Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.
- Maya Angelou
Sharing Jayhawk Love
Mon: NO SCHOOL (President's Day)
Tues-Thurs: 8th - Hybrid; 6th/7th - Remote
Friday: All Remote
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Almost half of Julian students now have a gift in-hand provided through funds donated anonymously to the District 97 PTOs and instructed to "touch every student." For those who missed Saturday's opportunity to pick up this gift (Jayhawk blanket and gift card to local business), stay tuned for details regarding how the remaining students will receive theirs.
THANK YOU to the more than two-dozen volunteers who helped create a smooth pickup process and to our PTO Secretary Susan Raphael who flawlessly led the effort. It takes a village! It was wonderful to see so many (masked) faces and be back in the Julian building.
Submit Photos showing Blanket and Gift Card Purchases
The PTO would like to collect photos of students enjoying the items purchased through the anonymous donation as a way to thank the donor. Please email a photo to us that captures how they are enjoying the blanket and the purchases made with their gift cards. Those who submit a photo will be entered into a drawing for Julian spirit wear with one winner per grade! (Student's face does not need to be in the photo.) Email photos to ptojulian@gmail.com by February 22nd.
Fundraising for Jayhawk Support Program
The PTO is undergoing a fundraising effort between now and March 31st to augment our budget for the Jayhawk Support program. This program has been run by our VP of Wellness Meredith Farster in partnership with the school social work team. We have almost exhausted our $6,000 budget by helping families who are in need during this difficult time. Check out this flyer for more details and make an online donation here (or mail a check - details on the flyer).
8th Grade is Hybrid this Week
This week, it's the 8th graders' turn to experience the hybrid week. Check out this Hybrid Learning Checklist for (All) Parents/Guardians for more information, as well as the updated A/B Schedule which notes the hybrid weeks by grade. See more details about Julian's hybrid plan here. Learn more about how D97 is assessing COVID-19 metrics. If you have additional concerns, reach out to your student's Assistant Principal or Mr. Christian.
Please keep the letters and notes of gratitude and encouragement to the teachers coming. They really appreciate it! They are working hard to adjust to new teaching methods, new technology, and a new environment when working the hybrid weeks. The PTO has arranged some goodies for them at Julian, including individually packaged snacks and drinks, including supporting local businesses L!VE Cafe and The Buzz Cafe.
Resources for this Week
8th Grade Hybrid Remote Learning Plan Presentation (super helpful - lays out drop off locations and has the daily schedule for reference)
Tuesday through Thursday This Week
- 8th graders will begin their Hybrid schedule. Some students will be in person, while some will be remote. (Note: Remote 8th graders follow the modified Hybrid schedule with a designated teacher and in-person/remote combined pod.)
- 6th and 7th graders: Regular remote schedule (Tues/Thurs- B Days, Wed/Fri - A Days)
New and Time Sensitive Information
- Submit Trimester 3 Learning Selection Form by February 18 at 10 pm
- D97 Parent-to-Parent Circles
- OPRFHS Superintendent Search Community Forum
- CAST Rehearsals This Week
- Last Chance to Purchase Autographed Books by Alan Gratz
- Reminder: Morning Announcements
- Reminder: Submit photos and Happy Ads to Yearbook by March 2
Repeat Reminders
- Student Club Reminders
- D97 childcare scholarships available
- Support CAST by Buying CAST Facemask
- Shop at the Julian Spiritwear Store
- Free D97 social-emotional wellness check-ins for students
- Meals are provided FREE to any D97 student
- Julian office staff & assistant principal contact information
- Jayhawk Support program
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
No School Monday | Tues/Thurs = B Day | Wed/Fri= A Day
8th Grade Hybrid Tues, Wed and Thurs
Find the printable calendar here.
Trimester 3 Learning Selection Form Due Feb 18
District 97 will continue to offer hybrid learning during Trimester 3. This means that families must choose to enroll their students in either 1) on-site learning or 2) full-time remote learning. All families must complete the Trimester 3 Learning Selection Form for each student in their household by 10 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021.
