Bates Family Newsletter

It's hard to believe that we're already 10 days into 2026! We hope that this new year has started off in a positive way for all of our families and that you had a wonderful break. So many folks were sick over the past few weeks, and fingers crossed that all of these nasty germs are making their way out of our systems!

We're happy to have you all back and look forward to this next stretch of the school year. Students have been busy writing themselves new goals and many of our kids have already achieved some of them. As always, please reach out to the members of the admin team with any questions or concerns you may have. We're happy to hear from families and continue to build relationships with all of you.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Our best,

Ms. Smith

Mr. Mac

Mr. Lister

Double parking during dismissal can be dangerous, as it blocks visibility and creates unsafe conditions for students and their families. Please take a moment to look for an open parking spot along the front of the building. If one isn’t available, we ask that you circle around rather than stopping next to another car. This helps keep traffic flowing and ensures everyone’s safety. Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school community safe!

January 15 - Grades 4 and 5 instrumental music concert for caregivers and students, 9:00-9:45 am (Families are welcome to wait in the lobby until the gym doors open at 8:45 am.)

January 23 - Grades 3, 4, and 5 Winter Showcase, 1:00-1:45 pm (Families are welcome to wait in the lobby until the gym doors open at 12:45 pm.)

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!

Each week at Bates, we shine a light on our Beacons of the Week, our rockstars 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.

Beacons of the Week this week showed great skills in having a growth mindset!

If so, please mark your calendars and join us for the Early Childhood Expo at Collins Middle School on Wednesday, January 14, from 5:30-7:00 PM. It's a good time to ask us questions about our PreK and K programs here at Bates. Please note that all elementary schools will be represented this evening to allow families the opportunity to meet PreK and K staff + principals. Snow date is Thursday, January 15, same time.

We'll also be hosting school tours for prospective incoming PreK/K families on January 20th and January 22nd. Tours will take place from: 8:00-8:30 AM, 9:00-9:30 AM, 10:00-10:30 AM, 1:00-1:30 PM, and 3:00-3:30 PM. You can sign up for the tours at the Expo or email Rosalyn Guevara, Family Engagement Coordinator at rguevara@salemk12.org.

If you can't make it to the Expo, we'll also host a Virtual Early Education Town Hall on Thursday, January 29, from 6:30-8:00 PM. Again, all of the elementary schools will be represented online. This is another opportunity to learn more about each school and ask questions about PreK/K programming.

Any questions you have about this process should be directed to Ms. Guevara. She has access to application deadlines and can answer any questions you may have. We're looking forward to welcoming an incoming group of Beacons for the 26/27 school year!

Nothing makes us smile like spirit days! Mark your calendars for these upcoming fun opportunities to show your true spirit!

Friday, January 16th - Hat Day🎩 - Wear your coolest, wackiest, most favorite hats!

Friday, January 30th - Sweatshirt/Hoodie Day - Wear your most favorite sweatshirt/hoodie! Represent your favorite sports team, mantra, or character. Share your school pride. The sky is the limit!

We can’t wait to see your in some fun gear😀

Strategy: SMART Goal setting

Welcome back, and happy start to 2026! The New Year is a great time for all of us to revisit SMART goals—making them specific, manageable, and meaningful. By breaking big goals into small, actionable steps, progress becomes easier to track and celebrate along the way. Small steps add up to big wins for families.

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!

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:

• February 16 – 20
• 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!

January 15 - Grades 4 and 5 instrumental music concert for caregivers and students, 9:00-9:45 am (Families are welcome to wait in the lobby until the gym doors open at 8:45 am.)

January 16 - Hat day!

January 19 - No school due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 20 - PTO meeting, 6:30, Bates School Library

January 23 - Grades 3, 4, and 5 Winter Showcase, 1:00-1:45 pm (Families are welcome to wait in the lobby until the gym doors open at 12:45 pm.)

January 30 - Favorite sweatshirt/hoodie Day

February 10 - PTO meeting, 6:30, Bates School Library

February 12 - School Site Council, 7:45-9:00 am

February 13 - Red, pink and white/heart gear spirit day!

February 16-February 20 - February vacation! See you back here on Monday, February 23

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.

A School Site Council (SSC) is a representative group of stakeholders - parents, teachers, and the principal, who work together to improve the school. Our main role is shared decision-making around our school’s goals, programs, and budget.

Here’s what our SSC typically does:

• Develops and reviews the school improvement plan
  

• Advises on the use of certain funds
  

• Monitors progress toward goalsBrings stakeholder voices together
  

• Builds transparency and trust

• Meetings are public and our agenda is posted below.

We meet monthly, and our agenda is here. Please let Mrs. Smith know if you'd like to join in for a meeting. Upcoming meetings: 2/12, 3/12, 4/16, 5/14, 6/4 - 7:45-9:00AM.

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.

School Hours:

Monday through Friday

PreK - 7:45 - 2:10 pm

Kindergarten - 7:45 - 2:15 pm

Grades 1-5 - 7:45 - 2:20 pm

Early Release:

PK at 10:55 am

Kindergarten at 11:00 am

Grades 1-5 at 11:05 am