2 Parsons Street

Northampton, Massachusetts 01060

413-587-1460 (phone) 413-587-1484 (fax)

Beth N. Choquette, Principal bchoquette@northamtpon-k12.us

Elizabeth Peterson, Administrative Assistant epeterson@northampton-k12.us

Nicole Soutra, Senior Clerk nsoutra@northampton-k12.us

Nora DeJasu, Head Teacher ndejasu@northampton-k12.us

Just a reminder that the website I use to create my weekly newsletters, now has translation in many different languages. Here are the steps to have it translated:

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.

Solo un recordatorio de que el sitio web que uso para crear mis boletines semanales, ahora tiene traducción en muchos idiomas diferentes. 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.

Dear Families,

What a wonderful talent show last night! Our students were amazing and the talent that they shared was just remarkable. We had a variety of acts that including singing, dancing, gymnastics, comedic relief, coding, yo-yo amazingness, and musical instrument playing. It was all wonderful. Thank you so much to Geoff Sandborn for organizing the talent show again this year and thank you to all of the families who helped put it all together and for supporting your children's talented side.

As many of you may have heard, the teachers unit of the NPS have voted to work-to-rule starting on Monday. Please see the attachment below that contains a letter from Dr. Provost as well as a fact sheet regarding work-to-rule. We all are hopeful that the parties can come to an agreement soon. Please be assured that my priority is your children and that I will do everything in my power to ensure they continue to receive high quality education. I know all parties are working hard to resolve this. I urge you to fight at the state level in getting funding for education changed as times have changed and our children and their needs have changed. Our teachers are committed and dedicated, they work endless hours to ensure your children receive only the best, and love and care for every single student that walks through our doors.

Thank you for your continuous support of our teachers, our school, and our children. Have a wonderful weekend.

Please review with your children the information from last week regarding the half and half lockdown drill that will occur during the week of May 20th.

Mrs. Richards is looking for some volunteers who are tech savvy to help in the library with removing and adding books into the online system. If you are interested, please contact her at krichards@northampton-k12.us

On June 4th at 3:30 p.m. we will hold an "official opening" ceremony of our new library. Lite refreshments will be served by our PTO. We hope you can join us!

BSS parent and author Sigrid Schmalzer will be offering an interactive reading of her children’s picture book with all BSS students at two library assemblies on Friday, May 24. The book, Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean, explores the work of Chinese scientist Pu Zhelong, who used beneficial insects and other ecological methods to control agricultural pests in 1970s China. Sigrid and her ecologist friend Brian Schultz will return to BSS over the following two weeks to release beneficial insects with students in the garden program.

REAL (Racial Equity and Learning) is hosting a conversation group at our next meeting: Tuesday, May 14th from 7:00-8:30pm at 193 Federal St. in Florence. We will watch and discuss a short video on race. All are welcome to attend! If you have questions, please contact Annie Salsich at salsichannie@gmail.com.

We now have had the Gaga Ball Pit for 3 weeks, but as with anything that is new, the novelty can wear off and although our students are having a blast, I want to hear from you regarding any concerns you may have and the positives that your kids are talking about. Please email me any concerns and joys that your students are experiencing at bchoquette@northampton-k12.us

We are moving the 5th grade Science dates from May 22nd and 23rd to May 21st and 22nd in order to leave 2 days available rather than one for any make-ups.

We will be looking for parents to sit on hiring committees for various positions that open. It is always first come first serve. Please email me if you are interested in sitting on any of our committees. At this time, I am requesting 2 special education parents to sit on the committees for hiring a full-time BCBA and special education teacher. I will also pick back-ups in case the parents on the committee can't attend the dates we hold interviews. Please specify which committee you would like to be on. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

Our next and last celebration of the school year will be on Thursday, June 6th for all K-5 students and families. Celebration begins at 9:00 a.m.

On Monday, June 10th, all classes will join together to watch the 5th grade graduation.

Mike Flynn, from Holyoke College, will be holding a free session for parents next week to help them understand the shifts in mathematics teaching and how they can support their child's learning in meaningful ways at home. To register, please go to the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6_uSEHmz01oTmdxjaY3b5eCP8AUcT0bznDCwvYGfksH0iIA/viewform

Registration deadline is Monday May 20th at 11:59 PM

Please note that space is limited. We will email registrants with all the necessary information on Tuesday morning.

Mike Flynn is the Director of Mathematics Leadership Programs at Mount Holyoke College and the author of Beyond Answers: Exploring Mathematical Practices with Young Children. He works with school districts and teachers throughout the world to support meaningful mathematics instruction for all students.

Prior to this work, he taught second grade for 14 year in Southampton, MA. In 2008 he was the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year and in 2010 he won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching.

Fifth grade breakfast (put on by fourth grade families) will begin at 8:00 a.m. in the cafeteria on June 10th. Graduation will follow at 9:00 a.m.

Kindergarten graduation will also be held on June 10th at 2:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.

The next principal's chat will be held on May 24, 2019 at Forbes Library in the Watson Room from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Please feel free to stop in and talk about whatever is on your mind regarding school. This is your opportunity to share with me anything that is concerning you, things you are pleased about, or just to chat.

5/17/19 Half Day of School (Teacher work day). Dismissal at 12:20 a.m.

5/20/19 Unified Special Olympics

5/27/19 No School in honor of Memorial Day

6/7/19 Field Day

6/10/19 5th Grade Graduation 9:15 a.m. BSS Gym; Kindergarten graduation 2:00 p.m.

6/14/19 Last Day of School-Dismissal at 12:20 a.m.

May 31, 7 pm at the Parlor Room is the BSS Caregiver Dance party with live music, auction items including Celtics and Green River Festival tickets, and beer/wine. Get the sitter!

Friday, June 7 is Field Day! Check out this Field Day sign-up form did the schedule and volunteer slots: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdh-6d9IAKay4oQD6v-1pDQ0KtCAIUHDzCViPzz_2WRd3l6_A/viewform?usp=sf_link