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Dear Baker families,
About 8 years ago, some students at Baker wanted to form a GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance). Our GSA has sponsored several annual events, such as Day of Silence in April and Solidarity (formerly Ally Week) in the Fall. We meet weekly for shared lunch, discussions, education, community and event planning.
We are so proud that our Middle School GSA has over 30 students in it. That says a lot about our community values of supporting the LGBTQ+ community here at Baker. In addition to providing a safe and brave space for our members, our other goal is advocacy, education and most importantly, taking action. After our recent field trip to Women and Children First bookstore in Chicago, we talked about how many states are banning books that have LBGTQ+ characters or storylines. So many GSA members are avid readers and were horrified that this was happening. Because of this, the GSA fundraising committee has chosen Rainbow Library as our charity for Solidarity Week. At the book fair next week (Mon-Wed) there will be a table next to the checkout manned by our GSA students and advisors. Please stop by, learn more about Rainbow Library and give a donation. As a thank you, you can choose some of our awesome swag items including pronoun buttons, rainbow bracelets, mini flags, and pride stickers. All proceeds will go to Rainbow library which gives free book sets to teachers and librarians which feature LGBTQ+ characters and storylines in states where these are being banned.
Our GSA will also be going into every Prek-5th grade classroom, reading a book about LGBTQ+ pride or history and talking about what it means to be an ally. You may see your children coming home with a coloring sheet or rainbow sticker that day. Please use this as an opportunity to have a conversation about what being an ally means to them. On Friday, we want our whole community to come together to show our collective solidarity by wearing rainbow colors or pride gear. We will gather for an all school assembly led by our GSA to bring our week to a close. Thank you for your support in making sure all families, all gender expressions and all members of our community feel seen, heard and respected.
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In Solidarity,
Julie, Shane and Becky (GSA Advisors)
Julie Toole
Shane Courville
Becky Crawford
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We met the full $10,000 match! I don’t often jump, but this is me jumping for joy with last year’s 4th graders in the Halloween parade, which is how I’m feeling right now. We are making progress toward our goal, but still need other families to contribute. Here is the update:
Goal: $250,000
Total to date: $75,633
Board participation rate: 100%
Staff/Faculty participation rate: 57%
Family participation rate: 34%
Family participation goal: 80%
Match Donations Received: $11,308
Match Remaining: $0
The chart below shows each class's participation rate up as of today. We are offering a school-wide challenge of getting our Family Participation Rate to 80% by Friday, December 1st. If we reach that goal, we will all celebrate with a Gym n' Swim party. We are also offering a special incentive for the first class to reach 80% - that class will get to pick the Friday carpool music, which is a big deal! Remember any donation amount qualifies for the participation goal. A special kudos to the 2nd grade class that is currently leading the way with over 64% participation numbers!
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1. Give through PayPal using the link. You may set up a monthly gift if you would like.
2. Give a one-time donation using Venmo.
3. Give with a credit card through GiveSmart.
4. Give by sending a direct payment by check or Donor Advised Fund to Baker Demonstration School (Attn: Advancement Office, 201 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091)
All donations are tax-deductible.
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November 9
Faculty/Staff Institute Day - No School/ BASE Available
November 10
Veterans Day - No School / No BASE
November 13
Solidarity Week begins - See details above & below
Book Fair begins - See details above & below
November 15
Book Fair ends at 2:00 p.m. - See details below
November 17
Solidarity Week Assembly - wear rainbow colors or pride gear
November 22 - 24
Thanksgiving Holiday - No School/ BASE Available
You can view Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar
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BASE (Baker After School Enrichment) Registration | |
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BASE Winter Enrichments - We are looking forward to announcing the new session of enrichment options for families in early December, please be on the lookout here in the BASE section of the bulletin for more details!
The Winter Enrichment session will run - Jan
Registration for Bonus Day on December 6 is open and accepting registrations.
Click HERE to access the registration page.
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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This year we are proud to be participating in Solidarity Week (formally known as Ally Week), an annual school-centered National GLSEN program about the meaning of solidarity. This program encourages schools to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. It is also an opportunity for all students to reflect on their identities and to practice listening to groups of people who are facing discrimination in our country and taking actions to better support them. This program supports our students’ ability to empathize, connect, and collaborate with a diverse group of peers, skills that are of increasing importance in our multicultural, global society. We are thrilled to join students across the country who want to start the school year with positive, affirming messages and actions for LGBTQ+ people in schools.
Solidarity Week is November 13 - 17
During Solidarity Week, the Middle School GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance) Club will organize activities and curate resources for teachers that focus on encouraging and enhancing solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.
Monday - LGBTQ+ Solidarity
Tuesday - Two-Spirit Native American and Indigenous Focus Day
Wednesday - LGBTQ+ History
Thursday - Pronouns
Friday - Pride Assembly wear rainbow colors or pride gear!
Read more about Solidarity Week in our FAQs.
