Bauer Bits
November 11, 2022
From the Principal's Desk
Happy Veteran's Day! America is a great place and part of the reason why is that people are willing to engage in sacrificial behaviors for the greater good. Our veterans demonstrate this when they join the military. Their personal freedoms and thoughts are put in the background and service, sacrifice, what is best for the team, and esprit de corps take priority. At times veterans are called upon to make even greater sacrifices and put their lives on the line defending our country and our values against enemies. A great many soldiers have paid the ultimate price and given their very lives for this Nation.
Something I personally enjoy is thanking veterans for their service, reading about great moments from our country's history, or watching movies about the same. I also believe it is important to BE a good American, afterall, veterans have served to preserve our American way of life so LIVE! The stoics used a phrase - memento mori which reminded them to reflect on their mortality. Seneca wrote: "Let us prepare our minds as if we'd come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing." Similarly, Thoreau wrote that he "wanted to live deep and suck all the marrow out of life." Such ideas and statements cause me to think of soldiers who served and sacrificed. What was their service for? For the departed, what would they wish they could be doing today? How would they want us to enjoy the life and country they sacrificed for? Some ways to do this might be:
vote
volunteer
behaving with kindness
be a part of something bigger than yourself
live true to yourself
enjoy your family
beautify something
appreciate your health
enjoy a sunset or sunrise
How do you plan to honor our veterans today? A great place to start is to appreciate the beauty of our Nation and the freedoms we enjoy. If you know any veterans, thank them with a smile and handshake, phone call, text, or email. Whatever you do, and however you celebrate, never forget the amazing efforts of those in uniform to preserve our freedom.
Mark Your Calendars
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Fall parent teacher conferences are next week Monday and Wednesday. Please use School Bookings if you haven't signed up for a date/time to meet with your student's teacher or need to make a change.
Also, Mr. Meersma would like to offer you the opportunity to share some praise with your child, and Bauer staff, as we reflect on our time learning this fall. Each day as he walks the halls, visits classrooms, or observes recesses, he sees a vibrant learning community. If you feel the way he does, take a moment and make your feelings known by filling out the Shout Out! form below.
As forms come in, feedback will be shared with nominees. Your feedback and encouragement is greatly appreciated!
Parent Teacher Conference Meals
Want to support our teachers by providing an item for their conference meals? Sign up for a physical or monetary contribution here. If you already signed up to bring a tangible item, please have it to Bauer by 2:00pm on Monday, Nov 14th to allow committee members time to set up.
Thank you for supporting our hard-working staff in this way!
PE Cares
Next week wraps up our annual Bauer PE CARES Food Drive. The food drive will officially end at 4PM on Thursday, November 17th. Thank you for all the donations that have already been dropped off, and for those donations that still are coming in. Many families and individuals will greatly benefit from your generosity. Thank you!
2 Point List
Canned Chicken
Peanut Butter Jars - Small Size Only
Canned Tuna
Canned Fruits
Boxes of Granola Bars
Canned Pasta (Spaghetti O’s, Ravioli, or Beefaroni)
Boxes of Spaghetti Noodles
Canned Pasta Sauce (no glass)
Bags of Instant Potatoes
Cans of Chicken Noodle Soup
Canned Beans or Canned Corn
Boxes of Individual Snacks (fruit snacks, cookies, crackers, chips)
Boxes of Microwave Popcorn
Pudding Cups, Jello-Cups, Applesauce Cups/Pouches
Scholastic Book Fair
The book fair is next week! Your students will have the opportunity to preview AND shop during the week. We will also be open during conferences for parents to look around (and maybe buy a reward for those smart and well-behaved students!).
You can use cash, check (made out to Bauer Parent Club) or E-wallet to purchase books. Please know that a sales tax is not included and will be added when your child makes their purchase. It is helpful to speak with your child ahead of time about tax and how they will pay more than the precise number listed on the book. Please account for tax when sending cash, check, or setting up E-wallet.
If you would like to set up e-Wallet for your child, here is the link! Please print your e-Wallet slip if you are able and send it to school with your child to shop. This is helpful for both the teacher and book fair volunteers-especially in the event of poor internet connection.
Bauer Scholastic Book Fair Website: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/bauerelementaryschool2
Breakfast with Books will again be offered for parents to shop with their Pre-K or Kindergarten student on Wednesday, November 16. This is a great introduction for both parents new to the school and younger children to look at books together. Please see the hand-out that goes home with your student to RSVP.
If you would like to help at Breakfast with Books or help students at the fair, there are still a few slots available for you to sign up!
Holiday Program
KARDS FOR KAREN
As many of you know, our beloved secretary Karen Opple planned to take medical leave this year, with the hope of returning next year. She has recently shared that she will be retiring. Many in the Bauer community have expressed a desire to show support and appreciation for Karen. Since December will be a challenging month of treatment and recovery AND we’d like to recognize Karen’s innumerable contributions to Bauer, the Parent Club Care Committee will be holding a “Kards for Karen” drive during the month of November. We will have several large cards for students to sign at school along with a card box in the office to collect personalized cards and gift cards from our families. We hope you’ll join us in recognizing Karen’s steadfast positivity and professionalism at Bauer! If you have any questions, please reach out to Jenny Montag at montagjn@gmail.com.
Bauer Parent Club
BPC MEETING:
Thanks to all that joined us for the November Bauer Parent Club meeting on Tuesday. Here are the minutes for your reference.
JET’S PIZZA NIGHT:
Thanks for ordering pizza from Jet’s on Tuesday. Our November Pizza Night winner is Mrs. Vanderbur’s class! Congratulations - you win a pizza party from Jet’s!
Bauer Elementary
Website: https://www.hudsonvillepublicschools.org
Location: 8136 48th Avenue, Hudsonville, MI, USA
Phone: 616-669-6824
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BauerElementary
Twitter: @BauerElementary