BG eNews

OCTOBER

10/4- Fall Fest @ Windy Acres

10/7 - Pick-A-Time Closes for P/T Conferences at 11:59 PM

10/7- Book Fair Shopping Night for Parents 3:30-7:00

10/7-10/9 - Book Fair Shopping for all students on assigned days

10/9- Walk & Roll to School Day

10/9- Lou Malnati's PTO Fundraiser

10/7-10/9 Student Book Fair Shopping Days (contact teacher for specific class shopping day)

10/10- Parent/Teacher Conferences (NO SCHOOL)

10/10- Family Book Fair Shopping during conferences 8:00-4:00

10/11- Parent/Teacher Conferences (NO SCHOOL)

10/21 - BG Lockdown drill

10/14- Columbus Day (NO SCHOOL)

10/24- Old Towne PTO Fundraiser

10/24- PTO Zoom Meeting

10/30- Elementary Early Release Day 2:35 Dismissal

10/31- Fall Party & Costume Day

NOVEMBER

11/4- Picture Retakes (details below)

11/5- General Election Day (NO SCHOOL)

11/7- Culvers PTO Fundraiser

11/8- End of 1st Trimester

11/16- Duck Donuts PTO Fundraiser

11/20 - Elementary Early Release Day 2:35 Dismissal

11/21- PTO Meeting at BG 6:30PM in student cafeteria

11/25 -11/29 - Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)

We earned our first BG Paw celebration today. Students were greeted with music and staff wearing inflatable costumes. Such a fun morning!

On October 21st, Bell-Graham will be conducting their state required annual Lockdown Drill during which students will review and practice the classroom procedures. Parents/guardians may opt their child out of the physical participation in this drill each year by emailing Principal Klueppel amy.klueppel@d303.org at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled date. Students who have been opted out will receive an alternative school safety learning experience with a certified staff member.

Between hat day and PJ day this week, we raised $1,027.82

for Kick-a-Thon.

Way to go Bobcats! Thanks for helping us kick cancer!

If you are interested in conferencing with a specials teacher, please reach out to them directly to set up a conference. Due to the volume of students they support, they are unable to conference with every family.

Art: Mrs. Anderson joellen.anderson@d303.org Mr. Idzikowski michael.idzikowski@d303.org

Music: Ms. Molidor alexandra.molidor@d303.org

PE: Mr. Mac timothy.mccastland@d303.org Ms. Seidling rebecca.seidling@d303.org

STEM: Mrs. Wagner courtney.wagner@d303.org Ms. Brunner karly.brunner@d303.org

Orchestra: Mr. Pettit christopher.pettit@d303.org

Band: Ms. Rice marianne.rice@d303.org

Students will be permitted to wear costumes at school on 10/31, our fall party day.

Below are the details that will assist students, teachers, and families in making the best decision for each individual child. Please know, we recognize that not all students WANT to wear a costume to school. Within the details provided, we have given suggestions for students who do not want to wear a costume for personal reasons. We support all students in the decisions they make for themselves regarding participation in dressing up.

Details:

• Students may come to school wearing their costumes on Thursday, 10/31. Students will not have the opportunity to change into or out of their costume at school. Students will be wearing their costumes all day. Please think about students sitting in these costumes all day, using the washroom, attending recess and specials.
• No costume masks, no makeup, no inflatable costumes. Costumes must be appropriate for school (no blood, gore, weapons, or accessories).
• Thursday October 31, will be a BG Spirit Day as well for anyone who would rather participate in wearing BG Spirit Day colors versus wearing a costume.
• Each grade level has determined what time their class party will be. Classroom teachers will work directly with their Head Room Parents to coordinate details. Watch for updated party information from your Head Room Parent!!!
• No food is permitted at Fall Classroom Parties. No food is allowed in goodie bags as well.
• We will not hold a costume parade.

You can email your child's teacher directly from HAC. After logging in, click on the "classes" image on the top menu. You will be able to view your child's schedule. Each of your child's teachers are listed under "teacher." If you right click on a name, you are given a "copy email address" option.

Bell Graham is committed to supporting all students in showing their BG Best: Being respectful, responsible, and safe. In the past years we have focused on extrinsic rewards with having students purchase items from our BG Shop with their earned BG coins and Bucks. This year we are moving away from this system and looking to reward students with staff, parent, and community connections. In order to do this we are seeking your help. We are looking for parents to volunteer before school or during school to play a game or build legos with students, make a craft, teach students a new skill, such as sewing or crocheting, or anything else you would like to share with our Bobcats. Please sign up today and Dr. Dieckman will be reaching out to you to schedule a date and time for you to share your talents and time with our students.

Thank you for your continued support. We could not do this without you.

