BG eNews
October 6, 2021
Notes from Principal Klueppel...
Oct. 7 & 8 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (No School)
Oct. 11 - Columbus Day Holiday (No School)
Oct. 20 - Picture Retakes
Oct. 27 - Early Release (2:10 Dismissal)
Nov. 5 - End of 1st Trimester
Nov. 17 - Report Cards Available on HAC
Nov. 22-26 - Non Attend. Days & Thanksgiving Break (No School)
Dec. 1 - Early Release (2:10 Dismissal)
Dec. 20 - 31 Winter Break (No School)
Jan. 3 - Institute Day (No School)
UPDATED Symptom Guidelines for sending your child to school
From the Nurse
Forms needed for the school year:
K: Up to date Physical, Immunizations, Dental and Vision as well as a Health survey
2nd: Dental (due by May)
3rd: Updated Health survey
New students to Illinois: Physical and Immunization, Dental and Vision on Illinois forms.
All forms can be found at the district website in the health services tab.
Remember to pack extra masks for your students in case they misplace theirs or they get dirty. If you do not want your child to wear school issued clothes in the event their clothes get soiled please send a spare in your child's backpack.
Please call the Health Office any time 8-3 if you have any questions or concerns this school year. If you have any Covid-19 related questions please call the health office at 331-228-2104 or refer to the district website.
BG Parent Volunteers
We are excited to open our doors to volunteers!
All volunteers, new and “old,” will be asked to complete the Volunteer Form prior to coming in to volunteer for the first time this school year. Once we have it on file you will not need to complete it again this year. I assume there may be questions regarding the fingerprinting form from a few years ago. Right now, we are not requiring volunteers to get fingerprinted. Volunteers simply need to complete the Volunteer Form.
Just like in previous years, volunteers will need to have their license with them for us to scan into our Raptor System. In addition now, you will need to show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 72hrs. Digital or paper proof is fine. We will NOT retain a paper copy of your vaccination or negative Covid tests here at the building. Therefore, please be prepared to show proof each day you volunteer.
All volunteers will be required to adhere to the safety mitigations schools are following. Volunteers will need to remain 3’ from students and to wear a mask for their entire time in the building.
It will be so nice to have parent volunteers back in our school!!!!
Principal Klueppel
Fall Party Costumes
Bell-Graham is excited to announce that for the first time since BG opened their doors 22 years ago, students will be permitted to wear their costumes at school. Below are the details that will assist students, teachers, and families in making the best decision for each individual child. Please know, we recognize that not all students WANT to wear a costume to school. Within the details provided, we have given suggestions for students who do not want to wear a costume for personal reasons. We support all students in the decisions they make for themselves regarding participation in dressing up.
Details:
- Students may come to school wearing their costumes on Friday October 29. Students will not have the opportunity to change into or out of their costume at school. Students will be wearing their costumes all day. Please think about students sitting in these costumes all day, using the washroom, attending recess and specials.
- Students will still be required to wear face masks.
- No costume masks, no makeup, no inflatable costumes. Costumes must be appropriate for school (no blood, gore, weapons, or accessories).
- Throughout the week of October 25, the Student Council will be hosting a Spirit Week. Each day will have a different clothing theme (examples could include: crazy hats, silly socks, mixed up colors day, etc). Friday October 29, will be a Spirit Day as well for anyone who would rather participate in the Spirit Day versus wearing a costume.
- Each grade level will determine what time their class party will be. Classroom teachers will work directly with their Head Room Parents to coordinate details. Watch for updated party information from your Head Room Parent!!!
- No food is permitted at Fall Classroom Parties. This includes no food in goodie bags either.
- We will not hold a costume parade.
PTO News
Fall Fest
Fall Fest at Windy Acres Farm
37W446 Fabyan Pkwy,Geneva, IL 60134, ph:,(630) 232-6429
October 22, from 4 - 630/645 pm (rain date is 10/27)
(Most farm attractions will need to shut-down when sun sets for safety, around 6pm)
*BG tent will be lit-up to continue our games & cake walk.Food & drinks available at the farm concession stands.
Buy pre-paid wristbands here, $13 per person, children 2 & under free https://checkout.square.site/buy/HVXUQ367VEDGRIPIZ3RWHJGP
There will be fun for all ages. Kids can wear costumes and enjoy festivities. Cake Walk will return in the BG tent along with a few other games, crafts, & raffle. Windy Acres also offers so many new attractions like: corn maze, jumping pillow, bouncy houses, ziplines, petting zoo, mini-golf, haystack maze & mountain, lots of playgrounds and climbing, and tons of games!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED DESPERATELY TO HELP OUT! TEENAGERS WELCOME WHO NEED VOLUNTEER HOURS! ****Volunteers will need to pay the entry fee this year because this is a public venue.
Volunteer help for set-up, games, breakdown, and donations! Sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f4fa5ab2da0ff2-fall1
Fundraiser is still on! Mums will be sold until supply is gone.
