Bobcat Blog
Friday, January 19
Notes and Reminders
- Monday, January 22: Spelling Bee (2nd and 3rd)
- Monday, January 22 - Friday, January 26: MAP testing
- Saturday, January 27: Beye Pancake Breakfast (see details below) and general PTO meeting
- Tuesday, January 30: Dine Out for Beye at Tacos 76
- Sunday, February 4th: Beye PTO is hosting a Lunar New Year Celebration in the Commons from 3pm-5pm.
MAP Testing Taking Place Next Week - January 22 - January 26
All of our Bobcats will be taking the MAP tests next week. K - 5 will take a Reading and Math test. Our kindergarten and first grade students will also take a Dyslexia Screener. Homeroom Teachers should have communicated the specific testing times. Reach out to them if you have questions. There will not be a third MAP testing period this year as there previously has been.
As we prepare for MAP testing, it is important to know that these tests are not timed. However, we remind students to not go too fast, nor take too long on a problem. In addition to teachers monitoring the testing sessions, the test itself does track for "rapid guessing." Thank you for talking to your child about doing their best and taking their time. MAP testing helps teachers know what students have mastered and what standards they still need to learn or practice. For those of you who don't know, MAP testing is unique in that it is individualized. In simplest terms, if a student gets a problem correct, they get a harder question in that area next. (for example, the next geometry question) If they miss a problem, the reverse happens. Students are not expected to be able to answer all of the problems correctly because the testing system is set up to find their unique level.
Tips for a Great MAP testing week:
- Must bring their iPad fully charged to school each day (we do not have extra iPads)
- Get a good night sleep
- Have a healthy breakfast
- Come with a Positive Attitude and Growth Mindset (I will do my best)
Congrats to our 4th and 5th Grade Spelling Bee Participants and Winners
Great job to all of the students who participated in the spelling bees. Congratulations to the following 4th and 5th graders:
GRADE 4
1st Jahan Majeed
2nd Luka Kasten
3rd Narayan Belconis
GRADE 5
1st Collin Kuipers
2nd Emmy Cregler
3rd Miguel Vázquez
Lost and Found
I am very appreciative of Sue Schwab, our building engineer, for creating a new Lost and Found space. It is located by entrance/exit 5E. However, I am sad seeing how much is there. Please see below for a picture taken yesterday and encourage your child to check it out if they are missing something. You are highly encouraged to label things.
After School with Oak Park Education Foundation: Winter/Spring 2024 is coming!
Oak Park Ed Foundation is teaming up with Beye teachers and staff to offer some amazingly fun classes after school that will keep your kids engaged during these long, cold afternoons. The classes take place right after school so there is no extra work on your part to get your kids to another location to try something new. How great is that?!
Classes are for all Beye students, K-5th grade, and offer a variety of options including Drill Team, Multi-Sport Madness (Spanish-Immersive), Spheros Robotics (free for kids on free/reduced lunch!), Dungeons and Dragons/Table-Top Gaming and Chess. Classes run February 12th through May 10th.
Scholarships are available for students on free/reduced lunch and/or students experiencing financial hardship. Please contact Tara Oetting, Programs Director at Oak Park Education Foundation to receive more information about scholarship/free classes.
More information on classes and registration can be found here:Beye After School with OPEF. Registration opens Sunday, January 14th at 4:00pm and spaces are limited.
An Updated Message (for 5th as well now) from The Beye School Social Workers and School Psychologist for 3rd, 4th AND 5th grade Families
A Message from The Beye School Social Workers and School Psychologist….
Dear Parent/Guardian of 3rd -5th grade students,
District 97 has partnered again with Lurie Children’s Hospital in order to implement Bounce Back, a skill-building resiliency program for elementary age students who have been exposed to significant stressful events/ trauma. These events might include, but are not limited to, things such as; parental separation, witnessing violence, being a victim of violence, a natural or man-made disaster, house fire or accident , being physically harmed or injured, and/or seeing someone being physically harmed. Bounce Back has been shown to be effective at reducing children’s symptoms of anxiety.
Beye’s Social Workers and School Psychologist will be facilitating this program Spring 2024 for 3rd - 5th grade students. Please call or email Lori Janu-Chossek ljanu-chossek@op97.org 708-524-3072 to learn more about this program and discuss possible screening* for your child.
*not every child who is screened will meet the criteria for participation.
