|
Dear Baker families,
Fall is a busy and important time at Baker. We kick off our admissions season with Tour Tuesdays, and admissions' events. Admissions are fundamental to our school’s success. It keeps our school vibrant and growing as 8th graders graduate and move on, and younger students fill in their places. Our best marketing resource is word of mouth, which means all of you! Please spread the word to your neighbors, friends and family about Baker and our upcoming admissions event - Oct. 14th, the Cardboard Challenge. That’s right, we are combining two great events. As Baker families put their creative minds and energies to work building cardboard masterpieces, we will be touring prospective families, showing them the school, but of course also one of our signature family events. The Cardboard Challenge is a great way to bring your friends, neighbors, or family members who have heard you raving about Baker, but haven't toured yet. There are links on our website to sign them up. More details are also included below.
Building Community
We look to connect all of our students and families together, whether it is through school programming, like Baker Buddies or after school events, like the Cardboard Challenge. In addition to the Cardboard Challenge, the Baker Bonfire tomorrow will also be an opportunity for families of our whole school to come together for fun, connections, and community. This year our Bonfire will also have a Soul & Smoke food truck (a local Baker family business) on site to make dinner options even easier. They are also generously donating 10% of the proceeds back to Baker, so fill your plate and help Baker! Don't miss out on this great event.
There are also some wonderful Community Service event possibilities included in the bulletin. Please take the time to read through it and consider pitching in with your children. Giving back to our surrounding communities in the form of service is an important part of who we are, and it is a great chance to model the behavior for the children. It also is a lot of fun and opportunity to meet other Baker families.
Finally, thank you all for your participation in the Head of School Search Candidate visits. Many community members came out to the in-person and Zoom options. The candidates also spent many hours meeting with faculty, admin and staff. Everyone should make sure to include their feedback in the surveys (see links below) so the committee has all the input to make the best informed decision.
Have a great day,
| |
Mason Rocca
Interim Head of School
| |
Head of School Search Candidate Visits | |
|
Dear Baker Community,
Thank you for helping us welcome Seth Hanford, Randy Needlman, and Kate Cicchelli to campus!
All three candidate surveys have been briefly reopened as a final opportunity to make sure we capture community feedback from those who were able to meet with the candidates. The surveys will close at 8:00 PM CST on Friday 10/6.
Seth Hanford survey link
Randy Needlman survey link
Kate Cicchelli survey link
Warmly,
Hilde Kaiser and Ken Powers,
Co-Chairs, Baker Search Committee
| |
BPO - Baker Bonfire w/Soul & Smoke Tomorrow! | |
|
Friday, October 6, 2023
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Evanston Lighthouse Beach (Sheridan & Central)
Gather with Baker families to enjoy s'mores at the fire circle, play at the playground, and be in good company listening to the waves. S'mores fixings will be provided. Drop in after dinner, before dinner, bring your dinner (nut free please), or now support Baker and buy dinner from Soul & Smoke food truck. See menu here. Credit cards and Apple pay accepted.
Baker has arranged for Soul & Smoke food truck to be at the Bonfire this Friday. We're thrilled to be able to support this local Baker-parent owned business, and make dinnertime a little easier after a long week. Added bonus! Soul & Smoke will be giving 10% of the truck's sales that night back to Baker.
Parking is limited, so you may need to use street parking and walk over. We look forward to seeing you and your family. We'll have composting on-site for this event. Thanks to the BPO Sustainability Green Team we aim for this to be a low-waste event. Read more about what you can do here. Soul & Smoke has compostable cups, boats and napkins consider brining your own utensils to keep things low-waste!
We could still use a couple more volunteers for set up, clean up, and low-waste guide. Bonfire Sign-up Sheet
Email bpo@bakerdemschool.org with questions.
| |
|
An announcement went out regarding the upcoming safety drills for this year. Read the complete announcement here. Each year, we conduct different types of safety drills to prepare for emergency and crisis response. The state-mandated drills are evacuation (fire), shelter-in-place (tornado), and lockdown. We also conduct a bus evacuation drill. These drills are designed to prepare students to react during a crisis incident.
We recognize that the lockdown drill may be triggering for some students. Parents/guardians have the option to opt out their student for this drill, and this is the only drill that has an opt out option. If you do NOT want your student to participate in the law enforcement lockdown drill, complete the Lockdown Opt Out form by Monday, October 9th, 2023.
| |
|
October 6
Baker Bonfire 5:00 p.m. - See details below
October 11
School Picture Day
October 14
Baker Cardboard Challenge 11:30 a.m. - See details below
You can view Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar
| |
Picture Day at Baker 2023 | |
|
Picture Day Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Retakes: Wednesday, Nov 15, 2023
You should have received a flyer from your student with info about how to purchase your photo packages. If not, no fear! Here’s the flyer.
Please read this section carefully:
This is a prepay site and ordering will be closed at Midnight the day of Picture Day to process the orders. If parents missed prepaying they will have a chance to order pictures with their child's Ticket Code. When placing an order after Picture Day with a Ticket Code a shipping fee will be added on and picture packages will be shipped directly to the home. Ticket Codes will be delivered with the bulk picture package order approximately three weeks post Picture Day.
