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Principal's Weekly
Dr. Beth N. Choquette
Bridge Street School
2 Parsons Street
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
413-587-1460 (phone) 413-587-1474 (fax)
Dr. Beth N. Choquette, Principal bchoquette@northamtpon-k12.us
Elizabeth Peterson, Administrative Assistant epeterson@northampton-k12.us
Jordan Celino, Secretary jcelino@northampton-k12.us
Nora DeJasu, Head Teacher ndejasu@northampton-k12.us
Translation of the Principal's Weekly
At the top of the weekly email, there's a link that reads "View it in your browser," click that and it takes you to the post on a webpage.
Scroll to the bottom where there's a black menu bar and pick the option that says "Translate."
Select the language you would like it translated in and it will then translate it on the webpage.
Traducción del semanario del director
Le gustaría traducir esta carta de noticias? Aquí están los pasos para traducirlo:
En la parte superior del correo electrónico semanal, hay un enlace que dice "Verlo en su navegador", haga clic en eso y lo llevará a la publicación en una página web.
Desplázate hacia la parte inferior donde hay una barra de menú negra y elige la opción que dice "Traducir".
Seleccione el idioma en el que desea traducirlo y luego lo traducirá en la página web.
Bridge Street School Vision and Mission Statements
Bridge Street School’s faculty and staff, caregivers, and community are committed to providing educational excellence and equity to its students by challenging the injustices that create barriers to high academic achievement, to access and opportunities to learn, to high-quality teaching and learning, and to a climate of belonging. This commitment to educational equity, where all children are successful regardless of their personal, social, or cultural contexts, is at the core of our practices, structures, and policies.
A Message From Principal Choquette
Good afternoon, and happy snow day!
I know it can be hard to keep track of the last day of school once the year gets rolling and we have snow days. As of today, our last day of school is now Monday, June 27th. We always ask families to plan for 5 snow days, because each year, we almost always use all of them. So please do your best not to plan anything during that last week of June as we will still be in school. There are still many winter days ahead of us and time for more snow days.
One of my favorite things (and there are many) about our school is the diversity of our students. When I say the word diversity, I don't only mean racial/ethnic diversity, but I also mean diversity as it relates to socio economic status, class, gender, sex, religion, and disability. The greatest thing about our school is our students. They are unique, funny, caring, and just a blast to be with. With that diversity, there also needs to be an understanding and acceptance that we are all different, not only in looks, but in personality, behavior, and in the way we learn both academically and social emotionally. Periodically, students may witness another student having a difficult time, they could scream, cry, act out aggressively, or say inappropriate things. They may get frustrated with their school work or not understand something in class. None of us like to see anyone struggle. Unfortunately, we sometimes find ourselves making assumptions or spreading rumors about other students and about situations we know nothing about. Even labeling them as bullies, calling them names, laughing, and other hurtful things. Please know that with any student that struggles, there is a team of adults working with them and their caregivers to find ways to support them in school. Students don't struggle because they want to, in most situations, it is out of their control. We have protocols for all situations, it may be that an adult comes into the room to help a student, it may mean that we evacuate the classroom to protect the dignity and privacy of a student, or a student is asked to leave the room with an adult for academic or emotional support, or some other protocol. We are asking that our families join us in talking with our kids about our diversity, and what that means. To think about what it must be like to be in the shoes of someone else. For the most part, our kids get it, but there are still some who find it okay to tease or make assumptions about a student, and that is just not fair. Let's have compassion and empathy, while supporting and teaching. We also understand that for students who may witness a behavior or if the behavior is towards them, it can cause worry and concern and we want to support them as well. We need to be clear to our students that it is never okay to be treated unkindly, or to put hands on anyone, and that there are consequences to our actions. Most importantly all students should feel empowered to report misconduct or unkindness to an adult. It is a matter of safety and security, it is not tattling. All of our students and adults deserve to be treated with kindness and feel safe at school. We need to hold each other accountable, not always by punitive actions but rather by restorative actions. We want to teach students to understand how their actions can impact others, how to make a repair, and how to build trust and relationships. Let's help them to understand that every action has a consequence and depending on the action, the consequence could be positive or negative. Thank you for collaborating with us on something that can be complicated and difficult to understand. It's important to remember that we all have something we are working on.
This coming Wednesday, February 9th is half day. All K-5 students will be dismissed at 11:30 and there will be no BASE or LLP this day. A.M. preschool dismisses at their normal time and full-day preschool dismisses at 11:20.
We will be following the same protocols as we have been since the start of Covid for Valentine's Day. Please do not send in Valentine's or treats to exchange this year. Thank you for understanding and for continuing to keep our community safe.
There will be information coming out this week regarding the at home test kits that students signed up for. They will be going home with students who are signed up this coming week. Please be on the look out for communication coming from the district regarding this program.
