Bates Family Newsletter

This week, we celebrate Educator Appreciation Week! It's a time to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our staff members for their unwavering dedication, hard work, and commitment to our school community.

The Bates staff consistently demonstrates resilience, creativity, and compassion in their roles. We celebrate their tireless efforts, and are continually inspired by the passion and professionalism they bring to their work every day. Our staff is comprised of teachers who are shaping the minds of our students and support staff who keep our school running smoothly, Their contributions are invaluable and deeply appreciated. They all play crucial roles in creating a positive learning environment and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone in our community.

During this special week, join me in thanking these hard working humans for their dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Their hard work does not go unnoticed, and we, their administrators, are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such an exceptional team.

And to all of you out there in our Bates community who are educators, thank you for all that you do, too!

Bates admin team,

Ms. Smith, Mr. Mac, and Mr. Lister

Huge thank you to everyone who volunteered at the walkathon and an even bigger THANK YOU to all the kids and families that helped us raise over $5000 for our upcoming field day (volunteer signup coming soon).

Our staff members who WILL get slimed at field day:

2nd grade teacher, Ms. Wilks

Reading specialist, Ms. Mielcarz

Adjustment Counselor, Ms. Amanda

Assistant Principal, Mr. Mac

And a surprise staff member that will be announced at field day!

Bates spirt day! This Friday, wear your favorite Bates spirit wear. If you don't have spirit wear, our school color is maroon😀

This is Lilliana, her mom, and her brother! Lil is in fourth grade at Bates and would like you to get to know her family better. Their video can be found here. Would you like to be a "Spotlight Family"? Reach out to our Family Engagement Facilitator, Rosalyn Guevara at rguevara@salemk12.org.

We'll start math MCAS during the week of May 6th. Grade 3 is up on May 7 and 8 followed by grade 5 on May 9 and 10. Grade 4 will test the following week on May 14 and 15. Our students are ready!

What can parents/caregivers do to support their learners?

Help your child prepare for the test

Worrying too much about doing well can prevent students from doing their best. Just encourage them to work hard, try hard!

Most importantly, let your child know that you believe in them😃

Last week was School Lunch Hero Day! We celebrated by having students record messages to our wonderful kitchen staff to thank them:)

The school menus are posted on the SPS website. Find them here.

20% -- Chronic absenteeism

Our goal is 18.2% or under in the "Chronic Absence" category. This is the lowest number we've seen an a very long time! I'm sure we're all feeling thankful for spring and, hopefully, the end to any major bouts of illness that some students have recently encountered like strep throat.

HUGE SHOUT OUT to grade 4 for having the lowest chronically absent students at Bates during the past week at 14.9% That's unheard of! Wow! If you need any assistance with getting your student to school, please reach out to Rosalyn Guevara, Family Engagement Facilitator at rguevara@salemk12.org.

Last week, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Health agreed to adopt the most recent guidance from the CDC regarding COVID-19 infections. These recommendations stress the importance of staying home when you are sick with symptoms of a respiratory illness such as COVID-19, the flu, or RSV. You may return to work or school once you are feeling better and have not had a fever for 24 hours, without having to use fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin). If you test positive for COVID-19, you should isolate at home until you are feeling better; there is no longer a 5-day isolation requirement. For more detailed information, please visit the Department of Public Health website.

We heard you all did an amazing job!

Upcoming performances to note:

🔵⚪🔴 Memorial Day shows presented by students in grades K-2 🔵⚪🔴

Thursday, May 23 (for students) - 8:30

Friday, May 24 (for families) - 8:15

🎶🎵🎤Chorus Concerts presented by students in grades 3-5🎶🎵🎤

Thursday, June 6 (for families) at 8:15;

And (for students) at 9:30

Did you know you can earn money for our school just by scanning your grocery receipts? All you need to do is download the Boxtops app, and scan those receipts! Don't want to scan? No worries, you can always send receipts into school with your student in an envelope marked, "PTO Boxtops".

Again, we're stressing that if you MUST leave your car during drop off, pull up past the school entrance and drive as far down the sidewalk as possible. Adults are exiting vehicles close to "the rock" causing cars to back up into the street. This is unsafe. Please follow the drop off rules.

Our Bates spirit rock is available for weekly rentals. Celebrate your student's birthday or other accomplishments by painting a message on our rock. Please click here to rent the rock!

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.