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Dear Baker Families,
I have had the pleasure of learning about our school’s longstanding tradition of storytelling. Storytelling has a rich history at Baker and it's more than just a wonderful form of entertainment; it's a fundamental tool for igniting a love of learning, fostering empathy, and nurturing young minds. There are many different forms of storytelling, all of which can work to cultivate imagination and creativity, build community, and communicate important messages.
When considering the storytellers that we bring to Baker, we value the concept of “windows and mirrors,” an educational framework used to create a more inclusive experience for all students. It emphasizes the importance of providing students with perspectives that both reflect their own experiences as well as offer insights into the experiences of others. “Mirrors” reflect students' identities, backgrounds, and cultures. Seeing oneself represented in stories can be validating and empowering for young learners. It fosters self-esteem, a sense of belonging, and helps students build a positive self-identity. “Windows” can provide students with a glimpse into the lives and experiences of others. Windows help students develop empathy and understanding for others, challenge their own biases, and gain a broader perspective on the world.
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This school year, Baker has been proud to showcase a variety of storytelling styles, ranging from musical guests to workshops to traditional storytelling. Our first storyteller of the year, Frank Waln, is an award-winning Sicangu Lakota artist and activist. He brought his unique blend of music and storytelling, sharing his cultural heritage and experiences through powerful multi-genre musical performances.
Another storyteller this year, Carina Ho, is a dancer, musician, and children’s author who performs under the moniker ONIKHO. After sustaining a spinal cord injury, Carina joined AXIS Dance Company, a physically integrated dance company that casts dancers with and without disabilities. As an advocate for inclusion and accessibility, Carina’s mission as an artist is to champion greater visibility for people with disabilities.
When asked about the importance of storytelling, one second grader shared that when you listen to others’ stories, “your heart opens up more and you allow more stuff to come in, and you can learn more.” Another second grader shared that they “want to hear stories from other parts of the world and explore different things.” We are looking forward to listening, learning, and growing as we continue to welcome an exceptional group of storytellers to Baker this spring.
Thanks,
Brooke Ammerman
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Grade 2 Teacher
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April 5
Alumni Event 4:00 p.m. - See details below
April 7
Dine & Donate at Fat Shallot - See details below
April 14
Human Library 1:30 p.m. - See details below
April 20
TEDxWilmette at Baker 1:00 p.m. - See details below
April 26
Faculty/Staff Institute Day - No School/ BASE Available
Now Available: The 2024-2025 major dates calendar is here.
Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar
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Solar Eclipse on Monday 4/8 | |
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We shared plans for safe viewing of the April 8th solar eclipse. Read that complete email here. This includes a form if you wish to have your student Opt-Out of the Eclipse Viewing. Please complete that form by Friday, April 5th by 3:00 p.m. If you DO want your child to participate in the Eclipse viewing, you do NOT need to complete this form.
Please reach out to Sarah Mohr, Dean of Academics, (smohr@bakerdemschool.org) with any questions or concerns.
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Our Spring Session has begun! Please take a moment to review options in the 2024 Spring Program Guide before completing your registration. Classes become prorated after the second week of programming.
Enrichment classes are first come, first serve and spots are limited! BASE Registration Page
Questions? Please contact Erin at esteiner@bakerdemschool.org or at ext. 5823.
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Baker Yearbook - Create Your Custom Pages | |
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Create your 2 free custom yearbook pages by 4/30.
Add all of your memories to your two free personal pages that will be printed in your unique copy of the Baker yearbook.
- Add Photos
- Sign Books
- Add Memories
- Design Your Page
Instructions are also on the PDF.
1 Go to: www.treering.com/validate
2 Enter your school’s passcode: 1015572403981601
You do not need to purchase a yearbook. Each student receives a yearbook.
Questions? Contact Curry Berg cberg@bakerdemschool.org.
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Friday, April 5
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Baker Library
We look forward to welcoming ALL Alumni and their Parents to our Alumni Event on April 5th from 4 - 6pm in the Baker Library. There will be plenty of time to connect with past classmates, teachers and spaces. Enter chances to win prizes and eat some delicious Soul and Smoke! We look forward to seeing you there! Link to RSVP.
Questions? Email Rachael Ross rross@bakerdemschool.org
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Dine & Donate - The Fat Shallot | |
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Dine Out & Support Baker
Sunday, April 7, 2024
The Fat Shallot
2902 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201
11AM - 8PM
Live Music from 3PM - 6PM
Say "BAKER" at checkout and 10% of sales go to support our school!
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Human Library at Baker - RSVP to Attend | |
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Join a worldwide movement for social change---right here at Baker!
