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Dear Baker families,
As I sit outside in our Baker garden right now, it is 70 degrees out, bees are still circulating the last of the beautiful blue borage plant, and I’m struck by how much our world has changed since I was a kid. November is my birthday month, and I have distinct memories of snowy days, cold high school soccer games, and a crackling fire in the fireplace. Now in the mornings, as I welcome students at my post by the front door, I see shorts and t-shirts. Sitting out here, I also reflect that when I was a student at Baker this garden and the adjoining parking lot was once an enormous field that stretched all the way to the golf course. We’d run all over it, and collect golf balls while climbing trees that dotted the perimeter of the park. Later, still as a student, a huge part of the field was converted into a parking lot, including the space where the Baker garden is currently located. It gives me pleasure to think that the former parking lot was later reconverted into the present-day garden, and makes me dream that we could reclaim other parts of nature for our students someday.
I am reflecting on change because today I took a tour of our world language classes, and I was blown away. When I attended Baker, the only language that was offered was Latin, and it was only offered in the Middle School. Today, we start teaching Spanish in PreK and continue all the way through 8th grade. Latin goes from 5th to 8th grade. As a student, I loved my Latin classes and we would learn the language through historical fictional characters in the classic textbook, Ecce Romani that is still used today. My magistri would weave historical events and mythology into our grammar and vocabulary lessons. I went on to study Latin in high school, then Spanish in college, and Italian when I lived abroad. But my love of languages started at Baker. Languages were like this key that would unlock other worlds to me. Our world language program has evolved tremendously since my days as a student, although we still use Ecce Romani every once in a while!
Today, as I toured the different world language classes, I saw amazing progressive language education in action. In PreK, I saw Signora Barbick weaving song, dance, yoga, pictures, student-choice, social-emotional learning and vocabulary all into her class. She spoke and sang primarily in Spanish, which might seem counterintuitive for children that young, but they are like sponges and the more Spanish inputs they receive, the more they learn. I know firsthand how quickly young students learn foreign languages at Baker, as my Kindergarten daughter has often come home singing Spanish songs that she learned during the school day. As the Preschoolers moved, they mimicked, sang and responded. The October-November period in Spanish classes is often filled with Halloween and Día de Muertos references, and the Preschoolers talked and sang about pumpkins, witches, cats and more. Signora Barbick explained about feelings when students were sad they didn’t get to pick a card from the magic bag. Finally she used some Spanish Halloween yoga to settle the kids down from their dancing and song. They focused on their breathing, while they got into the shape of a calabaza on the rug. It was the perfect ending to a packed lesson!
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Moving onto the upper grades, I got to see Signora Dombeck talking with 7th graders about a story involving a monkey, police officer, a woman, and a house. Signora Dombeck narrated parts of the story, but left lots of space for the students to answer questions about what was happening. Often the students would be acting out parts of the story, but today they were focused on the grammar and vocabulary, so they were using a Pear Deck app to interact and respond as they went through the story. Pear Deck allows the students to follow along and answer questions on their computers to the slides that are being shown on the monitor in the front of the classroom. So the students were listening, answering, writing, and then seeing each other’s responses to the story prompt questions. Giving students multiple access points to the material lowers the stakes, while also giving Signora Dombeck feedback on how each student is progressing. She masterfully worked through the classroom involving each student in different ways. Both Signora Barbick and Signora Dombeck spoke primarily in Spanish, and resorted to English explanations only a handful of times. For a spoken language, like Spanish, this is a key part of the learning experience.
The last part of my world language tour was with the Latin Club at lunch time. The Latin Club is a group of students that gather during their recess and lunch time to study Latin. Reread that sentence a few times. Yes, we have students who want to study Latin during their lunch and recess time, even when it is 70 degrees out! I kid you not it was packed with 6th, 7th and 8th graders. The room was exploding with activity. Mr. Leach was using a video game called Gimkit that the students play all together to accomplish varying tasks and challenges. I took a video clip of the action as students called out to each other with needs, questions, and ideas. Having 15-20 students work together on a single project, where each plays a significant role and contributes, is a herculean organizational task that Gimkit orchestrates amazingly. The students play this interactive game and have to unlock resources and tools by answering Latin vocabulary questions. Mr. Leach, who uses Gimkit also in his classes, described how vocabulary mastery rates skyrocket with Gimkit as does the number of repetitions that the students get. Vocabulary acquisition can be a dry and boring task, if anyone ever remembers using flashcards back in the day. Our students jump at the opportunity to play Gimkit, because they are learning Latin, but also so much more. They are learning to share, to help each other, to collaborate, to communicate, and to be efficient.
