Bulldog Pride
Poetry
May 2020 • www.baker5j.org
Culinary Arts
What is Quarantine Really About?
by Ashlyn Dalton, 7th grader
The isolation is boring, they say
Wishing to be with friends each day
We could be playing sports, they say
This is what every student conveys.
“This is horrible I have no doubt,”
Yet what is quarantine really about?
It’s about the bonds we make,
And the simple trips to the lake.
Not about the nights at the gym,
But laughing around the fire dim.
Not the tournaments every week,
But the huge smile across our cheeks.
Not being perfect on every assignment,
But enjoying family confinement.
Not about being the most competitive,
But learning about our close relatives.
Not overstressing to be the top of the class,
But simply perfecting handstands in the grass.
Not about the three practices a day,
But sitting around a board game, ready to play.
Enjoying these precious moments I have no doubt,
This is what quarantine is really about.
Online OT
Toni Nickell, an occupational therapist, is one of the
district specialists who continues meeting with stu-
dents in an online format.
Maintenance
continues as
schools are closed
A
Kristen Anderson’s culinary arts students
received a bag filled with four weeks of
recipes, measured out ingredients and
directions. A photo with the dish was 50%
of the grade and an evaluation was the
other 50%. Jeremiah Hitzman (below) made
homemade pasta and meatballs. Oliver
Palmer (above) made Pate a choux cream
puffs filled with cream chantilly.
7
lthough students are learning at home for the
time being, Baker School District’s mainte-
nance staff is working on projects budgeted at more
than $500,000 for 2020-2021. Each school building,
plus the Baker Sports Complex, will receive work and
upgrades in the coming months. Here is a look at the
planned projects, by school (some may change de-
pending on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic):
Brooklyn Primary School: The district will create
a parking lot to alleviate parking issues for staff and
parents around the school. An ADA accessible addi-
tion to the existing playground will be installed this
summer, partially funded by Brooklyn PTO. Other
projects include sprinklers on the north and south side,
new cafeteria tables, and classroom furniture. Two
classrooms will receive asbestos abatement and new
flooring.
Baker High School: Completing a project started in
2016 to refurbish the student parking lot will get top
billing this summer. Other projects include fire sup-
pression repairs, restriping, and classroom furniture.
A new roof will be installed over the Ag/FFA class-
rooms.
Baker Middle School: Sidewalk repairs along
Washington Avenue and a lunch service remodel are
planned for this summer. Other projects include stage
renovation, new counter tops in the science class-
rooms, whiteboard tables for math classes, white-
boards for classrooms, and other classroom furniture.
South Baker: Upgrades include replacing older caf-
eteria tables and classroom furniture. Two classrooms
will receive asbestos abatement and new flooring.
Haines: Concrete work to improve safety is sched-
uled. Other improvements include replacing the win-
dow in the library and the exterior gym door. Furniture
is also in the budget.
Keating: Installing energy efficient windows in the
student restroom.
Sports Complex/Grounds: Work at the Sports
Complex includes top dressing, fertilizer, grass seed
and weed abatement. Visitor bleachers at the Bulldog
Memorial Stadium will receive repairs. Work is also
slated for district property on 10th Street, near the sta-
dium. This will become the new location for Marla’s
Mall.