Any questions? Please contact our company Color Portraits - info is on the flyer. Or you can contact Becky Crawford at bcrawford@bakerdemschool.org.
| |
11th Annual Cardboard Challenge | |
|
The 11th Annual Cardboard Challenge
Saturday Oct. 14th from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
At Baker in the cafeteria with outdoor option
What will you create? Baker will provide the cardboard boxes, tubes and other fun recycled materials to use. Please bring your own cutting tools (large scissors and box cutters are great), tape (duct tape or packaging tape) and any other tools or extra boxes you might want.
Please bring a refillable water bottle and a nut free snack if needed. All creations must either go home with you or be recycled.
Please RSVP here - so we can plan for material and space needs.
Questions contact jtoole@bakerdemschool.org.
Do you know a family that might be interested in Baker that you'd like to invite or bring to the Cardboard Challenge? Please share our visitor RSVP form with them! This is a wonderful opportunity for them to tour the school and also take part in the Cardboard Challenge.
| |
BASE (Baker After School Enrichment) Registration | |
|
BASE Bonus Day Info + Registration
What is a BASE Bonus Day? These are early release and non-attendance days when BASE offers half or full day care. Bonus Days are not offered on holidays or seasonal breaks. These days are an additional fee to your normal BASE programming and space is limited.
What activities are scheduled? Students participate in outdoor play, choice time, movement, fun swim and library time. Preschool students follow a similar afternoon routine, with quiet/rest time between 1:30-2:30pm. Every full care day is also scheduled with an in-house field trip. In the past we have run Print Shop Clinics, brought in Magicians, Animal Encounters and more!
Are morning and aftercare offered? BASE offers morning care (starting at 7:30am) and after care (ending at 5:00pm). Students that are previously enrolled in a BASE program package are welcome to stay for BASE on these days at no additional charge. Those that are not registered, may stay on a Drop-In basis.
Conference Care -Drop your child off at BASE while you attend conferences! Time can be purchased in 30 min blocks. You will find this registration under the Oct 26 + 27 registration options on the BASE Bonus Day registration page. Then reach out to Erin to schedule your time at BASE. Please note, care is offered until 5:00pm only.
Where do I sign up? Click HERE to access the registration page. All fall days are open for registration.
Fall Bonus Day Specials
October 26 - Conferences
- Half Day Care (11:30-3:15 pm)
- Fun Swim
October 27 - Conferences
- Full Day Care (8:15-3:15 pm)
- Print Shop Clinics
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 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
| |
BPO Community Service Committee - ESCCA | |
|
ESCCA 32nd Annual Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser
Saturday, October 14th from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Independence Park - located in the 2000 block of Central Street
Looking for event volunteers - sign up here.
| |
|
ESCCA (the Evanston School Children's Clothing Association) Needs Volunteers!
Thursday, October 19th - There is an immediate need for volunteers for SERVE - sign up here.
During a SERVE, volunteers help students choose clothing from ESCCA's Shop at 1500 McDaniel, almost like a personal shopper. Volunteering during a SERVE is an especially fun and rewarding experience as you get to interact with a District 65 student, helping them have a warm and positive experience choosing winter clothing for this school year.
Clothing Donations Needed There is a clothing drop-off bin in the front lobby. All clothing should be appropriate for children grades K-8, no used shoes, and no underwear, please.
Please reach out with questions or to express volunteer interest. Email liz.finnamore@gmail.com.
| |
BPO Community Service - Connections for the Homeless | |
|
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 4:00 - 8:00 PM
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Eight Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success - 2 Part Series
Part 1
Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Gorton Center - 400 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest, IL 60045
Part 2
Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
North Shore Country Day School Auditorium - 310 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, IL 60093
MICHELLE ICARD - Speaker, educator, and author interviewed by HEIDI STEVENS - Chicago-based writer and Director of External Affairs for the University of Chicago’s TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health
Every child messes up, sometimes in ways that seem sure to wreck their futures: a bad report card, poor sportsmanship, underaged drinking. These are tough moments for parent and child alike, often complicated by the fear that the misstep is also an indictment of our parenting. But what each of these “fails” has in common for our kids is the precious silver lining of a chance for character building and developing more grit—if we help them process their mistake well.
An invaluable playbook for anxious parents everywhere, Eight Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success by parenting expert Michelle Icard (FAN ’22), offers specific and unexpected advice about what to say, what not to say, and what to do to help children in eight categories of tense situations. Distilled from Icard’s decades of experience working with tweens, teenagers, and families, she underscores that there is always a chance for a child gain new and stronger decision-making skills, and for the parent-child relationship to strengthen.
Icard is the author of Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen (2021) and Middle School Makeover (2014). She has a degree in education and has worked with parents, children, and teachers for more than 20 years. A writer for the Today show parenting team, NBC News Learn, CNN Science and Wellness, and the Washington Post, Icard’s work has also been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, Redbook, Time, and People.
Icard 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.
This event is suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded but not live streamed and will be available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
Click here for more information about these events - Part 1 and Part 2
| | | | |
