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Dear Baker families,
First of all, let me begin by saying a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the amazing Cardboard Challenge last weekend! What a turnout and what a great Baker event we had. An especially huge thank you to our fearless Cardboard Challenge founder, leader, and art teacher extraordinaire, Julie Toole, who made sure that all of the incredible ideas and creative energies bursting from our students’ and parents’ brains were equipped with tools and materials transforming the ideas into cardboard masterpieces. There was so much creativity, collaboration, and community arising in the cafeteria last Saturday that many prospective families that were touring for the first time were amazed and enamored with their experience and the school. We also had several current Baker families in attendance that had toured as prospective families during last year’s Cardboard Challenge, which was a great reminder of how impactful an event it is.
The Cardboard Challenge is a great showcase for prospective families because it is an active demonstration of how Progressive Education happens at Baker. The school provided the tools and the environment, but all the incredible creations came from students’ and their families’ voices and minds. Furthermore, students and families are in community with each other learning and interacting with members from all grade levels.
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Baker Annual Fund 23-24 is Now LIVE! | |
 |  | This is our biggest and most important fundraising campaign of the year. It will last 6 weeks, from Oct. 19th until Dec. 1st. Many families may be asking, “Why do we need to give to Baker if we pay tuition?” This is a great question. Baker, like many schools, is a non-for-profit school. We don’t make money. We also are unlike public schools in that we don’t receive annual funding from the State, Local or Federal government. Almost all of Baker’s revenue comes from tuition, fundraising, and other programming (i.e. BASE and summer camp). Tuition covers about 70% of our expenses, programming another 5-10%, but fundraising accounts for 20-25%, which is a significant amount. Many of the amazing things that we can offer to our students exist only because of donors. Every little bit helps, and no gift is too small. Our family community has a wonderful wide diversity of financial means. We don't ask for a specific amount. We just ask that you make a gift that is meaningful to you and your family. Our goal is 100% participation.
We are a non-profit school, which means that all the money that we raise via tuition and donations goes directly back into running the school. Baker is not owned by anyone, and we don’t have investors that profit off the school. There are private for-profit schools that do have this model, but not Baker. Our Board of Trustees are all volunteers and receive no compensation. We have the ambitious goal of raising $250,000 with our annual fund this year. We currently have over $50,000 pledged, so we’ve already gotten off to a good start. Our Board is leading the way with 100% participation, and our Staff and Faculty have already begun making contributions. Now, we’re looking to our parent community to pick up the baton. Help us keep Baker thriving!
We've made it easy to donate by offering up either GiveSmart (via Credit Card), PayPal, Venmo or check.
Get your donation in today!
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Another important tenet of Progressive Education is giving students opportunities to interact with the world around them. Yesterday was an amazing day weather-wise and I’m thrilled to say that most of the school was outside for a good portion of the day. The Middle School GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance) Club took public transportation down to Andersonville to tour the Women and Children’s First Bookstore. The purpose of the trip was for the students to build community for their club, support an LGBTQIA+ neighborhood, and learn about the history of the bookstore. | |
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As they were leaving Baker to head to the L station, they came across their friends in Preschool who were also headed in the same direction for an excursion to Maple Park. Both groups would pass the Kindergarteners who were on a Wandering Wednesday jaunt as well. Later that day, another group of Middle School students were heading outside with Science Teacher Michelle Rogers, and Math Teacher Sam O’Connor Divelbiss to look for tessellations and translations present in the natural world as well as in man-made structures. Students took photographs of objects with a ruler so they could practice the art of drawing to scale. They also documented and compared adaptations and various traits among organisms that were observed on the walk. This is experiential hands-on learning that is connected to the world our students live in, which is another example of what Progressive Education is all about.
Have a great day,
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Mason Rocca
Interim Head of School
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October 20
Middle School Movie Night 6:00 - 7:30 pm - See details below
October 22
BPO Green Team Garden Workday 12:00 p.m. - See details below
Baker Board of Trustees Community Meet Up 5:00 p.m. - See details below
October 25
BPO Coffee 8:30 a.m. - See details below
October 26
Early Dismissal/BASE Available
Parent teacher conferences - See details below
October 27
No School/BASE Available
Parent teacher conferences - See details below
October 31
Halloween parades
Preschool and Kindergarten, 9:00 p.m. - 9:20 a.m. - See details below
1st Grade through 8th Grade, 2:55 p.m. - 3:10 p.m. - See details below
November 4
Baker Sunrise Celebration 7:00 a.m. - See details below
You can view Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar
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Conference Sign Up & BASE Registration for October 26-27 | |
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Parent-Teacher Fall Conferences Sign Up
Conferences are an important time for teachers and families to meet and discuss the progress of students over the course of the fall. Information about Fall Conferences was sent out on Monday 10/9 in this email.
