School Procedures

Letter from Mr. Hodge – Walking Safely

March 22, 2012

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians:

I want to remind our Irving families about critical safety issues for students when they walk to and from school. On March 21, an Irving student was approached by a stranger near the intersection of Austin and Fillmore. The child’s parent contacted the Oak Park Police Department and the school.

Incidents such as this, remind us all of the importance of discussing safety issues with your child(ren). Parents, please take a few minutes to discuss the importance of the safety rules listed below. You may have additional ideas to share with your child that will help him/her to make the right decision should such an emergency arise.

Students:

Always try to walk in group or with at least one other person.
Walk on sidewalks and other open areas rather than alleys that have less visibility.
Be aware of your surroundings and any strangers who are nearby.
Seek help is you have a concern about another person by going to a house that has a Safe House sticker displayed in the window, going to a neighbor’s house, finding an adult to assist you, or going back to school.
Never approach a vehicle unknown to you even if the occupant speaks to you.
Yell loudly and run if you feel you are in danger.
Be sure to tell your parents if something happens. Parents should contact the police and the school.

Thank you for spending time on this important issue.

Sincerely,

John Hodge, Principal

Letter from Mr. Hodge

Community Chat about New Julian Principal

The Julian PTO would like to extend an invitation to all of its feeder schools to attend the upcoming Community Chat with Dr. Roberts on Thursday, January 26th at 7pm in the auditorium. Dr. Roberts will be addressing the Julian parent community about the new principal search for Julian. Dr. Roberts will be discussing the timeline and process involved with hiring a new principal and will be speaking about qualities and characteristics that the candidate should possess.

Please pass this information on to your school community and encourage them to attend.

If you have questions about the event please feel free to contact the Julian PTO Presidents.

Thank you,

Joy Benion- 6th Grade Co-President
Julie Mann- 7th Grade Co-President
Lynn Olson- 8th Grade Co-President

Police heighten awareness of possible attempted child lurings 10.25.11

Four recent reports of what may have been attempts to lure juveniles into cars has Oak Park Police urging students, parents, teachers and residents to be alert and call 9-1-1 if they observe any suspicious activity.

Three incidents were reported in Oak Park and one in Berwyn since Friday. While specifics do vary by incident, Police say all shared the common elements of a white, male, in his 40s or 50s, approaching students en route to or from school.

The first incident was reported in Oak Park on Friday. At about 3:10 p.m., the juvenile was walking southbound on Harvey Avenue near Hatch School. The student reported a man sitting in a vehicle attempted to start a conversation about a nearby dog.

Two reports were made on Monday in Oak Park. At about 7:30 a.m., a juvenile reported a car following southbound on Ridgeland Avenue near Longfellow School, then stopping to observe the playground before continuing on. Then at about 8:30 a.m., a juvenile reported that, while walking north in the 800 block of south Oak Park Avenue, a car horn sounded and the driver asked if the juvenile needed a ride.

The Berwyn report was made about 7:15 a.m., Tues., near Lincoln Middle School on 16th St. The juvenile said a man sitting in a parked vehicle asked for his help.

In all four incidents, the students were a safe distance from the vehicles and immediately reported the events to school authorities.

Oak Park Police have stepped up patrols along school walking routes. Anyone with information about these or other incidents is urged to call 708.386.3800 or e-mail police@oak-park.us. Anonymous tips can be made at http://www.oak-park.us/police – just click on the anonymous crime tip icon.

POLICE BULLETIN

Bad Weather Drop Off

Attention new families!

Usually the Kindergarten classes line up outside their own group entrance. However, on days when it’s rainy or too cold everyone has to go inside. K-2 kids go to the small gym/lunch room, where they line up by class. (To get there, go in the main entrance and turn down the hall to your left.) Kids in grades 3-5 go to the auditorium. Teachers don’t wait at the door, so parents should walk their child into the gym.

Also, on bad weather days anyone can enter the building on the west side (on Ridgeland) in the door marked 4W, which is right around the fence that divides the parking lot from the school yard.

Note that Ms. Gullo’s class does not usually go to the gym. Since the entry area by her classroom is covered, the kids can still wait in line there. And often in the winter, she will just open her door early (before the last bell).

Arriving on Time, Excused Absences and Early Dismissal

Attention, new families!

7:57 am: The first bell (the “line up” bell) rings, signaling students to line up at their class doors and to get ready for their teachers to get them.

8:00 am: The second bell rings, signaling students to enter the building.

After 8:00 am: The Kindergarten outside doors are locked, as are all other outside entrance doors, and you have to enter via the school office. Kids entering after 8:00 am are tardy and need a pass to enter their classroom. After kids get 3 tardy slips, families will receive a letter from the school. After 18 tardy slips, a Truancy Officer is assigned, per state law.

If your child is absent, call the office at 524-3090 or 524-3092 before 9:00 am, or tell your teacher via writing (email or note), to have them excused for the day. You can also request homework. Students should bring a written excuse when they return.

If you need your child to leave early, provide a note that includes the reason for dismissal, the name of the person authorized to sign the student out, the parent’s contact number, date and time of dismissal. The school asks that you limit the number of times your end of the day arrangements change.