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April 18, 2021
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IAR Testing Continues...
7th Graders - Hybrid
8th Graders - Onsite IAR Testing
6th Graders - Remote
Monday is an 
B day


Dear Parents and Guardians:

Like last week, this week is a little more complicated due to the addition of PCR Covid testing and IAR testing. If you need clarification, this letter contains all of the details. If you have an 8th grader confused about the details for IAR week, keep reading for the schedule Mr. Christian provided last week. 

The most recent Jayhawk Support Giving Campaign raised $3,063!
Jayhawk Support is Julian PTO's way to helping our students and families in need. After we depleted our initial funds, we ran a new campaign to raise money - and thank you all who contributed.  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.

NEW! 6th grade skating event  THIS FRIDAY April 23, 2021 from 7pm-8:30pm
The Julian PTO is partnering with the Park District to sponsor another free, safe ice-skating event for our 6th graders. 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. This event can't happen without chaperones! We need 4-5 parent volunteers including several who can skate to help on the ice. If you can chaperone, email ptojulian@gmail.com. Masks must be worn for the duration of the event. There will be temperature checks at the door and entrance will be staggered to maintain distance during check-in. Space is limited. Register here.

Final PTO Meeting: Wednesday, May 5, 7:15 - 8:45 pm
Save the date for our last public PTO meeting of the 2020-21 school year. We look forward to a fun meeting in which we hope to feature student projects. We will also discuss open positions, this year's accomplishments, and the transition to the 2021-22 school year. Attend here

Take an active role in the PTO next year!
Every parent and guardian is a PTO member - but we can't do what we do without active volunteers. The Julian PTO is a welcoming, highly functional and drama-free group committed to making the school a better place for our kids and teachers. Even if you only have a few hours to give over the course of a year, WE NEED YOU! We want to faces of PTO volunteers to reflect the diversity in our community, so please join us. Email ptojulian@gmail.com.

News You Can Use (See Below)
  • Schedule for 8th grade IAR week
  • Reserve Julian library books online
  • Sign Up for Parent University Session on April  24
  • 7th grade hybrid details & links
  • Student club reminders
  • Reminder:  Morning Announcements
  • D97 Parent-to-Parent Circle on April 29
  • D97 childcare scholarships available
  • Shop at the Julian Spiritwear Store
  • Support CAST by buying a CAST face mask
  • Meals are provided FREE to any D97 student
  • Jayhawk Support program
  • D97 Social/Emotional Wellness Check-ins for Students
  • Julian office staff & assistant principal contact information
Don't stop thanking our teachers! They need it!
We've heard from several teachers about how the outreach from parents has helped me get through this incredibly challenging year. Keep sending thanks! These small gestures go a long way and will help the year end with a bang not a fizzle!  Just a little note here and there from you and/or your student about what you/they appreciate. 

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 - B Days  /  Tues/Thurs - A Days.
6th Grade Remote Week
7th Grade Hybrid Week
8th Grade IAR Testing Week

Find the printable calendar here
 

8th Grade Schedule for IAR week

Check Out Julian Library Books Online - It's Easy
Julian students and families! Any student (hybrid, testing, or remote) can put a hold on Julian Library books for check-out. Follow these directions. Please check out books! If you have questions, email Ms. Winchell, Julian librarian. 
 
D97 Parent University Session - April 24
District 97 is hosting Virtual Parent University sessions in April to help families learn strategies for collaborating with school administrators, teachers and staff to support equity and student success. The sessions will be facilitated by Reesheda Graham Washington, principal consultant of RGW Consulting and CEO of L!VE 2.0. The final session will be held  April 24 from 10 am - noon.

Descriptions of the session and sign-up links are included here.

7th Grade is Hybrid this Week
This week, the 6th graders are back for 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.
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. (Contact Mr. O'Brien, Ms. Gunnell, or Mr. Apostol for more information.)
  • Social Justice Club: Thursdays, 3:30 - 4:30 pm (contact Ms. Harris for details)

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
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, 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.
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.

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.
Click here to purchase. Questions? Contact ptojulian@gmail.com.

   

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.

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.

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

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. 

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
 

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, 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
 
Key Dates
2020-21 School Calendar

April Hybrid Weeks
Apr 19 - 7th Grade
Apr 26 - 8th Grade

April IAR Testing Weeks
Apr 19 - 8th Grade
Apr 26 - 6th Grade

D97 Board Meetings
(Virtual, 7 pm)
April 27

Meal Distribution
April Menus
(Tues, 10:30 am -1 pm at Longfellow Elementary)
April 20, 27

Mon, April 19
Do Re Mi's (8 am)

Tues, April 20
Meal Distribution (10:30 am - 1 pm, Longfellow)
Investment Club (3:35-4:20 pm)

Wed, April 21
Rainbow Tribe (3:30-4:30 pm)
Best Buddies  (4-5pm - Note new time for this week!)

Thurs, April 22
Men's Ensemble (8 am)
Social Justice Club (3:30-4:30 pm)
Yearbook Club (3:30-4:30 pm)

Fri, April 23
Jukebox (8 am)

Sat, April 24
Parent University 

Wed, April 28
Cuzzo's Dining Fundraiser

Remote Learning Links

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. If you have collected Box Tops for Education, please email our Box Tops coordinator, Lori Churchouse, to arrange a time to drop off the Box Tops, as Julian staff wants to limit the number of visitors to the school. If you purchase products with Box Tops, download the app to make sure they count for Julian in the future. It's now as simple as scanning your receipt. Use the new online process by downloading the Box Tops App
 
Percy Julian Middle School Parents Facebook Group Page
Comments? Questions? Click here for comments and questions regarding this newsletter or to submit items for inclusion in the newsletter.  
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