- Your selection will apply to Trimester 3, which begins Monday, March 15, and goes through the last day of school, June 10.
- Students who select remote learning will not be able to switch to on-site learning once the form closes.
- If we do not receive a student’s form by the end of the day Feb. 18, they will default to their learning selection for Trimester 2.
Click here to access the form and additional information about Trimester 3.
Trimester 3 FAQ
D97 Parent-to-Parent Circle Series
District 97 families are invited to join an upcoming Virtual Parent-to-Parent Series, which will be facilitated in partnership with the E-Team of Oak Park. Events will be held:
- Thursday, Feb. 18, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, March 18, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, April 29, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The sessions are designed to build community among District 97 parents and guardians and provide support as we navigate hybrid learning. The intention is for parents/guardians to attend all three sessions to help build a consistent community, but if you cannot make the first session you may still attend the others. Please let D97 know your availability in the registration form so that we can plan accordingly.
The deadline to register is Tuesday, Feb. 16. Sign up here.
OPRFHS Superintendent Virtual Community Forum
Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 will host a virtual community forum on Tuesday, Feb. 23, to discuss its superintendent search. Click here for a flyer with more details.
CAST Rehearsals This Week
CAST We Tell The Story Caribbean’s will have rehearsals....
- Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 4-5 pm
- Thursday, Feb. 18 from 4-5 pm
CAST Grand Hommes will have rehearsals...
- Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 4:00-5:30 pm
- Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 4:00-5:30 pm
- Thursday, Feb. 18 from 4:00-5:30 pm
- Friday, Feb 19 from 4:00-5:30 pm
CAST Storytellers will have rehearsals...
- Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 4-5 pm
- Friday, Feb 19 from 4-5 pm
Morning Announcements
This Monday, morning announcements are back. Principals and students will lead live announcements everyday on zoom. Check this link at 9 am daily for Morning Announcements.
Purchase Books by Author Alan Gratz
Award-winning historical fiction author Alan Gratz (Refugee, Allies, Grenade, Projekt 1065) hosted a virtual visit on Monday, February 8 at 10AM. If you missed the talk live, you can watch it here.
Anyone can order a copy of his new book Ground Zero: A Novel of 9/11 ($17.99) or Refugee ($16.99). Order at this link and select pick up and school pick up. Books will be delivered to Julian after 2/16.
Submit Photos and Happy Ads for Yearbook by Mar 2
The yearbook staff is happy to announce that we are in the process of compiling a 2020-2021 yearbook featuring student photos, art projects, poetry and short stories. Online purchasing will be available soon. Please help us by emailing the following:
- Pictures of students (and their pets) engaged in remote learning
- 8th Grade Happy Ads (due by 3/2/21): Free to all 8th graders (see Happy Ad Flyer for details).
Send all pictures and Happy Ads to Ms. Guarino ( nguarino@op97.org).
Student Clubs
Some student clubs continue to operate virtually.
Rainbow Tribe: Wednesdays, 3:30 - 4:30 pm via zoom (contact Mr. Murawski or Mr. Kannan for details)
Best Buddies: Every other Wednesday, 3:30 - 4:30 pm via zoom (next meeting is Feb 10, contact Ms. Kiska- for details)
Morning Choirs: Do Re Mi's (Mon), Jukebox (Fri), and Men's Ensemble (Thu) meet weekly at 8 am (contact Mr. Seymour for details)
Yearbook Club: Thursdays, 3:30 - 4:30 pm (contact Ms. Guarino for details)
Investment Club: Tuesdays: 3:35-4:20 Zoom link: the link:
https://op97-org.zoom.us/j/86477771079 Contact Mr. O'Brien, Ms. Gunnell, or Mr. Apostol for more information.)
Support CAST by Buying Face Mask
Show your love and support of CAST with our new face mask! Buy your mask here! These custom-made face masks are designed and created by CAST Costume Designer, Rex Booth, so you know they're fabulous! Each 100% cotton mask has an unwoven filter and is machine washable. Purchases will be delivered to Oak Park addresses only. Delivery not available outside of Oak Park. Masks cost $15 each. All proceeds of face mask sales benefit CAST.
