Happy Pride!

To our Phineas Bates LGBTQIA students, families, staff and community members:

We wish you a happy pride season!

At the Bates, we work to build a community that celebrates all facets of our students’ identities and find meaningful ways to weave their experiences and cultures into our learning everyday. Inclusion means everyone, and we work diligently to build a school community where every child feels valued for everything he/she/they bring to their classroom.

Rodolfo Morales, Principal

See information below from BPS and BTU:

Dear Boston Public Schools Community,

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) and the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) are proud to support and celebrate all members of our school community. We are excited to announce that for the third year in a row, we will be marching in the 2019 Boston Pride Parade, the city’s largest annual celebration to promote visibility and acceptance of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and their allies.

The theme of this year’s family-friendly event is, “Looking Back, Loving Forward,” to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, a historical moment that led to greater acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.

We ask any BPS students, staff, parents, guardians, and community partners to join us as we march in the 2019 Boston Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8, at 12:00 PM.

Click this link to register to march with BPS and the BTU, or visit the BPS Pride Parade web page for more information. You will receive information via email a few days before the parade with the exact meeting location once the parade lineup is released.

We encourage school and parent leaders to spread the word! If you are interested in forming a small group at your school to attend the parade, please do so and connect with us! Please email us with any questions at lgbtq@bostonpublicschools.org.

In BPS, we are proud and grateful to live and work in a city and a school district that actively supports and affirms the identities of students and employees of all backgrounds, which includes race, language, socioeconomic status, immigration status, and sexual or gender orientation. An inclusive and affirming community is a strong community for all. We thank you for your support and hope to see you at the Pride Parade!

Sincerely,

Laura Perille, Interim Superintendent
Boston Public Schools

Jessica Tang, President
Boston Teachers Union

Weekly Newsletter – June 4

TALENT SHOW JUNE 7!

Congratulations to all who auditioned…the Foxstars Talent Show will take place in the Bates Cafetorium on Friday, June 7 at 6:30pm (doors open at 6pm). Pizza will be available for $1 per slice. Families, if you have any questions, please contact Kristen Bonstein at 617.372.1027 or kristenbonstein@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you there to cheer for our Foxstars!!!

FIELD DAY

Thank you to all those who’ve signed up to volunteer at Field Day on Wednesday, June 12! We still need volunteers for the afternoon shift, 12:30-2:30. Please sign up here if you can help! We are particularly in need of a few people who’d be willing to be dunked in the dunk tank by their child’s class. If this is you, please let us know at batesfamilies@gmail.com!

Family and School Site Council Planning Session

Join us on 6/11 at 5:45pm for a Family and School Site Council planning session!

Suggestion Box

Do you have an idea or feedback for the Bates Family Council? Please take a moment to share it with us (anonymously, if you like!) here:
https://forms.gle/pxvRVfTvocGWFx3m7

Parent Climate Survey

We need community support! The Phineas Bates needs over 50% of families to fill out the BPS Parent Climate Survey. Please take ten minutes to fill out the survey online at https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/climatesurvey

Thank you to Ms. Drakes, our students, Ms. Eli and all of the families that made our annual art show such a success!

Don’t forget to follow our instagram page https://www.instagram.com/phineasbatesbps/ and like the Phineas Bates School Parent Council Facebook page here: https://goo.gl/NQB8qS

June 7th- Talent Show

June 11th School Parent Council

June 12th Field Day

June 14th- 5th Grade Moving up Ceremony

June 17th K2 Moving up Ceremony

June 18th- 2:10 dismissal

June 19th- 2:10 dismissal Final Day of School

Phineas Bates Art Show

May 31st from 5-7pm

Ramadan at the Bates

May 6th, 2019

Dear Bates School Families,

Ramadan started this past Sunday. It is my privilege to share with you what we are doing to support the many Muslim students we have at our school who will be fasting during this month. But first, a quick “What is Ramadan?”:

A month each year when many Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset
This means: no food, no liquid, no medication, for between 16.25 and 17.5 hours daily, 30 continuous days: Sunday evening, 5/5 through Tuesday evening, 6/4
The culmination of this month is the very festive occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, which Muslims celebrate by sharing elaborate meals with family, friends, and their larger communities

To ensure that all students who are fasting can do so in a responsive space, we at the Bates send guidelines to our entire community letting them know what to expect during this month, and how best to support students who are fasting, including providing food-free spaces for students who opt to fast.

