Dear Families,                                       

Support for Filing Taxes:

The Codman Square Health Center offers free tax preparation for hard working Dorchester (and Boston) families. Taxpayers who earned less than $54,000 in the previous tax year can have their taxes prepared for free and claim important tax credits such as the EITC. Visit the site linked above or call (617) 825-9660 for more information.

School Committee Budget Hearing:

Please join the BPS school committee at the upcoming budget to hears Superintendent Chang’s FY 19 budget recommendation. Next meeting:  February 7, 2018 at 6 p.m.The Bruce Bolling Municipal Building, 2300 Washington Street School Committee Chamber, 2nd floor. Link to  Public Notice/Draft Agenda. There will also be meetings at varying locations and dates where community members will be given the opportunity to share feedback. See dates and locations here (link)

Bates School ‘Behavior Change Basics’ for Families

You are invited to join us for an informational session on Thursday, March 1st 5:30-7:00,  to learn more about how the Bates School supports our student’s social-emotional wellness. Ms. McCormick, our Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Inclusion Strand Coordinator, will share her expertise around children’s behaviors and research based practices to respond to unexpected behaviors. The session will provide parents with strategies used at the Bates School that may help at home! Food and childcare will be provided. See flyer (linked). We will also provide translation services upon request.

Kindness Week Volunteers

We are currently looking for a parent volunteers to help brainstorm activities for the Bates School’s first KINDNESS WEEK (March 5-9). If you are interested in supporting this new event please contact Kate Heaton at katebarchheaton@gmail.com.

School Site Council/ School Parent Council

Our next School Site Council/ School Parent Council will be on Tuesday, February 13th, from 5:30-7:00 pm. As always, childcare and dinner will be provided.

Before and Aftercare for K1 in 2018-2019?

If you are expecting to have a child in Bates K1 next year and are interested in sending him or her to the YMCA before and/or after-school program, please email jocmarshall@gmail.com .With enough K1 family interest, the YMCA may be open to enrolling 4-year-olds for the 2018-2019 school year.

Family Culture Night is March 8

Family Culture Night is BACK! Please save the date of Thursday, March 8 from 5:30-7:30pm, for an evening celebrating Bates School families’ favorite foods, music, games, dress and more. Look for more information in your child’s backpack soon. If anyone is interested in being on a committee to help out with Family Culture Night, please contact co-organizers Meg Skaar at megskaar@gmail.com and Kristen Bonstein at kristenbonstein@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Rodolfo Morales, Principal

First Grade Publishing Party

Thank you to all of the families that were able to join us last Friday for our first grader’s publishing party. Our students were so excited to share their work with families and staff. First graders prepared for the event by researching their animal and synthesizing their learning into a book! Many of them practiced by reading their books to one another. It was awesome to see so many smiles!

 

Kindness Week Volunteers

We are currently looking for a parent volunteers to help brainstorm activities for the Bates School’s first KINDNESS WEEK (March 5-9). If you are interested in supporting this new event please contact Kate Heaton at katebarchheaton@gmail.com.

School Site Council/ School Parent Council

Our next School Site Council/ School Parent Council will be on Tuesday, February 13th, from 5:30-7:00pm. As always, childcare and dinner will be provided.

Before and Aftercare for K1 in 2018-2019?

If you are expecting to have a child in Bates K1 next year and are interested in sending him or her to the YMCA before and/or after-school program, please email jocmarshall@gmail.com .With enough K1 family interest, the YMCA may be open to enrolling 4-year-olds for the 2018-2019 school year.

Lost and Found

Our lost and found is filling up on the first floor by the cafeteria. If you find that your child is missing a sweater, scarf, hat, or another article of outerwear, please have them check the lost and found. As done in past years, we will donate leftover clothing from the lost and found.

Family Culture Night is March 8

Family Culture Night is BACK! Please save the date of Thursday, March 8 from 5:30-7:30pm, for an evening celebrating Bates School families’ favorite foods, music, games, dress and more. Look for more information in your child’s backpack soon. If anyone is interested in being on a committee to help out with Family Culture Night, please contact co-organizers Meg Skaar at megskaar@gmail.com and Kristen Bonstein at kristenbonstein@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Rodolfo Morales, Principal

Dear Families,                     

I hope you’ve all enjoyed the holiday break and the extended “snow day break” with your children. I speak for the staff and share that we were ready to come back to school energized and wanting to hear from all the kids about their holiday and winter experiences. I also want to share that the City Of Boston has several resources to support families with hardship due to the winter cold. Learn more by clicking the link above or calling 311.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

There will be no school on Monday, January 15th, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This is a great time to have conversations with your children about justice and equity and the continuing efforts of African Americans and Black Americans in their fight for civil rights. Below are some resources (links) that can support such conversations:

• The Museum of Fine Arts will host an open house with free admission and special events.
• Teaching Tolerance includes quotes and questions to support these conversations.
• Psychology Today has tips on talking to children about racism.

