MARCH 16, 2020
Dear Families,

Thank you for your support and patience as we move into our e-learning period which begins tomorrow. We are grateful for the collaboration of other independent schools locally as we have all navigated this unique moment together, finding ways to continue to provide our students with the care, engagement, and structure that comes with in-person learning. 

At Baker, we aim to continue to deliver developmentally-appropriate, engaging learning opportunities while also recognizing that your families are all juggling a lot of moving parts at home right now. In keeping with our progressive mission, teachers are planning a variety of learning experiences, many of which don't require screen time, in order to support children in meeting learning goals.

We know that we will have adjustments to make along the way and all of us will likely have frustrating moments as we navigate this new way of working and learning. Please reach out if you need any help at all. You will receive more details specifically related to your child/ren from classroom teachers (PK-5) and advisors, teachers and the All School Team (6-8). General information is below.

Please note updated information in the logistical details below impacting our return to school date of Tuesday, March 31, due to Governor JB Pritzker's announcement on Friday.

Be well,
Logistical Details
  • The building will be closed beginning today and will undergo a deep cleaning

  • Today, March 16, is a Teacher Preparation Day

  • E-learning will run from Tuesday, March 17 - Friday, March 20 

  • Spring Break is as scheduled from Monday, March 23 - Friday, March 27

  • In accordance with Governor JB Pritzker's announcement on Friday, we will now plan to return to school on Tuesday, March 31 which means e-learning plans are in effect for Monday, March 30.

  • Teachers will post their daily learning plan in Google Classroom no later than 9:00 a.m. each e-learning day

  • The operational areas of the school will continue to function as usual but remotely (Finance, Communications, Advancement, Admission & Enrollment Management, etc.)

  • If your child is sick and unable to participate in e-learning for the day, follow regular reporting procedures by calling 847-425-5800. Otherwise, to be marked present for the day, students are expected to participate in the e-learning activities posted on Google Classroom to the best of their ability

  • Our main line, 847-425-5800 will remain open and answered remotely from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday and through March 20 and after spring break (week of March 30)  

  • Basic information about e-learning can be found on our website 

  • More information on Google Classroom can be found here

  • If you need to contact another Baker family, you can access the directory through ParentsWeb. The school district code for Baker is bds-il
e-Learning Details for PK&K
  • Teachers will be posting daily explorations including projects, play ideas, as well as screencasts for Spanish, Music, and Reading on the days students would regularly have specials.

  • All of this material will be able to be accessed through Google Classroom. 

  • In order to ensure safety and Baker’s ability to provide tech support, we have assigned each student an email account within our Baker domain. You should have received an email with the subject line, Baker Student Log-in Information. Reach out to communications@bakerdemschool.org if you have not received this. Reach out to tech@bakerdemschool.org if you are having any trouble accessing your child's account. 
e-Learning Details for 1st-3rd Grades
  • Classroom teachers will be posting daily assignments and explorations including projects and assignments as well as screencasts and learning materials. All School Team (AST) teachers will be posting assignments and explorations on the days students would normally attend the class.  

  • All of this material will be able to be accessed through Google Classroom. 

  • In order to ensure safety and Baker’s ability to provide tech support, we have assigned each student an email account within our Baker domain. You should have received an email with the subject line, Baker Student Log-in Information. Reach out to communications@bakerdemschool.org if you have not received this. Reach out to tech@bakerdemschool.org if you are having any trouble accessing your child's account. 
e-Learning Details for 4th-5th Grades
  • Classroom teachers will be posting daily assignments and explorations including projects and assignments as well as screencasts and learning materials. All School Team (AST) teachers will be posting assignments and explorations on the days students would normally attend the class.  

  • Intermediate students will access their coursework on their school-issued Chromebooks in Google Classroom. 

  • In order to ensure safety and Baker’s ability to provide tech support, we have enabled the email feature for student’s Google accounts. While Intermediate students already have experience with Classroom and Google Docs, the email tool is new, and should be used for contacting teachers and classmates only - with a school focus. 
e-Learning Details for 6th-8th Grades
  • Middle School students will continue to access their coursework on their school-issued Chromebooks through their pre-existing Baker Google accounts. Course information will be updated daily by teachers on their Google Classroom pages.

  • Class interactions will happen through Google Classroom and may be accessed by students throughout the day. Students engage in class materials and complete work at their own pace, typically within a given timeframe, often using the main functions of Google Classroom to drive peer-to-peer engagement. 

  • Guardian updates will continue as they have through the school year. If you are having difficulty receiving Guardian updates, please reach out to tech@bakerdemschool.org.
Support & Communication
Remote learning requires access to equipment and high-speed internet. If you need support with this, or with any other hardship this change may pose to your family, please share it with me. 

There are a few measures in place that might help:

  • We have a limited number of devices available on loan. Contact us if you need to borrow a device to arrange a pick-up time.

Communication
We will continue to utilize a weekly Baker Bulletin on Thursdays to communicate regular updates. If we have any additional news to share, we will communicate as needed.

Community
Situations like these offer us a real opportunity for reflection. As a community we have the opportunity to step back from our normal practices and follow the guidelines of public health officials in order to ensure that the most vulnerable in our community are able to get the support that they need. It is a time to reflect on what it means to be a member of a wider community, on what it means to be a good neighbor and friend. We would encourage you to be in conversation with your children about these topics.

Support Services
Cynthia Eudy, Baker’s Social Worker, is continuing to reach out to students on her caseload during this time. We know that this is a challenging time; please reach out if you’d like to connect with her. Lauren Librando and Colin Meyer, Baker’s learning support team, are continuing to work with students on their caseload with learning challenges that may arise during this time of e-learning.