Bates Family Newsletter

Dear Bates Families,

It’s been a busy and exciting week at Bates! We celebrated the ribbon cutting of our brand-new PreK/K playground and enjoyed Popsicles with the Principal together as a community. Our youngest learners had their very first days of PreK and Kindergarten, and across the school students are settling into routines. Classrooms have really been coming alive with “getting to know you” activities.

We’re also excited to welcome two new staff members to our Bates community: Mr. Ketcham, our new music teacher, and Ms. Stacey, our new second grade teacher.

We are so grateful to our teachers and staff for the thoughtful ways they are building strong relationships with students. It’s clear that a wonderful year of learning and belonging is ahead!

Our best,

Ms. Smith

Mr. Mac

Mr. Lister

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!

There were speeches, a ribbon was cut, popsicles were eaten, and fun was had on our NEW PreK/K playground! Many thanks to all the families who came out to celebrate this joyous event. SHOUT OUT to the PTO for supplying popsicles for the families.

Wednesday, September 10, 5:30-7pm - You'll get to meet your child/children's teacher(s), mix and mingle with families, and have a great dinner! Please join us!

Oh, and bring a dish to share - sign up here.

Agenda

Potluck dinner will be set up in the cafeteria.
Stop by and grab a bite to eat!

5:30-7PM

Visit with grade-level teachers in their classrooms. This is "meet and greet" style! Come take a look around classrooms, bring questions for the teachers, and enjoy some time catching up with old and new friends.

6-6:20PM (Theater near cafeteria)

Presentation: Meet Bates Staff

Learn about our Academic/Curriculum Programs & Title I

Meet the Principal, Assistant Principal, Special Education Team Chair, Family Engagement Facilitator, Coaches, Specialist Teachers (music, art, PE, library/digital learning), Special Education Teachers, Multilingual Learner Teachers, Student Adjustment Counselors, Speech and Language Pathologist, City Connects Coordinator, Reading Specialist, Behavior Specialist and Student Success Advisor

6:20-6:45PM (Theater near cafeteria)

Meet and mingle with support staff listed above who will be happy to answer questions you have regarding their roles and services they provide to your students at Bates.

We're looking forward to seeing you Wednesday night!

Thanks for your attention to keeping kids safe. This feedback applies to both the drop off out front and the PreK/K drop off line. Here's what we continue to notice this week:

1. Don't let students get out of vehicles until you are pulled up very close to the front doors.

2. There is NO passing in the drop off line. You move when the person in front of you rolls forward.

3. Adults stay in vehicles. If you have child locks and need us to open the door, we're happy to do so.

This is all done so everyone stays safe!

Our first early release day is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17. PreK will be dismissed at 10:55, K at 11:00, and grades 1-5 at 11:05. Teachers and staff will remain at Bates to engage in important professional development.

We're excited to offer after-school clubs to our students again this year!

Preliminary details:

• These clubs will be open to students in grades 3-5 only, and fall clubs run from the week of October 13th-the week of December 8th from 2:30-3:45. Clubs are FREE! Sign up is on a first come, first served basis.
• Kids who are being picked up by their grownups will be leaving school at 3:45 and those taking buses will be picked up at 4:00.
• Clubs (except Student Voice) will be capped at 10 participants. Student Voice is only open to students in grades 4 and 5 and will be capped at 15 participants.
• In the future, we're hoping to offer clubs to grades K-2 students, but we don't have the capacity to do that at this time.

So far we know that we're offering:

• Girls on the Run (Tuesday and Thursday - participants must attend on both days) - Just what it sounds like...it's a running club that culminates with the participants running a 5K offsite, ususally on a Saturday morning.
• Student Voice (likely running on Tuesdays - grades 4 and 5 only) - Explore what is means to have a voice as a student. This platform empowers students to speak up and improve their school environments. Culminates in a fantastic presentation at the Peabody Essex Museum in the spring showcasing the work of all students in Salem involved in this city-wide initiative.
• Garden Club - (Tuesdays) - Prepare the garden for fall, think about what should be planted in the spring, roll your sleeves up and get a little dirty!
• A Sports Club - (Thursdays) - We're not sure what this will be just yet, but we're working on it.
• STEM Club (T OR TH...not quite sure yet!) - Explore all things STEM! Designing, building, creating...so much fun😃

More information, including the signup, will be sent out soon.

Shout out to PTO for funding one of the clubs!

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!

Halloween is going to be here before we know it, and the Grand Parade is just around the corner. Mr. Bleckley has some cool ideas for this year's theme: Stronger Together, The Magic of Us.

The Concept

Basically, the premise will be "Making Magic", so if you plan on marching with us, think about costumes having to do with magic or making magic -- the sky's the limit!

Parade Prep

*****New this year!***** We're always thinking about ways to invite parents into our school to take part in the fun "stuff" that we're doing. This year, we're inviting families to come to Bates on Monday, September 22nd and/or Thursday, September 25th, from 2:30-4:00, to help create/paint props for the parade! We'll send a sign up next week to see who's interested in joining us!

Smile! School picture day is scheduled for Friday, September 19th! Information for how to sign up for pictures will be sent home with students soon.

**New this year!** - You spoke, we listened. We received feedback from families that they weren't completely satisfied with the picture quality from our "old" picture company. Ms. Julie, our school secretary, shopped around last spring and found a new company. Fingers crossed they provide a superior product!

September 9 - PTO meeting, library, 6:30-7:30 pm

September 10 - Curriculum night and potluck dinner, 5:30-7:00 pm

September 17 - Early release for students (PreK at 10:55, Kindergarten at 11:00, Grades 1-5 at 11:05) and our first Town Hall - More on that soon!

September 19 - School picture day - SMILE😀

October 2 - Halloween Grand Parade

October 17 - Monster Mash! More details to follow soon

October 22 - Early release - PreK at 10:55, K at 11:00, Grades 1-5 at 11:05

October 31 - Early release due to Halloween

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