Two players from the Harlem Wizards stopped by our school on Thursday to promote this weekend's game. Our student volunteers did a great job, and we all had a fantastic time!

The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 invites the community to its fifth Harlem Wizards fundraiser game on Sunday, Jan. 15 from 6-8 p.m. at Downers Grove South High School. The doors will open at 5 p.m. Buy tickets today at www.58foundation.org!

The Harlem Wizards will take on the Downers Grovetrotters, a team of 28 teachers and staff representing every District 58 school during a thrilling and unpredictable basketball game. (Click here to view the Downers Grovetrotters team roster!) Spectators will applaud, laugh, cheer and gasp as they observe the Harlem Wizards perform their famous and remarkable basketball tricks while playing a timed game against several beloved teachers and staff.

Online tickets are $14 (plus a $1.50 service fee) and can be purchased at www.58foundation.org. If they are still available, tickets will cost $16 at the door. Children ages 2 and younger do not require a ticket to attend. All event proceeds will be donated to the Education Foundation, a non-profit that raises money to support District 58 students.

Volunteers may attend the event for free! The Foundation seeks several volunteers to assist with ticket, raffle and concession sales, as well as to run the merch table. Please click here to sign up to volunteer!

Souvenirs will be available for purchase, and the Wizards will sign autographs after the game.

The Downers Grove District 58 Education Foundation coordinates the Harlem Wizards game. Learn more about the Harlem Wizards at www.harlemwizards.com. Learn more about the Education Foundation at www.58foundation.org.

Please consider attending the District’s Facility Visioning Session on Monday, Jan. 30 from 6:30-8 p.m. at O’Neill. You will have an opportunity to learn more about District 58’s post-referendum draft facility plans and provide direct feedback, which the District will use to inform the final plans.

If you would like to attend, please complete this RSVP form by Tuesday, Jan. 17. Learn more here.

We understand that students possess and use different types of technology for a variety of reasons. Students can bring their electronic devices (including cell phones, smartwatches, and AirPods) to school, but we ask that all non-district-issued technologies are silenced and out of sight throughout the school day. Students are allowed to wear smartwatches, but they are to be silenced/in school mode during the day to keep them from being a distraction. The district-provided technology is what students will use to participate in lessons and complete assignments, and students shouldn't be texting with you or others during the school day.

Please continue to reach out to the school with any changes in plans that we can pass along, and we will continue to reach out to you with any needs or support that may be needed. Thank you for your help!

We continue to partner with the Downers Grove Fire Department and the Learn Not to Burn program. This is a program that they offer for third grade classrooms throughout the village. They provide fire safety and help students understand how to stay safe and safely exit the home in the event of a fire emergency.

As part of the program, students are asked to create a plan to escape their home in the event of a fire by practicing E.D.I.T.H. (Exit Drills In The Home). Students draw a diagram of the home and plan two ways out of every room. They make sure there is a working smoke alarm outside each sleeping area (and one in each bedroom), and the locations are included in the diagram. They make sure that everyone in the home can lock and unlock doors and windows, and they ensure that there is a safe way to exit the home if there are multiple levels.

The plans/diagrams are submitted to the fire department once completed, and a very small pool of plans are selected as top-notch. One of our third grade student's plans was selected this year. Please help me congratulate Kyla!

As a result of this, Kyla will enjoy breakfast with some of our firefighters, and she will be given a ride to school in one of our fire trucks. I'll let you know when that will happen as the date approaches.

Mrs. Cardinal is ready to get Kindness Club up and running for students in Grades 3 - 6). The following link will provide more information and registration:

Kindness Club, Grades 3 - 6

Attention Third through Sixth graders who love to write:

Many of us love to create our own stories, but never find the time to sit down and write. Share ideas, get editing help, and give yourself a chance to write right here at Belle Aire School. You might even make a friend with another student who loves to write. Join us on Thursdays from 3-3:45 starting on January 12. The completed stories are due on March 23. If Thursdays are not convenient for you, we still want to encourage you to write. Talk to Mrs. Mommsen for more details.

To register for Belle Aire Young Authors’ Club, please have your parent complete this form.

Ms. Erickson is ready to kick off our Game Time Club for the year. The following link will give you more information and registration:

Game Time Club