design class for Trimester 1 will remain in their Design course for the rest of the trimester. Students with an IEP will remain with their case manager for the SOAR period. SOAR classes can be flexibly grouped and teacher assignments may change every 6-8 weeks based on student need. If you have any questions please contact your students grade level Assistant Principal or click here.
Virtual Coffee with Principal Christian (Sat, Nov 7, 10 am) 
Please save Saturday, November 7, at 10 am for the first Coffee with Principal Christian. Bring any ideas, thoughts and questions to the discussion. Feel free to email Mrs. Echelon Jackson at ejackson@op97.org with any preliminary questions you might have for Principal Christian. Please click here to access the zoom link.
Mindful Middle Schoolers Program is Back 

The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, and DePaul University’s Community Counseling Center have partnered to deliver a vast array of educational and therapeutic services to staff, families, and youth through the “Mindful Middle-Schoolers Program.” Below is a list the next VIRTUAL talk, which will be held via Zoom. Registration via the Eventbrite links below is requested. Once you register, a link will be emailed to you four hours prior to the start of each event.

Thursday, October 29, 6-7:15 pm: Strategies to Support Executive Functioning and Self-Regulation (register here)
Cuzzo's Dining Day was a success!
Our friends at Cuzzo's enjoyed feeding familiar faces last week. Thank you for supporting a treasured corner restaurant for our middle schoolers. We will share the fundraising details once we get that information from Cuzzo' - and plan to hold more dining days with Cuzzo's. 
 
7th Grade Ice Skating Event: Nov. 6, 6:45-8:15 pm

Sign up here for the waiting list

As with the 6th grade event, this event filled up quickly. Don't despair! Please follow the above link to get on the waiting list. We were able to use that list to get students into the last event when we had last minute cancelations. We also hope to have more events and will make sure those not able to attend this first event are given first priority for any subsequent grade level events.

The Julian PTO is partnering with the Park District to sponsor a free, safe Welcome to Julian ice skating event for our 7th graders (8th grade event to follow on Nov 20). We have reserved the Paul Hruby Ice Arena at Ridgeland Commons for a private skate night on Friday, November 6 from 6:45 - 8:15 pm. The PTO will provide free skate rentals to anyone who needs them. Due to COVID regulations, we can safely allow up to 42 students at the event.

Masks must be worn for the duration of the event. Masks may not have exhalation valves and must fully cover nose and mouth. Bandanas and other "neck gaiters" may not be worn.  There will be temperature checks at the door and entrance will be staggered to maintain distance during check-in. We will need a handful of chaperones to help with each event. Please send any questions to the Julian PTO at PTOJulian@gmail.com.
Encourage your Child to Vote in a Mock Election
Julian students will have the opportunity to vote in a mock election October 22-October 27. Some Individuals &Societies teachers will have activities for students to do in class, but we encourage families to support their voters in learning about the candidates and the tax amendment through this voter guide.
 
We are using a ballot from Illinois Civics. They will have our school results for sharing Friday, October 30 and Monday, November 2. We hope to have statewide results on Monday, November 2. Questions? Contact Ms. Winchell for information.
 
Julian Library Remote Check-out 
The next pick-up day is Wednesday, November 4, 3:30-4:30 pm. Put in your holds now!
 
To check out books from the Julian Library do the following: To pick up books:
  • Curbside pick-up in the Julian lot
  • Hold up a sign with your full name
  • Pickups on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 pm
  • Put return books in a bag in your trunk
  • Check your D97 Gmail for notification
Questions? Email Ms. Winchell, librarian.
 
Community Conversations about Stamped
Our students are reading Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism and You by Jason Reynolds and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, and, if there were ever a time for us to do the same homework as our children, this is it. D97 is hosting a three-session discussion on the book during which attendees will join together for a presentation followed by discussions in separate breakout rooms. Check out this flyer for additional information.

The sessions will follow along with the chapters being read by students and staff. Breakout sessions will be led by students from Dominican University, who will follow a peace circle format and draw on the Stamped Educator's Guide. Participants must register using the links provided on the library's website.
  • Session 2: Tuesday, Nov. 17 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
  • Session 3: Tuesday, Dec. 1 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
These sessions are made possible with the support of: District 97 staff; Oak Park and River Forest School District 200; the Oak Park Public Library; the E-Team of Oak Park; and Dominican University’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) group.
Spiritwear Store is OPEN!
We are super excited to announce the launch of our new Julian Spiritwear Store. This year we are partnering with ShabbyFly, a local, Black-owned Oak Park-based business. They provide spiritwear to several D97 schools, including Julian feeder schools Beye, Longfellow and Mann. Adding Julian spiritwear to your closet is a great way to show your school spirit and support our PTO. ShabbyFly will handle all of the sales and customer service. We are excited about this vendor because….
  • The store will remain open all year, which is great for holidays and birthdays
  • Shipping is a flat rate $3.50 per order
  • All orders are contactless and delivery is within 10 business days of order.
Click here to purchase. Questions? Contact ptojulian@gmail.com.