BG Monthly Parent Support Raffle

*Remember that you must have a liability waiver form on file before you volunteer. You are welcome to email completed forms to Mrs. Cloy kristin.cloy@d303.org.

BG Monthly Parent Support Raffle

If you are visiting the school, for any reason, you MUST have your ID with you. Your ID needs to be scanned before you are permitted to enter the building.

If you intend on volunteering at any point this school year, the office MUST have a liability waiver form on file for you. Please do not sign up for any volunteer opportunities unless you already have a form on file for this year. This is an annual form that needs to be completed every school year. You are welcome to email completed forms to Mrs. Cloy kristin.cloy@d303.org.

Field Trip volunteers will have to follow additional steps to volunteer.

Our lost & found is conveniently located in the lunch room where every student has a daily opportunity to look for lost items. Please encourage your child to check for misplaced items. Don't forget to label as much as possible. We regularly donate unclaimed items with no names on them.

• Absences should be called in by 7:45 AM
• You can leave a message 24 hours a day
• State your child’s name, their teacher's name and the reason why your child is out.
• If they are ill, please list their symptoms.

You are also welcome to email Mrs. Cloy in the main office. kristin.cloy@d303.org

Please call the office when you are 5 minutes away and we will have your child ready and waiting for you at the office. You will have to press the buzzer to come inside the vestibule to sign them out on our iPad. 331-228-2100.

Cold and flu season is upon us! Recently, the nurses at Bell Graham Elementary School have been caring for a number of students experiencing fevers and other cold-like symptoms. We are also aware that some students are absent from school because they have been diagnosed with the flu and other influenza-like symptoms. During the months of October through April, each school in District 303 tracks influenza activity in cooperation with the Kane County Health Department. We consult with their staff to determine whether influenza activity in a school warrants additional follow up, and at this time, there are no additional interventions needed. Preventative measures remain the most effective way to reduce the spread of influenza.

Students who present to the Health Office with a fever or are feeling poorly are sent home. To prevent widespread flu in the school, we recommend that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu or cold symptoms. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines:

Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

● Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough

● Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)

● Headache

● Mild stomach ache

Definitely keep your child at home for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:

● Fever (greater than 100 degrees)

● Vomiting (even once)

● Diarrhea

● Chills

● General malaise or feelings of fatigue

● Frequent congested or croupy (barky) cough

● Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose

To help prevent the flu and other colds, teach your children good hygiene habits:

● Wash hands frequently

● Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth

● Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands

● Avoid close contact with people who are ill

Colds are the most contagious during the first 48 hours. A child who has a fever should remain at home until "fever free" for a minimum of 24 hours without medication. A child who has started antibiotics needs to be on medication for 24 hours before being considered non-contagious and able to return to school. Keeping your ill child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom.

ALL MEDICATION, including any and all over the counter medications, vitamins and cough drops need a doctor’s authorization/order to be administered here at school. You can find the form(s) on the district website.

Thank you in advance for helping make this year at school as healthy as possible.

Nurse Kerisa (kerisa.espinosa@d303.org, 331-228-2104)

LeeAnna Anzaldi,MSN, RN, PEL-ILSN

This week, we spotlight ALLISON RUBACK, who is responsible for starting and running the Art Club at Bell Graham. Allison is a former first grade and kindergarten teacher of Bell Graham. We are so thankful for Allison’s involvement with the PTO. Bell Graham would not be the place it is without this awesome mom! Thank you Allison for all you have done and will do in the future for BG!!!

FALL FEST - 10/4 - TODAY!

It’s time for our biggest event of the year…Please join us at Windy Acres Farm (37W466 Fabyan Parkway, Geneva, IL 60134) TODAY from 4 to 7p! Wristbands are $15 for children and $10 for adults (children 2 and under are free). Pre-order wristbands will be given out at the Farm upon check in.

There will be fun for all ages, including the FAMOUS Cake Walk, activity stations, raffle for a lunch with your favorite teacher and guessing the weight of the biggest pumpkin in the patch. Windy Acres offers many attractions like a corn maze, jumping pillow, bouncy houses, ziplines, petting zoo, mini-golf, haystack maze & mountain, lots of playgrounds and climbing. Windy Acres will be running their train all night long for unlimited rides for children of all ages.