Lastly, as we reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy, consider coming up with specific and reasonable actions that we can take to make our community more equitable, inclusive, and loving.

Change in School Hours 2018-2019 (revised)

The district has announced that next school year, the Bates School will continue with its current start and end time of 9:15 a.m. – 4:10 p.m. Before/ after school program will run from 7:30-9:15am and 4:10-6:00pm.

Fox Fund

Three weeks ago the annual Fox Fund appeal went home in backpacks.  I’m happy to report that as of today we have received 25 separate donations, from $1 to $250, averaging $40 for a total of $1009. This comes from almost 10% of Bates families and represents twice the number of family donations from the entirety of last year.

There is still time to donate if you have not yet!  Your donation is tax-deductible as we reach the end of 2017, and I hope that we can build on the wonderful base of support we have received so far.  Fox Fund will remain open for donations through the end of the 2017-2018 school year. DONATION LINK:  https://thephineasbates.org/foxfund/

Sincerely,

Rodolfo Morales, Principal

Dear Families,      

Holiday Break

A reminder that school will be closed on Friday, December 22nd and will reopen on Wednesday, January 3rd.

Uniform Policy:

The Bates School has a flexible uniform policy. Uniform is not mandatory but highly recommended. For our recommended uniform, students can wear any white, navy, or light blue top (polos, dress shirts, t-shirts, etc) with a navy or khaki bottom (dresses, skirts, pants, shorts). Students should always wear closed-toe shoes. Every Friday is dress down day as long as the clothing is appropriate for school.

Change in School Hours 2018-2019

The district has announced that next school year, the Bates School will run from 8:15 a.m. – 2:55 p.m. We are preparing for a successful launch of the new hours for next September and hope to inform you soon about shifts in before/after school programming.

Fox Fund

Three weeks ago the annual Fox Fund appeal went home in backpacks.  I’m happy to report that as of today we have received 25 separate donations, from $1 to $250, averaging $40 for a total of $1009. This comes from almost 10% of Bates families and represents twice the number of family donations from the entirety of last year.

There is still time to donate if you have not yet!  Your donation is tax-deductible as we reach the end of 2017, and I hope that we can build on the wonderful base of support we have received so far.  Fox Fund will remain open for donations through the end of the 2017-2018 school year.

Bates Clothing Order

Families have requested another group order of Bates School Clothing.  We are re-opening the online store for orders, and will deliver orders to the school in early January. A reminder that these clothes are NOT part of a required uniform, but students are welcomed to wear them as part of the current school clothing guidelines.  Please place your orders online before the end of December in order for us to place a bulk order at these prices.

SSC/SPC

Our next SSC/SPC meeting will be on Thursday, 1/10, 5:30-7:00pm. As always, food and childcare are provided. Some topics to discuss include Facilities updates and next school year’s budget.

Sincerely,

Rodolfo Morales, Principal

December 11th, 2017

Dear Families,      

Report Cards

Report cards will be going out this week. Please spend some time going over the reports with students. Consider having conversations about effort, behavior and academic standing. Congratulate children on their hard work and make a plan with them for how they can improve or continue their efforts. Linked is a great article that can support these conversations. Teachers and families have been working to move from talking about product (grades) and focusing more on effort (process) as research shows that this supports learning and growth.

Change in School Hours 2018-2019

The district has announced that next school year, the Bates School will run from 8:15 a.m. – 2:55 p.m. We are preparing for a successful launch of the new hours for next September and hope to inform you soon about shifts in before/after school programming.

Citywide Parent Council

Hello, Bates families!  Toyin (K1 parent) and Nora (K2 parent) are this year’s Citywide Parent Council Representatives.  We’ve been asked by the CPC to provide some general feedback about how Bates families feel about changed school hours, which we will share with the CPC chairpeople, who will in turn share with the superintendent when they meet with him early this week.  Please take a moment to answer these two questions (linked) BY THE END OF THE DAY, MONDAY 12/11 so that the feedback we provide is representative of how *most* Bates families feel.  Thank you!  If you have any questions please email nora.m.vincent@gmail.com or toyin.yayo@gmail.com.

The Giving Tree

Throughout December students can donate small toiletry items or other daily use items to the “giving tree” outside the main office. All donations collected will be given to a local homeless shelter. Examples for donations include: toothpaste, toothbrushes, travel size shampoo and conditioner, travel size tissues, etc. Donations are accepted through December 20th. This is a great opportunity to have conversations with children about service, charity, and kindness.

Fundraising

Some upcoming opportunities for fundraising include:

 

• BATES HOLIDAY SHOPPING NIGHT

On Wednesday, December 13 from 3pm-8pm two local businesses will donate 10% of your purchase to our school. At Birch St. House and Garden be sure to mention “The Bates” so your purchase can be counted. Delicious Yogurt will also donate 10% of your purchase to the Bates when you bring a shopping night flyer. They have a kids corner where we’ll have  board games for families to have some extra fun!

