August 22, 2022
Dear Baker families,

We are so excited to begin the 2022-2023 school year on Wednesday. It was wonderful to see students, families and teachers returning to the building today, and the halls, classrooms and outdoor spaces buzzing with activity. Intake conferences and meet and greets were well attended, and if you were unable to attend, do not worry, you will have many other opportunities to connect with your child's teacher and classmates.

Our teaching team returned last week and we began to build the relationships and community that will serve as our foundation for this school year. We completed team building activities that included miniature plastic monkeys, Goosebumps, gratitude notes, CPR training, Chipotle and more as we learned about each other and connected as humans. Some of you may have seen us celebrating the week's work at Five and Dime with a happy hour get together, and a competitive Jenga game.

Last week we also built upon the work that was started last year with Ryan Williams-Virden and Beatriz Alcazar to create a restorative culture. This work centered our faculty and staff around the importance of community, relational connections, equity and personal accountability. Ryan imparted energy and enthusiasm to our group and everyone responded in kind. We know that a school that prioritizes relationships is successful, and we are being intentional about forging those amongst ourselves as well as our students and families. 

We were excited to have so many new families at last week’s New Family Social. We have 62 new students to welcome this school year (the highest number of newly enrolled students in 7 years) and we are thrilled to have so many new families joining our community. It was a pleasure to reconnect and welcome you to Baker. 

This week's bulletin has some reminders for the start of school on Wednesday.

We can’t wait to see your children on Wednesday!
Mason Rocca
Interim Head of School
First Day of School Drop Off Instructions
We are so excited for our first day with students! It is important for young learners to become independent and confident in their learning spaces. The classroom community begins to build as soon as our students cross the threshold; we ask, then, that parents and guardians say goodbye outside of the school building.

When the weather is nice, Pre-K will have a slightly different start, with drop off at the play area adjacent to the PK classrooms on the Northeast side of the building. Wednesday's weather looks nice, so drop off for Pre-K should be there. On rainy days, Pre-K drop off will be the same as the rest of the school.
Parents/Guardians and Guests Visiting Campus
We are excited to get back to having opportunities for Parents/Guardians and Guests to come onto campus this year, and we are working with the faculty to devise many different ways for parents to visit. Parents/Guardians and Guests are invited to campus when there is a specific reason for the visit or upon invitation (e.g.: meeting with teachers, administration, dropping something off for their child, attending a special assembly performance, assisting with prospective student tours, or class share activity.) We look forward to seeing you for sharing and celebration of our learning at various points throughout the year. 
Morning Care
Before Care is included in the cost of tuition and does not require registration. Before Care runs from 7:30-8:30 am every school day, including half days. 
BASE (Baker After School Enrichment) Registration
Please read this detailed information from Erin Steiner, After School Enrichment Coordinator, overviewing the program, see the program options, and register your child for BASE.

If you have any questions, email Erin Steiner or call her at 847-425-5837.
Carpool Map / Drop Off & Pick Up Times
School begins at 8:30 a.m.
Morning Carpool/Drop Off runs from 8:15 - 8:30 a.m.
Afternoon Carpool/Pick Up is at 3:00 p.m. for Preschool and Kindergarten students
Afternoon Carpool/Pick Up runs from 3:20 - 3:30 p.m. for students in Grades 1-8
BPO - First Day of School Coffee
Please join other parents on the West playground after drop off on Wednesday morning to learn about ways to get involved this year and to catch up over coffee.

Baker and Evanston Symphony Orchestra
Baker and the Evanston Symphony Orchestra, Wednesday, August 24, 6:30-7:30 pm, Wallace Bowl, Gilson Park, Wilmette

Cap off our first day of school by enjoying a FREE family-oriented outdoor concert performed by the Evanston Symphony Orchestra (ESO). Baker’s own Dr. Courville and middle school students will be onsite and offer an instrument petting zoo, where children can touch various instruments, as well as Baker goodie bags and musical coloring sheets.
 
ESO will play an hour-long concert featuring some of your favorite movie music by John Williams (from Star Wars and E.T.), show tunes, and other favorite light classics. The program is designed to leave the whole family feeling the joy of a fine summer evening. Learn more about the musical program here.