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Dear Baker families,
We are into our second week of school! While the buzzy excitement of the first few days may have tapered off somewhat, I'm happy to say that the smiles throughout the day, and thumbs up at the end of the day haven't.
Our first big parent event in the building is coming up next week and it is our Back To School Night. Here you will get to meet with your child(ren)'s teacher(s) and hear a little bit of what they have planned for the year. In addition, tomorrow I will be sending out a State of the School video series. In these videos you will hear from a lot of the leaders responsible for different areas of the school. My hope is that you will learn a bit more about how our school operates and also learn about ways to help out. During the Back To School Night we will also be having a Q & A session with the administrative leadership team and Baker Board members for any questions stemming from the videos or other areas.
But enough about the boring grown up stuff, let's get back to the kids! While being an administrator means that I often am in meetings and dealing with logistical issues, the highlights of my day are when I get to sneak out and catch the magic happening in the classrooms. Today, I was able to sit in during a 7th grade science class where there was an incredibly engaging discussion about who stole the computer chip (not the chocolate chip). This detective mystery run by our 6th and 7th grade science teacher, Michelle Rogers, involved a shadowy cast of characters including my favorite suspect, Cowboy Paul. The students bounced numerous hypotheses and theories over whodunit using clues, evidence, hunches, intuition and my favorite reasoning, "I think he did it because his name is suspicious." As a former teacher, one way that I measured how successful my classes were, was seeing how many students spoke up and engaged verbally with the material. When you talk about the content you make connections in ways that are deeper than just with paper and pencil. During this great science class, I saw just about everyone in the class jumping in to give their insight and respond to others.
While sitting in desks or tables is a part of most school days, we also know how important it is to move our bodies. There is no one who can get a group moving better than our Movement teacher, Mary Dow. Check out this video clip of 8th graders getting down in Movement class. Principal Collins and I had the pleasure of being invited to the class and we both remarked that we wanted to have a dance class like that too! Perhaps we'll include one for our next institute day...hmmm.
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We have a ton of BPO updates in this newsletter below, so please check them out and see if you'd like to volunteer for anything. A big SHOUTOUT to all the Class Parents who have volunteered to help out. The class parents are a phenomenal help to teachers and the school, and we are thrilled with the group of volunteers, you can see the list below.
Finally, I'm going to keep plugging our Gratitude Notes. We have already received some amazing, thoughtful notes to our faculty and staff. These meaningful notes lift us all up and bring us together too. Let's keep them coming as we recognize the great work being done for our children.
Have a great evening,
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Mason Rocca
Interim Head of School
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Back to School Nights will be in person on Wednesday, September 7th and Thursday, September 8th. We look forward to welcoming you to campus to get a glimpse of life in Baker classrooms; faculty will be here to share all that is happening right now, as well as plans for the year as a whole. Please review the schedules below, as different grade level cohorts meet at different times. Keep in mind that all families are invited to the Q & A sessions. Some families will start their evenings with the Q & A, while others will finish their evening with it.
We are pleased to share that BASE will be an option (5:30- 7:30 both nights) for families who need childcare; please email Erin Steiner to sign-up. Sign-ups close on Tuesday, September 6th at noon to ensure we have ample coverage.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH (PreK, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade)
5:30- 6:15 Preschool & 3rd Grade Presentations (in classrooms)
6:15 - 6:45 Q & A with Administration Leadership Team and Board members (LIBRARY)
6:45- 7:30 1st grade & 5th Grade Presentations (in classrooms)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH (Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade & Middle School)
5:30- 6:15 Kindergarten & 4th Grade Presentations (in classrooms)
6:15 - 6:45 Q & A with Administration Leadership Team and Board members (LIBRARY; after Q&A, Middle School parents please remain in the library)
6:45- 7:30 2nd grade (Classroom)
Middle School (Library)
6:45: MST/Arts Core Faculty introductions
6:55: Parents remain in Advisory Groups, introductions
7:00- 7:30- Parents move to classrooms to meet and greet faculty
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September 5
Labor Day, No School
September 6
Principal's Coffee Chat, 8:30 a.m
Admission Tour Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.
ESCCA Volunteers, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
September 7-8
Back to School Nights, See schedule above
September 10
Wilmette Block Party, See details below
September 16
BPO Family Bonfire, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
You can view Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar
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Safety Corner - Reminders & Info | |
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Wilmette Police Department Presence - 1st week of School
Some of you may have noticed a WPD police cruiser and officer on school grounds, at times, during the first week of school. There is and was no active threat to the school, and our Community Resource Officer, Officer Davis, released this information about their presence:
The Department has a long tradition of being present and interacting with the students and their parents during the first week of morning arrival and afternoon dismissal during the first week of school. Our goals in this activity is to welcome families back to school as Village of Wilmette community partners, introduce ourselves and answer questions staff, students, and parents might have. Additionally, we hope to demonstrate the Department’s professionalism and dependability on issues of safety and security.
While this was the first year that WPD has performed this service at Baker, Officer Davis hopes that WPD and Baker can build our relationship to become strong community partners.
