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Dear Baker families,
Baker finds itself in the midst of a myriad of winter holiday celebrations. As a culmination of all these, we gather for our annual Holiday Sing to celebrate the end of the first semester and the beginning of our holiday break. The Holiday Sing is our long standing tradition where music, dance, and other performing arts happen. Sometimes it’s singing - sometimes it’s band music - sometimes it’s a raucous crowd singing Jingle Bells or Oh Hanukkah! Whatever medium is presented, it is always joyful and fun (and oftentimes silly).
Preparing for this takes an enormous amount of work from our students. PK and Kindergarten share songs they have been learning. At this age, performing in front of people can be daunting! We keep their performances solely vocal. First grade is the first time singing and playing instruments happen at the same time. Second grade learns about medley and develops one on their own. Third grade studies chord structures and composes a mashup using these new skills! Fourth grade rock band brings their best renditions of the rock songs they’ve studied throughout the semester. Fifth grade beginning band shows off their new instrumental skills. And finally, Middle School Band and Choir perform significant holiday pieces to round out the entire production. Accompanying the music, Mrs. Dow sprinkles in her dance magic with some grades.
The beauty of a school like Baker is that performances like the Holiday Sing are almost completely developed and produced by the students themselves. You won’t hear just Jingle Bells and Oh Hanukkah, but also 80’s New Wave, Heavy Metal, and of course Taylor Swift. It’s a time for the students to share the creativity and love they’ve experienced throughout the semester. The performing arts are one of the best outlets for students to be able to express themselves. Music and dance are vital to our culture and creating community. Baker is an amazing place for students to experience this because it understands the freedom necessary for creativity to flourish. You will see this at the Holiday Sing. Happy Holidays and I look forward to seeing you next week at the big event!
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Shane Courville, DMA
He, Him
Music Director
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December 16
Baker Business School Market. 12:00 - 2:00p.m. - See details below.
December 21
Holiday Sing / Early Dismissal / No BASE
10:30 a.m. - Concert Begins
11:15 a.m. - Dismissal for PK/K & 11:30 a.m. - Dismissal for Grades 1-8
December 22 - January 7
Winter Vacation - No School / No BASE
January 8
School Resumes
You can view Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar
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The Middle School Student Leadership Team has planned a Spirit Week for next week! All students are invited to participate.
Monday December 18 - Team color day
Wear your favorite teams color for a day!
Tuesday, December 19 - Pajama day
Wear pajamas to school!
Wednesday December 20 - Baker spirit day
Wear your Baker merch!
Thursday December 21 - Festive clothing day
Wear your festive clothing for the holiday sing!
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It's the countdown to the Holiday Sing - Thursday, December 21st!
The Holiday Sing is Baker's annual tradition celebrating the season through music and dance. Each grade from PreK through Middle School will share a music project that they've been working on. In addition, we are thrilled to have a dance number included too! Students show up to school as usual, and the performances begin at 10:30 a.m. The show will run about 45 minutes to an hour. Students will return to their classes after the program and school dismissal will be at 11:15 a.m. for PK/K and 11:30 a.m. for 1st - 8th Grade.
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Some classrooms may be hosting families prior to the start of the Holiday Sing event. Those details will come directly from your student's teacher. Please remember to allow time for parking and check-in.
Additional parking has been arranged at Bahá'í House of Worship in their East Parking Lot. Enter East off of Sheridan. See photo of lot. Street parking is also available. Please pay attention to signs.
We appreciate your support and this wonderful opportunity to share. We look forward to seeing you there!
10:30 a.m. - Concert Begins
11:15 a.m. - Dismissal for PK/K No BASE
11:30 a.m. - Dismissal for Grades 1-8 No BASE
We ask all our Baker friends and family members to let us know who from your party will be attending. In accordance with our safety policies, everyone will need to check-in at the main entrance and receive a visitor sticker.
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A Message from the Board of Trustees | |
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Dear Baker Community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to share that Kate Ciccelli will begin to be seen in-and-around Baker in the coming months. Ms. Ciccelli is excited to learn about Baker in preparation for her new role as Head of School starting in July. Don’t be surprised if you have a “Kate sighting,” and please join us in extending a warm welcome to the Baker community.