• SeedMoney

There is exactly 1 week left for the SeedMoney fundraiser.  The site shows that we have raised $465 PLUS they will add the $200 Giving Tuesday challenge grant once donations are closed. That means we will beat last year’s total of $600. We still have a chance at a $200 merit grant as well, but let’s make a push in the next week for more donations. Please share the link below with everyone in your network. All funds raised will be put to good use by the SPC Garden Subcommittee. https://donate.seedmoney.org/1785/bates-school-garden

SSC/SPC

Our next SSC/SPC meeting will be on Thursday, 12/14, 5:30-7:00pm. As always, food and childcare are provided. Some topics to discuss include uniform policy, fundraising opportunities, and debriefing the “Listening Tour.”

Sincerely,

Rodolfo Morales, Principal

November 27th, 2017

Dear Families,      

BPS Listening Tour From Tommy Welch and Rob Consalvo of the BPS Executive Cabinet: We are excited to sit down with all of you to have a conversation about the BRIGHT SPOTS, the AREAS OF GROWTH and the ASPIRATIONS you have for your schools. When: Thursday, November 30th  8-9:10am      Where: Bates K-5 Cafeteria       Who: ALL FAMILIES IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE AS MANY FAMILIES AS POSSIBLE ATTEND

Book Fair

The Bates School will hold a book fair from December 5-7th. Students should have already received catalogues to preview books and materials that will be for sale. The Book Fair will also be open from 3:30-7pm on Wednesday, December 6th, for any families who want to visit during dismissal or after school hours.

Fundraising:

A special thank you to all the families that have supported fundraising thus far. Our cookie dough sale, election day bake sale, and movie night were a huge success! Some upcoming opportunities for fundraising include:

• • SeedMoney: Please consider donating to our School garden! All money raised will go towards materials and supplies for the Bates School Garden. https://donate.seedmoney.org/1785/bates-school-garden
    • If we are one of the first 50 projects to raise $600, we win an additional $400 Challenge Grant. There are also $200 Merit Grants available, regardless of how much we raise.
    • Feel free to share the link on social media, with colleagues, and with friends!

• FREE GIFT WRAPPING

The Parent Council will be wrapping gifts for donations during the Roslindale Village Main Street Holiday Market on Birch St. on  Thursday,  December 7 from 4pm-8pm. Our table will be at 756 South Street. The Holiday Market will have children’s activities in addition to vendors

(details: www.roslindale.net/annual-programs/holiday-market/)

• SAVE THE DATE!

The Bates Holiday Shopping Night will be Wednesday, December 13 from 3pm-8pm. Tell your friends and family to mention “The Phineas Bates” while shopping at Birch St. House and Garden and 10% of their purchase will be donated to our school. More details to follow!

• Fox Fund Appeal (letters will be sent this week)

SSC/SPC

Our next SSC/SPC meeting will be on Thursday, 12/14, 5:30-7:00pm. As always, food and childcare are provided. Some topics to discuss include uniform policy, fundraising opportunities, and debriefing the upcoming “Listening Tour”.

Sincerely,

Rodolfo Morales, Principal

---

27 de noviembre de 2017

Estimadas familias,

Sessión de Escucha de Tommy Welch y Rob Consalvo del Gabinete Ejecutivo BPS: Estamos encantados de sentarnos con todos ustedes para tener una conversación sobre los puntos brillantes, las áreas de crecimiento y las aspiraciones que tienen para sus escuelas. Cuando: este Jueves día 30a 8-9 de 10h      Dónde: Bates K-5 Cafetería      Quién: TODAS LAS FAMILIAS                                                                                                                                  DE LA BATES Y MOZART Es importante tener a nuestras familias representando la comunidad Bates.

Feria del Libro de

La Escuela Bates llevará a cabo una feria del libro a partir de diciembre 5-7 de. Los estudiantes ya deben haber recibido los catálogos con un vista previa de libros y materiales que estarán a la venta. La Feria del Libro también estará abierta de 3: 30-7pm el miércoles, 6 de diciembre, para  cualquier familia que quisiera visitar durante la salida o después de las horas de clase.

