Bates Family Newsletter

It was a spirited and joy-filled week at Bates! We celebrated Staff Appreciation Week with so many thoughtful treats from our incredible PTO. A huge thank you to our PTO for their generosity, creativity, and continued support of our staff community. We truly felt appreciated all week long.

One of the highlights of the week was our very first “undercover” staff spirit week. Each day featured a secret theme that had students asking, “What is going on here?” From coordinated outfits to hilarious surprises, it brought lots of laughter, connection, and school spirit to our hallways. More importantly, it reminded us how powerful fun and community-building can be for both students and staff.

We also want to give a big shout out to our Grade 3 and Grade 5 students for their focus, perseverance, and hard work during Math MCAS testing this week. We are proud of the effort they showed each day. Grade 4 students are up next on Monday and Tuesday, and we know they are ready to shine.

And finally, to all the moms, grandmothers, caregivers, and mother figures in our Bates community... Happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for the love, strength, encouragement, and care you give every single day. You are truly our Beacons of the Week, Month, and Year!

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!

Kindergarten - Friday, June 12, 10:00

PreK - Friday, June 12, 1:30

Grade 5 - Monday, June 22, 9:00

We want to send a quick reminder about Cartwheel, our virtual mental health partner. If you notice that your child has been struggling— maybe school feels harder lately, emotions feel bigger, or something just feels off—Cartwheel can help.

Here's what makes it easy:

• Your child can see a licensed therapist within days

• Appointments happen virtually—from home, whenever works for your family's schedule (early morning, evenings, even weekends).

• Care is available in multiple languages

• If you have MassHealth, it's completely free. If you have private insurance, Cartwheel is in-network with most plans. If you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t provide mental health care, we can work with you to ensure you still have access to services.

If you’re not sure if your child needs therapy, you can also schedule parent guidance sessions if you'd like support navigating what you're seeing at home. You don't have to figure this out alone.

It’s easy to get started. Just complete this simple interest form or learn more here.

Your child's well-being matters to all of us. We're here to help.

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.

Congratulations to these Beacons!

A bike bus is a group of students, parents and community members who ride their bikes to school together. The Bates Bike Bus will ride one morning a week (starting in April or May when morning temps are 50+) from Furlong Park through Greenlawn Cemetery to Bates.

To join, click the link to fill out the waiver form: https://forms.gle/7ZvsFj117yR7J6o5A

Why should we join?
Bike busses have popped up all over the country. It is a fun, healthy way to get to school,build community, reduce traffic, and help kids learn to safely ride on the road. Studies have shown that kids who ride their bikes in the morning perform better in school!

PTO's Staff Appreciation Week theme was "Friends". Each day, the treats were associated with a Friends episode. It was fun and tasty! Here is Ms. Zapata, one of our paraprofessionals, enjoying her treats and the prop provided to go with them. Thanks again, PTO!

Nothing makes us smile like spirit days!

Friday, May 29 - Salem Gear/Red, Black, and White Spirit Day!

We're welcoming the Salem High School Class of 2026 to Bates on this day. These amazing scholars are visiting all the elementary schools to say "farewell" to Salem Public Schools while we clap and cheer for them as they stroll down our hallways in their caps and gowns. Let's wear Salem gear or red, black, and white to show our Salem pride!

More kindness...

We continued our school-wide focus on kindness this week, and many of our Beacons of the Week were recognized for the thoughtful ways they showed care, compassion, and kindness to members of our community. Whether through small everyday gestures or meaningful acts of support, these students helped make Bates a place where everyone feels seen and valued.

Looking ahead to next week’s Town Hall, students will meet in their Crew groups to reflect on how acts of kindness have shaped their own lives and participate in a collaborative kindness activity together. We’re excited for these important conversations and community-building moments. Photos to follow next week!

With the four days off due to snow, our last days of school are as follows:

• PreK and K - Full day on Wednesday, June 17
• Grades 1 - 5 - Early release on Tuesday, June 23

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.

Thank you for making school attendance a priority. We look forward to partnering with you to support your child in the year ahead!

May

11th and 12th - Grade 4 Math MCAS

12th - PTO meeting, school library, 6:30 PM

13th - Early release day

14th - School Site Council, 7:45 AM

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 PM

12th - Grade 5 to Canobie Lake

Kindergarten year end celebration for families - 10:00

PreK year end celebration for families - 1:30

15th - Grades 4/5 instrumental music concert for families and students in grades 2-5 - 8:30 (Doors open at 8:15)

17th - Last day for PreK and K (full day)

19th - Juneteenth (no school)

22nd - Grade 5 Moving on Celebration, 9:00 (Doors open at 8:45)

23rd - Last day for Grades 1-5 (half day)

School breakfast and lunch menus can be found here.

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 goals

• Brings 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 an meeting. Upcoming meetings: 5/14, 6/4 - 7:45-9:00 AM.

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