HUGE SHOUTOUT TO BG DAD, GREG BOOTH, AND HIS FIRM, THERIAULT BOOTH ATTORNEYS AT LAW for their generous sponsorship of this year’s Fall Fest! Their generous donation will sponsor the train on the night of the event, as well as cover other costs incurred. Greg and his wife, Carmen, are new to the Bell Graham family and welcomed addition to the BG PTO! We are so thankful for your generous donation! https://www.tbfirm.com

THANK YOU NUDERA ORTHODONTICS for helping sponsor the train on the night of the event, as well as cover other costs incurred. The Nudera Family are Bobcat Alumni that have been nothing but supportive and extremely helpful and giving to Bell Graham during their years here at the school and ongoing. https://www.nuderaorthodontics.com/how-much-do-braces-cost-in-south-elgin-or-elmwood-park/

THANK YOU to Mad Hatter Bakery, Sweetness Cookie Company, Duck Donuts - Geneva, Hey Sugar, Gather Bakery, Crumbl Cookies - Geneva, Nothin’ Bundt Cakes - Geneva, The Whimsy Farm Candy Store and Graham’s Chocolates for donating some of their scrumptious goodies for our famous Cake Walk. Please consider popping into these bakeries to spoil yourself with some sweet treats!

The book fair is open for STUDENT shopping Monday 10/7, Tuesday 10/8, & Wednesday 10/9. Each class has a specific shopping day/time that will be communicated by your teacher.

We will also be hosting a shopping night on Monday, October 7th from 3:30-7:00p and a shopping day during conferences on Thursday, October 10th from 8:00a-4:00p.

In order for our Book Fair to be a success, we need your help! Please consider signing up for a spot to work the Book Fair…all volunteers get 20% off! Click here to sign up! REMINDER: All volunteers must have a volunteer form on file with the office for this year.

How can I simplify the shopping experience?

Parents can create an eWallet for students to make purchases without cash (one linked

email for all students of a family-no need to create individual child accounts). Cash is

accepted, but please keep in mind to account for tax. Please click here to set up an eWallet for your student: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/bellgrahames.

RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER 10/9 - LOU MALNATI’S

Join us on Wednesday, October 9th from 4-10p for our Lou Malnati’s Restaurant Fundraiser! You can order online at loumalnatis.com using promo code GPFUND24, in the mobile app or call to place your order! It’s so easy. Lou Malnati’s is at 1048 Commons Drive in Geneva. See you there!

SHOUT OUTS

Did your kiddo make an awesome play at their baseball game? Did they win an event in gymnastics? Is it their birthday? Do you just want to make a random day special for them? Send them a SHOUT OUT!! For $10 you can have 5 pictures along with a message displayed on the TV screen outside of the LRC for an entire day. After making your purchase in the Square Store, please send an email to Alicia Flint at aliciafulgencioflint@yahoo.com with your pictures, message and date to be displayed. Pictures MUST be sent 7 days prior to the desired display date or we cannot guarantee your message will be loaded in time. SHOUT OUTS PAYMENT

STAY CONNECTED

Check out these great ways to stay connected and find out more information on the PTO!

Bell Graham PTO Webpage

Bell Graham PTO Facebook page

Bell Graham Monthly Calendar

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Any questions or comments? Please email the PTO at bgeblast@gmail.com. All comments or questions will be discussed at our monthly Board meetings and responded to accordingly.

• 1 lunch with a loved one per student per school year for bday (1 TOTAL, not 1 with grandma, 1 with aunt, 1 with mom )
• ONLY bring food for your child and/or yourself. No sharing food/treats with friends at the lunch table.
• Stay for lunch ONLY, recess is not included
• Bring your ID for check in. No ID, no entry
• You do not need to give advance notice, but are welcome to email the office the day of to speed along the check in process.

Click here to see what time your child eats lunch.

We are happy to report that we will have a therapy dogs visiting us again this year. Please reach out to Dr. Dieckman or Julianna Harmon if you have any questions.

We use a Visor Tag System. Each family has received a car tag that has the family last name and the class codes of students in the family. The use of this visor tag expedites our car rider line tremendously as staff members are able to get students ready for their cars as the cars pull up! Please display the tag on your passenger side visor, or passenger side window, so that it is visible to the BG staff as you pull through the pick-up line.

If you need additional visor tags, please email Mrs. Kirincich.

Mrs. Amy Klueppel - Principal

Website: bellgraham.d303.org
Location: 4N505 Fox Mill Blvd St. Charles, IL 60175
Phone: 331-228-2100
Facebook: facebook.com/BellGrahamElementary
Twitter: @BellGrahamD303

District 303 is proud to partner with the Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) to offer our families broader access to information sessions and resources that support their child’s development.

For decades, GPS has been offering free programs that aim to empower and strengthen families, individuals and communities. As a partner organization, District 303 will support promoting upcoming programs and their importance to our local community.

Interested in supporting the Park District’s Before the Bell program at District 303? They’re seeking additional staff to assist students in grades K-5 from 6:45-8:45 a.m. during the school year. This could be a great opportunity for parents with flexible morning hours or high school students who have first period off. Application information is at www.stcparks.org/jobs or contact Jaz Lara at 630-513-4331 or at jlara@stcparks.org.