Bates Family Newsletter

This week is Staff Appreciation Week, and we’re excited to celebrate the incredible educators and support staff who make our school a welcoming, joyful, and inspiring place for students each day!

We are so grateful for their dedication, care, and hard work—they go above and beyond to help every child learn, grow, and feel valued.

If you’d like to join us in showing appreciation, here are a few simple ways to make our staff feel special:

• Send a note, email, or drawing from your child to a favorite teacher or staff member

• Bring in a small treat, flower, or school supply

• Share a kind word during drop-off or pick-up

• Get creative with a thank-you video or card
  
  

Every gesture, big or small, goes a long way in showing how much we value them. Thank you for helping us celebrate the amazing people who make our school shine!

Special shout out to the PTO who will be providing the teachers with treats and special acknowledgements throughout the week! The staff truly appreciates the gesture.

My best,

Ms. Smith

A representative from Salem Access TV came to Bates on Friday to record some of our students talking about their favorite staff members in honor of Staff Appreciation Week. Dr. Zrike asked them some questions, and they did great answering them. Shout out to these Beacons who weren't camera shy at all:)

Unless any unforeseen events arise, the last days of school are as follows:

• The last day for Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten will be Monday, June 16

• The last day for all students in Grades 1-5 will be on Friday, June 20 (early release)

Ivy the Very Determined Dog

Our next assembly is Wednesday, May 14, and we'll meet Ivy! She's a very determined dog who has overcome so much. An order form will be sent home if you'd like to order the book based on Ivy's life -- totally optional!

We're so proud of our Beacons of the Week who were able to show great motivation, our social/emotional skill of the week:

Kyle Clarkin

Nala Crayton

Danica Marts

Lucas Rothfuchs

Josephine Bauer

Abigail Clarkin

Quentin Quigley

Khiry Morris

Noah Davidson Gregg

Steven Baldassari

Jhone Rodrigues Goncalves

Jack Dunn

Leilani Paulino

Ann Chloe Jean

Ben Marts

Isaac Snow

Noah Colonetti

Last week, our SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) focus was on motivation—the drive to set goals, work hard, and keep going even when things get challenging.

Students explored what motivates them, talked about the power of a positive mindset, and practiced setting small, achievable goals. We encouraged them to celebrate effort, not just outcomes!

You can keep the conversation going at home by asking:

• “What’s something you’re proud of working hard on last week?”

• “What helps you keep going when something feels tough?”
  
  

Thank you for partnering with us in helping students build these important life skills!

There was music, bubbles, dancing, laughing...oh, and lots of steps taken! Thanks, PTO, for making this year's walkathon such a great success. The kids had a blast!

Our goal is to keep our chronic absence rate under 19.5% this year. This week, our chronic attendance rate is at 17.8%.

If you need any assistance with getting your student to school, please reach out to Rosalyn Guevara, Family Engagement Facilitator at rguevara@salemk12.org.

The school menus are posted on the SPS website. Find them here.

May

5th and 6th - Grade 3 math MCAS

7th and 8th - Grade 5 math MCAS

13th and 15th - Grade 4 math MCAS

14th - Ivy the Very Determined Dog assembly during Town Hall + Early realease day!

22nd - K-2 Memorial Day concert for the students at school

23rd - K-2 Memorial Day concert for our families, 8:15 (Doors will open at 8:00)

26th - Memorial Day - No School

June

Weeks of June 2nd and June 9th - Bates arcade weeks! Students design and build arcade games for their classmates to play!

6th - Field day at McGlew park

9th - Rain date for field day

11th - Trimester 3 ends

12th - Grades 3, 4, and 5 chorus concert for families - 8:15 (Doors will open at 8:00)

13th - PreK and K moving on ceremonies (more information will be sent to PreK/K families)

16th - Last day for PreK and K students

18th - Grade 5 moving on ceremony (more information will be send to grade 5 families)

19th - Juneteenth - No School!

20th - Last day of school for grades 1-5! Early release day!

Did you know you can earn money for our school just by scanning your grocery receipts? All you need to do is download the Boxtops app, and scan those receipts! Don't want to scan? No worries, you can always send receipts into school with your student in an envelope marked, "PTO Boxtops".

We’d like to remind everyone that smoking and vaping are not allowed on school property, including in parking lots and vehicles, in accordance with Massachusetts state law.

This policy helps us maintain a healthy and safe environment for all students, staff, and visitors. We appreciate your support in setting a positive example for our school community.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Our Bates spirit rock is available for weekly rentals. Celebrate your student's birthday or other accomplishments by painting a message on our rock. Please click here to rent the rock!

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:

Regular school hours:

Monday through Friday: 7:45am to 1:50pm

Early Release (Grades 1-5) at 11:15am

PK at 11am

Kindergarten at 11:10am