APRIL 30, 2020
Dear Baker Families, 

Spring is a time when we are immersed in planning for the upcoming school year. This year is no exception.

Our design team composed of staff and faculty representatives meets weekly and is making plans for our 2020-2021 school year. We know that it may look different than in years past. We know that some children may be learning in the virtual environment, while others will be in the place-based environment. We know that we may have waves of in-person and at-home learning. We are preparing for each of these potential eventualities. 

Our mission to educate students and support their healthy development - physically and socio-emotionally is clear: 

  • First, as we prioritize students' growth and socio-emotional development, particularly during a time of global crisis, our school team is adept at engaging children socio-emotionally and committed to developing caring, consistent relationships, all protective factors for children experiencing adverse circumstances. 

  • Second, as we think about opening our school in safe and healthy ways, we have incredible resources at our disposal. Our school building and outdoor spaces are big and our student population is small, which will allow for thoughtful social distancing measures to be enacted. 

  • Finally, as we think about organizational mindset, our school team of teachers and staff is agile, flexible, and creative. While we don’t know the course of this pandemic, we will continue to respond in mission-appropriate ways in order to serve the children in our charge. 

We are grateful for your partnership as we support our students during this time. 

Be well, 
Carly Andrews
Head of School 

P.S. Mr. Zamudio's 6th grade advisory made this video about their favorite Baker memories. You don't want to miss it - you might want to grab a tissue!
Updated Spring 2020 - Calendar Highlights





We know many of you are anxious to retrieve items from Baker including items in your child's locker. We will soon communicate plans for pick-up of personal items as well as 5K t-shirts.
Day of Silence - Wednesday, May 6
The GLSEN Day of Silence is a student-led national event that brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior by illustrating the silencing effect of bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT. This event is sponsored by the Baker Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), and is a school-wide event. This year, the event will be different, of course, since we will not all be at school together. By having this event at Baker, we are bringing awareness to this issue and continuing to teach students about being upstanders rather than bystanders. 

How will Early Childhood - 4th grade participate in this event?
A GSA student leader will record themselves reading a book that includes positive and empowering images of the LGBTQ+ community and will share the video with Prek-4th grade teachers to use during a Zoom meeting. They will talk about the Day of Silence focusing on respect for all types of people and families.The teachers may also have a moment or minutes of silence for those students who choose to participate.

How will 5th-8th grade Baker students participate in this event?
Even remotely, students who choose to participate will not be speaking. Some students will choose to be silent the entire day; others may choose to be silent for a part of the day. Some will participate by being an ally and respecting the choices of others to observe a day of silence. All students will be engaged in normal classroom activities and remote learning on that day and teachers will respect and support their wishes. The GSA has prepared a presentation about Day of Silence which they will be sharing during middle school community time and with the 5th grade classes.

Afternoon Storytelling for PK - 3rd grade
On Wednesday afternoon, since regular classes are not in session, our Storytelling committee is offering a moderated Zoom call of singing, stories and Q&A for our 1st-3rd graders related to Day of Silence. If your child wants to join, simply use Mr. Andrew’s zoom link to join at the appropriate time below. If your child doesn’t currently have Mr. Andrew for drama, your child’s homeroom teacher can share details to join.

Queer Kid Stuff with Lindz
1:00-1:30 - PreK presentation
1:45-2:15 - Kindergarten presentation
2:30-3:15 - 1st-3rd grade
(Almost) Everything You Need to Know about the 5K
Thank you to our presenting sponsor....

 
Information Guide: If you are looking for any details related to the Virtual 5K, you can find them in this Baker Virtual 5K Information Guide!

T-shirts: Yes, there will be t-shirts! Teachers will be collecting sizes in the next week. Logistics will be shared soon to arrange pick-up. Purchase a parent t-shirt for $10 here.


You can read more about sponsor packages here or contact Rachel Yantis.
 
Community Open Studio - Sundays with Ms. Toole
What : Sunday Studio with Ms. Toole


Who: Baker students and staff (and their households)


When: Sundays, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (starting April 26)


Where: Zoom 

Link to participate is in the Remote ASA Google Classroom that all Baker students have access to
FREE "Drop-In" Virtual After School Activities
Class Schedule
T - Yoga with Yoga with Ms. Nichola (PK - 3) 

W - Story and Circle Time with Ms. Hannah (PK - K)

TH - Music and Dance Hour with Ms. Buehler (PK - 3)

F- Weekly Activity Challenge with Mr. Meyer (1- 5)

Participation Instructions
  • All Baker students have been invited (through Google Classroom) to a new classroom called Remote ASAs. Click ACCEPT invitation if you wish to participate.

  • You will then see details for each ASA. On the day and time of the class, simply click the appropriate Zoom link.

  • Just like e-learning, your child will enter the waiting room for the instructor to admit into the class. Please be sure your child's name is listed so the instructor can safely allow participants in.

You do NOT need to pre-register or attend every class. Simply drop-in, using the Zoom links in the Remote ASA Google Classroom, on the days your child wishes to participate.

All ages are welcome to participate, but the ages listed are recommended.
Classes run 3:30 - 4:15 and are in session NOW so join this week if you would like!

Upcoming FAN Event with Dr. Lisa Damour

Managing Stress, Anxiety, and Parenting Under Covid-19
Dr. Lisa Damour  
Zoom Webinar/ May 5, 2020 / 7-8pm 
For more information and to register,   click here
Student Photo of the Week
by Emma, Grade 6