Fall Conference Schedule
Thursday, October 26 - 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 27 - 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Early Dismissal Schedule - Thursday, October 26
11:15 a.m. - Preschool/Kindergarten
11:30 a.m. - 1st - 8th Grade
Base available (information below)
No School - Friday, October 27
Base available (information below)
Sign up here to select your conference times.
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BASE (Baker After School Enrichment) Registration | |
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Upcoming BASE Bonus Days - Thursday, Oct 26 and Friday, Oct 27
Don’t wait to register for BASE care during Conferences!
Early bird pricing ends this Sunday, October 22.
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 fall BASE days are open for registration.
Fall Bonus Day Specials
- October 26 - Conferences
- Half Day Care (11:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.)
- Fun Swim
- October 27 - Conferences
- Full Day Care (8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.)
- Print Shop Clinics
- November 9 - Institute Day
- Full Day Care (8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.)
- Print Shop Clinics + Mad Science
- December 6 - Professional Development
- Half Day Care (1:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.)
- Fun Swim
Questions? Please contact Erin at esteiner@bakerdemschool.org or at ext. 5823.
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Important Halloween Information | |
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Halloween Parade Details
Families are invited to attend and watch the Halloween parades. Please note that there are two separate parades:
Preschool and Kindergarten, 9:00 - 9:20 a.m.
1st Grade through 8th Grade, 2:55 - 3:10 p.m.
Halloween Parade for Preschool and Kindergarten, 9:00 a.m., Baker Field. Students will attend school at the regular time. Then, with their class and teachers they will walk to the Field for their parade which will run from 9:00 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. After the parade, they will return to their classrooms with their class and teachers.
Halloween Parade for Grades 1 - 8, at 2:55 p.m., Baker Field. Students in 1st - 8th grade will gather on the Field at 2:55 p.m. for the Halloween Parade. The parade will end at 3:10 p.m. in time for carpool to begin at 3:20 p.m.
Teal Pumpkin Project
At Baker, we are aware that Halloween may be difficult for children who have allergies. If your family will be participating in trick-or-treating we encourage you to learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project, to make the day inclusive and safe for children with food allergies.
Community Guidelines
We acknowledge that some families do not celebrate Halloween. If you prefer for your child(ren) not to participate in the Halloween Parade, please fill out this opt out form.
For families participating in Halloween, it is important to be mindful of Baker's Halloween Guidelines as you plan your children's costumes. We are aware that not everyone celebrates Halloween and will be sensitive to students and faculty who will not be wearing a costume or participating in Halloween celebrations. If your child does choose to wear a costume, please keep these parameters for how they may need to adjust their attire at school:
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Please give thoughtful consideration to your child’s costume. This article offers tips and guidelines to be mindful of potential issues related to cultural appropriation, cultural stereotypes, or costumes that marginalize others. This article talks about the #IAmNotACostume campaign which draws awareness to the problematic nature of many Halloween costumes. Another good source is this Teen Vogue video: My culture is not a costume (appropriate for middle school students).
- No masks (other than any mask needed for safety related to COVID-19) or weapons are allowed as they may present a safety concern for children. Young children, in particular, are often upset by violent, scary, or gory costumes.
- Students are still expected to be able to participate in the school day so please be mindful of costumes that make it challenging for students to move around the school safely. Students must wear appropriate footwear.
What is the History of Halloween?
Want to learn more? Read about the holiday and customs in this article put out by the History Channel.
* Photo: Ms. Irma's 4th grade Spanish class with their pumpkin piñatas
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Board of Trustees Community Meet Ups | |
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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 one or more of the following days and places! Questions? email Shana Bernstein
Sunday October 22 - 5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Temperance Beer Co., 2000 Dempster St, Evanston
Friday November 3 - 8:45 a.m - 10:00 a.m.
Central Station Coffee and Tea, 1150 Central Ave, Wilmette
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Middle School Movie Night | |
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All Baker Middle School students are invited to attend Tim Burton's stop-motion animation "The Nightmare Before Christmas." tomorrow at Baker from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.
