Bates Family Newsletter

They say time flies, and it seems that this year was no exception. We watched your children grow, learn, and become productive members of our school community. It's hard to believe that the little learners we met in kindergarten and PreK have already ended their year and that the fifth graders will be off to middle school come fall. They were once so little, too, and seeing them now reminds us that the elementary school years really do pass quickly.

We want to thank you for your partnership and trust in us to educate your children. As parents ourselves, we know that sending kids off to school everyday comes with ups and downs. Please rest assured that we truly do treat your children as if they are our own, and we're always here to cheer them on or pick them up when they fall. We look forward to seeing them after a full summer of fun and relaxation, ready to tackle school once again.

Wishing you the best summer!

Enjoy your weekend,

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!

Grade 5 - Monday, June 22, 9:00

Doors open at 8:45.

For students with siblings in grades 1-4, they will be called to the office at 8:40 and instructed to find you as you walk into the gym.

September 3 - First day of school for grades 1-5

September 8 - Popsicles with the Principal for incoming PreK and K students, 5:00-6:00 PM

September 10 - First day of school for PreK and Kindergarten

September 16 - Curriculum Night for grades PreK-5, 5:30-7:00 PM

September 23 - Early release day

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.

Student engineers in grades 1-5, you are the Beacons of the Week! Great job on your arcade games!

Nothing makes us smile like spirit days!

June 23 - Tropical day

Break out your Hawaiian shirts, bright colors, tank tops, leis, and sandals - We're going on vacation - Summer vacation, that is!

Just a glimpse of the mini staff members we welcomed to school on Thursday! Starting with this "boss" who got to sit in the driver's seat in the principal's office😄

World Cup fever has struck at Bates. There were a lot more Messi jerseys out there this past week.

Summer is a great time to help children build social-emotional skills through everyday experiences. Encourage your child to:

• Talk about their feelings and listen to others' perspectives.
• Practice problem-solving when challenges arise.
• Show kindness through small acts of helping family, friends, and neighbors.
• Maintain routines that support healthy sleep, exercise, and downtime.
• Try something new and celebrate effort, not just success.

A few minutes of conversation and connection each day can go a long way in helping children grow their confidence, resilience, and empathy. Have a wonderful summer!

Two Bates community members applied to be on School Site Council for the 26/27 and 27/28 school years. Since we need two members and only two applied, we won't need to vote them in. AND we're very thankful that they stepped up. Those two humans are Rachel Peritore and Brianna Kenny. Shout out to the two of you for your willingness to serve on the council!

Here are their applications so you get to know them a little better:

Ms. Peritore's responses:

1. What interests you most about serving on the School Site Council, and how do you hope to contribute to our school community during your two-year term?

I love that Site Council allows me to be involved in the school. I've learned so much about the way the school is run and I'd love to be a part of site council in an official capacity. For years I thought PTO was the only way for parents to be involved at Bates, but participating in Site Council this year has been a wonderful alternative. I believe I have a lot to contribute as a parent. I have three children who all attend Bates and their individual experiences can help me to provide insightful feedback for what is working at Bates and what could be improved.

2. What experiences, perspectives, or connections to the community would you bring to the School Site Council?

Having three children all go to Bates from Pre-k and on has allowed me to make some great connections with teachers, staff, and many other parents at Bates. As a stay at home mom I have the flexibility and the luxury to be at drop off and pick up every day, to chaperone field trips, and to attend almost every school event. Because of this, I believe I'm in the perfect position to keep other parents informed on all the positive things happening at Bates, and to make connections between parents and the school. A lot of parents can complain or raise concerns with other parents about perceived issues at Bates and I love that as a member of site council I get a behind the scenes look at what's really happening. I like that I can prevent misinformation from being spread, and that I can tell other parents about all the good things happening at Bates.

3. How would you work collaboratively with families, staff, and school leaders to support a positive and successful school environment for all students?

As a stay at home mom I have the luxury of availability and am more than happy to devote my time to Bates. With three kids at Bates I've been lucky to get to know a lot of teachers and other parents and I enjoy making those connections. I also believe I come to the table with open-mindedness and positivity which is beneficial to collaboration. Essentially, I want to be part of site council because I've always loved Bates, but this past year attending site council meetings has allowed me to really appreciate all the work that is done behind the scenes. I'd love nothing more than for all the parents and caregivers of Bates students to see what I see and feel confident in their children's learning, safety, and success the way that I do for my kids.

Ms. Kenny's responses:

1. What interests you most about serving on the School Site Council, and how do you hope to contribute to our school community during your two-year term?

I’m interested in serving on the School Site Council because it’s an opportunity to support and strengthen the dynamic and special community that makes Bates such a great place. I’d love to play a role in helping our school continue to grow and thrive—whether that’s by offering feedback, helping connect families to what’s happening at school, or supporting initiatives that benefit students (including assisting with drafting grant applications as needed). I hope to be a steady, engaged participant who helps ensure that decisions reflect the needs and experiences of the whole school community, while using my skills to benefit the Bates community.

2. What experiences, perspectives, or connections to the community would you bring to the School Site Council?
As the parent of a Bates first grade student, I’ve been impressed by how dedicated our educators are. I took Principal Smith up on her offer to attend Council meetings as an observer and went to most of the meetings. It was a fantastic opportunity to see our educators up close, and I was impressed by the collaborative nature of the Council.

On a personal note, I truly appreciate the friendships and community our family found at Bates. That sense of belonging is something I’d hope for every family to feel, and I’d bring that perspective into this role. I also love to travel and learn about different cultures, which has helped me appreciate diverse perspectives—something I think is critical in a collaborative setting like the School Site Council. Professionally, I’m an attorney with the U.S. Department of the Interior, where I’ve spent nearly two decades helping protect our national parks (including our own Salem Maritime National Historical Park) and national wildlife refuges on behalf of the public. That work has strengthened my skills in listening, analyzing complex issues, and advocating for creative and thoughtful solutions. This spring, I served on the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Committee for the school district’s budget. In that role, I advocated for a more equitable funding approach across elementary schools, after realizing that Bates received far less money per student than all other elementary schools. I was able to persuade the district to reconsider how non-personnel funding is allocated, and the district ultimately piloted a new formula that consider enrollment and demographics of the elementary schools in allocating expense budgets. As a result, Bates received a 69% increase in its expense budget for the 2026–27 school year.

3. How would you work collaboratively with families, staff, and school leaders to support a positive and successful school environment for all students?
I believe one of the most important things a Council member can do is listen to the perspectives and experiences of others. I would approach this role with an open mind and a commitment to trying to understand different viewpoints, especially from families whose voices may not always be heard. I also believe that communication and transparency are key. I’d work to help bring family feedback back to the Council in a constructive way. At the same time, I value the expertise of our educators and staff and aim to build strong, respectful partnerships with them and with school leadership. Ultimately, my goal would be to help foster a collaborative, inclusive environment where everyone feels invested in supporting student learning and well-being, and where decisions are made with the best interests of all students in mind.

• 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!

June

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 meeting - Check back here for our meeting schedule for 26/27!

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