D97 Childcare Scholarships Available for Families
In order to provide additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic, District 97 is offering financial assistance to qualifying families who participate in childcare programs through the Park District of Oak Park and Hephzibah. For families who currently receive free or reduced lunch, the district will continue to cover 100% of the daily program fee.
During Trimester 2, District 97 will also offer scholarships based on family income level.
- For families with incomes below $65,000 per year, the district will cover 100% of the daily program fee.
- For families with incomes between $65,000 and $99,999, the district will cover 50% of the daily program fee.
Click here for more details about the childcare scholarships.
FREE Meals for ALL D97 Students
Meal distribution details can be found here. FREE Meals will be distributed on Tuesdays . Each bag of food will contain five breakfasts and five lunches.
Pickup for Julian and feeder schools is at Longfellow Elementary School (715 S. Highland Avenue) between 10:30 am and 1 pm. Can't make our meal distribution day or time? Email District 97 Food Services Coordinator Carla Ellis at cellis@op97.org.
Shop the Julian Spiritwear Store!
Show your school spirt at the new Julian Spiritwear Store. ShabbyFly will handle all of the sales and customer service.
- 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.
Jayhawk Support from the PTO is here!
The Julian PTO is committed to supporting ALL of our students and families to succeed and thrive. Our primary goal this year is to ensure families have the support they need to get through the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning. If your family is in need of any school supplies, food, toiletries, clothing, etc., Jayhawk Support is here for you! Complete this confidential form and you will be contacted by the Wellness team to help meet your needs.
Please note: There are some limitations to the support Jayhawk Support can provide. We will make every effort to help connect families with local resources if needed. We take your privacy very seriously. Only the Julian PTO Wellness team will have access to personal information.
Want to help Jayhawk Support? If you would like to contribute to our fund, you can let us know by emailing julianptowellness@gmail.com
Julian Main Office Staff Contact Info
If you need assistance, here is contact information for Julian's office staff:
Attendance and School Related concerns:**
Cory Marshall, cmarshall@op97.org, or 708-524-3040, 708-524-7845
School Related Concerns and General Information:
Yulonda Nichols, ynichols@op97.org, or 708-524-3040, 708-524-3010
School Related Concerns and Financial Information:
Lonya Boose, lboose@op97.org, or 708-524-7846
School Operations, Communication, and Administrative Information:
Echelon Jackson, ejackson@op97.org, or 708-524-7512
Any and all School Information:
julianinfo@op97.org
You may also contact your students grade level Assistant Principal by clicking here.
**School Related concerns refer to the following: Attendance, PowerSchool, Zoom link operation, grades, etc.
Assistant Principal Web Pages: Attend Office Hours!
Check out the new Assistant Principal main webpage here. When you click on your student's AP, you will find their contact information and office hours, including their Zoom link. Mr. Christian wants all staff to "overcommunicate and overdeliver" this year - take advantage of this opportunity to be in direct contact with your grade-level administrative leader.
6th Grade - Jerome Green
7th Grade - William Lee
8th Grade - Chemaine Carr
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, March 3, 7:15 pm (zoom)
- Wednesday, May 5, 7:15 pm (zoom)
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
Community Information
Looking for an outdoor activity for your kids? Sign them up for baseball or softball!
Oak Park Youth Baseball & Softball (OPYBS) offers baseball for kids through age 12 and softball for kids through age 14. The season runs April through June, and no prior experience is required. Kids can start playing at any age! We are proud to have completed a successful summer/fall season in 2020, while also following a set of Covid-19 safety guidelines to protect our players and coaches. Visit opybs.org for more information or go directly to registration at https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/234965.
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Digitally Collect Box Tops! They help support our students, teachers and staff at Julian. If you have collected Box Tops for Education, please email our Box Tops coordinator, 
Percy Julian Middle School Parents 