November 2, 2023

Dear Baker families,

I was asked recently why reading is so important? For me, books are gateways into other worlds, and thus, build empathy. Whether it's non-fiction or fantasy, our readers form bridges of understanding as they read the plotline of an individual, seeing how their beliefs impact their choices. Books become Windows & Mirrors, making our readers genuinely care about the experiences of people around them. Reading is also important because it is a skill: when students read consistently, they will increase the number of books they can engage with. In turn, confidence is built. Also, let's not forget reading is fun! Fancy benefits aside, it's great to see our students find joy in reading. That is the most important aspect of all!

In the Baker library, we focus deeply on the student experience, so student choice stands as a prominent pillar. Every reader can make their way through the space and pick out a book of their choosing. With every book they select, they are building strong levels of autonomy. As librarian my role is to give suggestions of new books when a reader is unsure of what to choose. I balance this by encouraging readers to go deeper in existing areas of interest, while also exploring other new genres. This holds a deep value. A reader will never fully grasp what their interests are unless they explore. In this way, I get to provide students the roadmap of interesting sites to visit on their reading journey.

Later this month the Baker Book Fair will return. Read the details below. I encourage you to volunteer, shop, and spread the word. Every book that is purchased at the Book Fair directly supports the library, enhancing our Baker reading community. Thank you in advance!

Blessings,

Charles Jones

Teaching & Learning Librarian

6th Grade Language Arts Teacher

BISOC Affinity Group Advisor

Baker Family Gym n' Swim Tomorrow, Join Us!

Baker Family Gym & Swim

November 3rd from 5:00-7:00pm

Baker is excited to welcome families to the gym and pool tomorrow, November 3rd from 5:00-7:00pm for a night of fun and games! The gym will be open from 5:00-7:00pm, with an open court, play mats and bounce house (suitable for grades PreK - 3rd Grade). The pool is open in two 1-hour time slots, each with a max of 25 participants at a time. Sign up now to reserve your time and sign a mandatory waiver form.

Baker Annual Fund - Support Us Today!

After you RSVP to the Gym n' Swim drop us a quick donation. If you think of all the wonderful things happening this week at Baker - 6th grade trip to the Indiana Dunes, Flag Football for 4th & 5th graders, Sunrise celebration, MS basketball starting next week, new table saw in the Makerspace, 4th & 5th grade field trip for Baker Business School, Halloween parades - you can see how we put those donations to good work! Help us continue to offer amazing progressive educational experiences and community building opportunities to our school, thank you!

1. Give through PayPal using the link. You may set up a monthly gift if you would like.

2. Give a one-time donation using Venmo.

3. Give with a credit card through GiveSmart.

4. Give by sending a direct payment by check or Donor Advised Fund to Baker Demonstration School (Attn: Advancement Office, 201 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091)

All donations are tax-deductible.

Calendar Highlights

November 3

Baker Board of Trustees Community Meet Up 8:45 a.m. - See details below

Gym & Swim Event at 5:00 pm. - See details below

November 4

Baker Sunrise Celebration 7:00 a.m. - See details below

November 9

Faculty/Staff Institute Day - No School/ BASE Available

November 10

Veterans Day - No School / No BASE

November 13

Book Fair Begins - See details below

You can view Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar

Gratitude Notes - Conferences

We hope that you had a wonderful experience with your parent teacher conferences last week. The teachers spent a lot of time and care into providing you the complete picture of your child's experience thus far at Baker. If you'd like to send a little note of appreciation their way, it will be a well-received. We put great emphasis on relationships in our school and we hope that you felt that during conferences!

Gratitude Notes

BASE (Baker After School Enrichment) Registration

Registration for Bonus Days on November 9 and December 6 are open and accepting registrations. 

Click HERE to access the registration page.

• November 9 - Institute Day
• Full Day Care (8:15-3:15 pm)
• Print Shop Clinics + Mad Science 
• December 6 - Professional Development
• Half Day Care (1:00 - 3:15 pm)
• Fun Swim 

Questions? Please contact Erin at esteiner@bakerdemschool.org or at ext. 5823.

Board of Trustees Community Meet Ups

Please join members of the Board of Trustees for a series of informal community meet ups. Feel free to drop in for conversation, to learn more about us and what Trustees do, and share thoughts about Baker. We hope to see you at our remaining event! Questions? email Shana Bernstein

Friday November 3 - 8:45 a.m - 10:00 a.m.