  
 
D97 Social-Emotional Wellness Check-ins for Students

District 97 school psychologists and nurses have collaborated to offer access to virtual mental health wellness checks at each school this fall. Parents may sign up children for 25-minute Telehealth sessions where they can access an open ear for their sources of stress and learn self-care and coping strategies. Students may attend up to three sessions per trimester and may then be referred for other school-based supports if needed. Sign up or learn more about these services here.
 
If your child is experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please do not use this service and instead call the Thrive 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at 708-383-7500.
 
Technology Roundup
  • Help Desk: If your student is having issues with their Chromebook, including connectivity issues, email the D97 Help Desk at helpdesk@op97.org. This will set up an official Help Desk Ticket and allow a D97 staff person to respond and help resolve the problem. 
  • Canvas and Powerschool Guidance: Those new to Julian or even those with years of experience in the school may want to become familiar with Canvas and Powerschool. Follow this link to parent guides to both platforms. If you missed the Parent University calls with some of the same details, check out the list of Parent University videos from calls held on August 13th for additional information. 
 

PTO Meeting Schedule

Hey parents and guardians, YOU are the P in PTO!  We need your ideas to help us develop the best possible ideas for helping make this year a success. Email the PTO at ptojulian@gmail.com to toss your hat in the ring and give us a little bit of your time. Even just a little bit helps! And, please mark your calendar for our bimonthly meetings. 
  • Wednesday, November 4, 7:15 pm (zoom)
  • Wednesday, January 13, 7:15 pm (zoom)
  • Wednesday, March 3, 7:15 pm (zoom)
  • Wednesday, May 5, 7:15 pm (zoom)

Trimester 1 Meal Distribution

Meal distribution details can be found here. Meals will be distributed on Tuesdays for the first trimester. Families who pick up meals will be charged based on their lunch status, just as they would if students were onsite. Each bag of food will contain five breakfasts and five lunches.  Meal distribution days will be held every Tuesday through Nov. 30, 2020. Pickup for Julian and feeder schools is at Longfellow Elementary School (715 S. Highland Avenue) between 10:30 am and 1 pm. 

Tuesdays, 27
Tuesdays, Nov. 2*, 10, 17, 24 (*Nov. 3—Election Day—is a holiday, so meals will be distributed Monday, Nov. 2)
Julian PTO Executive Council Members
Co-Presidents: Michele Gurgas & Dave Gullo
Co-VPs of Programming: Sara Yount & Monnette Bariel
Co-VPs of Communications: Jennifer Alten & Alison Welch
Co-VPs of Green/Wellness: Doug Chien (Green) & Meredith Farster (Wellness)
Treasurer: Jamie Howe
Secretary: Susan Raphael
Volunteer Coordinator: Looking for 1 more volunteer
VP of Fundraising: Position Open
VP of Diversity/Inclusion: Position Open

Key Dates
2020-21 School Calendar

D97 Board Meetings
(Virtual, 7 pm)
Tues, Oct 27
Tues, Nov 10

Meal Distribution
(10:30 am -1 pm at Longfellow Elementary)
Oct Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Tues, Oct 27

Thu, Oct 29
Mindful Middle Schoolers (6-7:15 pm)
Strategies to support executive functioning and self-regulation in youth

Fri, Oct 30
State of the School Assembly (in school with Principal Christian)

Tues, Nov 3
NO SCHOOL (Election Day)

Wed, Nov 4
Curbside Pickup of Library Holds (3:30-4:30 pm)
Julian PTO Meeting (Virtual, 7:15 pm)

Sat, Nov 7
Virtual Coffee with Principal Christian (10 am)

Tues, Nov 17
Stamped Community Conversation (6-7:30 pm)

Fri, Nov 20
End of Trimester 1

Wed, Nov 25 - Fri Nov 27
NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Break)

Mon, Nov 30
Trimester 2 Begins

Tues, Dec 1
Stamped Community Conversation (6-7:30 pm)

Remote Learning Links

Trimester 1 Remote Learning A/B Day Calendar

A/B Day Schedules by Grade

Help Desk Email: helpdesk@op97.org

Julian Remote Learning Page

D97 Parent University

PowerSchool and Canvas Parent Guides

D97 Remote Learning Page

Principal Christian's Parent Communication

MyD97 Weekly Wrap Up Newsletter

Covid-19 Links

D97 Coronavirus Update Center

D97 Let's Talk Page for Asking the District Questions about COVID-19

Oak Park Township COVID-19 Social Services Resource Guide


Village of Oak Park Coronavirus Resources

Oak Park Coronavirus Citizen Response Facebook Group


Designate Percy Julian School PTO as your organization for Amazon Smile. The PTO will receive 0.5% of your total purchase, at no expense to you. Please share this link with friends and relatives.
Digitally Collect Box Tops!  They help support our students, teachers and staff at Julian. Drop off box tops in the main office. Or use the new online process by downloading the Box Tops App
 
Percy Julian Middle School Parents Facebook Group Page
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