Questions? Please feel free to reach out to GSA Advisors: Becky Crawford, Shane Courville, Julie Toole
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Baker's Annual Book Fair opens next week - Remember all proceeds benefit Baker!
Students and teachers have previewed the books and made their wishlists. Now it's time for you to join us for 3 fun-filled days of shopping. Shop from hundreds of items including graphic novels, young adult books, chapter, and picture books. Oh yeah...there will be some toys as well! The Baker Book Fair is conveniently located in the front hall of Baker.
Monday November 13th & Tuesday November 14th
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Book Fair is open to everyone. Spread the word! 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 - Food & Diaper Drive | |
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Baker families can participate by donating non-perishable food, and/or diapers. Diaper sizes 4, 5 and 6 are the ones needed most. Think non-perishable food items that you might find on a Thanksgiving dinner table. A drop off bin will be near the Baker front office door for diapers, and food donations can be dropped off at the office.
Non-perishable food items can include:
- Boxes of Mac and Cheese
- Instant mashed potatoes
- Canned green beans
- Canned cranberry sauce
- Canned yams
- Canned corn
- Canned chicken or tuna
- Boxes of stuffing
- Peanut butter
- Dry macaroni
- Canned soup
- Canned beans
- Canned peas
- Marshmallows
- Ramen noodles
We will begin accepting donations Monday November 6th until Tuesday November 21st.
Thank you for all your support!
Questions contact Justin Travis at allowishes@gmail.com.
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BPO Community Service Spotlight - Bundled Blessings | |
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Did you know that 5 million babies and toddlers live in poor or low-income families?
The average monthly cost of diapers per child is between $80-$100.
Babies require up to 12 diapers a day, toddlers about eight.
There are NO federal programs that help families with the cost of diapers.
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Diapers are material basic necessities all children require, as essential as food, shelter, and clothing. Yet, most state and national safety-net programs do not recognize diapers as a basic need.
How can we help?
Bundled Blessings is a diaper bank created in 2013 in response to the diaper need experienced by low income families in our community. An outreach program of First United Methodist Church of Evanston and is a member of the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN).
Bundled Blessings works with 18 partner agencies to distribute a monthly supplement of diapers to 700+ children in Evanston & surrounding communities. That is 37,000 diapers each month!
The all-volunteer staff provides information about diaper need, assists families in locating diapers, distributes bundles of diapers, offers opportunities for volunteer service, raises money through diaper drives, grants, fundraising events, and solicits individual and corporate donations.
You can go to their website today and find out how to make a diaper or monetary donation. You can also host a diaper drop-off barrel at your place of business. Or you can host a diaper drive, and that is what we’re going to do here at Baker!
We are adding diapers to our November Food Drive. Details above.
Questions contact Justin Travis at allowishes@gmail.com.
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Teacher & Staff Pie Drive | |
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We still need a few more pies!
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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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.
November BPO Coffee
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Baker Library
Questions contact bpo@bakerdemschool.org.
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Come toast the holidays with fellow Baker parents!
Wednesday, December 6th
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Double Clutch Brewing Company
212 Ashland Avenue, Evanston IL
Enjoy food and drink while socializing with new and old Baker friends. 10% of all proceeds will be donated to Baker. Please RSVP here.
Questions contact nicolejoy.berger@gmail.com
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Beach Clean Up Recap
We had a great (early!) morning Green Team beach cleanup at Lighthouse Beach after Saturday's sunrise gathering. Multiple teams of students and parents collected debris and tallied it up for The Alliance for the Great Lakes. Amir and Silas' weathered brick tipped them in as the heaviest bag winners!
Garden Clean Up Day - Save the date
The end of the fall gardening season is fast approaching. Please join us in the garden next weekend as we clean up and prepare to put the gardens to bed for winter.
Saturday, November 18
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Green Team - Upcoming Planning Meeting Dates
Tuesdays: Nov 14, Dec 5, & Jan 23
7:30 p.m. via Zoom - email for link
Contact bakerdemsfam2027moss@gmail.com and lynette_stuhlmacher@yahoo.com
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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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The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are
Thursday, November 16, 2023, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
On ZOOM
TARIQ TROTTER, AKA BLACK THOUGHT
Platinum-selling, three-time Grammy-winning co-founder of The Roots
THEASTER GATES
Artist, archivist, curator, and professor and Special Advisor to the President at the University of Chicago
Today Tariq Trotter—better known as Black Thought—is the platinum-selling, three-time Grammy-winning co-founder of The Roots, and one of the most exhilaratingly skillful and profound rappers the culture has ever produced. But his story begins with a tragedy: as a child, Trotter burned down his family’s home. The years that followed are the story of a life snatched from the flames, forged in fire.
In The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are, Trotter doesn’t just narrate a riveting and moving portrait of the artist as a young man but gives readers a courageous model of what it means to live an examined life. In vivid vignettes, he tells the dramatic stories of the four powerful relationships that shaped him—community, friends, art, and family—each a complex weave of love, discovery, trauma, and loss. Read More.
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