Recaudación de fondos:

Un agradecimiento especial a todas las familias que han apoyado a la recaudación de fondos hasta el momento. Nuestra venta de masa de galletas, venta de pasteles  durante el día de las elecciones, y la noche de película fueron un gran éxito! Algunas próximas oportunidades para la recaudación de fondos incluyen:

• • SeedMoney: Por favor, considere donar a nuestro jardín de la escuela! Todo el dinero recaudado se destinará a materiales y suministros para el jardín de la escuela Bates. https://donate.seedmoney.org/1785/bates-school-garden
    • Si somos uno de los primeros 50 proyectos para recaudar $ 600, ganamos $ 400 adicionales de un premio. No dude en compartir el enlace en las redes sociales, con compañeros libre, y con los amigos!
• Envolviendo REGALOS El Consejo de Padres envolverán regalos para donaciones durante el Roslindale Village Main Street Market el jueves 7 de diciembre desde las 4pm-8pm. La mesa estará en 756 South Street. El mercado tendrá actividades infantiles, además de vendedores

(detalles: www.Roslindale.net/annual-programs/holiday-market/)

• Guarde La Fecha!

El Bates Holiday Shopping Night (Noche de compras) será el miércoles 13 de diciembre desde las 5:00-8:00pm. Dile a tus amigos y familiares que mencionen “El Phineas Bates” en la tienda Birch St. House and Garden y el 10% de su compra será donado a nuestra escuela. Más detalles a seguir!

• Apelación Fondo Fox (la carta se enviará esta semana)

SSC / SPC

Nuestra próxima reunión / SPC SSC será el jueves, 12/14, 5: 30-7: 00 pm. Como siempre, se proporcionan alimentos y cuidado de los niños. Algunos de los temas incluyen la póliza de uniforme, las oportunidades de recaudación de fondos, y charlar  sobre la session de escuchar.

Sinceramente,

Rodolfo Morales, Director

Dear Families,

SSC/SPC

SSC/SPC meeting will be on Tuesday, 11/14 5:30-7:00pm. As always, food and childcare are provided.

Thanksgiving Recess

There will be a  ½ day on Wednesday, November 22 (2:10 dismissal) and  NO SCHOOL, Thursday and Friday, November 23rd and 24th. We honor the strength of our Indigenous and Native American brothers and sisters.

Making Music Matters

Families of the following grade levels are invited to our MMM Concerts:

• Grade 3, Tuesday, November 14th at 10 AM
• Grade 4, Wednesday, November 15th at 10 AM
• Grade 5, Tuesday, November 14th at 10:45 AM

Pajama Day and Movie Night

We will have Pajama Day during the school day on Friday, November 17th, and Family Movie Night at 5:30pm (doors open at 5:30 movie starts at 6:00pm). See flyer that was sent home last week.

Lost and Found

Our lost and found is filling up on the first floor by the cafeteria. If you find that your child is missing a sweater, scarf, hat, or other article of outerwear, please have them check the lost and found. As done in past years, we will donate clothing from the lost and found at the end of the school year.

Book Fair

The Bates School will hold a book fair from December 5-7th. More information will be sent in the coming weeks!

Sincerely,

Rodolfo Morales, Principal

Dear Families,                                                                                                 November 7th, 2017

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures:

The Bates School strives to be a welcoming school that values and partners with our families. We also work to ensure that every minute of every day be one where students are learning. As a result, we ask that families work with us to build independent citizens and learners by saying goodbye to your children at school entrances. Studies show that by not prolonging good-byes and by trusting young ones to make it to their classrooms, we can build independence and help facilitate the transition into school, especially for our younger students. We have staff at the entrance doors and stairwells each day to welcome students and guide any children who may need any extra support. If you would like to speak with teachers, please note that our teachers and staff are available to meet with you by appointment, as opposed to during arrival or dismissal. Messages for teachers can be left in the main office with our secretary, Ms. Cindy. Alternatively, teachers can be reached via email. If you are coming in to meet with a teacher or are volunteering, we ask that you check into the office and sign in. We also have visitor stickers so that our staff know you have checked in and know where you are going. We thank you for working with us and for helping to maximize learning time at the Bates School.

Veteran’s Day

There will be NO SCHOOL this Friday, November 10th in observance of Veteran’s Day. We honor and express gratitude for our Veterans.

Making Music Matters

Families of the following grade levels are invited to our MMM Concerts:

• Grade 3, Tuesday, November 14th at 10 AM
• Grade 4, Wednesday, November 15th at 10 AM
• Grade 5, Tuesday, November 14th at 10:45 AM

 

Pajama Day and Movie Night

We will have Pajama Day during the school day on Friday, November 17th, and Family Movie Night at 5:30pm (doors open at 5:30 movie starts at 6:00pm). See flyer that was sent home last week.

Lost and Found

Our lost and found is filling up on the first floor by the cafeteria. If you find that your child is missing a sweater, scarf, hat, or other article of outerwear, please have them check the lost and found. As done in past years, we will donate clothing from the lost and found at the end of the school year.

 

SSC/SPC

The next SSC/SPC meeting will be on Tuesday 11/14 5:30-7:00pm. As always, food and childcare are provided.

 

Book Fair

The Bates School will hold a book fair from December 5-7th. More information will be sent in the coming weeks!

Sincerely,

Rodolfo Morales, Principal