Dear Bates Families,
As you may be aware, on Wednesday night the School Committee unanimously approved the district’s COVID-19 transition plan. The full plan is attached below. I will highlight two changes effective Monday, March 7 for Bates students and staff:
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Starting Monday staff and students will no longer be required to wear masks in school. Masks will be optional.
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Starting Monday all students will return to sitting at cafeteria tables during indoor lunch.
In our conversations with students we are sharing that it is an individual or family’s choice whether to wear a mask while in school. I ask for your help to reinforce the message that families and individuals will make different choices for different reasons. At Bates it is important that we show respect for all individuals and their choice. In addition, we continue to encourage students to help keep others safe by covering their mouth and nose when they sneeze, washing hands regularly and using hand sanitizer.
We are also preparing students for the new procedures for sitting at tables in the cafeteria. Our youngest students will visit the cafeteria in advance of their first lunch. I look forward to sharing with you how well our students manage both of these transitions next week.
At the end of March parents will have the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher for the Spring Parent Teacher Conference. These conferences will be held in person. Please look for the conference sign up links in an email from me on Tuesday, March 8 at 12:00 p.m.
Below are listed the upcoming dates of two of our favorite Bates traditions, the Bates Book Fair and the Bates Mini-Marathon. These are awesome events for the Bates community. I’m putting them on your radar now in hopes you will mark your calendars and join the fun if you are able. You will hear more about these events in the weeks ahead.
Have a great weekend!
Warmly,
Toni
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, March 8 Conference Sign Up Links sent at 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 15 Bates Book Fair
Wednesday, March 16 Bates Book Fair
Thursday, March 17 Bates Book Fair (last day)
Tuesday, March 29 Early Release Day for Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, April 13 Bates Mini-Marathon
Friday, April 15 No School, Good Friday
Monday, April 18 No School, Spring Break
Monday, April 25 School Resumes