Bateman Buzz; VOL 11
2025-2026; VOL 11

2025-2026; VOL 11
Dear Bateman Families & Friends,
Happy 100 Days of School! We’ve officially hit the 100-day mark, and the energy at Bateman is higher than ever! We are incredibly proud of the growth our students have shown over the first half of the year. There is truly so much to celebrate.
This week, our educators completed their mid-year Curriculum Planning Days. Our teams worked diligently to align standards-based rubrics and analyze data to ensure our students finish the year strong. These insights are already being put into practice in our classrooms this week!
Important Reminders & Gratitude:
- Be on time at 8:00 am! Those early morning minutes are crucial for student success.
- Bundle up! We love outdoor recess, so please send those winter coats and hats.
- Celebrate our Counselors! A massive shout-out to Ms. Rivera and Ms. Hamilton-Cotter for National Counselors Week. We couldn't do it without you!
Keep an eye out for Progress Reports coming home today. We hope your week is filled with extra hugs as we head toward Valentine’s Day. Thank you for being such an essential part of the Bateman family!
Best,
Ms. Davos & Ms. Kloepper
Congratulations, Chess Team!
On Saturday, January 10, thirteen Bateman Chess players went to De La Salle High School for the latest Chicago Chess Foundation Tournament. There were several first-time players, including Gunnar H. and Lina U., who combined for 2.5 points in the K-1 section. Another first-time player, James H. joined Declan G. with 3 wins each to help the 2nd-3rd grade group finish in 7th place. The 6th-8th grade squad was led by Romeo A. with 3 wins. Keep up the hard work, chess players!
100th Day of School
Bateman Calendar
CPS Calendar
Bateman Year At A Glance
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, February 11th: Dine to Donate @ Portillo's | 5:00-8:00pm
Thursday, February 12th: Middle School Valentine's Dance | 3:15pm - 4:45pm
Friday, February 13th: BAC & PAC Meetings | 8:30am
Monday, February 16th: No School | Presidents' Day
Tuesday, February 17th: No School | Professional Development Day
Tuesday, February 17th: Dine to Donate @ Irving Park Pizza & Patio | 4:00-11:00pm
LOOKING AHEAD
Thursday, February 26th: Spring Fling Planning Meeting @ Le Village | 6:30pm
Friday, February 27th: Climb to Donate @ ClimbZone | 4:00-8:00pm
Blaze Athletics Preview
Come cheer on our student athletes! Show your Bateman Pride with your Spirit Wear!
Please check the Bateman Calendar for updates and revision to the schedule!
5th/6th Boys Basketball
7th/8th Grade Basketball
Spring Sports Update
The spring sports season is rapidly approaching! Most teams will be having tryouts during the month of February. Please see our spring sport offerings listed below. Mr. Nowak will provide more information to students during PE class, and will communicate with families through email. All spring sports have a $50 team fee per player. Please reach out to Mr. Nowak with any questions at jdnowak@cps.edu.
CPS SCORE: Practices during the week, games/meets on Saturdays
WGG: We Got Game: Practices and games during the week (no Saturdays)
Spring 2026 Sports
5th/6th Boys and Girls Track and Field (CPS SCORE)
7th/8th Boys and Girls Track and Field (CPS SCORE)
6th-8th Girls Soccer (CPS SCORE)
6th-8th Boys Flag Football (CPS SCORE)
6th-8th Boys Volleyball (WGG)
K-4 Kids Heart Challenge Update
We have an exciting challenge this Super Bowl weekend, and we need YOUR help to score a HUGE win for our school!
LOCAL KHC SUPER BOWL CHALLENGE ALERT!
We’re competing against other schools to see who can complete the most Finn’s Missions by Monday. If we win, we’ll earn an extra $100 for new PE equipment!
But that’s not all—YOU will also earn some incredible prizes just for completing Finn’s Mission! Here’s what happens when you complete Finn’s Mission:
- Earn Finn’s exclusive Lifesaver Cape!
- Be entered into a drawing to win 2 tickets to SUPER BOWL LX!
- For every 18 Finn’s Missions completions, our school is entered into a $10,000 drawing—thanks to the NFL!
Students who raise $150 will receive large River Dog
We’re SO CLOSE to reaching our goal, and every single completion makes a difference! Let’s save lives, support our school, and WIN big! Thank you for the impact you are making!
EARLY Early Bird Spring Fling Tickets Available Now!
The Bateman community’s biggest night of the year is back — and EARLY Early bird tickets are officially live! Join us on Friday, April 24th at Artifact Events for an unforgettable evening filled with celebration, connection, and fun, all while supporting our school.
Spring Fling is our signature fundraising gala, bringing parents and community members together for a lively night out. This year’s event will feature unlimited food and drinks, a 360 photo booth, music, dancing, and plenty of surprises along the way.
Whether you’re coming for the energy on the dance floor, the chance to connect with other families, or to support Bateman in a meaningful way, this is a night you won’t want to miss. EARLY early bird pricing is available for a limited time — grab your tickets now and get ready for an incredible evening!
Auction Donations Needed!
Spring Fling is one of Bateman’s most-loved events, and our auction is a big part of what makes it so special for our school community. With your help, we can make this year’s auction bigger, better, and more impactful than ever!
Do you have an item, experience, or service you could donate?
Own — or know someone who owns — a business that might be willing to contribute? Auction donations are a great way to support our school and get visibility within the Bateman community.
We’re especially looking for:
🍽️ Restaurant gift certificates
🎟️ Sporting event tickets
🏨 Hotel stays & weekend getaways
💆 Spa & wellness packages
🎨 Kids activities, camps, and experiences
Every donation helps raise funds that directly benefit ALL students at Bateman Elementary School — and it’s a wonderful way to show your support for our community.