A more detailed description of the program is as follows:
2nd - 5th Grade Families: Beye Spelling Bees are Coming Up
The Beye Spelling Bees will take place during the school day at the following times:
4th and 5th Grades: Thursday, January 18 (4th = 12:45 pm; 5th = 1:45 pm)
2nd and 3rd Grades: Monday, January 22 (2nd = 12:45 pm; 3rd = 1:45 pm)
If your child would like to participate, please sign up using the link below. Homeroom teachers are sending home the lists to practice, and I included them in today's updated email.
Here is the sign-up link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKccP1xCozZRfyn5B2LFeZw_H2eYFK519DOsubeoXaXaD_wA/viewform
AYSO Spring Soccer Registration is open until January 31st!
AYSO Spring Soccer Registration is open until January 31st!
- Practice 1-2 times per week on week nights starting in March
- Weekly Saturday games starting April 6th (eight in total, excluding Memorial Day weekend)
- Grade level divisions, starting with kindergarten through 8th grade (some grades may be combined depending on participation)
- Uniforms provided | shin guards required | cleats recommended
Register here: https://www.ayso697.org/
Questions: info@oakparkayso.org
PTO News
Pancake Breakfast is Back!
We are so excited that the pancake breakfast is back. We hope you can join us. Please consider signing up to help below.
PTO General Meeting
Come for the Pancakes, Stay for the PTO meeting: January 27, 10:30-11 am
Please join us in the library to find out what the PTO’s been doing so far and what we have planned for the rest of the year, as well as an update from Principal Sullivan and a brief presentation by PING!, a local nonprofit which supplies musical instruments to students.
Support Beye PTO - see Dine Out Flyer Below
Three on Three Basketball Tournament is Coming Back
“We are bringing it back! The Beye School PTO is happy to announce the three-on-three basketball tournament will be returning! We are currently looking for volunteers to help plan the event. If you’re interested in sharing your ideas, please email Michele at michelejurewicz@gmail.com“
Lunar New Year Community Event
On February 4th, the Beye PTO is hosting a Lunar New Year Celebration in the Commons from 3pm-5pm. There will be themed craft stations, story time, food, and a dragon dance! Please bring your families and join the fun! We also need your help to make this event wonderful - if you would like to volunteer for the event, please go to this sign-up form.
District News
K-5 Families Invited to Share Feedback on Early Literacy Resources
Complete a brief survey by Jan. 22, 2024, to share feedback with the District 97 Core Instruction Team
Your voice is important to us! We are inviting all District 97 families in kindergarten through fifth grade to participate in a brief survey about your student’s experience with the district’s current reading and writing resources. This will also be an opportunity for you to provide insight regarding your hopes for a resource that will support your student’s strengths, needs, and goals. The survey opens on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, and closes on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Click here to participate in the survey. We look forward to receiving your feedback!
Early Admission to Kindergarten/First Grade - Family Information Session on Jan. 31
For families who are seeking early admission to kindergarten or first grade, the district will be hosting an information session on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements for early admission to kindergarten or first grade.
Click here to view the event flyer >>
For more information about the process for early admissions, please visit https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/acceleration/early-entrance.
Accelerated Learning - Family Information Session on Feb. 7
Accelerated Learning - Family Information Session on Feb. 7
Join District 97 for an Accelerated Learning Family Information Night on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brooks Middle School. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements for:
Single-subject and whole-grade acceleration (Grades K-8)
Middle School Math Enrichment Program (Grades 5-7)
Summer Math Review (Grades 5-7)
Click here to view the event flyer >>
For more information about the process for single subject and whole grade acceleration, please visit https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/acceleration.
Winter Preparedness in District 97
Emergency Closings and E-Learning Days
Please take a moment to review the information shared in the district’s Weekly Wrap-Up on Dec. 1 regarding winter preparedness.
The district’s emergency closing and E-Learning procedures are outlined in this brief deck; full details are posted at https://www.op97.org/communications/emergency-closings.
Cold Weather Reminders for Families
District 97 believes it is important for students to have opportunities for physical activity and play time during the day—even during the cold winter months. This winter, students will be permitted to go outside for recess when the temperature, with wind chill, is 15 degrees or higher. The district utilizes the Wind Chill Chart developed by the National Weather Service.
It is important that students dress in warm layers when cold temperatures are expected. Students should remember to bring hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, coats, snow pants and boots. It is recommended that families label these items with their children’s names.
Our staff will carefully monitor students while outside and take the necessary steps to ensure students are appropriately clothed/prepared for the cold weather, watching out for signs of frostbite and other cold-related issues.