Orders can be picked-up on Oct 22, during Fall Fest or at Windy Acres. Consider donating farm baked goods to the CAKE WALK also. Make a note in the "notes" section as "Cake Walk Donation".
Simply order online:
https://windyacresfarmstand.com/fundraising/bell-graham-flower-fundraiser/
Awesome seasonal items:
Apple Cider donuts
Pumpkins (variety of sizes)
Home Made Carmel Apples
Freshly Baked Pies (Apple, Peach, Blueberry, Strawberry rhubarb, Carmel Apple Walnut, Cherry, Pumpkin, Pecan) and more!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS SO FAR! CURRENTLY ACCEPTING MORE SPONSORS TO ADD AWESOME ATTRACTIONS (LIKE THE FARM TRAIN) .
Anthony Talbot, Robertson Ryan & Associates,https://www.robertsonryan.com/about-us/our-team/agents/anthony-talbot/
Direct: 630-468-5431 & atalbot@robertsonryan.com
Nudera Orthodontics, https://www.nuderaorthodontics.com
Mark Sychowski State Farm Insurance: www.insuranceelburn.com
Joann Coghill and Jenna Coghill Smulski Keller Williams Premiere Properties:joanncoghill.com
Tsiftilis Family Business
Learning Express: learningexpress.com/geneva
To sponsor or help out, email Kim Nudera at: kimberlybednarz@hotmail.com
Staff Appreciation
Help us show our appreciation for our wonderful Bell Graham Staff in October! We will be having a “snack bar” for the staff on Thursday, October 7th.
Please sign up for a slot on our sign up genius by October 1st and drop off your contribution to Jenna Smulski at 40W228 James Michener in St Charles (Fox Mill Subdivision). The latest to drop your contribution is the evening of October 6th. Any questions please contact Jenna at jennac@gmail.com or text 630-330-9019.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f4fa5ab2da0ff2-bell1
No Cook Night
Please join us for a no cook day/night on October 13th at Buona Beef at 2425 W Main Street in St Charles. 20% of the proceeds will support Bell Graham PTO. Please mention the Bell Graham PTO fundraiser when ordering. This is valid from open to close on October 13th!
Makers in Action!
LEGO Creation
Cardboard Airplane
LEGO Police Station
Picture Retakes - Oct. 20
Picture Day Ordering Information
Please read the information below from Color Portraits.
If you missed prepaying you will have a chance to order pictures with your child's Ticket Code. Ticket Codes will be delivered to Bell-Graham with the bulk picture package order soon. The ticket codes will be sent home with students when they arrive. When placing an order after Picture Day with a Ticket Code a shipping fee will be added on and picture packages will be shipped directly to your home.
SHIELD Testing
If you changed your mind about your initial response to SHIELD testing, you can go back to the portal and update your response.
YOU WILL ONLY BE NOTIFIED OF POSITIVE TEST RESULTS
(no news is good news)
How to Report Baker Station Absences
If your child will be absent on a day they would normally attend Baker Station, you need to email your site directly or email Ursula Bulgarelli, Baker Station Coordinator at ubulgarelli@stcparks.org , ALL absences must be reported by 12:30pm on the day of your child’s absence. The St. Charles Park District and Baker Station staff does not receive this information from the individual school sites.
Attendance Line
Bell-Graham Resources
Bell Graham Elementary School
Website: bellgraham.d303.org
Location: 4N505 Fox Mill Blvd St. Charles, IL 60175
Phone: 331-228-2100
Facebook: facebook.com/BellGrahamElementary
Twitter: @BellGrahamD303
CUSD 303 Resources
Upcoming Parent University Programs
Please take a moment to register for these upcoming programs. The Zoom link will be sent to you closer to the date. If you are unable to join us live, don’t worry - the sessions will be recorded so you can watch another time. Additional information about Parent University can be found here on the D303 website.
October 6, 2021 - SOS for Parents in the Trenches, Zoom Webinar, 6:30 p.m.
Debbie Reber, NY Times bestselling author
(Recording will be available after the event)
When parents are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and burned out, it’s hard to show up in a way that best supports their child’s development, especially if/ when our kids are struggling, too. In this practical and actionable talk, Debbie shares ten powerful “tilts,” a.k.a. practical ideas to help parents shift their thinking, responses, and actions in a way that will help them feel more confident and peaceful as they parent their unique children.
October 13, 2021 - Supporting Kids Who Learn Differently: Back-to-School Edition, Zoom Webinar, 6:30 p.m. Debbie Reber, NY Times bestselling author
(Recording to be posted)
School always presents certain challenges for students who learn and think differently (kids with ADHD, dyslexia, giftedness, autism, anxiety, or other neuro-differences). But the COVID-19 pandemic has created even greater obstacles. Debbie shares ideas on how parents can best prioritize and plan in the pandemic-era school landscape. She also offers advice on how to support differently wired children’s cognitive, social, and emotional needs during this atypical time, while also taking care of one’s own emotional health and well-being.