To donate or ask questions, please contact: BoostersAuction@friendsofbateman.org
Upcoming Shop & Dine to Donates
Portillo's: Wednesday, February 11th from 5pm-8pm
Join us for a Dine to Donate night at Portillo's!
📍 Where: 3343 W. Addison, Chicago, IL 60618
⏰ When: Wednesday, February 11th from 5:00–8:00 PM
💛 Give Back: 20% of sales support Bateman
How it works:
- Bring digital or physical flyer or mention Bateman Fundraiser when ordering for pick up or dine in.
- No Third Party Apps.
Use flyer, Mention “Bateman” when ordering or use "PORTILLOS62" when placing a Pick Up or Dine in order
Irving Park Pizza & Patio: Tuesday, February 17th from 4pm-11pm
Join us for our monthly Dine to Donate night at Irving Park Pizza & Patio!
📍 Where: 2922 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60618
⏰ When: Tuesday, February 17th from 4:00–11:00 PM
💛 Give Back: 20% of sales support Bateman
How it works:
- Dine in or carry out by calling the store. (773) 866-2010
- No Third Party Apps. Mention Bateman when ordering.
Mention “Bateman” when ordering
ClimbZone: Friday, February 27th from 4pm-8pm
Join us for a Climb to Donate night at ClimbZone!
📍 Where: 2500 W. Bradley Place, Chicago, IL 60618
⏰ When: Friday, February 27th from 4:00–8:00 PM
💛 Give Back: 20% of sales support Bateman
How it works:
Mention “Bateman” to the cashier and 20% will be donated back to the school (this includes food/beverages!)
The Bateman Boosters brings together families, neighbors, and teachers to raise funds and build a stronger school community for Bateman Elementary. As a 509(a)(2) nonprofit, our mission goes beyond fundraising—we aim to create meaningful connections and provide extra opportunities for every Bateman student. By encouraging local families to get involved, we strengthen the bond between our school and neighborhood, making Bateman a place where students, families, and community thrive together.
Monthly meetings will take place on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00pm, alternating locations between the Bateman library and Le Village Cowork (3146 W Irving Park Rd).
Next Boosters Meeting: Wednesday, March 4th at 6:00pm
Please join us for our next monthly Boosters Meeting! It will be held in the Bateman Library on Wednesday, March 4th at 6:00pm. Kids are always welcome!
Parent Party: Parent Mingle at Irving Park Pizza & Patio
We’re excited to host our next Bateman Parent Party — A Parent Mingle at Irving Park Pizza & Patio, part of our ongoing series of parent-only gatherings designed to bring our community together in a relaxed, social setting.
This event is a casual opportunity to connect with fellow Bateman parents, unwind midweek, and enjoy great food and conversation.
What’s included:
🍴 Small bites provided
🥂 Limited complimentary drinks
🍹 Cash bar available
🍗 Wings on special for just $0.99
🎁 Entry into a raffle for a fun gift basket courtesy of Weber Vodka
📅 Wednesday, March 4
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Irving Park Pizza & Patio
Whether you’re coming to meet new faces or catch up with familiar ones, we hope you’ll join us for an easygoing night out. More parent parties are planned throughout the year, so stay tuned for future events!
Parent Party: Pool Night at Surge
We’re excited to kick off our first standalone Bateman Parent Party at Surge Billiards — part of a new series of parent-only events happening throughout the year.
This event is limited to 10 participants, so it’s a smaller, more intimate chance to connect with other Bateman parents in a relaxed setting.
What’s included:
🎱 Complimentary pool & darts
🍹 Drink specials at the cash bar
😄 Friendly competition and easygoing vibes
📅 Wednesday, March 12th
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Surge Billiards
Whether you’re a pool shark or just there for the conversation, this is a fun way to unwind and build community. Spots are limited — be sure to sign up early!
Become a Bateman Sponsor!
Join us in making a difference in young lives! As a sponsor, you'll provide essential resources and support that help shape the future of our children. Your contribution can fund educational programs, enrich classroom experiences, and create a thriving community. Together, let’s empower the next generation to reach their full potential. Sign up today and be a champion for education!
If you're interested in sponsoring Bateman or learning more, please contact Meg Dempsey, Mary McConville or Daniella Cornue at batemanboosters@friendsofbateman.org Let’s invest in the future—one child at a time!
Bilingual Advisory Committee
Parent Advisory Council
BFC
Check out our new BFC Facebook Page!
Click here to join and follow upcoming events with the Bateman Fathers' Club!
Local School Council
Bateman LSC
The Bateman Local School Council (LSC) supports our school by making decisions that affect our children, their education, and the environment of the school. The primary responsibilities of the LSC include the following:
- to select the school’s principal & renew the principal’s contract,
- approve the Continuous Improvement Work Plan (Bateman CIWP)
- approve the school’s budget for the school year.
Monthly meetings will take place in the Bateman Library on a rotating morning and afternoon schedule. Morning meetings will be at 8:15am and after school meetings will take place at 3:30pm.
School Supply Lists
Wellness Policy
Approved Snack List
Lunch Menu
Parent Portal
25-26 Who To Go To
Do You Have News to Share?
We are always trying to improve our communication! If you have information to share with the Bateman Community, we would like to know! To submit an item for the biweekly Bateman Buzz, please send an email with the event details including date, time, and location. Any photos should be submitted in .JPEG format. Please submit by 5pm on Wednesday and you might see it in the Bateman Buzz, Bateman Website, or on social media!