If your child is planning to attend, a chaperone will be checking students at the front doors at 6:00 p.m. Running time for the movie is just shy of 1 hour and 20 minutes, so we will be beginning as close to 6:00 as possible and dismissing in time for 7:30 p.m. pick-up.
Students in attendance will be required to stay for the entirety of the movie unless they are picked up at the front doors by a pre-approved adult. If families are planning to carpool at the end of the night, please respond directly to Tyler Leach or check in directly with the chaperone at the front door to let us know!
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BPO Community Service - Connections for the Homeless | |
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The Baker Community Service Team is planning on bringing and serving a BBQ dinner to the residents at the Margarita Inn. The Margarita Inn is an emergency homeless shelter provided by Connections for the Homeless in Evanston. This is a great opportunity for the Baker Community including our students to give back and bring a little joy to the residents of the shelter.
The event will take place on October 22nd from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
*Please note new start time
We are asking for volunteers to make or bring food, help setup, help serve the food, and help clean up. If you are interested please go to the Sign Up Genius and sign up!
If you have any questions please email Justin Travis at allowishes@gmail.com.
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Last month we harvested tomatoes, peppers, chard, lemon balm, chives, thyme, and potatoes. We also cut an array of flowers for bouquets. Snapdragon, aster, butterfly bush, and zinnias were among the selected. Thanks to families that came out.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at our next workday, when we’ll finish harvesting and start our clean up. Everyone is welcome!
Next workday Sunday, October 22 - 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Green Team upcoming Meeting Dates
Tuesdays Oct 24, Nov 14, Dec 5, & Jan 23
7:30 p.m. via Zoom
Email bakerdemsfam2027moss@gmail.com or lynette_stuhlmacher@yahoo.com with questions.
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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.
October BPO Coffee
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Baker Cafeteria
Questions contact bpo@bakerdemschool.org.
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Baker Sunrise Celebration | |
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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.
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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
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Explore Pilsen with the Baker Parent EqAT Team | |
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Join us to celebrate the history, culture, language, traditions and art
of this amazing Chicago neighborhood!
When: Saturday, October 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.. The BPO EqAT (Equity Action Team) invites all families to meet up. We will meet at the National Museum of Mexican Art for their annual El Día de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead exhibit.
Location: The National Museum of Mexican Art is located at 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608. There is street parking in the neighborhood and it is also easily accessible by public transportation (Pink line to Damen or 18th street stop). The Museum is fully accessible.
Details: We will meet at the playground adjacent to the Museum at 11am. The Museum hours are 10-5 on the weekends. Museum admission is free. More about the exhibit here. Exhibit is in Spanish and English. Baker’s very own Art Teacher, Julie Toole will be there to travel through the museum together, and we hope to eat as a group afterwards in a nearby restaurant to sample some local flavors. Families are free to create their own adventures, and we are happy to point you in the right direction!
Please RSVP to kalpert@bakerdemschool.org to be included in emails with meetup details.
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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! | |
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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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Women in Science Now: Stories and Strategies for Achieving Equity
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
On ZOOM
LISA M.P. MUNOZ - Science writer, author, and founder and president of SciComm Services in conversation with VANESSA BOHNS, PH.D. - Social psychologist, author, professor, and chair of organizational behavior at Cornell University's ILR School
Women working in the sciences face obstacles at virtually every step along their career paths. From subtle slights to blatant biases, deep systemic problems block women from advancing or push them out of science and technology entirely. Science writer Lisa M.P. Munoz’s new book, Women in Science Now: Stories and Strategies for Achieving Equity, examines solutions to this persistent gender gap, offering new perspectives on how to make science more equitable and inclusive for all. The book shares stories and insights of women from a range of backgrounds working in various disciplines, illustrating the journeys that brought them to the sciences, the challenges they faced along the way, and the important contributions they have made to their fields. Ms. Munoz combines these narratives with a wealth of data to illuminate the size and scope of the challenges women scientists face, while highlighting research-based solutions to help overcome these obstacles. She presents groundbreaking studies in social psychology and organizational behavior that are informing novel approaches for combating historic and ongoing inequities.
Ms. Munoz is the founder and president of SciComm Services, a science communications consulting firm. She develops, leads, and executes communication strategies for science groups, including VC funds, sci-tech startups, scientific societies and academic research groups, international organizations, and other institutions.
Ms. Munoz will be in conversation with Vanessa Bohns, Ph.D., a social psychologist, professor, and chair of organizational behavior at the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University (the ILR School), and author of the 2021 book You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters.
This event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
For more information about this event click here.
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