Happy Mother's Day!
To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow.
- Maya Angelou
All Grades Follow In-Person/Remote A+B Schedule
M/W/F = B day Tu/Th = A day
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Last week was our final PTO meeting of the 2020-21 school year. While we remain a small but mighty group of active, drama-free volunteers, we are proud of what we accomplished over this unusual school year:
- This time last year, we were actively involved in ensuring parents and teachers had ample input into the principal search process.
- Last fall we pivoted to ensure our budget could support families in need through Jayhawk Support.
- Once safe enough, we helped create skating outings for students.
- Through a parent survey, we gathered your input that helped advocate for a more thoughtful approach to in-person middle school enabling students to keep their same teachers among other improvements.
- We provided a holiday gift to all teachers and thoughtfully allocated the funds from an anonymous donation to put gift cards and blankets into the hands of every student.
- As the doors reopened, we provided a Julian mask for every student and gifts of appreciation to the newly in-person teachers, which we continue to do.
- We supported teachers through funds allocated to their classrooms and student groups that continue to meet remotely.
And we did all of this - and more - under the thoughtful leadership of outgoing Co-Chair Michele Gurgas, who we would like to thank for her organization, forthrightness, attention to detail, positive feedback, and ability to keep us on task.
The New Bell Schedule
Contact Information for School Nurse
If you have received any information about your child's exposure to a positive covid case and a resulting quarantine, please feel free to directly contact the school nurse, Lauren Giorgano, at lgiorango@op97.org.
Calling All Parents: Take an active role in the PTO next year!
Do you read this newsletter? Have your kids attended a PTO skate event or enjoyed the blankets and gift cards the PTO helped facilitate delivery of in February? Do you want teachers to have teacher appreciation day meals? Then help make this possible next year by taking an active role in the PTO. Every single activity is led by volunteers and won't happen if we don't have more volunteers take an active role next year. There are opportunities for all time commitments & skillsets. Sign up here. Have questions? Email ptojulian@gmail.com.
News You Can Use (See Below)
- Yearbooks Now On Sale thru D97 Webstore
- Pick up your child's art from last year!
- Reserve Julian library books online
- Helpful links to Mr. Christian's presentations
- Student club reminders
- Reminder: Morning Announcements
- 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
- Community News: Year of the Butterfly Events through the Oak Park Public Library
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
Find the printable calendar here.
2020-21 Yearbooks Now On Sale
You may purchase a 2020-21 Yearbook now via the District 97 Webstore (https://oakpark.revtrak.net/). Questions? Contact Ms. Nancy Guarino.
Parent University: Elementary Social Justice Lessons
District 97 is having a Parent University session on May 13 from 7-8 pm. The session, "K-5 Social Justice Lessons: Building a Foundation for Inclusive & Anti-Racist Work in District 97," will be held virtually, via Zoom, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 13. Participants will receive a link once they register here. More information is at this link.
2020-School Year Student Artwork Pick-Up
Student artwork from last year will be available for pick up outside the art wing on the third floor starting May 10th. Student’s artwork has been packaged and labeled with students’ name and organized by last year’s teacher. If you are interested in picking up your work from last year, please stop by the art wing after school to claim your work. If your student is staying remote for the remainder of the year and still wants to claim their work, please contact your art teacher from last year and we will make arrangements for you to pick up your student’s work through the office. Student work will be available for pick-up May 10th - May 28th. All work not picked up by May 28th will be recycled.
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.
Helpful Links to Information from Mr. Christian
Christian's Weekly Communication slide deck
Christian's Weekly Communication video
Christian's Weekly Communication YouTube
Remote PIN (Parent Information Night)
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 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.
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 :
Julie Eble, 708-524-7844
School Operations, Communication, Financial 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
Community Information
 Year of the Butterfly Activities at the Oak Park Public Library
The Village of Oak Park has proclaimed 2021 as the “Year of the Butterfly.” This proclamation, that butterflies inspire hope and renewal, was written by the Brooks Middle School Earth Action Team.
Inspired and guided by this proclamation and the Illinois Monarch Project, your library has joined with local partners to bring awareness to our community about how to support a healthy habitat for butterflies and other pollinators. By working together, we want to spark hopeful action through activities, engagement, education, and stewardship. Highlights include:
- Monarch Summer Fest
- Free milkweed seed kids
- Two new library pollinator gardens
- Summer reading challenges
Learn more.
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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 