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One final note about our world language program. I recently took a survey of last year’s graduates to find out what they ended up pursuing in high school with regards to world languages. Of the 19 responses we got, 16 are studying Spanish or Latin, and 14 of those went straight into the 2nd year language classes. The other 3 students went on to study other languages, but expressed that Baker opened their minds up to the wide possibility of world languages and they went on to study German, Greek and French. Our program prepares students well for high school preparation, but more importantly teaches them to love languages and use them to enrich their lives.
Have a great day,
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Mason Rocca
Head of School
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Help us reach our goal of $300,000!
The Baker Fund provides the essential unrestricted dollars needed to enhance the educational experience of Baker students and goes directly to our operational budget. Our operational budget is balanced each year through revenue from tuition, after school enrichments, summer camp, and public support (fundraising). This means your support goes directly to all of the expenses that make up a Baker education – teacher salaries, program expenses, tuition assistance, supplies and materials, and building maintenance.
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1. Give through PayPal . You may set up a monthly gift if you would like.
2. Donate via Venmo to @BakerDemSchool
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)
Baker Demonstration School is a 501c3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible.
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November 4
Baker Spirit Friday - Wear your Baker Spirit Wear!
November 5
Sunrise Event w/ 4th & 5th Grade families
- 7:00-8:30am at Lighthouse Beach
Daylight Savings Time Ends (Set clocks back)
November 7
6th Grade Indiana Dunes Trip
November 8
6th Grade Indiana Dunes Trip
Admission Tour Tuesday, 9:30am
Election Day
November 9
6th Grade Indiana Dunes Trip
December 6 & 7
Baker Book Fair
You can view Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar
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Did you know there’s still time to plant
bulbs for beautiful blooms come spring?
When you select the bulbs make sure they are fresh, firm, and and not sprouting. Just like you’d pick good onions.
The next Green Team workday is scheduled for 9am this Saturday November 5. If you’re available, join us in the Early Childhood Garden. We will be clearing the space in preparation for a big bulb planting day.
What to bring: shovels, spades, trowels, pruners, gloves, rakes, and lawn bags.
Upcoming Garden Workday Dates:*
Saturday, November 5th, 9am
Saturday, November 19th, TBD
*Weather dependent
Questions? Contact Natasha @Moss Family.
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BASE Bonus Day- November 10th | |
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Next Thursday is an Institute Day for Baker's Faculty and a day off of school. BASE will be providing full day care from 8:15 - 3:15pm. All grades are welcome from Preschoolers - 8th Grade! The day will include Fun Swim, Puzzles/Games, Rest Time for PreK and a special presentation from Flying Fox Conservation!
Members from Flying Fox Conservation will come to Baker to present their program "Mammals and More". They provide a hands on approach to learning about animals that is both fun and safe, with the objective to educate people about conservation and the diverse and unique world of animals. Featured Animals: Two Toed Sloth, Armadillo, Kinkajou and more! This program will run from 10:30-11:30am and is included in the registration for full day care. There is an option for presentation only, follow the link below to the registration site.
Click HERE to learn more about Flying Fox Conservation
BASE Bonus Day Registration
Questions? Please email Erin at esteiner@bakerdemschool.org
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El Día de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead exhibit | |
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Join the Baker Parent Equity Action Team and Baker’s very own Art Teacher, Julie Toole for our Fall family outing as we explore the Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago on Friday, November 11 at 11:30am to visit the National Museum of Mexican Art and explore their annual El Día de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead exhibit. We will meet at the museum at 11:30am. After the exhibit, families can “choose their own adventure” as they explore the history, art, tastes and culture of this neighborhood. Options include visiting local panaderias, sampling tacos and tamales, sipping Mexican hot chocolate, or heading out on a walking tour of the murals in the neighborhood which celebrate Mexican culture and history. All are welcome and this is for all ages! Admission to the museum is free, all exhibits are in Spanish and English and the museum is fully accessible. Please RSVP to Theresa.Volpe.Content@gmail.com to be included in emails about more specifics.