Keeping Our Schools Healthy
This season, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is encouraging individuals to be aware of respiratory viruses, including the flu, RSV and COVID-19. CLICK HERE to watch a brief video of everyday strategies to keep our schools healthy this winter >>
Erin's Law Letter (emailed separately as well)
January 19, 2024
Dear Beye Family,
We have been using the Second Step program in your child’s classroom and across the district to teach important social-emotional skills, such as getting along with others, solving problems, and managing emotions. The program also helps our schools to be safe and supportive places where everyone can learn.
The Second Step program provides instructional materials, called Child Protection Units, that are aligned with Erin’s Law, an Illinois state law that requires all public schools to implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program. For more information on Erin’s Law, please go to https://www.erinslawillinois.org/.
Beginning in February, your child’s Second Step teacher(s) will be teaching the lessons from the Child Protection Unit to teach students the following skills:
Personal Safety: Students will learn important safety rules and ways to stay safe. They will also learn ways to help them decide if something is safe or not.
Touching Safety: Students will learn about safe, unsafe, and unwanted touches, and rules about touching private body parts.
Assertiveness: These lessons will also give students a chance to practice asking an adult for help, telling an adult about an unsafe situation, and being assertive to get out of unsafe situations.
To keep your child safe and protected, everyone at school needs to be involved. All of our staff members receive special training on how to:
Recognize and report suspected child sexual abuse;
Respond to and support children who have been abused or who are facing other challenges;
Use strategies that promote a safe and supportive school climate.
For more information on the Second Step Child Protection Unit resources, please go to www.SecondStep.org, create an account and log in through My Dashboard with the activation key for your child’s grade level provided below.
Pre Kindergarten: CPUEFAMILYGE
Kindergarten: CPUKFAMILYGK
1st grade: CPU1FAMILYG1
2nd grade: CPU2FAMILYG2
3rd grade: CPU3FAMILYG3
4th grade: CPU4FAMILYG4
5th grade: CPU5FAMILYG5
District 97 acknowledges that families/caregivers are the primary educators for their children on sensitive matters such as this. If you have any questions about Erin’s Law and/or Second Step’s Child Protection Units, or if you do not want your child to participate in these lessons, please contact Karen Foleno, Student Support Specialist, at kfoleno@op97.org and Lori Janu-Chossek, Social Worker, at ljanu-chossek@op97.org by January 26, 2024.
Thank you for helping us make our schools supportive places, where students feel safe and a sense of belonging.
Sincerely,
Michele Capio
Director of Universal Design for Learning
In Case You Missed It
Registration for Oak Park Youth Baseball and Softball's 2024 spring season is officially open!
Register at www.opybs.org. Early bird rates are available through January 8, 2024.
· T-Ball Leagues: $155 early bird rate ($200 regular rate)
· All Other Leagues: $200 early bird rate ($250 regular rate)
OPYBS has moved from TeamSnap to Crossbar for registration and team management. Birth certificates are needed for new and existing players.
If you have any questions you can reach out to Kelly Smith. (email vallaney@gmail.com or cell 312.399.0094)
See this Great Opportunity Below for Extra Math or Reading Enrichment
See Below for Information about Nature Club
By Discovery has Some Spots
Aftercare on-site at Beye School, M-F through 6pm, with By Discovery:
By Discovery Art Enrichment Program currently has full and part time openings, M-F. We also have limited need-based scholarships available, offering a 50% reduction in the program fee. Jocelyne Adkins, Program Director & Lead Art Educator, is a former Beye parent who founded By Discovery in 2011 (formerly Beye Discovery). Students enjoy outdoor play everyday, weather permitting. Projects include painting, illustration, sculpture, clay, fiber/textile art, collage and printmaking. Follow us on Instagram at by_discovery_llc to see what our students are creating with us. To register, please visit https://forms.gle/YDLD31eMuELySwZg9 or visit https://www.bydiscovery.org/ For questions, please contact Jocelyne at jocelyne@bydiscovery.org Thank you!
Green Team Volunteer Opportunities
You do not need to be a Green Team member to volunteer. There are lots of options for one time or recurring volunteering shifts.
Lunchroom sorting sign up here
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0E49ADA92CA4FBC70-lunchroom
Student Green Team, Earth Month Events, First Grade Garden, Shoe Drive, and Food Recovery sign up here
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0E49ADA92CA4FBC70-45667625-beye
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.
Join the Beye School Families' Facebook Group
William Beye Elementary School
Cheryl Sullivan
Beye Principal
Location: 230 North Cuyler Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708- 524-3070
Twitter: @MrsSullivand97