Bobcat Blog

• Monday, January 8: Return to School
• Monday, January 15: No School in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Thursday, January 18: Spelling Bee (4th and 5th)
• 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)

Happy New Year! I am looking forward to seeing everyone back at school Monday! I hope the new year has started off well for all of you. As you know, we had a pretty mild winter for this area so far, but it seems the snow is coming. Noted below by the district, we are outside for line up and recess as long as the weather and windchill are 15 degrees or above. Please label your child's belongings. It is wise for students to change into dry shoes after taking off their boots. Keeping an extra pair of socks in their backpack/locker would also be smart. Thank you to Sue, our head building engineer for creating a new lost and found space by 5E. However, we'd love for students to hold on to their belongings.

As we begin the new year, please do your best to have your child line up with their class by 7:55 each morning; their teachers bring them inside at 7:57 a.m. Being on time is important for so many reasons. Later this month many grade levels begin MAP testing at 8:15; prior to that teachers need to take attendance, lunch count, and hold a shortened morning meeting. We will review expectations with students to set them up for success as we return to school. Please note that students are not permitted to throw snow/ice before, during or after school to keep everyone safe. Finally, thanks for reviewing with your child to walk to their line and be careful of any icy pavement. Thank you for your partnership.

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

District 97 will host a virtual Erin's Law session for families on Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

"Erin's Law," or Illinois Public Act 097-1147, requires all public schools to implement a prevention-oriented program that teachers students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade age-appropriate techniques for recognizing sexual abuse and ways to tell a trusted adult.

The program also includes training for school personnel, and provides education and resources to parents and guardians.

The virtual parent session will be facilitated by the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. Virtual meeting details will be available closer to the meeting date at www.op97.org.

There are still a handful of spots available for early childhood blended classrooms at Whittier Elementary School for the 2023-24 school year!

District 97 is seeking students who:

• Are non-IEP students who will be between the ages of 3 and 4 years by Sept. 1, 2023;

• Demonstrate age-appropriate language and social skills;

• Are Oak Park residents;

• Are not enrolled in a preschool program.

Click here to apply to the 2023-24 Early Childhood Blended Program>>

For more information about the Early Childhood Blended Program, including please visit https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/ecblended.

If you have any questions, please contact the district's early childhood coordinator, Michele Suedbeck, at 708-524-3134.

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 >>

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.

"You know us and love us from attending BASE Camp in the summers and now, the Oak Park Education Foundation is teaming up with Beye After School! Beye school staff and the Oak Park Education Foundation are joining forces to offer a variety of hands-on, innovative educational STEAM programs, after school! Join us! These programs are open to all Beye students, K-5th Grade and will be running for a full 12 weeks of FUN!

Program Registration: Opens Sunday, January 14th at 4:00pm

Classes Dates: Feb 12-May 10th (no classes Feb. 19th, March 19th, Spring Break)

See attached flyer for more details, class offerings and QR code to scan for more information! If you have questions, please contact Tara Oetting, Programs Director at Oak Park Education Foundation at toetting@opef.org.

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!

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

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.

Cheryl Sullivan

Beye Principal

csullivan@op97.org

Location: 230 North Cuyler Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708- 524-3070
Twitter: @MrsSullivand97