Superintendent's Message

Superintendent's Message

Office of the Superintendent

March 22, 2024

 

Dear Rich Township Families,

As we progress through this academic year, we want to remind you of the upcoming days when students will not be in session, to help you plan accordingly. Please note that Spring Break will commence with Good Friday on March 29th and will continue through the following week, from April 1st through April 5th.

We hope this break provides our students, staff with a well-deserved rest and time to enjoy their families. Please mark these dates on your calendar to ensure a smooth transition through these non-session periods.

Read more to learn important information regarding Vaccination Information, Graduation Updates, and more. Please read the following communication in its entirety for additional updates.

Para obtener una copia traducida del mensaje semanal del Superintendente, visite nuestro sitio web y seleccione el idioma preferido de las opciones ubicadas arriba a la izquierda de la página.

Click here to watch the weekly video message.

Important Message for the Class of 2025

All students who are Seniors must submit proof of receiving the meningococcal vaccination after turning 16. This is a requirement by Illinois State Law for incoming seniors. All students must show proof of receiving one dose after their 16th birthday. This vaccine will prevent your child from a severe form of bacterial meningitis, as well as other illnesses caused by this bacterium. This vaccine is required prior to the beginning of their senior year. We have not received proof of your student’s shot yet.  

All twelfth-grade students will need to show proof of receiving two doses of MCV4.  However, if the first dose was administered after 16 years of age, then only one dose is required.   

Documentation accepted in compliance with the requirement for students entering 12th grade may include one of the following:   

·         A letter or note signed by your health care provider identifying the date in which the meningococcal conjugate vaccine was administered. 

·         Printout from your provider’s electronic medical record that indicates the date the vaccine was administered 

·         The current Certificate of Child Health Examination form specifies the date the meningococcal conjugate vaccine was administered.  

Please submit proof of vaccine to the school nurse upon receipt of documentation. If you have questions, contact one of the school nurses listed below. Failure to comply will hinder your child’s ability to register for school. Thank you for your cooperation.  

 Katherin Alexander Wilson RN, MPA, BA, PEL-CSN 

STEM Campus Nurse   

Kwilson@rich227.org 

708-679-5820  

Laura Chapman RN, MSN, DNP, PEL-CSN 

FAC Campus Nurse                                           

lchapman@rich227.org                                                                      

708-679-3026 

Class of 2024 Graduation Information

Congratulations to the Class of 2024, you are on the final stretch of your high school career. Specific details about graduation are now available.

After careful consideration and in response to the feedback received from our recent family survey, we have decided to adjust the time of the graduation ceremony. The new time for the commencement will be at 3:30 PM instead of the previously scheduled 5:30 PM.

This change has been made to better accommodate the needs and preferences expressed by our families, ensuring that as many loved ones as possible can participate in celebrating this milestone event. Accessing Graduation and Prom Information

For comprehensive details about the graduation ceremony, including venue information, parking, guidelines for attendees, and other important announcements, please visit the following link:

Click here

This resource will also provide you with all you need to know about the upcoming Prom event, ensuring you and your graduate are well-prepared for these memorable occasions.

Prom Information

Attention, Juniors and Seniors! The wait is over. Details for the most anticipated event of the year are now live. Get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime.

*If you are interested in attending Prom 2024, you MUST be eligible - meet all District requirements:

·         Junior or Senior Status

·         Raptor Ready

·         No Social Probation (in-schools, suspensions, etc.)

·         Attendance, Tardies, Behavior counts NOW!

*Complete the GO CARD form now to get on the list to be checked.

*After form completed, you will be placed in a Prom 2024 group in Schoology where more information will be shared throughout the semester.

*You MUST be approved to purchase a ticket in March.

*Approval process will begin on Monday, March 18.

*If NOT approved, you will be notified via school email & Schoology Message.

ATTENTION RAPTOR GIRLS!  Click here to access the Prom Dress Approval Form

Prom 2024 information is officially available on our school website! Use the link below to learn more.