With kind regards,
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Stephanie Hentz
Chair, Board of Trustees
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BASE (Baker After School Enrichment) Registration | |
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BASE Winter Enrichments - Registration for BASE Winter Packages and Enrichments is now open! Please take a moment to review options in the 2024 Winter Program Guide before completing your registration.
We are excited to announce a number of new classes for the winter session, including Baker Faculty led STEM Lab with Mr. McLennan and Kung Fu - Spanish Immersion with Ms. Martinez. Vendor classes include Story Squad, presented by Mudlark Theater and Game Design, presented by iCODE.
Enrichment classes are first come, first serve and spots are limited!
BASE Registration Page
BASE care begins Monday, January 8 for all BASE Care Package registrants. Enrichments will start on Wednesday, January 17.
Questions? Please contact Erin at esteiner@bakerdemschool.org or at ext. 5823.
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Baker Summer Discovery Camp | |
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We had record-breaking interest in Baker Summer Discovery Camp! Some sessions have already filled and others are filling quickly. Please make sure to register now. If a session is already filled, be sure to get on the waitlist by January 5, 2024 for consideration. Join the waitlist here.
We look forward to returning this summer for another exciting year of fostering friendships, embracing the great outdoors and engaging in immersive camper-driven activities! Explore below or online for weekly session dates, pricing, and further details.
Discounted early-bird registration pricing available until January 31, 2024, but we anticipate being sold out before then. Register or add your camper to the waitlist now.
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Baker Business School Market | |
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Baker Business School Market
Saturday, December 16
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Baker Cafeteria
This quarter, the 4th and 5th graders have been immersed in Baker Business School, an integrated thematic unit that allows them to experience all phases of the entrepreneurial cycle with the end goal of raising funds for a nonprofit of their choice while also learning about the labor movement.
Please invite family and friends to join us at our Baker Business School Market! Prices range from $.50 - $5.00 (cash only), and all profits will benefit the Children's Heart Foundation. Thank you for your support!
Questions? Contact Kerah Sandler at ksandler@bakerdemschool.org or Mark McLennan at mmclennan@bakerdemschool.org.
We ask all our Baker friends and family members to let us know who from your party will be attending. In accordance with our safety policies, everyone will need to check-in at the main entrance and receive a visitor sticker.
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Volunteers Needed - The Bears Are Coming! | |
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The Chicago Bears will be hosting a Mini Monsters workshop for our 2nd - 6th grade students.
We are looking for volunteers to assist with running stations Friday, January 19th from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
If you are interested, please reach out to Rachael Ross at rross@bakerdemschool.org for more details.
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Congratulations to the Baker Bots - Robotics Team | |
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Congratulations to Baker's Robotics Team, the Baker Bots, on qualifying to advance to sectionals and for taking first place in the Innovation Competition at the FirstLegoLeague Challenge Qualifier Event!
Top row: Griffin 6th, Amir 5th, Sunday 7th
Bottom row: Willow 4th, Aaron 5th, Emmy 4th, Lennox 4th
Special thanks to Head Coach Ms. Crawford and parent volunteers Mercedes, Theresa, Dmitry & Meg for their support.
We wish Ms. Crawford and the team well as they advance to sectionals this January! Go Baker Bots!
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BPO Teacher Appreciation Gifts - Deadline Extended | |
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It's that time of year to show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate all of their hard work!
The money will be collected centrally and distributed equitably to teachers and staff. Gifts are distributed to every staff member equally. We do differentiate based on whether staff is full-time or part-time. At their request the senior admin team has opted out. This process moves away from families giving individual monetary gifts, as the Baker employee handbook prohibits it. It allows for families to give as they are financially able. It ensures that all staff are thanked and thanked equally for their amazing work.
If you’d like to contribute, please just click the link below and pay online—any contribution is highly appreciated.
Thank you!
Baker BPO Teacher Appreciation Team
Questions? Contact Mishra Keller at mishra@nutrisults.com.
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BPO Community Service Spotlight - ESCCA | |
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The Evanston School Children’s Clothing Association (ESCCA) provides new and gently-used warm school clothing, including coats, gym shoes and boots for all Evanston/Skokie District 65 K-8th grade school children in need at no cost to the family.
