Bates Family Newsletter
February 28, 2026
Greetings Families!
We hope you had a great week😀 What an unexpected two days off we had! Let's hope those were our last snow days for the year.
Repeating an important update!
As you may have seen in our last newsletter, we're trying something new district wide this year.
Student Learning Celebrations
We are excited to share a transformational new practice coming to our school this year: Student Learning Celebrations! We believe that this will be an opportunity for you to celebrate your student’s progress and growth at school.
What is a Student Learning Celebration?
Unlike traditional parent-teacher conferences, Student Learning Celebrations are meetings where your student takes the lead in guiding the conversation with you, their family.
During the meeting, your student will be the facilitator. They will:
Showcase samples of their work.
Explain what they have learned.
Identify areas where they have struggled.
- Share their personal goals for future learning.
As a family member, your role is to attend the meeting, listen, and ask questions as your child shares their learning. The teacher(s) will support the student in leading the conversation. Unlike traditional conferences, this celebration is focused on highlighting what your child has learned and the goals they are setting for themselves. To honor the student-led nature of the meeting, this time is not intended for discussing individual concerns. This helps keep the focus on celebrating student growth and voice. If there are lingering questions or concerns you may have, however, please reach out to your student’s teacher in advance of these meetings.
Dates:
Please note these dates for the upcoming district-wide Student Learning Celebrations, which will be held:
March 16th from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 4:30 -6:30 PM
March 17th from 12:00 - 2:00 PM
We will be in touch soon with more specific details on how to schedule your meeting. We are excited to embark on this journey with you and look forward to seeing your child shine as they take ownership of their learning!
Our best,
Ms. Smith
Mr. Mac
Mr. Lister
Our Priorities
We work off of three basic priorities here are Bates: Center Belonging, Empower Educators, Elevate Student Learning. You'll notice that our weekly newsletters are divided into these three sections for a reason - We always work toward our goals, and we want to keep you informed as to how we're doing it!
Beacons of the Week!
Each week at Bates, we shine a light on our Beacons of the Week, our rock stars who have truly embodied the social-emotional skill we’re focusing on. Their teachers share the many beautiful ways these students have shown up for themselves and for others, and how they personify what it means to live out our values.
No Beacons this week due to the snow days!
Upcoming Spirit Day!
Nothing makes us smile like spirit days! Mark your calendars for this upcoming fun opportunity to show your true spirit!
March 10 - Character spirit day! Did you know that March 10th is Mario Day? Mario Day honors the beloved video game character, Super Mario. We won't just stop at wearing Mario gear, though. Support your favorite character by wearing cool socks, t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, headbands...to name some fun ways to show your spirit. We're guessing we'll see lots of Star Wars, Disney, and video game characters represented. Just no costumes, please.
We can’t wait to see you in some fun gear😀
Social/Emotional Learning Updates
Understanding Intent vs. Impact
This week, we talked with students about the difference between intent and impact. Intent is what someone meant to do or say. Impact is how their words or actions actually affected another person. Sometimes, even when someone has positive or neutral intent, their impact can still cause hurt, exclusion, or misunderstanding.
Helping students understand this difference builds empathy, responsibility, and stronger relationships. We teach students that while intent matters, it is also important to listen when someone shares that they were hurt and to work toward repairing the relationship. This helps students learn to reflect on their actions, take responsibility, and grow.
Our Student Handbook
It's always a good idea to be familiar with our general operating rules and procedures. Please take some time to read through our Bates School Handbook. Thank you!
Changes to Dismissal Plans
If your child’s dismissal plans change, please notify Ms. Julie in the Main Office at (978) 740-1250 as early in the day as possible.
Please do not inform your child’s teacher directly, as this interrupts classroom instruction. Ms. Julie will make sure the teacher is notified.
Planning Vacations During the School Year
As you plan, please keep the school calendar in mind when scheduling family vacations. Below are the vacation dates for the 2025–26 school year:
- April 20 – 24
Thank you for making school attendance a priority. We look forward to partnering with you to support your child in the year ahead!
Mark your calendars!
March 10 - Character spirit day! Did you know that March 10th is Mario Day? Mario Day honors the beloved video game character, Super Mario. We won't just stop at wearing Mario gear, though. Support your favorite character by wearing cool socks, t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, headbands...to name some fun ways to show your spirit. We're guessing we'll see lots of Star Wars, Disney, and video game characters represented. Just no costumes, please.
March 10 - PTO meeting, 6:30 PM, Bates School library
March 12 - Site Council, 7:45 AM
March 16 - No School for Students - Student Learning Celebrations
March 17 - Early release day - Student Learning Celebrations
March 18 - Smile! It's spring picture day!
March 20 - Report cards sent to families
March 30 - March 31 - Grade 3 ELA MCAS
March 31 - Bates Creates! 5:30-7:00 PM
Please note that dates from here down are subject to change, and we don't have all of the dates ready yet. For example, grade 5 moving on ceremony, PreK and K moving on ceremonies are TBD at the moment.
April
3rd - Good Friday AND we DO have school on this day
6th-7th - Grade 4 ELA MCAS
8th-9th - Grade 5 ELA MCAS
9th - School Site Council, 7:45 AM
14th - PTO Meeting, school library, 6:30 PM
20th-24th - April vacation
May
1st - Walk-a-thon
4th and 5th - Grade 3 Math MCAS
6th and 7th - Grade 5 Math MCAS
7th - School Site Council, 7:45 AM
11th and 12th - Grade 4 Math MCAS
12th - PTO meeting, school library, 6:30 PM
13th - Early release day
18th-19th - Grade 5 Science MCAS
21st - K, 1, 2 Memorial Day Show for the school
22nd - K, 1, 2, Memorial Day Show for friends and family, 8:15 AM (Doors open at 8:00)
25th - No school Memorial Day
June
4th - School Site Council, 7:45 AM
5th - Field Day!
8th - Field Day rain date
9th - PTO meeting, school library, 6:30 AM
12th - Grade 5 to Canobie Lake (tentative)
18th - Last day for PreK and K (full day)
19th - Juneteenth (no school)
23rd - Last day for Grades 1-5 (half day)
Want to Rent the Spirit Rock?
Look no further! Sign up to rent the rock here.
Reserve the spirit rock from the PTO for the following: Birthday, ½ Birthday (summer birthday), school spirit, congratulating someone, etc. Spirit Rock is a PTO fundraiser for the school year of 2025-2026. Funds raised will help pay for school programs and/or initiatives.
School Mission
Bates Elementary School, in partnership with our families and community, will provide all students with a culturally responsive, student – centered, and equitable learning experience that celebrates our students’ diverse backgrounds, creative pursuits, and their academic, social, emotional success.
