2025 / 2026 Events Calendar
Funds raised by Friends of Bell support many programs at Bell School, from the computer lab and athletics to staff salaries and theater residencies. Learn more here. We host a variety of fundraising events throughout the school year to not only raise money but to bring the community together in a fun way! We are always looking for volunteers (whether it is time or money) so take a look to find out more below. This page will continue to be updated with dates, times, and links to more information.
Thanks for making Bell a place where our children can thrive!
back to school dash to the bash
Dust off your sneakers and get ready for Bell’s FIRST Back-to-School Dash! Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a professional runner to participate - this 3k is open to everyone! You can run, walk, skip, or push a stroller through the course that will be in the Bell neighborhood. Bell’s Back-to-School Bash follows from 10:00-12:00
🗓️ September 6, 2025
🕘 9:00 warm-ups, 9:30 start time
📍 Bell School
👟 Anyone can participate in this celebratory day!
Bell Walk
The Bell Walk is the annual celebration of Bell students' fundraising efforts. Because it's Bell's largest student-driven fundraiser of the year, we look to our Bell families to help get the message out and help achieve our fundraising goal of $100,000. No donation is too small!
🗓️ October 9, 2025
🕘 Class walk times TBD, sometime between 8:30-12:00
📍 Bell School
🚶♂️ Everyone participates in the celebratory day!
Bands for Bell
A night of music featuring Bell Staff and Bell Families! This is the 22nd year for Bands for Bell and we can’t wait to rock out with Bell teachers and parents in January. This is always one of the staff’s favorite nights of the year!
🗓️ January 30, 2026 at 7:00 (doors open at 6:00)
📍 Martyrs’ 3855 N. Lincoln
🎸 Adult night out and teachers attend for free!
Annual gala
Bell’s annual Gala is an evening of conversation, community, and heartfelt giving. We invite everyone (21 yrs and older) to join us and show their support for Bell.
The evening will feature all your favorites—our silent auction, signature cocktails, great food, and plenty of dancing—along with the return of the wine pull and a few new surprises this year, all from the heart.
🗓️ February 27, 2026
📍 Ravenswood Event Center
✨ Adult night out
Wishlist Fund
The Wish List is Bell School’s LARGEST and only teacher-led fundraiser of the year. The Wish List helps to support all the materials, supplies, equipment, and experiences that are NOT covered by annual CPS funding. With the Wish List, you decide exactly how your tax-deductible, financial contributions will support Bell School.
🗓️ April-May 2026
✨ Everyone can donate!
*Fund is coming soon!
parent parties + teacher treats
Bell Parent Parties are a great opportunity to meet up with friends and make some new ones! Sign up for all the fun events at the link below! Act fast as they sell out quickly! And back due to popular demand, students have an opportunity to sign up for teacher-hosted events! These are guaranteed to be a great time and to sell out quickly. Reserve your spot today!
🗓️ Hosted from September 2025 through August 2026
📍 At Bell School or within the neighborhood
😍 There’s something fun for everyone!