Dear Bates School Families, 2-03-2020
Black History Month
Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of Black and African- American citizens while also reflecting on the need to push for racial and social justice. The sites below include several resources to support these conversations. Additionally, While Black History is being celebrated and honored this month, it is also foundational to this country’s history and is taught all year round.
https://blacklivesmatteratschool.com https://www.weethepeopleboston.org/ https://btu.org/blackhistory/ CBS Boston’s Black History
Teaching Black History Beyond Slavery Teaching the Complete History.
This month students will be reading an array of texts that celebrate the achievements of Black and African American people. Fifth grade, for example, will be starting a unit on agents of social change, reading Jackie Robinson’s biography written by his daughter and supplementing the story with the graphic novel March by John Lewis. Second graders will be starting their unit on “Connected People, Connected Places” and reading about Trombone Shorty. Additionally, we have several teachers and families that have joined our Dialogues on Race and Ethnicity which will culminate in an equity-driven action plan.
Lastly, we invite you to come to our Family Learning Session on 2/27 to learn more about how the Bates plans for culturally responsive teaching across the grades!
School Site Council
Has been rescheduled for Monday 2/10/2020 5:45-7:30. As always, childcare and food will be provided
Chronic Absenteeism
| All | GrK0 | GrK1 | GrK2 | Gr1 | Gr2 | Gr3 | Gr4 | Gr5 | |
| % students crnc absent | 12.8% | 28.6% | 21.1% | 21.6% | 14.0% | 7.5% | 14.7% | 13.5% | 0.0% |
Chronic absenteeism in Boston means that a child has missed 10% of school so far. Studies show that chronic absenteeism affects reading growth and overall achievement. We share this with families in hopes that we can have a stronger attendance rate moving forward. If there is anything we can do to support, do not hesitate to contact us.
SAVE THE DATE Bates Academic Fiesta will be on 3/11/2020:
Our second open house and first Bates Academic Fiesta will be on 3/11/2020. Come see your child’s work and learn more about best practices at the Bates.
Check out our Ms. Shirley’s, our phenomenal STEM teacher’s, newsletter.
Family Survey- School & Home Communication https://forms.gle/c3pbkvx54AVUQzDi9
At Bates, we are always striving to improve. We are looking for feedback from families around communication between school and home. Please fill out this short survey to give us some honest and actionable feedback on how we are doing with communication. What is working, what can be improved?
AUCTION IS LIVE!!!
Our winter auction website is live at http://bit.ly/BatesWinter2020 and will run through Jan 29! In addition, I’d like to remind folks about Fox Fund. The url for donating is https://thephineasbates.org/foxfund/ Thank you for giving back to our school community!
Recess and School Expectations:
Next Monday we will be reminding students of expectations for recess and choice time. We’ve heard feedback from families that students need a refresher (and we agree ;-). We ask that you reinforce these expectations during dismissal and during school events as mixed messaging from school and home can confuse children as they are learning expected behaviors. Messaging should include:
- Be safe→ This means keeping your hands to yourself. We are not hugging, pulling, pushing, or play tackling one another. Light tag is okay if you and a friend agree to play tag.
- If you have a small problem – try to fix it with your friends
- If you have a big problem, tell an adult to help you
Prevention Workshops for 5th Grade Families
Interested in learning skills to help your child make healthy choices? A study is being conducted by researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine and Brown University and is looking for parents/guardians of 5th graders. Your family may be eligible to receive up to $340 in Amazon e-gift cards and an iPad if you qualify and complete all study-related activities. We sent flyers home with more information and you can click here to learn more. Please email them at TheSUPPERProject@tufts.edu to join the program!
Winter Jackets
The Bates has a variety of winter jackets in various kid’s sizes for families in need. Please contact Adam Prisby aprisby2@bostonpublicschools.org, 617-635-8064.
| School Event | Date | Time |
| Dialogues on Race & Ethnicity Session 2 | 2/6/2020 | 6:00-8:00 p.m. |
| Family and School Site Council | 2/10/2020 DATE CHANGE | 5:45-7:30 pm |
| February Break | 2/17 – 2/21 | No School |
| Family Learning Session: Culturally Responsive Teaching & ST Math | 2/26/2020 DATE CHANGE | 5:45-7:30 p.m. |
With gratitude, joy, and excitement!
Rodolfo Morales, Principal
Phineas Bates Elementary School 