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Dear Baker families,
Let me share with you the joy of spending my days with a class of first graders. Each and every day is an adventure filled with wonder, curiosity, and a heap of magic from September to June. This is truly an extraordinary time in a young person’s life, and I get the privilege to accompany these children on their journey.
First grade students enter the year filled with all the rich experiences that were beautifully laid out by their early childhood teachers. They are ready to connect what they have already learned through further exploration, especially when they are able to engage their imaginations and playful spirits. Designing a child based curriculum that allows students to make meaningful connections with their learning is essential to the Baker philosophy. We do this in first grade through play and imagination.
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For example, when a class of first graders were fascinated by dragons and medieval castles, the Baker School of Dragonology was created as the students learned about sound and light. The classroom was promptly transformed into a medieval castle and the students were placed into cooperative groups by a sorting hat. Another time, the first graders had a keen interest in sounds and symbols, so they were inducted into the Baker Academy of Investigations and became “code crackers” as they learned to read—all while wearing detective hats and capes like Sherlock Holmes.
First graders are risk takers. They are eager to learn and put real effort into their work. At the beginning of the year, the students are building their stamina and self-confidence as they grapple with new learning content and challenges.
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Play remains an important part of the day as the children grow and change. By the end of the year, the children have developed the confidence and self-knowledge to voice their opinions and take charge of their learning. Seeing this change is one of the many things that make the first grade year so magical.
Being a part of the learning community at Baker has been a very rewarding experience for me. Working with a community that partners together to center the child in their education is an important reason I am a progressive educator. I am so honored to be able to work in this very special school.
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Warmly,
Melissa Makagon
She/Her
First Grade Teacher
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February 6
BPO Coffee 8:30 a.m. - See details below
Preview Night for Rising 6th Grade Parents | ZOOM - 6:00 p.m. - See details below
Preview Night for Rising Middle School Parents (Current 5th-7th) | ZOOM 7:00 p.m. - See details below
February 7
Early Dismissal PK & K at 12:45 p.m. Grades 1-8 at 1:00 p.m. / BASE Available
February 8
Preview Night for Rising K-3rd Grade Parents (Current PK-2nd) | ZOOM - 6:00 p.m. - See details below
Preview Night for Rising 4th-5th Grade Parents (Current 3rd-4th) | ZOOM - 7:00 p.m. - See details below
February 9
Last day for Baker Benefit Early Bird tickets - See details below
February 14
Baker's Matilda! Dress Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. - See details below
February 15
Baker's Matilda! Performance 6:30 p.m. - See details below
March 8
Baker Benefit | Early bird tickets available! - See details below
You can view Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar
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Preview Nights | ZOOM - Tues. 2/6 & Thurs. 2/8 | |
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As we look ahead to planning for the 2024-25 school year, please, save the dates (see below) for Preview 2024-25 evenings for parents/guardians.
Preview evenings are intended to provide parents with a vision for what is to come in the 2024-25 school year for their child as they move to the next grade level. Preview Nights offer current and prospective parents highlights of the curriculum and overall experience for the upcoming school year. This is a wonderful opportunity that gives parents a vision for what is to come in the 2024-25 school year for their child. Preview 2024-25 meetings will be held on Zoom and facilitated by Dean of Academics, Sarah Mohr’s Zoom.
Tuesday, February 6
Note: Rising 6th grade parents should plan to attend both meetings
6:00 p.m. Preview 6th grade (current 5th grade students)
7:00 p.m. Preview Middle School (current 5th-7th grade students)
Sarah Mohr’s Zoom
Thursday, February 8
6:00 p.m. Preview K-3rd grade (current PK-2nd students)
7:00 p.m. Preview 4th-5th grade (current 3rd-4th grade students)
Sarah Mohr’s Zoom
Preview Nights will be on Zoom. If you have any questions or issues accessing the Preview Nights via Zoom, please email communications@bakerdemschool.org.
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BASE Bonus Days this Winter | |
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BASE is offering half day/full day care, plus coverage for your scheduled conferences only.
Where do I sign up? Click HERE to access the registration page. All winter BASE days are open for registration.
Winter Bonus Day Specials
- February 7, 2024 - Professional Development
- Half Day Care (1:00 - 3:15 pm)
- Fun Swim (Kinder - 8th)
- March 14, 2024 - Conferences
- Half Day Care (11:30-3:15 pm)
- Fun Swim (Kinder - 8th)
- March 15, 2024 - Conferences
- Full Day Care (8:15-3:15 pm)
- Flying Fox Conservation: Mammals and More
- Fun Swim (Kinder - 8th)
Questions? Please contact Erin at esteiner@bakerdemschool.org or at ext. 5823.