Hope to see you there!
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Dear Baker Families,
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.
This year, Solidarity Week will be November 14-18. 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.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any of the GSA Advisors.
In Solidarity,
Becky Crawford, Shane Courville, Julie Toole and the Middle School GSA
Here are the themes for each day
Monday-Solidarity Day
Tuesday-Tuesday-LGBT2SQ+ Native American and Indigenous focus day
Wednesday- Pronouns Day
Thursday- LGBTQ+ Disability Justice/Show your Pride (school wide “Wear a Rainbow Day”)
Friday- Transgender Rights and Day of Action
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The Sunrise Celebration has been a long-standing community event that has been hosted by the 4th and 5th grades. With the hours of sun shifting, we find ourselves looking to celebrate this tradition again and hope you can join us.
When: Saturday, Nov. 5
Time: 7:00 am - 8:00 ish (sunrise is 7:29 am)
Where: Lighthouse Beach
Who: All Families are Welcome
We will gather at Lighthouse Beach at 7 am to watch the 7:29 am sunrise, play on the beach, and have breakfast together. If you would like to bring something to share, please sign up using the spreadsheet below. Some helpful items would: include plates, napkins, box of coffee, hot tea, hot cocoa, bagels, donuts, etc.
We encourage you to bring your own travel coffee mug to reduce waste. Also, feel free to bring any activities your family might enjoy. Siblings of course are welcome.
Let us know if you have any questions and we hope to see you all there! We believe we have everyone included in this email, if you see anyone missing please let me know so we can update the list.
Warmly,
Moira Gitau and Stacie Erck
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Baker's Book Fair is approaching for book lovers of all ages! The fair is scheduled to run from 8:00 am-7:00pm on Tuesday, Dec. 6th and 8:00am - 5:00pm on Wednesday, Dec. 7th. Volunteers are needed to help with publicity (can mostly be done from home), running the sale on Dec. 6th and 7th, clean up, and some bookkeeping. Come get involved in this event which celebrates our community of readers and gives back to our school! (We will also have an online book purchasing option for those unable to shop in person). | |
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November 4
FAN Event,The Art of Talking with Children: Nurturing Kindness, Creativity, and Confidence in Kids
7:00 p.m. - North Shore Country Day Auditorium, 310 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, IL 60093
With her recent book The Art of Talking with Children: The Simple Keys to Nurturing Kindness, Creativity, and Confidence in Kids, Rebecca Rolland, Ed.D., a Harvard faculty member and oral language specialist, offers an invaluable guide that provides readers with evidence-based tools and techniques to communicate more effectively with children in ways that let them foster relationships with less conflict and more joy and kindness. Dr. Rolland shows how quality communication—or “rich talk”—can help build the skills and capacities children need to thrive.
Science has shown that the best way to help our kids become independent, confident, kind, empathetic, and happy is by talking with them. Yet, so often, parents, educators, and caregivers are at a loss and have trouble communicating with kids. Conversations can feel trivial or strained—or worse, are marked by constant conflict.
Dr. Rolland, who is on staff at Boston Children’s Hospital and a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, arms adults with practical tools to help them have productive and meaningful conversations with children of all ages—whether it’s engaging an obstinate toddler or getting the most monosyllabic adolescent to open up.
Highlights in The Art of Talking with Children include: 1) The importance of conversation as an antidote to stress and disconnection; 2) What “rich talk” is and its value in nurturing strong relationships; 3) Sparking children’s curiosity; 4) Fostering children’s empathy; 5) Encouraging kids to embrace challenges; 6) Building confidence and independence in kids; 7) Cultivating social skills in children; 8) Promoting joy and creativity; 9) Helping kids celebrate one another’s differences; 10) Bringing out the best in kids.
This event suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded but not live streamed and the video will be available on our website and YouTube channel.
NOTE: No registration or proof of vaccination is required. Masks are recommended but not required.
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