At the Bates, we work to build a community that celebrates all facets of our students’ identities and find meaningful ways to weave their experiences and cultures into our learning everyday. We are lucky to be part of a community that views the rights of all children — with all aspects of their identities fully included — as human rights. Thank you for your support in helping us get here. If you have any questions or concerns, I hope that you will reach out to me directly.

With appreciation,

Rodolfo Morales

***

Here’s a great video with more information and a personal story of a Muslim American fasting for the first time:

Parent Workshop Thursday, February 28th 5:30-7:00 “Behavior Change Basics”

Weekly Newsletter – February 5

Dear Families, February 5th, 2019

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 a topic that is tied to this country’s history and taught all year round.

https://blacklivesmatteratschool.com

https://www.weethepeopleboston.org/

https://btu.org/blackhistory/

CBS Boston’s Black History

Race Dialogues (flyer linked)

The Dialogues on Race and Ethnicity series engages our community in meaningful conversations about issues of race and ethnicity. Over the course of five facilitated sessions, trained facilitators lead us to: learn about key concepts in race and ethnicity; illuminate differences and commonalities in lived experience; and collaboratively develop an action plan to improve inclusion at the Bates. Join us as we learn more about our identities, society, and ways we can improve the Bates Elementary School Community.

Math Workshop:

A special thank you to all of the families that participated in our math workshop last week. We had about 20 families learn about our current math standards. Linked here is the slideshow and linked here are documents that explain learning outcomes for each grade-level.

Tech Goes Home:

Congratulations to all the families that received their chromebooks from TGH. We will be hosting another session geared towards families with students in K-2nd on using Ipads. By attending all sessions with your child, an Ipad will be available for purchase for $50! Flyer coming soon. For more information e-mail mstrout@bostonpublicschools.org or rscherz@bostonpublicschools.org.

Session dates: 2/27, 3/06, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/03, 4/10, 4/24, 5/01 (make-up date) 4:45-5:45

Foxfest volunteers

The Bates annual fundraiser, Foxfest, has been scheduled to take place Saturday, May 4th, from 5-7pm. The Parent Council is looking for help from volunteers to make this year’s Foxfest another successful one! More information to come!

Box Tops (link)

It’s easy to find Box Tops. In fact, you may have some in your home right now. Clip Box Tops from your favorite products and turn them in to Bates School today! Box Tops are each worth 10¢ and they add up fast. Check the expiration date, as they so expire.

Stop and Shop A+ Rewards

Use your STOP & SHOP CARD each time you shop at Stop & Shop and you will earn CASH for our school. See instructions (link) in the e-mails version of the newsletter for how to participate in the program.

Don’t forget to like the Phineas Bates School Parent Council Facebook page here: https://goo.gl/NQB8qS and our Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/phineasbatesbps/

Feb 28- Behavior Change Basics workshop

March 22- Movie Night

March 28- Social Thinking workshop

May 4th- FoxFest

May 6-10 Teacher appreciation

May 23rd- Art Show

June 7th- Talent Show

School Parent Council Dates:

1/23 (in SPANISH) 2/13, 3/12, 4/24, 5/15, 6/11

With gratitude, joy, and excitement:

Weekly Newsletter – December 10

*Apologies for the delayed posting–we hope you received the emails and phone calls!

Dear Families,

December 10, 2018

PJ Day and Movie Night

Hi Families – don’t forget that Friday, December 14th is Pajama Day and Movie Night! Kids, wear your pajamas to school and then bring your families back for Movie Night. Doors open at 5:30 and movies start at 6 o’clock. Tickets are $1 and include a slice of pizza for all kids. More food and drink will be available for purchase. Special thank you to parent, Heron Greensmith, for organizing this event!

