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Dear Baker families,
Showtime is right around the corner and Baker finds itself deep in the magical world of Matilda!
Preparing for a musical like Matilda takes an enormous amount of work and patience from our students. This is the first time Baker has produced a performance of this scale, including grades 1st through 8th in almost every aspect of the production. This has been an exciting undertaking for our students. Together with Dr. Courville and Mrs. Dow, our talented musical director and choreographer, we’ve worked with students in both our weekly specials classes and Arts Core. Slowly we’ve pieced together Matilda the Musical and on every Friday morning we have a schoolwide rehearsal with the 1st through 8th graders. It really is a magical moment to see all of our students working together to create ART.
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As someone who has been part of the acting and theatre community for almost 30 years, I am still in awe of the magic of theatre. The amount of passion, drive and talent that exudes for our Baker students is a testament to the importance of a thriving arts community. The students at Baker are exceptionally gifted in the arts and producing this school wide musical has given space for our students to shine. As a director and theatre artist, I couldn’t be prouder of the work our students are doing on this production. I often tell my kids, my goal as your director is to make sure we tell a vibrant and coherent story but more importantly, my goal is for you to have FUN.
The same applies to you, the Baker Families! I’m thrilled you will all have the opportunity to step into the zany and imaginative world of Matilda and I hope you have as much fun watching the show as we’ve had preparing it for you.
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Shannon Webber
Drama Teacher / 4th & 5th Grade Associate
Pronouns - She/Her/Hers
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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 11
Last day for Matilda Shout Outs - See details below
February 13
Dine & Donate at Soul & Smoke - 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
February 16
Middle School Arts Core Share 10:00 a.m.
February 19 - 20
Mid-Winter Break - No School / No BASE
March 8
Baker Benefit - See details below
You can view Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar
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Preview Nights | ZOOM - 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.
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
March 14, 2024 - Conferences
- Half Day Care (11:30-3:15 pm)
- Fun Swim (Kinder - 8th)
March 15, 2024 - Conferences
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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There's still time to join Baker’s Rockets For Schools Team
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 - 4:45 p.m.
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
Contact Owen Ellis with question oellis@bakerdemschool.org.
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Dine & Donate - Soul & Smoke | |
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Grab dinner, support Baker, and support a Baker family business!
Dine in, order out, or get dinner delivered on Tuesday, February 13th.
10% of sales goes back to supporting Baker. Use code "BAKER" on carry-out and delivery orders.
Valid at Soul & Smoke
1601 Payne St Evanston IL 60201
11AM - 8PM
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Baker's Matilda! - Showtimes | |
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It's time for Baker's Matilda!
We're excited for this all school musical performance.
Wednesday, February 14 at 9:00 a.m.
Dress Rehearsal - Please RSVP (by 2/13 at 3pm)
Thursday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Performance - No RSVP Necessary
Details
The Dress Rehearsal & Performance will take place in Baker's Gymnasium. There is no cost for tickets to either performance. Please consider a program Shout Out (info below.)
An RSVP is strongly encouraged to attend the Dress Rehearsal on Wed. 2/14. Please RSVP by 2/13 at 3pm. If you do not RSVP, or are not already in the raptor system, please allow extra time to have a your ID scanned and a visitor badge printed. An RSVP is not necessary for the Thursday evening performance. We look forward to sharing this show with you!
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Baker's Matilda! - Student Shout Outs | |
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Please submit Shout Outs by Sun 2/11!
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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Middle School Winter Arts Core Share | |
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Middle School families are invited to the Middle School Winter Arts Core Share
Friday, February 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Baker Library
See work from Middle School Art Core classes:
- Maker Space
- Photo Essay
- Cartooning
- Open Studio
Drama, Band, Dance & Choir work will be featured at the Matilda performance on Thursday 2/15.
Questions contact Julie Toole jtoole@bakerdemschool.org.
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Baker Benefit - Last Chance for Early Bird Tickets | |
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What is the Baker Benefit?
It's a fun adults only night out. 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! We recommend cocktail attire but ultimately, just be as festive or comfortable as you wish!
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!
The Baker Benefit
Friday, March 8, 2024 | 7:00 p.m.
PALMHOUSE
619 Howard St, Evanston IL, 60202
Tickets & Information: bakerbenefit.givesmart.com
Tickets are $125 per person
Early bird tickets are $95 and available for a limited time through 2/9
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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 or attend.
More Information: bakerbenefit.givesmart.com
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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Thank You to Our Sponsors | |
Community Service - Connections for the Homeless | |
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Calling all 4th grade and 5th grade families.
We are reaching out to invite you to help us in a class volunteer opportunity to make bagged lunches to be distributed to the homeless in Evanston by Connections for the Homeless.
This is a wonderful program where they give out bagged lunches to the homeless in hopes to get them into the shelter to provide the help and support they need.
You can participate in a number of ways.
- You can donate food or your time or both!
- We need food for the bagged lunches
- We need helpers to make the sandwiches and pack the lunches
- We need adult supervisors
- We need an adult to drop off the bagged lunches to Connections for the Homeless.
Service Date: Thursday, February 22
If you would like to volunteer your time please click on one of the links below:
4th Grade Sign Up
5th Grade Sign Up
Questions contact Justin Travis at allowishes@gmail.com.
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The 5 Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans
February 8, 2024
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
ON ZOOM
ALIZA PRESSMAN, PH.D.
Developmental psychologist and cofounding director of The Mount Sinai Parenting Center
TINA PAYNE BRYSON, PH.D.
Psychotherapist, bestselling author, and the founder and executive director of The Center for Connection and of The Play Strong Institute
In the age of high-pressure parenting, when so many of us we feel like we’ve got to get everything exactly right the first time, Aliza Pressman, Ph.D. is the compassionate, reassuring expert we all need—and the one whose advice we can all use. Already beloved by listeners of her hit podcast, Raising Good Humans, Dr. Pressman distills it all in her new book, The 5 Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans. She offers a handful of strategies: Relationship, Reflection, Regulation, Rules, and Repair.
No matter how you were raised, how your coparent behaves, or how your kids have been parented up until now, you can start using The 5 Principles of Parenting to chart a manageable course for raising good humans that’s aligned with your own values and with your children’s unique temperaments. Whether you’re in the trenches with a toddler or a tween, it’s never too late to learn to use these 5 principles to reparent yourself and help your kids build the resilience they need to thrive.
Dr. Pressman is an assistant clinical professor in the Division of Behavioral Health Department of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital where she is cofounding director of The Mount Sinai Parenting Center. She will be in conversation with Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., author of The Bottom Line for Baby and co-author, with Dan Siegel, MD (FAN ’16) of The Power of Showing Up, The Yes Brain, and two New York Times bestsellers: The Whole-Brained Child and No-Drama Discipline.
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