Dear Bates families,
We’ve had an exciting start to spring here at Bates! Below are a few highlights:
The Mini-Marathon
Wednesday was another wonderfully successful Mini-Marathon. Thank you to Nicole Fyvie, our P.E. teacher and Mini-Marathon master organizer, for helping to train and prepare our students to have a successful and fun run. Thank you also to the many parent volunteers who helped make the Spaghetti Dinner and Mini-Marathon a success: Kristen Jones, Alyssa Akgonul, Peta Taylor-Smith, Carrie Stampfer and Connie Burton (former Bates parent) plus the room parents and many volunteers who helped count laps and enthusiastically cheer on our runners. Each year I am so excited to be a witness to this amazing event, which showcases our students’ amazing perseverance as well as school spirit and collaboration!
Creative Arts Events
Over the last few weeks Bates students have participated in two very special school-wide Creative Arts experiences. Students learned the art of paper collage under the tutelage of visiting artist Giles La-Roche. During art classes each student made paper collage art to contribute to a mural of our Wellesley community, which we plan to display in our front foyer for all to appreciate. In addition, last week students attended an interactive presentation with the ImprovBoston National Touring Company. The performers engaged students in the art of improvisation, while highlighting the 4Cs: the skills of collaboration, critical thinking, communication and creativity. Our students were very engaged in this presentation and excited to think about applying the lessons from improvisation to their work in school.
A few reminders to our fifth grade families:
- For parents/guardians of students transitioning to WMS for 6th grade: a reminder that the WMS course selection form is due to your child’s teacher by Wednesday, April 12. In addition, if you choose to complete the Serious Concerns form, that is also due via Google drive by April 12. Please refer to the email sent to parents by WMS Principal Mark Ito on March 8, or contact the WMS or Bates office for a copy of the information packet.
- Bates fifth graders will visit Hale Reservation on May 31, June 1 and June 2. Please note that registration and payment is due by April 28. Information about the program and the payment/registration process is available on our Bates School website under Quick Links: Hale Reservation program (gr 5).
Looking ahead to May, mark your calendars for our Spirng Concert on May 30 at 9:00. This concert will feature the band, orchestra, fifth grade chorus and the third grade on their recorders.
I hope you enjoy the warmer temperatures in the days ahead. If you are celebrating Passover next week, I wish you joy and peace this Passover season. If you are celebrating Easter, Happy Easter!
Warm regards,
Toni Jolley
Upcoming dates:
Friday, April 7 Bates Spirit Day
Monday, April 10 Science Fair applications due
Wednesday, April 12 WMS course selection forms due
Friday, April 14 No School
April 17-21 School Vacation Week
ELA MCAS testing
Grade 3 – April 25, 26, 27
Grade 4 – April 10, 12, 13
Grade 5 – April 27, 28, May 1
Math MCAS testing
Grade 3 – May 15, 16
Grade 4 – May 18, 19
Grade 5 – May 11, 12