Parents: Help us on Movie Night! (link)

Hi all – movie night is on Friday! Sign-up by clicking the link in the electronic version of the parent newsletter to help bring items, pick up pizza, or serve as a room-parent in each room! Email Heron (second-grade parent) at herongreenesmith@gmail.com with any questions!

Book Fair 1/15,1/16, 1/17

Exciting news for this year’s book fair! We will no longer host a scholastic book fair. Instead, SSC and I have decided to partner with Frugal Bookstore! Frugal Bookstore is a staple of the Roxbury community. Frugal Bookstore is Black-owned bookstore that boasts a larger number of books written by people of color for diverse students, because as we know, representation matters! SSC and the Bates School is proud to partner with local business and provide culturally responsive and relevant materials for all of our diverse learners! We will have evening hours on 1/15th for families that wish to shop at our book fair. Special thank you to parent, Kristen Bonstein, for organizing this event!

Bates Shopping Night and Gift Wrapping 12/12

Help Raise Money for Phineas Bates Elementary School during the Bates Holiday Shopping Night. Shop local, give to our school, and have fun in Roslindale on Wednesday Dec. 12th 3pm-8pm. Birch Street House and Garden (760 South St.) will donate a portion of sales during the event to any customer who mentions “The Bates” so be sure to spread the word to friends and neighbors. Parent Council volunteers will also offer “free” gift wrapping and accepting donations. You can even bring gifts from home that need to be wrapped. The attached flyer has 4 handouts for you to share!

The Bates School in the BTU Newspaper (see page)

BTU Bates

The Phineas Bates Elementary School is featured in the Boston Teachers Union Newspaper. Click on the link above to read and see what retired educator Amika Kemmler Ernst, Ed. D. observed while visiting our school!

Can Drive:

Our phenomenal secretary, Ms. Cindy, and our Parent Council are organizing a can drive. We have a box in front of our office. Families are encouraged to bring cans of food that will be donated to local food banks and pantries. This year’s drive begins Monday, December 3rd and will end on Monday, December 17th. Your efforts will help provide nutrition to those who need it most as we approach the holiday season.

December 10-14th Can Drive

December 14th- Movie Night

January 15, 16 17 (15th into evening) Book Fair

January 30th- Math Family Workshop

Feb 28- “30 Tips in 60 Minutes” workshop

March 22- Movie Night

March 28- Social Thinking workshop

May 4th- FoxFest

May 6-10 Teacher appreciation

May 23rd- Art Show

June 7th- Talent Show

School Parent Council Dates:

12/4, 1/15, 2/13, 3/12, 4/24, 5/15, 6/11

With gratitude, joy, and excitement:

Rodolfo Morales, Principal

Weekly Newsletter – December 3

Dear Families,

SSC/SPC TOMORROW (Tuesday) 12/4 6:00 (time change)

Our next SSC will be from 6:00-7:30. We hope this will help us reach more families and give ample time for families that need to commute to the Bates School. As always, food and childcare are provided.

Parents: Help us collect pizza donations for Movie Night! We’re looking for local pizza shops to donate 5-10 pizzas for Bates’ Annual Movie Night on Friday, December 14th. Email second grade parent Heron (herongreenesmith@gmail.com) if you can ask your local shop for a donation, and if you can volunteer to pick up pizzas on Friday the 14th. Thank you!

The Bates School in the BTU Newspaper

Can Drive:

Bates Family Culture Night Success (photos on our Instagram page)

A very special thank you to our School Parent Council for coordinating a wonderful celebration of all the cultures that make the Bates great! Thank you to all the families that helped set up, bring food, and clean up! Our students had a great time filling their passports with stamps, listening to music from around the world, eating delicious foods, and getting to know one another.

Bay State Textiles

I am excited to announce that the Bates School now houses a Bay State Textiles box for recycling textile, linens, clothes and shoes. Our School Parent Council will receive some funding per lb of recyclable material. See flyer here!

