Bayless Early Childhood Center

By Mrs. Christina Ly - Principal

ecc.baylessk12.org

PAT giving back

Forever a part of our community

TJ Mister was a student at Bayless ECC from August 2019-2021 and Bayless Elementary in June 2021. Tragically, TJ’s life was lost during a swimming accident at a local camp this past summer.

This fall, Bayless ECC was selected by the family of TJ Mister as the location for a Memorial Bench through The Bench Project. The Bench Project donates a bench made out of recycled plastic. On the bench is a QR code that can be scanned to learn about the memories of TJ and to leave your own memory. There is also a journal attached to the bench where you can write a message to the family for all to see and read. The bench is located in the front of Bayless Elementary between the trees closest to the building. Bayless ECC has been able to be a supporting pillar for the Mister family and they have donated many of TJ’s favorite toys and puzzles as well as school supplies and backpacks.

TJ’s mom Olga said “Community is people coming together and supporting a cause to make us stronger as a society.”

Bayless ECC has been a place TJ’s family can call home, where they can come to remember their son and where there are shoulders to lean on when the moments are tough.

Bayless ECC will always remember TJ as an animal lover and a bright child who brought joy to our classrooms and community all the days of his life.

Bayless Parents as Teachers supported two of our local community partners through a food and diaper drive this fall. Families attended a free night at the Magic House in Kirkwood and brought donations with them to support the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank and the Affton Christian Food Pantry. In total, 845 diapers and 50 cans were collected and donated. TJ with his mom and dad at Meet the Teacher Night in August 2020.

We asked our students: “What is your favorite part about the Bayless Community?”

- I love playing with my friends at centers. ~Aria C. - I love making Stone Soup. ~Gus H. - I love eating snack. ~Montrell F. - I love playing with my friends. ~Oliver R. - I love when I get to play. ~Rose C. - I love the carpets. ~Connor C. - I love playing with dinos. ~Emmet B. - I like seeing you (Miss Crisi) and playing with my friends. ~Macy B. - I love playing at the light table. ~Scarlet H. - I love playing with my friends, going outside, and spending the whole day with my teachers. ~Thomas K. - I love playing outside. ~Rosalind B. - I love hanging out with all of my friends and family. ~Max K. - I love playing with the beautiful doll house. ~Maria K. - I love playing on the playground. ~Evelyn H.

Lifestyle Magazine Magazin 5

Bayless Elementary

By Mr. Aaron Kohler - Principal

el.baylessk12.org Bayless Elementary School

Blending our community together

As a National School of Character, Bayless Elementary is always striving for ways to improve. In 2018-2019, Bayless Elementary implemented Blended Families. Every student and staff member at BES is assigned to a Blended Family. The families are made up of students from all grade levels to build community among the grades. Blended Families meet once a month and give students and staff the opportunities to build relationships with one another.

First grader Eleanor Hatch said she loves Blended Families because she “Meets so many really nice teachers!” Pictured are her Blended Family members, counselor Rick Moll fourth grade teacher Jessica Blalack. Ema Huskic & Ayla Allen, third-graders in Mrs. Chrestman’s class said “We like blended families because we get to meet new people.”

First grade teacher Mrs. Rupkey says she “loves seeing the students every year and building a bond with them.” Recess aide Mrs. Diana Miller, who is also in Mrs. Rupkey’s family, said she “really enjoys working with the little kids making connections, crafts and seeing them in a different way than just in the cafeteria like my normal job.” Pictured are second-graders Louelle Armstrong and Imani Henry, and first-grader Hope Boesing. First grade teacher Ms. Kramper (pictured on the right) said she enjoys blended families “because it gives me the opportunity to get to know students that I wouldn’t normally know. I also get to see students I used to teach.” On the left is a picture of three students in her blended family (fifth grader Gabriel Wah and second graders Brianna Gilgoric and Emma Hodzic) playing “Thanksgiving Bingo!”

6

Magazin Issue 2020