Sunday, April 14
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Baker Library
On Sunday, April 14th, The Human Library® will be returning to Baker, with a shelf of human “books” who are ready to enter into conversation with Baker students and their families. Each book represents a group in our society that is often subjected to prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, ethnic origin, etc. Human “books” are volunteers who are on loan to readers to share their personal experiences and identities. They provide insights into various perspectives. For example: what’s it like to be transracially adopted? To have a physical disability? To be asexual? The Human Library® creates a safe space for dialogue where topics are discussed openly between the human books and their readers, creating a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices. Difficult questions are expected, appreciated and answered, and a discussion space will be available for Baker folks to share their learning with each other.
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Be ready to wear your Baker GSA shirt for Day of Silence on Friday, April 12.
Need one? Shirts are available for $20 each and come in adult sizes S-2XL. They run a bit small and are 100% cotton. We have a limited supply so please fill out this form if you would like one for your child or for yourself! You can send cash in an envelope, drop off cash or check in the office or use Baker Venmo @BakerDem Proceeds will support Baker GSA.
Questions? Please feel free to reach out to GSA Advisors: Becky Crawford, Shane Courville, Julie Toole
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We are thrilled to host TEDxWilmette for a 2nd year. On April 20th from 1-3pm, TEDxWilmette will be recording 6 live TEDx talks in the Baker School auditorium. Limited tickets are available for $75 and can be purchased at www.tedxwilmette.com. Featured talks are:
- Tayyaba Ali: How To Be The Innovator The World Needs
- Lizzie Docel: Beyond The Buzzword: How AI Can Help Us Unlock Understanding and Connection in a Diverse World
- AJ Goehle: Leaving Imprints: The Transformative Power of In-Person Experiences
- Lisa Rachelle Owens: Embrace Your Unapologetic Third Act
- Charlie Saffro: Business IS Personal — Prioritizing People Pays Off
- Rachel Douglas Swanson: Reimagine Education: Technology Is The Unexpected Ally in the Classroom
More information about the speakers is available at http://www.tedxwilmette.com/speakers.
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BPO Community Service Spotlight - Earth Week 2024 | | |
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The first Earth Day in 1970 mobilized millions of Americans from all walks of life, giving birth to a broad new movement to protect the planet.
On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time — took to streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward.
Earth Day is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event each year.
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For Earth Day 2024 on April 22nd, EARTHDAY.ORG is unwavering in their commitment to end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040.
Please join the Baker Community in commemorating the 54th annual Earth Week by working in one of our three gardens and participating in a beach cleanup.
Please click on this Sign Up Genius to volunteer!
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The 2024 Annual Baker 5K event is coming up on Friday, May 24, 2024 at Gillson Park. We are so grateful to have volunteers every year to help make this wonderful all school event happen!
We are looking for volunteers for:
- Setup
- Chef/Food Prep
- Post Race Fuel Station
- Water Station
- Take Down
Please Signup Now for one of the available volunteer shifts.
Questions? Contact Rachael Ross at rross@bakerdemschool.org.
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This is a chance to socialize with other parents and hear short updates from the BPO Teams. No RSVP is needed, just drop in. We would love for you to
attend. Thank you to the 4th grade room parents for hosting!
April AM BPO Meeting
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Baker Cafeteria
Questions contact bpo@bakerdemschool.org.
**We're looking for hosts for the May BPO Meetings on Wed. 5/8 & Wed. 5/29 - sign up here.
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Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides
April 15, 2024
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Little Theater
1 Stevenson Dr., Lincolnshire, IL 60069
GEOFFREY L. COHEN, PH.D.
Professor of Psychology and the James G. March Professor of Organizational Studies in Education and Business at Stanford University
LEVIIS HANEY, ED.D.
Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL
We live in enormously divisive times. Divisions based on class, politics, race, religion, gender, and nationality are erupting around the globe. The consequences of not having a sense of belonging range from political strife to illness to underperformance at work and in the classroom. Americans have become disconnected from their communities, and about one in five Americans suffers from chronic loneliness, especially young adults. Why is our sense of belonging so undermined? What if there were a set of science-backed techniques for navigating modern social life that could help us overcome our differences, create empathy, and forge lasting connections across divides?
Geoffrey L. Cohen, Ph.D. (FAN ’22), Professor of Psychology and the James G. March Professor of Organizational Studies in Education and Business at Stanford University, answers these questions and more in his extraordinary 2022 book Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides. As Prof. Cohen explains, often inadvertently, we behave in ways that threaten others’ sense of belonging. Yet small acts that establish connection, brief activities such as reflecting on our core values, and a wealth of practices that he refers to under the general rubric of “situation-crafting” have been shown to lessen polarization in our politics, improve motivation and performance in school and work, combat racism in our communities, enhance health and well-being, and unleash the potential in ourselves and our relationships. The book’s research is essential for managers, educators, parents, administrators, caregivers, and everyone who wants those around them to thrive.
Prof. Cohen will be in conversation with LeViis Haney, Ed.D., the Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Dr. Haney also teaches principal preparation courses as an adjunct professor at Northeastern Illinois University and Loyola University Chicago, and is a facilitator for the Kaleidoscope Group, a DEI firm based in Chicago.
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