ESCCA clothing assistance services are performed efficiently and discreetly and always keep the dignity of families in mind by inviting families to shop by appointment in our clean and organized space. Each year we serve over 500 families as we strive to reach more families who need our services so we can help keep all of Evanston's children warm.
Learn more about ESCCA HERE! and HERE!
How can we help?
Please donate any new or gently used clothing items for children ages kindergarten- 8th grade in sizes child-6 through adult XXXL. You can drop donations in the ESCCA bin inside Baker's front lobby or directly to ESCCA in the 24hr drop-off bin on the west side of the JEH D65 Administrative Building at 1500 McDaniel in Evanston. See details for the Baker event below.
Questions contact Alli Hackney at allihackney@gmail.com.
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BPO Community Service Spotlight - Chicago 4 All | | |
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- Did you know that buses of asylum-seeking migrants began arriving in Chicago at the end of August 2022.
- As of Oct. 5, more than 17,000 have arrived in the city.
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Chicago has been slowly moving people out of temporary spaces and into shelters and, in the near future, tents.
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Some migrants stay at Chicago's O'Hare Airport for weeks, then are moved to police stations or manage to get into the few shelters available.
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This crisis is hidden in the police stations so it does not feel visible but if you go to any of the improvised shelters you immediately notice these people are living in tents, with no warm clothes and no experience of the Chicago winter.
Chicago 4 All is a grassroots organization led by an immigrant woman Paula Gean who knows the immigrant experience from up close. Chicago 4 All organizes community events such as meals, sports games, music concerts, tutoring and translation services to help immigrants feel welcome.
Another one of Chicago 4 All missions was to integrate the Wadsworth shelter residents into the Woodlawn community. Starting with bilingual church services, English classes, and weekly sports games, organized and led by Woodlawn residents in early 2023.
How can we help?
If we step up as a community, just like Paula’s community has, we can make a difference in their first winter here. Chicago 4 All are in need of winter clothing (hats, scarfs, and gloves), and items such as yoga mats. Please go to their website to find out how and where to make a donation. See details for the Baker event below.
Questions contact Esteban Arévalo at earevalo@bakerdemschool.org.
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BPO Community Service - Winter Clothing Drive | |
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The Baker Annual Winter Clothing Drive begins December 4th and go until December 20th. Please join in supporting the organizations profiled above ESCCA and Chicago 4 All.
During this time Baker will have donation bins near the front office for you to drop off new or gently used clothing. Please see the specific donation guidelines below. Your donations will help our recipients have adequate winter clothing during these cold and snowy months.
Please donate new or gently-used 100% CLEAN winter clothing and outerwear for children and adults. We are looking for sizes ranging from Kids 6 through Adult XXL.
OUTERWEAR: Warm winter jackets, spring/fall lightweight jackets, warm vests, snow pants
TOPS: Hoodies/zip ups, long sleeve shirts, t-shirts, athletic shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, fleece tops
BOTTOMS: Sweatpants, fleece pants, track pants, joggers, leggings
ACCESSORIES: Winter hats, gloves, mittens, warm scarves
OTHER: Yoga mats
Please note: Only bring seasonal appropriate clothes like those listed above. For example, we can not accept professional attire, baby items, shoes, socks, or underwear.
ESCCA also is accepting monetary donations to fund the purchase of new items. Or you can buy something directly from the ESCCA Amazon Wish List.
Questions contact BPO@bakerdemschool.org.
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Take a look at these awesome t-shirts we made for our GSA! Want one? Shirts are available for $20 each and come in adult sizes S-2XL. They run a bit small and are 100% cotton. We have a limited supply so please fill out this form if you would like one for your child or for yourself! You can send cash in an envelope, drop off cash or check in the office or use Baker Venmo @BakerDem Proceeds will support Baker GSA.
Questions? Please feel free to reach out to GSA Advisors: Becky Crawford, Shane Courville, Julie Toole
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Baker Spirit Wear is back and available for purchase online! Place your order today!
Our first Baker Spirit Wear Friday kicks off on Friday, September 8th. Purchase your Baker Spirit Wear today to be ready for Baker Spirit Fridays (and everyday of the week).
How does it work?
1. Click on the link below and look through the items.
2. Please note that this spirit wear is for both kids and adults!
3. Place your order online.
4. Orders will be shipped directly to the buyer's home address listed on the order in 3-4 weeks.
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