Dear Bates Family,I hope all of you are enjoying the last weeks of summer. With my last Bates Buzz before the start of school, I’d like to provide some information on a variety of topics.
Class AssignmentsBy now, each of you should have received your child’s class list. While receiving class assignments is an anticipated event, I know that children experience a range of emotions in response to seeing their class lists. Children may feel excitement, concern or perhaps disappointment. It is my hope that families understand the goals of the placement process. Our placement process is very thoughtful and involves a team of teachers, specialists, special educators, the school psychologist and administrators. The placement team takes into account past groupings, learning styles, learning partners, future opportunities and any parent input received. It is a challenge to address all of these priorities in the class assignments, but it is our belief that our placements will create the opportunity for a very positive learning community in every classroom.
Building a Strong Classroom CommunityBuilding a strong classroom community depends on the commitment of every member of that community. The first weeks of school are dedicated to establishing a classroom culture in which each child feels respected, valued, supported and connected. The teacher dedicates time to getting to know each child as an individual and making connections between children in the class through a number of activities. The teacher establishes routines, expectations and rules that enable children to feel safe, to learn and grow. We teach and support all children to demonstrate behavior that helps themselves and others learn. We consider this teaching to be a critical element of building a strong classroom community, and we make it a priority throughout the year.
The Year AheadFamilies can learn more about the exciting year ahead in several ways. Please mark your calendars for our Back to School Night for parents on September 17 at 6:00 p.m. At Back to School Night your child’s teacher will share information about the core academic curriculum, ways of supporting social and emotional growth and our commitment to teaching critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication, which are commonly referred to as 21st century skills. In addition, in the coming weeks families will have access to the Wellesley Public Schools Elementary School Handbook and the Bates School Insider’s Guide. The Elementary Handbook will be available on our website and is an important resource for all families in the Wellesley Public Schools to learn about district policies and procedures. The Bates School Insider’s Guide will be distributed to all Bates families in the first week of school. The guide will provide detailed information on all traditions, events, guidelines and procedures at Bates. An electronic version of the Insider’s Guide also will be available on our website in September.
Visiting Before the First DayWe invite all students who wish to visit prior to the first day of school to stop by Bates on
Tuesday, September 1 from 9:45-10:30 a.m. This Tuesday morning visit is an opportunity for children to say hello to his or her new teacher or check out his or her classroom. This is also when all kindergarteners are invited to visit their classrooms. If you plan to stop in, please consider joining the new family coffee from 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. in the cafeteria. This is an excellent opportunity to warmly welcome the newest members of our Bates community.
We look forward to welcoming everyone on the first day of school, Wednesday, September 2. As a reminder, students in kindergarten and grade 1 meet on the front playground, and students in grades 2-5 meet on the back playground starting at 8:15 a.m. There will be signs to indicate where to line up.
We look forward to working with you as our partners in in the coming year. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at
jolleya@wellesleyps.org.
Enjoy the last weeks of summer vacation.
Warmly,Toni Jolley
