Bauer Bits
November 4, 2022
From the Principal's Desk
Have a great weekend everyone!
Mark your Calendar
- Tuesday, November 8th - Pizza Night and BPC Meeting
- Friday, November 11th - Early Release (12:15)
- Monday, November 14th - Friday, November 18th - Book Fair
- Monday, November 14th - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Wednesday, November 16th - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Friday, November 18th - Camo Day and Popcorn Friday
- Tuesday, November 29th - Holiday Program 6:30pm (More details to come)
Parent Teacher Conferences
Bauer Families -
It is time to begin preparing for and scheduling our Fall parent - teacher conferences! This is always a special and important part of the year.
This year we're using a new booking format through the online portal School Bookings. Feel free to use the hyperlink to schedule your time with us. I think we have all the kinks worked out but please reach out if you run into any issues. We will be offering both virtual and in-person conferences again so please take advantage of whichever option works best for your family. For most of us the routine for conferences is pretty clear, but for the sake of clarity please allow me to share a few things to be mindful of:
- if there is anything you'd like to discuss please make the teacher aware ahead of time so that they can be prepared and budget time for the discussion
- make sure to arrive a few minutes early for your scheduled conference
- teachers will likely use timers to help them stay on schedule and honor time for all
- if more time is needed, please end the conference on time but make plans to follow-up on unfinished business via phone, email, or another agreed upon format
- if there are areas where the teacher is noticing your child is struggling, please consider asking for resources for how you might also help address the issues at home
- please keep in mind that while we recognize that you know your child best, we have the best perspective on your child within the context of school and the dynamic of school is different than home
Thank you and Happy Conferencing!
STEAM UPdate
We're nearing the end of our first units for many grade levels. Fifth grade has just started building their robots using VEX kits. Fourth graders will start building egg restraint devices that will prevent their eggs from crashing in a collision. Third graders will begin their final projects next week. They will also be using VEX kits to build machines that could safely transport animals at a zoo. Second graders will be testing their coolers. We're going to see who built a cooler that can keep a popsicle from melting under a heat lamp. First graders are finishing their animated stories using the coding program called Scratch Junior. Our kindergarteners will begin designing their paint brush multitools next week! In Pre-K, we've been using shapes and numbers and learning how to access our iPads.
Have a great weekend!
- Mr. Lloyd
PE CARES
This year’s PE CARES food drive will begin November 1st, and will run until November 17th.
This year we will be partnering again with Hand 2 Hand with all of our donated items. Hand 2 Hand is currently in need of certain items for their pantry. Below is a list of their needed items. If you bring in any of these items, they will count as 2pts for each one. All other food items are worth 1 point each. Please do not separate items that come in a pack (example: box of granola bars). We can’t accept open material, items that are missing their packaging labels, glass items, or items that have expired. Please check the expiration date before you donate.
2 Point List
Canned Chicken
Peanut Butter Jars - Small Size Only
Canned Tuna
Canned Fruits
Boxes of Granola Bars
Canned Pasta (Spaghetti O’s, Ravioli, or Beefaroni)
Boxes of Spaghetti Noodles
Canned Pasta Sauce (no glass)
Bags of Instant Potatoes
Cans of Chicken Noodle Soup
Canned Beans or Canned Corn
Boxes of Individual Snacks (fruit snacks, cookies, crackers, chips)
Boxes of Microwave Popcorn
Pudding Cups, Jello-Cups, Applesauce Cups/Pouches
Bauer Parent Club
BPC MEETING:
We have a Bauer Parent Club meeting NEXT WEEK Tuesday, November 8 at 7:30 in the Bauer Media Center (Library). We would love to have as many parents there as possible - your contributions truly make a difference! We will hear updates from staff, review our budget and discuss upcoming events.
JET’S PIZZA NIGHT:
Next Tuesday, November 8 is also a Jet’s Pizza Night! Between voting and coming to the BPC meeting, make dinner EASY! Order from Jet’s on Baldwin and they will donate a portion of our sales back to the Bauer Parent Club. And make sure to mention your classroom teacher's name when placing your order because the class with the most orders will win a pizza party!
CONFERENCE MEALS:
Fall conferences are coming soon on 11/14 and 11/16 and we would love to give our teachers dinner on those nights! Physical and monetary contributions are welcome and there is space to sign up for both options here. If sending tangible items in, please deliver to school by 2:00pm (on the day you volunteer to contribute) to allow committee members time to set up. Thank you for supporting our hard-working staff in this way!ONGOING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Fall Scholastic Book Fair
The book fair is coming up fast! Your students will have the opportunity to preview and shop at the book fair the week of November 14-18. We will also be open during conferences for parents to look around (and maybe buy a reward for those smart and well-behaved students!).
E-wallet will again be available for you to add money and allow your student to shop without sending a check or credit card though both are accepted. When sending a check, please address it to Bauer Parent Club. Cash will be sent home for any change to checks with the amount filled out.
