Bobcat Blog
Saturday, October 21
Notes and Reminders
- Sunday, October 22: 11:00 - 2:00 pm - Día de los Muertos at Beye - Join us Sunday!
- Tuesday, October 24: Support the Beye Dining Out Fundraiser (see details below)
- Thursday, October 26: Early Student Dismissal at 11:00 am / Conferences
- Friday, October 27: Early Student Dismissal at 11:00 am
- Tuesday, October 31: Halloween Parade and Parties (More information below)
Principal Message
Thank You
- Thank you Laura Barnard & Lindsay Gaskins for generously opening up your home and providing a great Beye Wine-Down for K-2 grade parents Friday night.
- Thank you Charity Caldwell for all of your hard work preparing for Sunday's Día de los Muertos celebration at Beye. (see information below)
- Thank you Tanya Fisher, Terrell Carter & Elvira Colmenero for bringing Storyteller Jasmine Cardenas to Beye Thursday. The two assemblies were fantastic, and the students learned a lot about HIspanic Heritage.
- Thank you PTO for providing this great opportunity. See the D97 Weekly Wrap up for more information.
- Thank you Lauren MacGregor and Kara Finnegan for meeting with me to discuss advancing Green Team initiatives
- Thank you PTO Board and Working Groups for working so hard to continue to plan for a fantastic year.
- Thank you to all of the amazing students who created such sweet cards and posters for me Friday for Principal's Day. I felt the love. I LOVE being the Beye Principal.
Special Area Conferences - Consider Signing Up - Must do Ahead of Time
The specialists at Beye are available to meet and discuss your child’s progress at scheduled conferences on Thursday, October 26th between 12-7 p.m. To sign up, click the Google Calendar Appointments link for that teacher, click the right arrow to go forward to October 26th, then choose the appointment and fill in your student’s name. Please add Google Meet in the notes if you would prefer a remote conference. (Some of our teachers travel between several schools, and will ONLY be available via Google Meet, as indicated below.)
Conferences Next Week / Lost & Found - Read Below to See How They Go Together
We have SO many sweatshirts, coats, water bottles, etc. in the Lost & Found. Please label your items. Ask your child to check out the Lost and Found next week. I am also asking that if you come in for conferences and to visit the Book Fair to please check it out by the auditorium. All items will be donated after next week.
Nominate a Pre-K-3rd grade teacher for a 2024 Golden Apple Award today!
Help us spread the word that Golden Apple Awards nominations are open!
Honor an outstanding Pre-K-3rd grade teacher by nominating them for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching today: https://www.goldenapple.org/nominate-a-teacher
#TeachGolden #GoldenAppleAwards
Beye Drama Club - Join the Fun!
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-4:30 beginning at the end of December
Where: Beye School Auditorium
Why: The goal of Drama Club is for students to be involved in performing or working backstage on a musical. This club helps create positive connections between 4th and 5th grade students, helps with reading fluency and comprehension, characterization, and allows students to build confidence on stage and in life! Come join in on the fun!
Halloween is coming up on Tuesday, October 31
- 11:40 - 12:35 Regular Recess and Lunch Time (Students can be picked up to go home for lunch and change into their costumes if you wish)
- 1:10 - 1:40 Halloween Parade around the building and school campus block
- 1:40 - 2:40 Halloween parties in the classrooms (no food or drink)
- 3:00 Regular Dismissal
If you would prefer your child not participate in the parade and party, please email the homeroom teacher and Mrs. Sullivan so we can plan an alternate activity.
Halloween Lunch/Recess Plan - Please take this short survey by Wednesday, October 25
Inviting All Educators! Free Film Screening of The Right to Read | Nov. 6th | Oak Park Library
You are invited to join some other Beye parents and myself (as well as many other community members) on Nov. 6th for a free screening of The Right to Read at the Oak Park Main Library. Click HERE to learn more and to register.
PTO News
News From the Student Green Team
NEWS FROM THE STUDENT GREEN TEAM (SGT)
Hello from the Student Green Team!
We’re a group of 67 students with lots planned for this year. Look for our news and updates here in the Bobcat Blog!
Happy (early) Halloween!
Check out ideas on how to "green" your Halloween from Seven Generations ahead.
Compost your pumpkin instead of sending it to the landfill. Pumpkin Smash's are fun and the smashed pumpkins get composted!
