From the Desk of the Principal...

Principal Carter's monthly newsletters are published on this site. Select this link for the most recent newsletter...

Fly Bird auction through 6/15 benefits Oak Park Education Foundation

May, 2008 - by Deb Abrahamson, Executive Director, Oak Park Education Foundation

Stop by the 4th Annual Student Art Show/Auction, hosted by Fly Bird to benefit the Oak Park Education Foundation, through June 15 at 719 Lake Street in Oak Park. 140 unique bird sculptures created by middle school students are on exhibit - and for sale. Opening bids are just $10, with "buy it now" option at $30. The bird sculptures are fabulous!

The Oak Park Education Foundation raises funds to bring artists, scientists, architects and technology experts into District 97 classrooms to conduct hands-on projects with more than 2,600 students every year. The Ed Foundation currently runs 4 award winning programs: Art Start, Global Village, Architecture Adventure and Vex Robotics.

Hatch 2007 Report Card

Select the graphic to view or download Hatch's report card (pdf format - 220K). For the District and other schools' reports, see District 97 School Report Cards.

Dear Hatch Community: On February 19, 2008, many of you joined the Hatch PTO Board along with our teachers and principal in a discussion with Superintendent Connie Collins and Trish Carlson from the District 97 Board of Education regarding staffing at Hatch school. More ...

Oak Park Education Foundation Year In Review

April, 2008 - Thanks so much for all your help this year! - Deb Abrahamson, Executive Director, Oak Park Education Foundation

This year the Oak Park Education Foundation dramatically expanded our unique, award-winning programs for the children in your school. Ask your child[ren] if they've had an Art Start artist, a Global Village scientist, or an Architecture Adventure architect in their classroom this year ... or if they've seen our after-school Vex Robotics club in action!

In the 2007-2008 school year, we:

• expanded Global Village from 30 to 40 visiting scientists per year, matching 540 additional students with inspiring professionals
• expanded Architecture Adventure from the middle schools into elementary schools through their fine arts classrooms
• improved our Vex Robotics program by purchasing more kits and accessories, purchasing laptops and programming licenses to improve programming capabilities, and increasing the number and training of adult volunteers
• launched new Art Start special projects, including a dance unit with Hephzibah after-school students and enhancement of an outdoor sculpture
• increased our budget to support these expanding programs from $123,000 in 2006-2007 to $172,000 in 2007-2008, thanks to supporters like you! More ...

Park District of Oak Park - Summer Employment

The Park District of Oak Park seeks individuals for various part-time positions including lifeguards, maintenance workers, camp coordinators and more. For more information, visit oakparkparks.com. EOE

Hatch After Hours Enrichment

The first program of its kind in Oak Park, Hatch After Hours Enrichment Program started in September, 2005 with a four-week session. The program features enrichment classes in a variety of subject areas. The classes are scheduled for each day of the school week. These classes provide fun and challenging activities for students. The children go directly after school to classes that last for at least 1 hour. Children usually bring healthy snacks to eat before classes begin. This is an excellent educational alternative to after-school care!

Registration for Hatch After Hour 2008 Session IV is now being accepted. The registration deadline is Tuesday, March 18th. Classes will begin after Spring Break. Please see the registration form for all details (pdf - 159K).

Timber Creek Farms Provides Organic Produce for Hatch

- by Suzanne Allen -

We are pleased to announce a new organic produce provider that delivers directly to your home!!! Timber Creek Farms offers four organic produce units: Veggie only, Fruit only, Fruit Plus Two, and Combo baskets (see attached flyer).

From each basket purchased, $3 goes directly to Hatch PTO and our students. Orders will be made on a monthly basis and paid for by you directly to Timber Creek Farms (no more checks to PTO or wondering if you paid or overpaid, etc.)

Once you place an order it will become and standing monthly order unless you notify the Hatch Coordinator otherwise. In addition TCF offers a variety of other products that you are free to add to your monthly basket order with a simple phone call.

Select this link for more information and to download the order form (pdf - 79K).

Readers Are Winners Reading Challenge August 28, 2007 - May 10, 2008

This program is designed for all students who enjoy reading at home. We know the more you read, the better you will read. The goal of this program is for students to read as much as possible at home during the entire school year.Select this link for the Read-a-thon guidelines.

Math-a-thon Challenge

This program is designed for students in grades 1-5 who enjoy math. We know the more students are given the opportunity to do math computation, the better they will do in learning math concepts throughout their education. This program is not meant to take the place of the math program in school, but to enhance students' learning of math computation. Select this link for the Math-a-thon guidelines.