Beye Elementary School PTO

Beye Discovery Blog

byron — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:29:00 +0000

The Beye PTO after-school enrichment program Beye Discovery has a blog at this location

Beye Discovery provides children with creative opportunities for exploration and growth using art, technology and science.

Green Team Goes Heroic

byron — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 20:50:57 +0000

Beye Elementary has won a 2011 Environmental Hero Award.

Beye Elementary School is proud to belong to the “zero waste district” of Oak Park District 97where all 8 of its elementary schools are implementing some form of zero waste.

The elementary schools have collectively saved the district more than $26,000 to date. BeyeSchool, led by a green team of parent volunteers and strongly supported by its principal andstaff — has been the grateful recipient of two $10,000 IL DCEO zero waste grant awards, and ison its 3rd year of zero waste initiatives, including an all-school composting system, ongoing maximization of recycling efforts, and continual sustainability education and awarenessprogramming.

Since starting in 2008, Beye has diverted more than 2,200 lbs of compostablefood waste and more than 4,000 lbs of liquids from the landfill. This award was accepted by Ana Garcia Doyle.

IT’S COMING …

byron — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:57:30 +0000

Beye PTO Minutes January 18, 2011

byron — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:51:14 +0000

Read or view the minutes at this location

PTO Business Recap:

Fun Run recap: Ellen Pimentel The Get Movin’ Crew is changing their fee structure for future events, charging a $500 flat fee and $5 per student. Based on this year’s numbers, up front costs for the same event next year will be approximately $2,585, compared to $3,166 for this year. The structure for the event (prizes, support, etc) will remain the same and every student will receive a pedometer. Fundraising goals will be flexible.

It was noted that the organization’s fee was well worth the cost, as it has been challenging to obtain parent volunteers for similar events in the past. After some discussion about additional, unannounced fundraisers, Laura Derks noted that it would be helpful for PTO to outline all of its fundraising events and goals at the beginning of the school year. Michelle Brandt motioned to hold the Fun Run again next year with the new fee structure, Cathy Cerniglia seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Tasty Dog Challenge Beye and Holmes are the only two schools undecided about participating in this year’s event. Whittier won last year’s challenge, raising $675. It was noted that the restaurant does have healthy options available. Michelle Brandt motioned to participate in this year’s Challenge, Jenna Russell seconded and the motioned passed with a couple dissensions.

Fun Fair This year’s event will be held on March 12. There is a planning meeting at Laurie Myers’ house on Saturday, January 22. Please contact her to help.

Spring Fundraiser: Lisa Kitzman
This year’s event will be a quieter, cocktail party-type affair with a stated purpose for the funds raised that is under consideration. The Beye-In Parties that were so popular last year will be sold again. There were twelve parties last year and all but one of them sold out. Please contact Deb Poe or Lisa Kitzman if you would like to help plan the event or offer a Beye-In Party.

Treasurer’s Report: Kate Ulrich
The completed fundraisers thus far are $367.20 over budget, however those still in progress are trending lower. The total budget from the beginning of the school year projected a surplus of approximately $600. Kate suggested discussing the viability several fundraising efforts for next year. BeyeWear was mentioned as one fundraiser that has noticeably under performed this school year. It was noted that Whittier has an online store for their school wear. Follow up will be with Byron Lanning.

Wellapalooza: Ellen Pimentel The event will be a community expo hosted by the three Wellness Committees, Nutrition, Fitness and Green, at the March PTO General Meeting. Booths, tables, demonstrations and will offer resources and insights in how to institute wellness practices into a family’s every day life. Leading authorities from the community will be invited to participate. There is a planning meeting on Saturday, January 22 at Ellen Pimentel’s house. Please contact her to help with the event.

Referendum Update: Jonathon Ellwanger The District 97 School Board was meeting at the same time to discuss alterations to the planned referendum in light of the recent state income tax hike, from 3% to 5%, some of which will go to help schools. Whatever the amount, most will go to pay outstanding bills.

There is pro-referendum information available in the office. There is no anti-referendum organization as of this writing. If one does emerge, their information will be made available as well.

The date for voting is April 5 and under the current structure, will be a $61 increase for every $1,000 in tax paid (6.1%).

Laura Derks noted that the Executive Board is working with Mr. Ellwanger on hosting an information session, with another school’s PTO or without. All stakeholders will be invited to participate. After some discussion, Mr. Ellwanger noted that the last District97 referendum failed in Fall 1988, was adjusted then passed in the Spring. The District does not have this kind of flexibility this time around, as the immediate cash needs are too great. There will be cuts made if the referendum does not pass. A list is available on the District’s web site here: http://www.op97.org/Recommended_Reductions12_14_10.pdf

Spelling Bee Winners

byron — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:53:20 +0000

On the evening of Jan 12, before a packed auditorium, 80 spellers from grades 2 through 5 took the stage. Congratulations to all of the students who
participated!

The top three spellers in each grade level were:

2nd Grade:
1st–Andrew K
2nd–Nolan L
3rd–Rowan Z-W

3rd Grade:
1st–Jackson C
2nd–Cyle M
3rd–Josh C

4th Grade:
1st–Luca Z
2nd–Jane B
3rd–Maeve R

5th Grade:
1st–Isabel B
2nd–Dayo A
3rd–Leah K

Introducing the Beye Chess Club

byron — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 05:20:01 +0000

A chess club has formed at Beye to give students more playing time for the District 97 tournament, skittles with Whittier School, and participation in local chess tournaments.

Beye Stained Glass Window Designs

byron — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:00:33 +0000

Students in Ms. Bretl’s second grade class created Frank Lloyd Wright window designs through Architecture Adventure, a program of the Oak Park Education Foundation.

See a slideshow of the window designs called Beye Acetate from photographs by David Kindler.

African Drumming at Beye

byron — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:06:38 +0000

Steckman Music will offer an African Drumming program for the Beye After-School Academy (BASA).

This program will expose students to African Drum Culture, teach traditional African Drum rhythms and song, their origination and purpose in African Drum Culture, and use the Circle of Courage; Belonging, Independence, Mastery, & Generosity to create a positive mentoring atmosphere and assist with the transition from Elementary School to Middle School.

The program is scheduled for Mondays starting Nov 29 and ending March 21(3rd-5th grades) and will take place in the auditorium.

The Instructor is Taylor who has been to Africa 9 times and holds the highest certification in the States.

Digital Online Payment and Registration

Register online at http://bit.ly/csi1eU then click the buy now button button below to pay for tuition. Registration is complete only when the online form is filled in and PayPal payment is made.

Analog Registration and Payment

Download a registration form here
Print the form
Fill it out
Make a check of $160 payable to Beye PTO
Enclose check and form in an envelope marked African Drumming
Give the envelope to the office or place in your child’s backpack

Vex Robotics!!

byron — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:29:31 +0000

Consider the RIF Ball

byron — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:40:42 +0000

Beye parents Brian and Lisa Kitzman have an article published in the Viewpoints section of the Wednesday Journal promoting the use of Reduced Impact Factor (RIF) baseballs in T-Ball leagues.