Our first full week is in the books!
*****We have our first early release day next week on Wednesday, 9/20. See below in the "events" section for early release times.*****
What an eventual week we had at Bates! We hosted our first PTO meeting that bordered on standing-room only. It was amazing to see so many families at the meeting, and if you missed this one, please consider coming to the next meeting on Tuesday, October 10, 6pm in the Bates library.
On Wednesday, approximately 170 families(!) joined us for our open house and potluck dinner event. Shout out to all of you who were patient and understanding during our "unplanned evacuation". There's never a dull moment in elementary school...even at night! Another shout out to Angel Nelson and crew for coordinating the food and spirit wear sale and to Judith Forman for running the 50/50 raffle to support our fifth grade class.
Another shout out to Amber Shomo and Michelle Bettencourt who are our parent representatives on School Site Council. The SSC meets monthly to discuss important things like our School Improvement Plan, budgetary needs, and all other business related to effectively running a school that meets the needs of all learners.
And one final shout out to all of our Hispanic families here at Bates. Yesterday, we kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month on our morning announcements with Ms. Roz, who is from Puerto Rico, teaching our students a little Spanish. We are looking forward to featuring many of our Hispanic students on morning announcements this month talking about who they are and why they belong at Bates!
Enjoy your weekend, Bates families!
Respect for others and responsibilities
This past week’s SEL topic was respect for others, and being respectful is one of three Bates Core Values. The other two are being safe and responsible!
The questions we ask our students here at Bates to help them understand what being respectful means are:
- Did you use kind words and a calm tone of voice to say what you needed to say?
- Did you use things the way they were supposed to be used?
- Were you considerate of other people, their things, their space and their learning?
These questions reflect having respect for oneself and for others and encourage students to get a better understanding of what it means to be respectful. The best ways to help our kids understand the importance of being respectful to others is by modeling it, pointing it out and talking about it.
-Modeling- Demonstrate what it means to be respectful to others. Use language that promotes respect, speak to others in a respectful way no matter who they are or what they do.
-Point it out- There are hundreds of opportunities a day to point out behavior and interactions that are respectful. If your kid does something respectful, let them know specifically what it was! If your kid is with you and you see someone else doing something that is respectful to others, point it out! Include conversations around how those actions made you, them or others feel! By linking actions to feelings you are building and reinforcing empathy- the ability to see how someone might be feeling.
-Talk about it- Babies aren’t born knowing what words mean. They learn through caregivers and the World around them. Talking about respect in a way that your kids understand helps them have a better understanding of what it looks, feels and hears like.
Game time:
To play a fun game while teaching your kids about respectful/ disrespectful actions, you can sit down with them and make up a situation, they put their thumb up in the air if they think it's respectful, thumb down if not. Then, let them come up with their own situations. It can be amazing to hear the things kids come up with!
We can all have fun with teaching our kids how to be respectful! Up next...being a responsible community member. Shout out to Ms. G., student adjustment counselor, for providing this week's SEL update!
Rolling drop off reminder for prek/K families
In order to ensure a safe drop off for our youngest learners, please remember the following:
- This is a rolling drop off line. The idea is to keep the line moving as safely and quickly as possible so that traffic doesn't back up onto Liberty Hill Avenue.
- Grown ups should not exit their vehicles unless their student needs assistance with unbuckling.
- Please do not park in the staff parking lot.
- If you arrive after 7:45 am, please drop your student off at the main entrance (front of building).
Thank you for your assistance!
Recycling station at Bates
Hello Everyone!
I've set up a recycling station in the Science Lab, yay! Right now we'll collect markers, pens and mechanical pencils, batteries and ink cartridges. I'll be adding more items as we go and as the need arises so stay tuned.
Please remind your students to actively recycle while they're at school.
Thank you!
Emily Flaherty
Science Coach
Haunted Happenings Grand Parade - Thursday, October 5th
It's almost time for the annual Grand Parade!
This is an out-of-school event that is completely optional.
The Salem Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to enjoy or participate in the Annual Salem Chamber of Commerce Haunted Happenings Grand Parade on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The parade will follow the normal route from Prime Group Shetland Park to Salem Common. This year’s event will feature the theme “Myths & Legends”.
Mr. Bleckley will be working on creating a giant sea serpent with the students that will be featured in the parade. If you'd like to walk in the parade with us, he's looking for 16 adults to help carry the "beast" + we'd like to have many of our families join us in their coolest costumes. More information on how to sign up for the event will follow!
Highest attendance rate
Week of 9/18/23
STAR testing begins this week for students in grades 1-5. Star tests are computer adaptive, which means they adjust in difficulty to each answer students provide. This helps teachers get the best data to help students in the shortest amount of testing time (about one-third of the time other tests require). Students will take a Star test for math and literacy. Teachers, coaches, and administrators will use the results to help us guide instruction that best meets the needs of all learners.
Wednesday, 9/20
- Early release day! Prek dismisses at 11am. K dismisses at 11:10am. Grades 1-5 dismiss at 11:15. Please be prompt in picking up your students. Thank you!
- It's our first town hall day. If your student has a house shirt, please have them wear it.
- Grade 4 is going on a field trip today at 9am.
School Mission
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.