Pumpkin Smash Event
Saturday, 11/4 @ 9am-12pm
Forest Park Picnic Grove at Altenheim Property
7824 W. Madison St. Forest Park
Shoe Crew Update:
We've collected 44 pairs of shoes to recycle so far!
Our goal is to keep 444 pairs of shoes out of the landfill this school year!
Beye Community Pantry update:
Student Green Team (SGT) is working with the Fitness and Nutrition Team to help maintain the pantry. You can help too!
Sign up to volunteer here.
Help collect and donate items.
Get others involved.
SGT members and neighbors of 100 N. Cuyler held a pantry drive at their recent block party and collected non-perishables, hygiene and household supplies.
Community groups of all sorts can help-Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, faith groups, etc.
Give what you can, take what you need. Neighbors helping neighbors= Beye strong!
Pumpkin Smash Event
Saturday, 11/4 @ 9am-12pm
Forest Park Picnic Grove at Altenheim Property
7824 W. Madison St. Forest Park
Shoe Crew Update:
We've collected 44 pairs of shoes to recycle so far!
Our goal is to keep 444 pairs of shoes out of the landfill this school year!
Join us to learn about Día de los Muertos at Beye! Sunday, October 22 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Mariachi Sirenas in the Auditorium 11am - noon
- Snacks and activities in the Commons 12pm - 2pm
- Mariachi Sirenas in the Auditorium 11am - noon
- Snacks and activities in the Commons 12pm - 2pm
Bring your families and remember your loved ones, learn about traditions and meaning behind Día de los Muertos celebrations, enjoy some snacks and a bilingual story time from OPPL. This is a great event for kids of all ages, and their grownups of all generations.
We are looking for volunteers to run a few craft tables, help put out decorations and snacks, and of course clean up after:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4DA5AC22A4FC1-45230903-beye
Please email or text Charity if you have suggestions, ideas, or want to help!
Mariachi Sirenas in the Auditorium 11am - noon
- Snacks and activities in the Commons 12pm - 2pm
Bring your families and remember your loved ones, learn about traditions and meaning behind Día de los Muertos celebrations, enjoy some snacks and a bilingual story time from OPPL. This is a great event for kids of all ages, and their grownups of all generations.
We are looking for volunteers to run a few craft tables, help put out decorations and snacks, and of course clean up after:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4DA5AC22A4FC1-45230903-beye
Please email or text Charity if you have suggestions, ideas, or want to help!
3124377697
Support the PTO with October's Dine Out Fundraiser - Tuesday, October 24
The flier says you have to bring back the form, but you do not. You DO however need to mention "Beye School fundraiser" when ordering. Thanks!
Parent-Teacher Conference Meals
Dear Beye Families,
As you know, Parent-Teacher conferences are coming up and the PTO would like to provide our hard working teachers and staff with a meal on Thursday, October 26th. Please check out the categories and consider signing up to contribute or volunteer with set up or clean up. Food can be homemade or store bought, but please make sure that everything is NUT-FREE! All food should be dropped off on the morning of Thursday the 26th, between 8 and 10:30. Any questions, or if you need to make other arrangements, please email Molly Greenwood-Whalen at president@beyeschoolpto.org. Thank you!
Book Fair is Coming Up!
Calling all volunteers! The annual book fair will be held Wednesday, October 25th through Friday the 27th. We’ll need help in two hour shifts starting Wednesday afternoon with set up and ending Friday afternoon with breakdown. Link to sign up is here. Thank you!!
District News
Family-Teacher Conferences Oct. 26 and Oct. 27
Family-Teacher Conferences are next week! As a reminder, school will dismiss early on Thursday, Oct. 26, and Friday, Oct. 27, for Family-Teacher Conferences. The elementary schools will dismiss at 11 a.m. and the middle schools will dismiss at noon on both days.
Family-Teacher Conferences are an exciting opportunity to better understand our students and their strengths, needs, behaviors and progress.
We encourage you to explore our Getting Ready for Family-Teacher Conferences webpage before next week in preparation for your student’s conference. Click here to view the Getting Ready for Family-Teacher Conferences webpage >>
Thank you in advance for taking the time to support our students and schools!
In Case You Missed It
For Families with 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders - Panorama Survey is Coming Up
October 2023
Dear Beye School Families of Students in Grades 3-5,
Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is committed to creating positive learning environments that are equitable, inclusive, and focused on the whole child. An important part of this work is listening and learning from our students as to how they are experiencing the culture and climate at our schools.