I'm excited to announce that students should have received packets about the Read-a-Thon and the principal's challenge. If the school meets the reading goal, I will dye my hair. They are asking me what color, that will be a surprise!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Girls on the Run
PTO Save The Date
- Tuesday, February 8 at 2:30 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, March 8 at 6:00 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, April 12 at 2:30 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, May 10at 6:00 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, June 14 at 2:30 PM - PTO Meeting
Important Dates
February 9: 1/2 Day-Teacher Work Day
February 21-25: No School Winter Recess
From the PTO
Dear BSS Families, (Mensaje en español abajo)
We hope you’re all healthy and well as we come into this new year! There are lots of ways to get involved and make your voice heard at BSS and within the district. Here’s all the info:
Sundays at the Playground: Grab your warm gear and come hang with BSS friends on the playground! We’ll be braving the chilly weather on Sundays starting on January 16th at 2:00 PM for free play and fun. All grades welcome!
Save the Date–Snow Day Snow Sculptures: We know this community has creativity in spades and we’re excited to see it come to life on the next snowy snow day! We’ll meet at Lampron Park at 11:00 AM to make snow sculptures of all kinds. Stay tuned for a quick turnaround and lots of fun!
Climate and Culture Survey: The district is gathering input from caregivers about the culture within our schools. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey to share your family’s experience with BSS. Links are here:
- https://forms.gle/i3rBrLfAsx15TNFo7 English
- https://forms.gle/vZxsbsTer1XL18F49 Spanish
- https://forms.gle/AEPfWedanLQkwSfLA French
- https://forms.gle/2GpTTV4XeLppzibJA Swahili
- https://forms.gle/sK4Jq3rbfQSwuzQS8 Kinyarwanda
- https://forms.gle/QizHD36TeonxXCSC7 Chinese
- https://forms.gle/eDREhajF44BJWv9E7 Burmese
Childcare Survey: The School Committee is gathering information about childcare needs in our community as part of their exploration into whether or not to create a district-wide program to support before and aftercare needs. Fill out this survey to help the School Committee better understand the childcare needs in our community.
Pooled Testing: If you haven’t signed up for pooled testing yet, you can do so at any time! The online consent form can be found here: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma.
Thanks for all you do!
Your PTO
Queridas familias de BSS,
Esperamos que todos estéis sanos y bien al entrar en este nuevo año. Hay muchas maneras de participar y hacer que tu voz se escuche en BSS y dentro del distrito. Aquí está toda la información:
Domingos en el patio de recreo: ¡Coge tu ropa de abrigo y ven a pasar el rato con los amigos de BSS en el patio de recreo! Estaremos desafiando el clima frío los domingos a partir del 16 de enero a las 2:00 PM para el juego libre y la diversión. ¡Todos los grados son bienvenidos!
Guarde la fecha-Día de la nieve Esculturas de nieve: Sabemos que esta comunidad tiene creatividad a raudales y estamos emocionados por ver cómo cobra vida en el próximo día de nieve. Nos reuniremos en el Parque Lampron a las 11:00 AM para hacer esculturas de nieve de todo tipo. Estén atentos para ver si hay un cambio rápido y mucha diversión.
Encuesta de Clima y Cultura: El distrito está reuniendo información de los cuidadores sobre la cultura dentro de nuestras escuelas. Por favor tome unos minutos para llenar esta encuesta para compartir la experiencia de su familia con BSS. Los enlaces están aquí:
- https://forms.gle/i3rBrLfAsx15TNFo7 Inglés
- https://forms.gle/vZxsbsTer1XL18F49 Español
- https://forms.gle/AEPfWedanLQkwSfLA Francés
- https://forms.gle/2GpTTV4XeLppzibJA Swahili
- https://forms.gle/sK4Jq3rbfQSwuzQS8 Kinyarwanda
- https://forms.gle/QizHD36TeonxXCSC7 Chino
- https://forms.gle/eDREhajF44BJWv9E7 Birmano
Encuesta sobre el cuidado de los niños: El Comité Escolar está recopilando información sobre las necesidades de cuidado de niños en nuestra comunidad como parte de su exploración sobre la creación o no de un programa en todo el distrito para apoyar las necesidades de cuidado antes y después de la escuela. Llene esta encuesta para ayudar al Comité Escolar a entender mejor las necesidades de cuidado de niños en nuestra comunidad.
Pruebas de conjunto: Si aún no se ha inscrito en las pruebas conjuntas, ¡puede hacerlo en cualquier momento! El formulario de consentimiento en línea se puede encontrar aquí: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma.
¡Gracias por todo lo que hacen!
Su PTO
New Curriculum Newsletter from Karen Albano
Welcome to our first volume of the NPS Elementary Curriculum Corner!I In this monthly newsletter, we will share curriculum news, offer a view into a different grade levels and curriculum, and share the many reasons we are grateful for the amazing NPS educators and all of the joy and learning taking place among the wonderful students in our schools!
Newsletter Link:
https://www.smore.com/4c1m2-nps-elementary-curriculum-corner?ref=email-content#w-5799051425
_________________________________
From Nurse Jessica
Prior Resources/Letters/Important Information
State At-Home Covid Testing Consent/Information
Link to district website re: State At-Home Covid Testing Consent/Information
https://northamptonschools.org/additional-covid-screening-options-consent-needed/