Blythe Park PTA Happenings 11/11/2019

Blythe Park will be celebrating Veterans Day with a special music program on Monday, November 11th at 10:00am in the auditorium. Family members are welcome to attend and as part of the program each year, we invite Veterans to be our special guests. If you know a Veteran, please invite them to attend. Also, remember to have your children dress patriotically in red, white and/or blue clothing.

This month's PTA meeting will be on Tuesday, November 12th at 7 pm in the library. Please join us to hear about upcoming events.

*NOTE: The agenda will be posted closer to the meeting date.

This year's PTA meeting schedule can be found by clicking on the following link: PTA Meeting SCHEDULE – 2019-2020 General Membership

Questions? Contact Katie Ford at fordfamily4@rocketmail.com

Thank you to Ms. Stephanie of Blissful Owl for transforming our gym into a relaxing yoga space and thank you to the parents who attended.

Please consider attending one of our next sessions in November or December. No yoga experience required! Come enjoy a yoga class and stay for a cup of tea and social time with other parents and teachers (adults only and tea and socializing not required).
Location: Blythe Park Gymnasium
Doors open at 6:45 pm. Use north doors to enter school. Yoga class from 7 pm-8 pm
Social time and tea 8 pm-830pm
Dates and instructors:
– Monday, November 18th /Annette Peterson
– Tuesday, December 10th /Wei Huang
Please join us for one class or all three. Bring your own mat and mug for tea.
Questions? Contact Jill Crist
773-758-0210 or chicagolmt@gmail.com

Every year the PTA makes a handmade ornament for each Blythe Park student and staff member.

If you'd like to volunteer to help assemble this year's ornaments, our next date is December 3rd in the school libaray. Click on the following sign up button.

*An Additional workshop dates will be added soon!

No crafting experience required. Supplies and instructions will be provided by the PTA. Bring your holiday cheer!

Questions? Contact Tiffany Uribe at turibe3@gmail.com

The Scholastic Book Fair brings a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books to Blythe Park for every reading level.

Up to 50% of all purchases benefit Blythe Park School!

Students will have the opportunity to browse the Book Fair during their school day this Thursday.

Scholastic Book Fair Schedule–

Wednesday, Nov. 20th:
3:00pm-4:00pm – Set Up

Thursday, Nov. 21st:

3:00pm-8:00pm – During Parent/Teacher conferences

Friday, Nov. 22nd:

7:00am-9:00am – Breakfast & Books: You're invited to enjoy breakfast treats while shopping for books! Coffee, tea and a light breakfast will be provided by the PTA. *NOTE: Students must be accompanied by an adult.
3:00pm-4:00pm – After school

Monday, Nov. 25th:
11:00am-8:00pm – During Parent/Teacher conferences

We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair!

VOLUNTEER help is still needed –
To make this year's Book Fair a success, we are looking for volunteers to help out on November 20th, 21st , 22nd and 25h for the following:

• Set-up
• Wish List Helpers – Help students (Early Learners thru 2nd Grade) fill out book wish lists on November 21st.
• Book Fair Workers – Volunteers will assist Katie Ford or Michelle Backus with book sales.
• Clean-up

If you can help, please click on the Sign-Up Genius button below:

Questions? Contact Katie Ford at fordfamily4@rocketmail.com

The Bulldog Yearbook is looking for 4th and 5th Grade:
Reporters • Illustrators • Photographers

The first Bulldog Yearbook meeting will be held on Thursday, November 14^th from 3:00-3:45 pm in the library for any 4th and 5th-grade students who would like to be reporters, illustrators, and/or photographers for the 2019-2020 Bulldog Yearbook.

At the meeting, interested students will learn about their roles and responsibilities of being a reporter, illustrator and/or photographer and assignments will be discussed. Additional meetings/workshops will be scheduled throughout the year (typically 3 or 4) once we determine student areas of interest.

Questions? If your child has another commitment but would still like to participate, please contact Kelley Migacz at kelleymigacz@hotmail.com

HOT LUNCH –
Hot Lunch is this Friday, November 15th for students who have pre-registered.

Questions? Contact Katie Ford at fordfamily4@rocketmail.com

The PTA is sponsoring STEM programs for our K-5th-grade students beginning in December. Code Play Learn of Oak Park, helps students learn science and technology through hands-on and project-based learning experiences. More details about the program curriculum to come!

If you'd like to volunteer please click below

District 96 is now using the Raptor Volunteer system to perform background checks on volunteers.

Before volunteering at a District 96 school campus or field trips, individuals must be cleared through the Raptor system and are required to provide a picture ID to receive their volunteer badge upon check-in. To become a volunteer, an individual must complete a Raptor Volunteer Application. The application is to be filled out completely by the volunteer at their home by visiting https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MTgzMzplbi1VUw==

The levels associated with each volunteer function are based on being under the direct supervision of District 96 staff.

• A Level 1 volunteer is always under the supervision of District 96 staff and will be requested to complete an online application to complete a background check using the national sex offender database.
• A Level 2 volunteer may not be under the direct supervision of District 96 staff and will be requested to complete an online application and submit their Social Security number to complete a criminal background check (including the National Criminal Database and national sex offender database).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jason Smit at smitj@district96.org or 708.447.5007. Thank you for your understanding and support of enhancing school safety protocols in our school and district.