It was a gorgeous afternoon as buses pulled up to the football field at Illinois Wesleyan University.  The Baby Fold kids couldn't get out of the buses fast enough as they spilled onto the college football field!  Greeted by Norm Eash and over 100 football players, our kids were free to run, kick, punt, chase and play duck duck goose!  The interaction between our kids and the players was truly priceless and much appreciated by The Baby Fold!

Prayer is what undergirds our work at The Baby Fold.  Hammitt School teachers, CEO Dianne Schultz, and other Baby Fold staff gathered around the flagpole to pray for God's blessing on all our children and families as we begin the 2015-16 school year.

The 2015 Festival of Trees is right around the corner and believe me, you do not want to miss this year's event!  We have exciting changes taking place and whether you are heading to Avantis Family Night, purchasing a table to get in on the action of Twin City Trivia night or getting dolled up to attend Opening Night festivities, you will notice the changes the moment you walk through the door!  Ohh.. and did we mention the food?  Check out this A-List of restaurants participating in Opening Night eats:  Biaggis, Baxters, Kelly's Bakery, The Parke Hotel, Hi-Vee Market Grille, Joe's Station House Pizza, Reality Bites, Sugar Mama Bakery and The Bloomington Area Career Center!  Get your ticket early because this event will sell out!  With a whole new look you will feel as if you are being Wrapped In Joy as you stroll among the beautiful trees, wreaths and Gingerbread houses!  This is all happening November 20-22nd at the Interstate Center!  Tickets go on sale October 1st!  For more information visit: www.thebabyfold.org and click on the Festival of Trees tab in the top right hand corner!

Want a fun activity for the whole family?
What you’ll need: toilet paper, a broom and a leaf blower.
Simply thread the toilet paper onto the broom handle and hold the broom at each end. Take leaf blower, position it under the toilet paper and turn it on!  No, your neighbors won't think you're crazy and we guarantee you'll get some great pics!!  If you do try this and want to share with us, send your cool pic to Melissa Engel @ mengel@thebabyfold.org and you may even see yourself in the next E-Newsletter!

This new school year brings many changes and a few challenges, but high hopes and expectations within Hammitt Elementary.  Take a look at a few of these exciting changes for students!

-The elementary classroom structure has moved from nine traditional classrooms to seven.
- We added another Challenges “Connection” classroom to the school which brings the total to 5 Challenges classrooms.  These classrooms are designed to serve students with multiple impairments and not only students with Autism.
-These changes have enabled Hammitt Elementary to continue to serve the changing needs of students in our community.  We are looking forward to a great 2015-16 school year!