Furry Friends and Pick Up & Drop Off
Though we understand and appreciate the important role that pets have in our lives, we also understand that there are allergies and fears that impact the feeling of safety for folks in our community. When dropping off or picking up your child, please leave your pets at home or safely secured in your vehicle. With the noise, movement and traffic during this time, your pet may feel threatened and act on perceived threat. To keep all students, you, and your pet safe please do not bring your pets on school property. If you are meeting your student at pick up and your pet is with you, we ask that you make arrangements to meet your student on the sidewalk north of the school on Maple Avenue.
* The only exception to this policy is our allowance for service animals for persons with documented disabilities.
Carpool Reminders
- Slow Down - Please do not speed through the carpool area. There are many small children that are sometimes difficult to see or predict their movements.
- No Cell Phones while Driving - Distracted drivers are dangerous. Please model safe and legal driving behaviors by not using your cell phone in carpool.
- No U-Turns - If your child isn't ready for pickup, please do not complete a U-Turn in the parking lot. Proceed out to Sheridan Rd., and loop back into the carpool line.
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As we build community, relationships and connect with each other, showing gratitude is one of our most powerful tools. It fosters a sense of belonging and shares not only valuable feedback, but also appreciation. We all live busy lives, but taking a moment to thank someone at the school will go a long way. This form will be up all year, and we hope you visit frequently! The notes will all be passed onto the recipients.
Gratitude Notes
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Baker Parent Organization (BPO) | |
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BPO offers many opportunities to get involved, make connections and serve the community. All of us coming together is what makes Baker so vibrant. Let us know what teams you’d like to be a part of. There are opportunities for all schedules and availability. Click here to learn more.
Check out Baker's Tent at the Ridgeville Concerts on the Ridge event. Our bubbles brought down the house and had all the kids hanging with us. Thanks to Stacie Erck for organizing and blasting the bubbles!
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We are pleased to communicate the wonderful volunteers serving on Class Parent Teams for the 2022-2023 school year! Class Parent Teams collaborate to build community, assist teachers, and facilitate communication. Teams will be in touch with parents in the coming weeks to introduce themselves and to begin facilitating community building.
Pre-K: Trisha & Greg Hammond, Sarah Null, Miyam Slater, Pavel Katsev, Allison Powers
Kindergarten: Melissa Wongkamalasai, Theresa Candler
Grade 1: Willoughby Anderson, Voula Colburn
Grade 2: Dan Brennan, Jess & Mike Conway
Grade 3: Meg Roberts, Jori Young
Grade 4: Moira Gitau, Stacie Erck
Grade 5: Bahareh Harandi-Braem, Katherine & Matthew Sams, Katie Coombes, Michelle Underhill
Grade 6: Michelle Henley, Megan McCarville, Nicole Berger
Grade 7: Martha Junsay, Josh Lockwood, Justin Travis, Becky Lassman
Grade 8: Rhiannon Schmieg, Tonya Wallach, Laura Cinat, Melanie Domer, Stuart Kipnis, Venkatesh Gopal
Questions: contact BPO Class Parent Coordinator Leah Burt.
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BPO ESCCA - Volunteer Signup | |
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Volunteers Needed NEXT WEEK for ESCCA (Evanston Schools Children's Clothing Association), Tuesday, Sept 6, 6:30-9pm!
Service opportunities last for 2 1/2 hours, include a brief orientation followed by the opportunity to assist children in finding clothing to wear for the school year. It's a sweet and rewarding experience to be, in essence, a personal shopper for a child in need of gently used comfortable, warm, fashionably current, school clothing.
Please sign up for next week or any of the later serve dates (Oct 22 and Nov 29) here:
https://signup.com/go/ocdEujD
The clothing center is located at 1500 McDaniel Avenue in the District 65 Administrative Building / Joseph E. Hill Center (www.escca.org).
Hope to see you there!
Questions: Contact Liz Finnamore
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BPO Wilmette Block Party - Volunteer Signup | |
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Calling ALL Baker families, staff, and students! Baker will have a booth at the Wilmette Block Party - Kids Zone on Saturday, September 10th. We will have a tent, swag, face painting and tattoos. This is an easy way for new families to get involved alongside veteran families. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up for some Baker fun. Thank you!
Volunteers: Sign up form Questions: Contact Stacie Erck
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The BPO invites all Baker families to attend our annual Bonfire September 16, 2022 at Evanston LightHouse Beach (Sheridan and Central) from 5-7 pm. Gather with Baker families to enjoy s'mores at the fire circle, play at the adjacent "Noah’s Park" playground, make a fire pit related craft and be in good company listening to the waves. Drop in after dinner, before dinner, or bring your dinner (nut free please). S'mores fixings will be provided. Parking is limited, so you may need to use street parking and walk over.
We look forward to seeing you and your family. RSVPs appreciated but not required. Please RSVP if you have food allergy requests as we want to accommodate all needs. We're also still looking for a few volunteers to make the evening a success. Check out our sign up genius if you're interested. Thanks!
We look forward to seeing you there! Questions: bpo@bakerdemonschool.org
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