Please know that a sales tax is not included and will be added when your child makes their purchase. It is helpful to speak with your child ahead of time about tax and how they will pay more than the precise number listed on the book. Please account for tax when sending cash, check, or setting up E-wallet.
For previous E-wallet balances you can contact customer service at Scholastic, but this year they also plan to send an e-mail approximately 1 week before the book fair begins. Expect to see that by November 8 or contact them directly. This e-mail will include instructions regarding how to combine previous balances with the amount you would like to designate for this fair. E-wallet can be set up using the Scholastic Book Fair website. Please print your eWallet certificate if you are able. This is very helpful if we have any glitches with the internet access.
Bauer Scholastic Book Fair Website: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/bauerelementaryschool2
Customer Service: 616-891-7220
No books are guaranteed, but we will do our best to keep a good selection available for the students.
Breakfast with Books will again be offered for parents to shop with their pre-K or Kindergarten student on Wednesday, November 16. This is a great introduction for both parents new to the school and younger children to look at books together. Please see the hand-out that goes home with your student to RSVP.
If you would like to help at Breakfast with Books or help students at the fair, there are still a few slots available for you to sign up!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084aaaa729a2f85-fall3
Stephanie Martin
KARDS FOR KAREN
Bauer Families:
As many of you know, our beloved secretary Karen Opple planned to take medical leave this year, with the hope of returning next year. She has recently shared that she will be retiring. Many in the Bauer community have expressed a desire to show support and appreciation for Karen. Since December will be a challenging month of treatment and recovery AND we’d like to recognize Karen’s innumerable contributions to Bauer, the Parent Club Care Committee will be holding a “Kards for Karen” drive during the month of November. We will have several large cards for students to sign at school along with a card box in the office to collect personalized cards and gift cards from our families. We hope you’ll join us in recognizing Karen’s steadfast positivity and professionalism at Bauer! If you have any questions, please reach out to Jenny Montag at montagjn@gmail.com.
Update on the 5/6 Building at Georgetown from Mrs. McClure
It is hard to believe that we have wrapped up the first quarter. If I haven't met you yet, my name is Melanie McClure, and I am super excited to be the principal of the 5/6 Building at Georgetown. For the last five years, I was honored to serve as the principal of Alward Elementary here in Hudsonville. Prior to working at Alward, I taught 6th and 7th grade science, math, and ELA and served as principal of a K-6 building in Indiana. Our family has been so fortunate to be able to return to Michigan to be closer to our family and where we grew up! My husband and I have two daughters that attend HPS schools, and we have loved our time here in the community with family and friends.
This year has been a little different for me as I have been immersed in planning and preparing for the opening of the 5/6 building for next fall. During this first quarter, I have been so excited to visit and meet the current fourth and fifth grade students at Alward, Bauer, Georgetown, and Park Elementary Schools. These students are fired up to be the first group of students to step foot and learn in this amazing new building! They have all asked some really great questions about the building, teachers, classes, lunch, and, of course, recess. Most of the planning conversations taking place right now are focused around providing our students with consistent experiences throughout the district such as elective opportunities, class structure, recess, furniture options, and extracurricular opportunities. We are currently planning on having the 5/6 building follow the secondary schedule for start and end times. As more decisions are made, I will continue to update families and students through elementary school newsletters, the HPS Facebook/Instagram page, and the Appleseed.
Some of your students may have come home to share with you details about a t-shirt contest. I am excited to announce that our current fifth grade students are designing the first school wide t-shirt for the 5/6 building. Designs are due on Friday, November 11th. Details for the contest are linked here. During the week of November 14-18, each building's 5th grade group of students will vote on their top two favorite designs. Then the final vote will take place on November 21st and 22nd where all incoming students (current Northside fourth and fifth graders) will vote on their favorite design. The winner of the contest will be announced in early December. Teachers will then collect t-shirt sizes for all fourth and fifth grade students so that we can get t-shirts ordered in January so we can get t-shirts to incoming students around spring break!
I am super excited to continue to get to know the students and families that will be joining the 5/6 Building at Georgetown family!
Melanie McClure
Gary Byker Library of Hudsonville Upcoming Events for Kids*
Register at https://www.hudsonvillelibrary.org/news-events (Events > Event Calendar)
NOT Your Normal Book Club (Book: Wink by Rob Harrell): Tues. Nov 8, 4:30 pm: Ages 9-13
Maker Monday- Gnomes!: Mon., Nov 14, 4:30 pm; Ages 9-18
Yoga Storytime: Thurs. Nov. 3 & 17, 10:15am: Ages 6 & under
Move to the Music: Mondays & Tuesdays in Nov., 10:30 am: Ages 5 & under
Used Book Sale: Nov. 10-12, Hundreds of kids & adult books, CDs, DVDs, and more (Sale in the Library’s Lower Level)
*These are non-school sponsored events.
Bauer Elementary
Email: ehuizen@hpseagles.net
Website: https://www.hudsonvillepublicschools.org
Location: 8136 48th Avenue, Hudsonville, MI, USA
Phone: 616-669-6824
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BauerElementary
Twitter: @BauerElementary