Plank Junior High
Weekly Newsletter |
Week of September 15, 2024 |
|
|
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture. While we celebrate Hispanic and Latino communities beyond this month, from September 15 to October 15 we give extra recognition to the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more.
Hispanic Heritage Month provides an additional opportunity to explore the incredible impact Latinas and Latinos have had on the United States for generations. The Latino presence in America spans centuries, predating Spain’s colonization of what is now part of the United States, and they have been an integral part of shaping our nation since the Revolutionary War. Through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Treaty of Paris that followed the Mexican-American and Spanish-American wars, the United States gained territories in the Southwest and Puerto Rico. This incorporated the people of this area into the United States and further expanded the presence of Hispanic Americans.
Today, the Latino population in the United States today is over 60 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population and is the largest racial or ethnic group. Latinos continue to help fuel our economy and enrich our nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, entertainers, scientists, public servants, and much more. |
|
|
HBCU WEEK
September 16 - September 20 |
|
|
MUTUAL GROUNDS PRESENTATIONS
Community Unit School District #308 provides comprehensive education for sexual abuse and sexual harassment awareness and prevention in all of our schools. This education is in alignment with “Erin’s Law,” which requires that all public schools in the state of Illinois provide this programming on an annual basis. Each school year, SD308 partners with Mutual Ground, Inc. Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Department to provide programming to our students. Mutual Ground’s Prevention Specialists are trained to teach this program and have been providing instruction in our district for over 25 years.
Mutual Ground will be presenting this program at Plank Junior High School on September 17th & 18th (7th Grade) and September 20th (6th Grade) This program will discuss topics at an age-appropriate level for our students as outlined below. 6th Grade Sexual Harassment Program: This presentation will cover topics such as: - Definition of sexual harassment and examples of verbal, nonverbal and physical forms
- Discussion of students’ rights to a safe school environment and what to do if harassment occurs
- Cyberbullying and sexting laws
- Safety planning and reporting
7th Grade Sexual Abuse Prevention Program: The presentation will cover topics such as: - Definitions of touch and non-touch sexual crimes
- Discussion of child sexual abuse as well as grooming techniques and tricks abusers use
-
Discussion of consent and Illinois State Law regarding sexual activity
- What to do if you or a friend is a victim of abuse
- Risk reduction and prevention strategies for sexual assault
- Safety planning and reporting
Our school district is committed to the safety and well being of our students. If you would like to discuss special circumstances for your specific child, please contact Kristy Miller, Health/PE Teacher at kmiller@sd308.org. If you do not want your child to participate in the Erin’s Law presentation, please contact Kristy Miller to opt your child out. Your child will be provided an alternate location and alternate activity during the time of the presentation. Mutual Ground Letter |
|
|
ALICE DRILL On Monday September 16, 2024, our students and staff will participate in an ALICE/lockdown drill. We practice these drills to maximize student safety and preparedness in the event of an intruder. We use age-appropriate language and approaches to drills.
While parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of this drill, it is our hope that students will participate with staff and law enforcement in our age-appropriate, non-threatening safety drills to practice effective responses to an armed intruder. Students who are opted out will be held in a supervised area during the drill. All students will be reviewing the vocabulary and procedures related to our response to a lockdown leading up to the drill, including those students who will not be physically participating in a drill.
If you would like your child to NOT participate in this drill, send an email to our Assistant Principal, Brian Hesik at bhesik@sd308.org or a signed written notice of the request to the school principal or assistant principal as soon as possible. Include that you are certifying you are the student’s legal parent/guardian, the student’s full name, birthdate and student ID number. Thank you for your assistance as we work together to keep our students safe.
|
|
|
Oswego Wildcats Basketball Junior & Silver Basketball Teams Special Olympics State Competition
https://www.sd308.org/Departments-and-Programs/Special-Education/Special-Olympics/
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-KBwcazOtGA7lR7w418KXdbaXcDMeKSdeG4Q4m6JxCIqxPg/viewform
Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Pantry Thursday, Sept 19 - The Mobile Pantry will be located at Long Beach Elementary School, 67 Long Beach Road, Montgomery, Illinois,
on Thursday, September 19 from 5:00 - 6:30pm. - Food is free to those in need; no ID, proof of address or income is required.
- Food distributed on a first-come, first served basis while supplies last.
- Food Pantry Flyer
Notice of a Public Hearing
Oswego Community Unit School District 308 is submitting an updated e-Learning plan to be approved by the Regional Office of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education. The e-Learning Plan may be used in case of inclement weather or unforeseen School Closures.
We will be holding a Public Hearing on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 7:00 pm. The public hearing will be held in the Community Room at Oswego East High School, 1525 Harvey Road, Oswego. There will be the opportunity to provide testimony in regard to the proposed updated e-Learning Plan.
|
|
|
You are receiving this email because your email address is associated with
Plank Junior High School
510 Secretariat Lane Oswego, IL 60543
630-551-9400 |
NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use and the intended recipient(s) regarding the business of the Oswego Community Unit School District. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact SD 308 and destroy all copies of the original message.
The Oswego Community Unit School District promotes mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance of differences. We empower, support, and motivate all students to thrive along their unique educational journey. |
|
|
|
