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What I truly appreciate about Baker is its strong foundation in Progressive Education. It's a place where students learn by doing. They engage in activities together, they collaborate, and that enhances relationships and strengthens the bonds between them.
In addition to my role as a fourth-grade teacher, I also serve as the faculty representative for the BPO Garden, Sustainability and Service Teams. I find these roles deeply fulfilling because they allow me to be an active part of our wonderful community and work in that collaborative space. I get to feel that deep sense of community. I have the privilege to work alongside dedicated parents like Natasha and William Moss, who lead the Garden Team, Lynette Stuhlmacher, who heads the Sustainability Team, and Justin Travis, who guides our Baker Service Team. These parents go above and beyond, creating opportunities for our students to apply their knowledge to the world and these are perfect ways to get connected to the greater Baker community.
So, I extend an invitation to you. Come join us! Our strength lies in the collective contributions of our families, whether it's time, talents, or resources. We all gain a deeper sense of community through our shared experiences and working together.
Join us at the Baker Sunrise Celebration on Saturday, November 3rd. It's a long-standing tradition and a casual community gathering. Bring your coffee and your kids and head to Lighthouse Beach at 7 am. The sunrise is scheduled for 7:26 am, and we'll welcome the day together. If you wish, you can stick around and connect with fellow families after. Lynette is planning a beach clean up and the Moss' will be working in the Baker garden. And, keep an eye out for many ongoing service and green events.
Our community is a tapestry of diverse talents and interests, and we're thrilled that you're a part of it.
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Mark McLennan (he/him)
Grade 4
P.S. Help yourself to some of the last batch of delicious chard from the garden!
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Baker Annual Fund & Family Gym n' Swim | The Annual Fund has started and we’ve got an ambitious goal of $250,000, so we need families to come together and help support our school! To help build connections with each other and further deepen our community, we are hosting a Family Gym n’ Swim at Baker next Friday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. For those of you new to this concept, we are opening our gym and pool to our families to utilize with their children. It is a great way to wind down the week, let the kids play and for parents to meet each other. Last year we celebrated achieving our Annual Fund goal with a Gym n’ Swim event, and this year we’re going to have one to build energy for the Annual Fund. Make your donation and RSVP today! | |
Baker Family Gym & Swim
November 3rd from 5:00-7:00pm
Baker is excited to welcome families to the gym and pool on 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.
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Baker Annual Fund - Why I give to Baker | We are spotlighting community members who are sharing why they give to Baker. Our first member is former Baker Board Chair, and current Board member, George Gaines. George is an alum parent as well as a current grandparent of a Baker student. We so appreciate his service to Baker, and sharing why he gives so much time, talent and treasure to Baker. There are many wonderful stories of why families give to Baker, so please reach out to us if you’d like to put one together and we’ll happily share it with our community. | |
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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 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
You can view Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar
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Gratitude Notes - Conferences | |
We hope that you have a wonderful experience with your parent teacher conferences today and tomorrow. The teachers spend 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 feel that during these two days!
Gratitude Notes
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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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BASE (Baker After School Enrichment) Registration | |
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October 26 + 27 BASE Bonus Days are at capacity!
Registration for Bonus Days on November 9 and December 6 are still open.
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.
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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 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
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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 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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The Green Team is planning on workdays following the Sunrise Celebration! This includes a Sustainability Beach Clean Up and a Garden Workday. Come to the Sunrise Celebration on Saturday, November 4, 2023 and learn more or email below and we'll keep you in the loop as we finalize plans.
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.
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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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BPO Community Service - Connections for the Homeless | |
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The Baker BBQ Dinner at the Margarita Inn was a huge success! Thank you SO much to all the volunteers that donated their time and food for the event. We fed nearly 50 people on Sunday and even sang happy birthday to a little boy that was a resident. Everyone was very appreciative and I think I speak for everyone in saying that the joy we felt being there was unmatched.
The best part is that it doesn’t have to end with Sunday’s dinner. Anyone can volunteer to cook or bring dinner to the Margarita Inn. If you want more information please contact Keegan Olson at kolson@connect2home.org
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Teacher & Staff Pie Drive | |
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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!
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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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Ours Was the Shining Future: The Story of the American Dream
Wednesday, November 2, 2023, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
On ZOOM
DAVID LEONHARDT
Pulitzer Prize-winning senior writer for The New York Times
MATTHEW DESMOND, PH.D.
Maurice P. During Professor of Sociology, Princeton University
Two decades into the twenty-first century, the stagnation of living standards has become the defining trend of American life. Life expectancy has declined, economic inequality has soared, and, after some progress, the Black-white wage gap is once again as large as it was in the 1950s. How did this happen in the world’s most powerful country? And what happened to the “American dream”—the promise of a happier, healthier, more prosperous future—which was once such an inextricable part of our national identity? Read More.
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