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The Waitlist
We're actively working to accommodate waitlisted families by filling openings as they become available. This is the avenue for campers to transition from the waitlists into camp. While we recognize the challenge that a large waitlist poses, it underscores the tremendous demand and popularity of Baker as the ultimate summer destination!
Camp Hiring Process
While some familiar faces will be returning for another memorable year at Baker, we're also in the process of welcoming new staff to fill essential roles in our operations. We are diligently reviewing resumes and selecting individuals to ensure that our summer is expertly crafted to provide the best experience for all our campers!
If you know any qualified and enthusiastic educators, we're currently seeking individuals for roles such as Lead Instructors, Support Counselors, Music Lead, and Lifeguards/Swim Instructors.
Join us in making this summer unforgettable for our campers!
Resumes can be sent to summer@bakerdemschool.org.
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Baker Summer Camp - Counselor in Training Program | |
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Baker Summer Discovery Camp 2024 Counselor in Training Program is open!
Our Counselor in Training (CIT) program was created to give campers in rising 7th-9th grade the opportunity to gain leadership skills and learn the basics of working with younger campers, with the help of counselors and lead instructors. CIT’s should come to camp looking to learn and grow as leaders and have shown to be positive people models who show initiative and can hear and respond affirmatively to constructive feedback. CIT’s will swim daily with at least one group of campers and will provide support in other areas such as movement, art, music, group time and lunch times. Sign up HERE.
Interested CIT’s should complete the CIT INTEREST FORM (will be sent via email from summer@bakerdemschool.org after sign-up) to help us appropriately place them within our camp.
30 service hours will be provided for each week of camp.
Questions? Please contact summer@bakerdemschool.org.
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Calling All Middle Schoolers - Rockets for Schools Team | |
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Baker’s Rockets For Schools Team has their first meeting on February 6th!
Rockets for Schools is your opportunity to experience the challenge and excitement of building and launching a six foot tall high-powered rocket. The payload your team designs and builds will be rocketed to an altitude of 3,500 feet by the US Coast Guard over Lake Michigan and recovered for your post flight analysis. When their rocket is not launching, students will be assigned to work at one of the following stations: Recovery, Mission Control, Video Productions, Tracking or Weather Balloon.
Student Commitment
Practices: Tuesdays 3:15-4:45pm Starting Tuesday, Feb 6!
Starting in April, the team will meet on Tuesdays AND Thursdays to prepare for launch weekend!
All Team Members are required to be present during launch weekend activities.
Launch Weekend
Rockets are launched on the weekend of May 10/11 at Spaceport Sheboygan!
Friday, May 10, 2024 - Oral Presentation of Rocket and Payload
Saturday, May 11, 2024 - Rocket Shoot Off with the Coast Guard
Register Here on the BASE Website
Can be found under Winter Enrichments towards the bottom of the page
Please reach out to Owen Ellis at oellis@bakerdemschool.org for more information or to indicate interest.
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On Sunday evening into Monday morning a devastating fire destroyed several art studio and small independent businesses along Wesley & Greenleaf (1400 Greenleaf) in Evanston's West End Arts District including a Baker family business, Fireheads Clay Studio.
There will be an event to benefit the owners of Fireheads Clay Studio, Ware Ceramic Studio, Shaina Young Wellness & Stuart Rogers Photography all proceeds from this event will go to these businesses to help them rebuild and cope with this devastating loss.
Evanston Community Fundraiser & Benefit
Saturday, February 3, 2024
6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Art Makers Outpost
609 South Blvd
Evanston, IL
For more information for this benefit event, to help or donate to the auction/raffle please email val@artmakersoutpost.com.
There is also a GoFundMe set up to directly support Fireheads Clay Studio. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-rebuild-fireheads-clay-studio
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Baker Benefit - Early Bird Tickets Available | |
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The Baker Benefit
Friday, March 8, 2024 | 7:00 p.m.