Click here to learn more

Food Service

The Food Service Department is excited to welcome back our students for the new school year! Please review the information below for important information about meal services.  More detailed information can be found HERE.

FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS: All Rich Township District 227 students receive one free breakfast and one free lunch daily under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). There are NO meal applications to fill out and all students, regardless of their family income, are eligible to receive free meals daily at school. Please encourage your student(s) to participate in the free meal program to be fueled up for learning while providing support to the school nutrition program! 

PURCHASING EXTRA ITEMS: Students can also deposit money in their meal accounts for second helpings and a la carte purchases of food and snacks. Deposits can be made online by creating an account at myschoolbucks.com, or in person with cash or a check in the cafeteria at breakfast time. 

ID CARDS REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES: In our effort to support the District's ID Policy, and to ensure that students are not receiving multiple free meals each day, the food service department uses a Point of Sale (POS) system for tracking meals and additional ala carte purchases. This requires scanning student ID cards at the serving lines for free breakfast and lunch. We also scan ID cards for purchases at the Marketplace Snack Bar and for extra food purchases in the serving lines. 

AT BOTH THE STEM CAMPUS AND THE FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATIONS CAMPUS ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PRESENT AN ID CARD AT THE TIME OF SERVICE FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH. NO EXCEPTIONS.

If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact Betsy Williams, Food Service Coordinator at 708-679-5728.

Food Pantry

Pantry Operational Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. These dedicated hours are for our any families who have signed up to receive assistance.

Online Orders - Available 24/7: We understand that convenience is key in these busy times, which is why we have enabled online ordering, available 24/7, to ensure no one goes without. Orders can be swiftly placed via the following link: Pantry Order Form.

Order Processing Time: Please allow a processing window of 3-5 business days for your orders. We strive to prepare them as quickly as possible.

Who We Serve: Our services are not limited; we proudly extend our support to all families within District 227 in need, beyond those receiving free and reduced lunch. This is a community-wide resource.

Donations - Your Generosity Counts Your support through donations is the lifeblood of this initiative. Non-perishable food and essential household supplies are always welcomed with gratitude. Here’s a list of suggested donations that make a significant impact:

       Breakfast Cereals

       Soups

       Canned Fruits and Vegetables

       Pasta and Sauce

       Rice, Noodles, and Potatoes

       Macaroni and Cheese

       Pancake Mix and Syrup

       Toilet Paper and Bar Soap

Donation Drop-off Points Please drop off any donations in the staff cafeteria at both campus locations during school hours.

Monetary Donations If you are pressed for time but still wish to contribute, monetary donations are greatly appreciated and can be made through our dedicated donation page here:

Support Our Pantry

Fee Waiver

All eligible families should complete a fee waiver form for school registration and general fees to avoid any fees later in the school year. No waiver forms are accepted after December 30 each school year. Please submit forms to Tracy Middleton, Director of Business Services at tmiddleton@rich227.org.

Communications

To assist in learning more about the Communications Department and navigating the multiple ways we communicate, below is a presentation for our families to use in this process, as well as a link to a digital suggestion box for our stakeholders to provide us with feedback.

Communications Presentation

Digital Suggestion Box

You may also follow us on social media:

       Facebook: @District227 

       Twitter: @DrJohnnieThomas @richtownshiphs

       Instagram: @district227_

       Superintendent's Message on our district website: https://www.rich227.org/page/superintendents-message

Your continued support of Rich Township High School District 227 is appreciated and vital to ensure student success. 

Respectfully, 

 

Dr. Johnnie Thomas 

Superintendent

Contact Information

Jthomas.jpg

Dr. Johnnie Thomas

Superintendent

Office 708-679-5737 

Cell 773-599-0331

Twitter: @DrJohnnieThomas

Ms. Yvonne Evans

Executive Assistant to Superintendent  

708-679-5737

Ms. Vanessa Glenn

Executive Assistant to Superintendent  

708-679-5724

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