Central Station Coffee and Tea, 1150 Central Ave, Wilmette

Baker Sunrise Celebration

Join the 4th & 5th Grade Families for a Sunrise Celebration

All Baker families welcome! We'll gather together and greet the dawn for a moment of shared connection with each other, nature, and a reminder of the beauty and wonder in the world. Dress warm!

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Meet at 7:00 a.m. - Sunrise at 7:27a.m.

Lighthouse Beach in Evanston

Questions contact kalpert@bakerdemschool.org.

BPO Green Team & Beach Clean Up Event

Join Baker's Green Team for a Beach Cleanup

Immediately following the Sunrise Celebration event at Lighthouse Beach on Saturday, November 4!

We'll meet from the end of the sunrise gathering (approx 7:30 a.m.) until 8:30 a.m. Bring gloves and buckets if you have them.

Please register at this link with the Alliance for the Great Lakes to officially join the group. There is a liability waiver included. Questions contact lynette_stuhlmacher@yahoo.com.

Green Team - Upcoming Planning Meeting Dates

Tuesdays Nov 14, Dec 5, & Jan 23

7:30 p.m. via Zoom - email for link

Email bakerdemsfam2027moss@gmail.com and lynette_stuhlmacher@yahoo.com.

Baker Book Fair

Baker's Annual Book Fair is coming soon! Join us for a fun filled

week of shopping from hundreds of items including graphic

novels, young adult books, chapter, and picture books. Oh

yeah...there will be some toys as well!

Remember all proceeds benefit Baker! 

Important Dates

Wednesday November 8th

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Students and teachers preview all the books and make their wishlists.

Monday November 13th & Tuesday November 14th

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Book Fair is open to everyone. Shop till you drop!

Wednesday November 15th 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Last day of Book Fair. Grab those last-minute items fast!

Calling all volunteers! We can't do this without you. Please click on the Sign Up Genius and join us on making this the best Baker Book Fair yet!

If you have any questions please email Justin Travis at allowishes@gmail.com

BPO Community Service Spotlight - Bundled Blessings

Diapers are material basic necessities all children require, as essential as food, shelter, and clothing. Yet, most state and national safety-net programs do not recognize diapers as a basic need.

How can we help?

Bundled Blessings is a diaper bank created in 2013 in response to the diaper need experienced by low income families in our community. An outreach program of First United Methodist Church of Evanston and is a member of the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN).

Bundled Blessings works with 18 partner agencies to distribute a monthly supplement of diapers to 700+ children in Evanston & surrounding communities. That is 37,000 diapers each month!

The all-volunteer staff provides information about diaper need, assists families in locating diapers, distributes bundles of diapers, offers opportunities for volunteer service, raises money through diaper drives, grants, fundraising events, and solicits individual and corporate donations.

You can go to their website today and find out how to make a diaper or monetary donation. You can also host a diaper drop-off barrel at your place of business. Or you can host a diaper drive, and that is what we’re going to do here at Baker!

We are adding diapers to our November Food Drive. More details to come.

Questions contact Justin Travis at allowishes@gmail.com.

Teacher & Staff Pie Drive

Please join us in giving thanks to our fabulous Baker Teachers & Staff by signing up to purchase a Pie (or two) for our annual Pie Drive. 

The Teacher & Staff Appreciation team will collect the money using our Cheddar Up collection page. Then we will purchase the pies and delivery them to to school for the teachers and staff to take home and enjoy with their families for the Thanksgiving holidays.

If you would like to purchase pies, please use this link.

(Choose the Echeck option to avoid the bank fee.)

Thank you in advance for your support in this time honored tradition of giving thanks!

BPO Parents Coffee

The BPO (Baker Parents Organization) will be hosting a BPO Coffee. Please drop in after drop off. 

All are welcome! This is a chance to socialize with other parents and hear short updates from the BPO Teams. No RSVP needed.

November BPO Coffee

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Baker Library

Questions contact bpo@bakerdemschool.org.

Baker After School Sports Photos

We are looking for Baker athletics photos! If you have any photos from the fall soccer of flag football seasons, please email them to Curry Berg at cberg@bakerdemschool.org. Go Baker! 

Pop Up Spirit Wear

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. 

FAN Event

Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World

Monday, November 6, 2023, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

On ZOOM

DEVORAH HEITNER, PH.D.

Educator, consultant, and author of Growing Up in Public and Screenwise

HEIDI STEVENS

Chicago-based writer and Director of External Affairs for the University of Chicago’s TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health

With social media and constant connection, the boundaries of privacy are stretched thin. Devorah Heitner, Ph.D.’s new book Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World shows parents how to help tweens and teens navigate boundaries, identity, privacy, and reputation in their digital world. Read More.