PALMHOUSE
619 Howard St, Evanston IL, 60202
Tickets are $125 per person
Early bird tickets are $95 and available for a limited time through 2/9
Tickets & Information: bakerbenefit.givesmart.com
The Baker Benefit is our annual fundraising event to benefit The Baker Tuition Assistance Program. Our tuition assistance program benefits many families directly in our community. It allows more families to make a Baker education accessible for their student. More Baker students makes a richer experience for all of us inside and outside the walls of Baker. Baker students go on to do great things!
What is the Baker Benefit?
It's a fun adults only night out. A chance to dress up a little or a lot. There will be friends, food, drinks, dancing, an online auction with fabulous items, and so more! Everyone who loves Baker or loves a person who loves Baker is invited to attend!
What can you do to help?
- Buy tickets and attend the event
- Sponsor a staff ticket
- Donate an auction item or experience
- Share with possible donors or event sponsors
- Take part in the online auction
Our school community plays a big role in donating items and experiences for our auction. Please help us by contributing yourself and reaching out to spread the word to others you think will want to contribute.
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Our hope is that our whole school community can participate in the event. If the ticket price is prohibitive for your family, please reach out to and we will work with you.
Questions? Contact benefit@bakerdemschool.org.
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Baker's Matilda! - Save the Date | |
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Mark your calendar for Baker's Matilda!
We're excited for this all school musical performance.
Wednesday, February 14 at 9:00 a.m.
Dress Rehearsal
Thursday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Performance
Tickets are free!
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Baker's Matilda! - Student Shout Outs Available | |
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Shout Outs
Families with students in Baker's Matilda are invited to create your very own Shout Out design for your student in the production to be added to the show program. Suggested donation of $20. Donations help Baker offer amazing arts programming like this.
Shout Out Examples
"Break a leg, Sally! Love, your parents"
"Have a blast in your performance!"
Decorate your Shout Out with pictures, photos, or encouraging words!
Click on the link below for details and a form to submit your Shout Out.
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Baker Library - Volunteers Needed | |
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Calling all Library Friends!
We are looking for Baker community volunteers to help organize books and more in our library. To express interest or for more information, contact Librarian Charles Jones at cjones@bakerdemschool.org.
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Thank you to the 1st grade room parents for hosting!
This is a chance to socialize with other parents and hear short updates from the BPO Teams. No RSVP is ever needed, just drop in. We would love for you to attend.
February AM BPO Coffee Meetup
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Baker Cafeteria
Questions contact bpo@bakerdemschool.org.
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Helping Our Boys Pursue Belonging and Purpose
February 6, 2024
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
ON ZOOM
JOHN DUFFY, PSY.D.
Clinical psychologist and author of three parenting books
SHAKA A. RAWLS
Principal at Leo High School
HEIDI STEVENS
Chicago-based writer and Director of External Affairs for the University of Chicago’s TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health
Combining different perspectives and populations, John Duffy, Psy.D. (FAN ’20), a clinical psychologist in private practice in the Chicago area specializing in work with adolescents, young adults, and their parents, and Shaka A. Rawls, the principal at Leo High School in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood of Chicago’s South Side, will discuss their strategies for helping teenage boys navigate a world that often feels hostile, hard to fit into, and joyless. Duffy and Rawls will delve into a useful set of solutions for parents, educators, clinicians, and anyone with a stake in helping young men feel invested in—and excited about—their own futures.
Duffy’s brand-new book is Rescuing Our Sons: 8 Solutions to Our Crisis of Disaffected Teen Boys. He has written and contributed to articles for CNN, the Washington Post, The New York Times, Your Teen, and other media outlets. He has shared his expertise through frequent appearances on CNN, the Today show, The Morning Blend, and others. On radio, he is a regularly appearing expert on WGN, WLS and NPR.
Rawls has worked in urban education for more than 20 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Before coming to Leo, he worked for Chicago Public Schools, his efforts focused on the challenges facing public and charter high schools in some of Chicago’s most disadvantaged urban communities. As the first African-American alumnus to serve as principal in Leo’s 96-year history, Rawls has overseen a 65% increase in enrollment over the last five years, as well as a 21% improvement in test scores. Leo has achieved a 100% graduation rate among its seniors in each year of Rawls’ 7-year tenure.
Duffy and Rawls will be in conversation with Heidi Stevens, Director of External Affairs for the University of Chicago’s TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health. Prior to joining TMW, Stevens worked at the Chicago Tribune for 23 years, where she wrote a daily column called “Balancing Act.” She maintains a weekly nationally syndicated column. Stevens also serves as a FAN board member.
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