November 30th Culture Night

December 10-14th Can Drive

December 14th- Movie Night

January 15, 16 17 (15th into evening) Book Fair

January 30th- Math Family Workshop

Feb 28- “30 Tips in 60 Minutes” workshop

March 22- Movie Night

March 28- Social Thinking workshop

May 4th- FoxFest

May 6-10 Teacher appreciation

May 23rd- Art Show

June 7th- Talent Show

School Parent Council Dates:

12/4, 1/15, 2/13, 3/12, 4/24, 5/15, 6/11

With gratitude, joy, and excitement:

Rodolfo Morales, Principal

Bates Culture Night – November 30th

At the Bates we celebrate all families! Culture is whatever is important to you and your family’s identity. On November 30, students are invited to wear clothing to school that reflects their family’s culture. That same evening, The Bates School Parent Council welcomes all families to share food, dance, music, art, games, and conversation at Bates Family Culture Night, from 5:30-7:30. Please join us!

Weekly Newsletter – November 14

Dear Bates School Families:

At the Bates School, we continue to focus on growing our understanding and use of culturally responsive teaching. We recognize that Thanksgiving season has often been a customary celebration in our country. However, as we dig deeper into the true history of Thanksgiving, we recognize a need to teach openly and honestly about this land’s history, including that of our indigenous Native American brothers and sisters, many of whom consider Thanksgiving to be a Day of Mourning. November is also Native American Heritage Month. To respect and honor Native American culture, we share some resources that can be useful for us as we celebrate Thanksgiving in an inclusive way.

2016-11-24 13.39.40 — Statue of Massasoit, leader of the Wampanoag when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. You can find this statue on Cole’s Hill where Native Americans have gathered every year on the fourth Thursday of November since 1970 to commemorate the National Day of Mourning.

Decolonizing Thanksgiving- Article with resources from Medium
Members from the Society for American Archaeology’s Thanksgiving Initiative have prepared a list of resources.

For children of all ages, I hope we will:

Investigate the “myths” of Thanksgiving at Plymouth and discuss what we actually know from the perspective of the colonists and the Wampanoag.
Emphasize that Native people are still here and are not just part of history. When discussing lifeways of Native people in the past, also talk about ways the colonists lived and how both peoples were different from today.
Explain to students that Native groups are all different. Research where you live. Whose territory do you live on today? What are the names of these groups in their own language? Where do they live now? Shift your unit focus to celebrations of gratitude and harvest.

These resources have also been shared among Bates School staff. As lifelong learners, we at the Bates strive and commit to providing inclusive and culturally responsive instruction for all of our students.

Original Works

Good news families! The annual Original Works fundraiser is underway. Your students have worked diligently to create works of art for this fundraiser. Students in kindergarten through grade 2 created reverse fox paintings. Students in grades 3 through 5 created mixed media fish. Look in your child’s backpack this Friday to find a yellow envelope. Inside you will find your child’s artwork, a catalog, a letter explaining how it all works, and an order form. If you would like to participate please return the yellow envelope, your child’s artwork, the order form, and payment by Monday, November 19th. Your gift items will arrive in time for the holidays! Please email Mrs. Drakes, anordlanddrakes@bostonpublicschools.org if you have any questions. Thank you for supporting your child’s art education!

Recycling Textiles at the Bates

I am excited to announce that the Bates School now houses a Bay State Textiles box for recycling textile, linens, clothes and shoes. Our School Parent Council will receive some funding per lb of recyclable material. See flyer here!

Breaks this Month

Early Dismissal on 11/21, 2:00 PM. No school on 11/22 and 11/23 in observance of Thanksgiving.

Bates Family Culture Night (link to flyer)

We are planning a special event to celebrate our families and would love your input! Use this form (link) to share your ideas for Culture Night.

October 14th – Roslindale Parade

November 6 – Bake Sale

November 26-30th – Kindness Week

November 30th – Culture Night

December 10-14th – Can Drive

December 14th – Movie Night

January 15, 16 17 (15th into evening) – Book Fair

January 30th – Math Family Workshop

March 22 – Movie Night

May 4th – FoxFest

May 6-10 – Teacher Appreciation

May 23rd – Art Show

June 7th – Talent Show

*TBD→ End of Year Celebrations, Field Day, Family Workshops, etc.

School Parent Council Dates:

10/10, 11/15, 12/4, 1/15, 2/13, 3/12, 4/24, 5/15, 6/11

Best,