I hope you are enjoying the last days of summer while also getting ready for the excitement of the week ahead.  We at Bates all look forward to welcoming our students in grades 1-5 back to school on Wednesday, August 27 and our kindergarten students on Tuesday, September 2.

Our first day arrival procedures are similar to most days.  Starting at 8:15, kindergarten and first grade students gather on the front playground and students in grades 2-5 on the back playground.  Please allow a little extra time on the first day for students to greet friends, take pictures, and line up by their class signs.  School begins each day at 8:30.

As a reminder, Wednesday is a half-day, with dismissal at 12:00.  Please send a healthy snack for your child.  If you received a letter that your child’s classroom is an allergy alert classroom, please send only safe snacks as suggested in the letter.

I encourage you to access the information on the Wellesley Public Schools website as well as the Bates School website: http://www.wellesley.k12.ma.us/katharine-lee-bates-elementary-school.  On the Bates School website you will find Quick Links to the school lunch system, including monthly lunch menus and information about the MySchoolBucks online lunch payment system.   You will see a new link to the Online Payment System.  This system allows parents to make online payments for all field trips, bus transportation, the before school program and performing arts instruction.  

You will also find a link to the Bates PTO pages.  The PTO pages detail nearly everything you need to know about Bates.  On the “Bates Info” page you will find arrival and dismissal procedures.  If you are not familiar with our car line drop off and pick up procedures, please read this page carefully.  The parking lot is not to be used to drop off or pick up students.  I recommend you discuss the plan for dismissal with your child each day.  If your plans change after the school day begins, please call the office before 11:00 on early dismissal days and 2:00 on regular dismissal days.

I have really enjoyed the beautiful family pictures many of you have already emailed to me.  Thank you.  Our family album will be a wonderful resource to all of us at Bates as we get to know you.  If you have not yet sent your picture, you can email it to me at jolleya@wellesleyps.org.

If you are available on Tuesday, please stop by to help us welcome our new families at the New Family Coffee at 9:00.   From 9:45-10:30 kindergarteners are invited to visit their classrooms.  Older students are also welcome to peek into their new classrooms and briefly say hello to their teachers.   After 10:30 the teachers will be busy with meetings and other preparations for Wednesday, but families are welcome to linger on the playground.

Finally, the current forecast for Wednesday is sunny and warm, a great way to start the new school year.  I am really looking forward to our year together.

Best,

Toni Jolley

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