District 97 is working with Panorama Education, a student survey platform, to support us in administering school culture and climate surveys to our students in grades 3-8. The purpose of the survey is for students to share their perceptions on engagement, school climate, school safety, sense of belonging, and teacher-student relationships. Students will complete the online survey in school and it will take about 10 minutes to complete. Student responses are confidential.
Survey data is used to help District 97 and school teams with continuous improvement, adjusting programs and resources to meet the needs of students and to support inclusive and safe environments for everyone in the school community. Students take this survey in the fall and in the spring.
We hope to have all students in grades 3-5 participate in our spring survey that will take place between November 6th-November 15th. While our goal is to have 100% participation, parents/guardians may choose to not have their child participate. If you prefer your child does not participate, please complete this opt out form by October 27 at 4 p.m. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Michele Capio, Director of UDL at mcapio@op97.org.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sullivan
Beye Principal
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP PLAN LUNAR NEW YEAR and BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS
The Beye PTO Programs Working Group is seeking parent/caregiver volunteers to help plan events for both Lunar New Year and Black History Month events. There are many possibilities for each of these events, but we'd love your fresh ideas, experience and expertise to make them meaningful and fun for all. Please connect with Terrell and Tanya at programs@beyeschoolpto.org if you are interested or have questions.
In the Know with the PTO!
In the Know with the PTO!
Good bye, Konstella; Hello, Google Workspace!
Hi Beye families! As you may have heard, the PTO has transitioned to Google as our main communication platform. To join your child's classroom group, go to this document, and follow the instructions. Once your request is approved, you'll be notified that you've been added to your child's classroom. Once there, you'll be able to communicate with other families and get information from your classroom Room Leaders.
District 97 Halloween Letter 2023
Dear District 97 Families,
With Halloween approaching, families who celebrate may be discussing costume choices. Although students are not required to wear costumes in District 97, we recognize that they can be a fun and creative part of fall.
Our goal is to create a positive learning environment where all students, staff and families feel a sense of belonging. In that spirit, if your student does choose to dress up in a costume, we ask that you ensure that their costume choice does not portray a stereotypical image of any group of people or culture, or be offensive to any racial, ethnic or religious group. We appreciate you being proactive with your student in making thoughtful costume choices.
To support you in your conversation with your student and to build your understanding around this topic, we have compiled links to resources that you may find helpful:
- "I Am Not a Costume" (information about Laurier Students' Public Interest Research Group campaign)
- "Teaching Tolerance: Teach About Blackface and Other Racist Halloween Choices" (written for educators, but provides useful prompts for discussions at home)
- Halloween: When the Goblins, Ghosts and Stereotypes Come Out - Anti Defamation League
Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools.
- Oak Park Elementary School District 97
Save the Date - Beye Brief PTO Meeting & Math Night: Thursday, November 9 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Would you like to join us on the PTO School Improvement Plan Working Group?
Families,
Last year, after presenting our Beye School Improvement Plan at a PTO meeting, a conversation began and some people in attendance initiated the idea of forming a PTO School Improvement Plan working group. I was excited that we formed that group and about 8-10 folks joined. We will be continuing with that work. Some of the folks from last year will be continuing, and we are looking for new members as well. Anyone who is interested in joining the PTO SIP working group, please see below. We will let you know when we will first be meeting. For those of you who are knew, the School Improvement Plan outlines the goals and action plans in the areas of Reading, Math, Sense of Belonging and Engagement. Our SY24 SIP will be shared soon.
You can go to this link and request to join the SIP Support Google Group (sip@beyeschoolpto.org)
Join the Beye School Families' Facebook Group
Meal Information for the 2023-24 School Year
The breakfast and lunch menus for our elementary and middle schools are available at http://www.op97.org/business-office/food-service. During the 2023-24 school year, students may:
- Bring a nut-free lunch from home.
- Order school lunch.
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
Students may receive meals at a free or reduced cost either by being directly approved by the State of Illinois OR being approved after completing the 2023-24 Free and Reduced Lunch Application (English/Spanish). All families who are directly approved by the state will receive an approval letter by email. If you feel your student may qualify for free or reduced priced meals but are not directly approved, we encourage you to complete the application as soon as possible Please visit https://www.op97.org/business-office/food-service for more information.
William Beye Elementary School
Cheryl Sullivan
Beye Principal
Location: 230 North Cuyler Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708- 524-3070
Twitter: @MrsSullivand97