Bobcat Blog
Friday, October 13
Notes and Reminders
- Thursday, October 19: Jasmine Cardenas presentations for students
- Sunday, October 22: 11:00 - 2:00 pm - Día de los Muertos at Beye
- 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)
Great Apple Crunch Joy
Ms. Stewart & Ms. Hiatt's Class
Mr. Ricker's Class enjoying the apples!
Ms. Stewart & Ms. Hiatt's Class
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
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 parade, please email the homeroom teacher and Mrs. Sullivan so we can plan an alternate activity.
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
Important Message from our Beye PTO Fundraising Co-chairs
Dear Beye School Families,
With the school year well underway, we wanted to take a moment to thank the Beye community for your involvement-- and financial support – of the Beye PTO last year. As you know, the PTO relies on generous donations-- of both money and time-- from the Beye community to offer enrichment and support to students, teachers, and families.
Donations to the PTO last year supported:
- A Beye School t-shirt for every student to promote a sense of belonging and provide a fun way to show our school spirit, especially on Fridays!
- Hot meals for teachers during parent-teacher conferences-- ensuring our staff are nourished and feel supported during these long days.
- A copy of last year's One District One Book selection, Maya & the Robot, for all our teachers to read along with students.
- Grants to teachers towards classroom-specific needs such as chairs and cushions, art supplies, games and workbooks. Your child's favorite cozy spot in their classroom may be provided by a PTO grant!
Last year, we were excited to bring back in-person events like Opera for the Young, the Dia de los Muertos event, and our Black History Month celebration. This year, look for all of these to return, along with new events like last month's Farmers' Market and a Lunar New Year celebration early in 2024. But these can't happen without your support - the more donations we receive and the more volunteers we have to staff events, the bigger we can dream, and the more creative offerings our PTO Work Groups can plan for the coming year. Our working groups such as Fitness & Nutrition, the Green Team, and Programs have lots of exciting plans for the year--- but we rely on your support--- through your volunteer involvement as well as your donations to the PTO-- to make these dreams a reality.
Throughout the year we will be sharing some ways to help and support the PTO on the Bobcat Blog, such as participating in Dining Out for Beye events at local restaurants year round, purchasing Beye merch, supporting the plant sale and book fair(s), attending parent engagement events and more. Keep an eye out for all of these as well as for the return of old pre-pandemic favorites, the Pancake Breakfast and the FunFair. We thank you in advance for your support! As a reminder, donations to the PTO can be made via our website: https://www.beyeschoolpto.org/fundraising.html. If you are interested in getting more involved in the Beye PTO or have questions, please reach out to us or to the PTO at board@beyeschoolpto.org
Thank you!
Morgan Benson (parent of a 1st & 3rd Grader)
Jonathan Kinkley (parent of a 5th Grader)
Co-chairs of the Beye PTO Fundraising Committee
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!
Parents of Beye K-2 Students
The Beye PTO is happy to share the following invitation to an informal, Wine & Cheese Get-together on Friday, October 20th, 5-7pm at the home of a Beye family. Parents and guardians of K-2nd grade Beye students are encouraged to attend*. Please come out to meet other Beye parents and end the work week on a fun note! Wine, cheese and light snacks will be provided free (thanks to the generous donations of our hosts!). A suggested donation of $20 will be collected at the door, with all proceeds benefiting the Beye PTO! Adults only, please. Space is limited, so please check out details and RSVP, here: http://evite.me/gBX5WVGZye
*A similar event for parents of 3-5th graders is in the works!
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!!
In Case You Missed It
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: Middle School Math Enrichment 2024
In 2024, District 97 will be offering Math Enrichment Bridge Courses for Acceleration and Summer Math Review Courses for students in grades 5 through 7. Families should SAVE the DATE if their student is interested in participating in these courses (CLICK HERE to view the program flyer>>).
Registration information and additional details about this program will be shared with families in January.
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