Dear Bates and Hunnewell at Bates Families,
I hope you have had an enjoyable summer. I am always grateful for the summer and the time it affords to reconnect with family and friends and also engage in opportunities for professional growth. This summer my family enjoyed returning to one of our favorite places in Michigan for a relaxing vacation. A highlight of my summer professional development has been learning more about the importance of teacher language and how choices we make can positively impact student learning. Finally, as always at this time of year, I am also excitedly preparing for the start of school. I look forward to seeing our students on August 30! In the meantime, I write to share a few important dates for the weeks ahead.
PowerSchool Parent Portal & Teacher Assignments
The Parent Portal will open to all families on Wednesday, August 16, at noon. Your child’s teacher assignment for the upcoming school year will be available after you complete the important parent portal updates and permissions for each student in your family. If you need help accessing the portal, please email portal@wellesleyps.org. The portal will remain open for updates until September 6. In addition, please look for a welcome email from your child’s classroom teacher on August 23.
Back to School Information
The Bates 2023-2024 Back to School Packet is available online through our website in the Quick Links section of the Bates home webpage. In this digital folder you can find information about recommended supplies as well as the Insider’s Guide to Bates 2023-2024.
In the Insider’s Guide to Bates we share important information about all aspects of Bates. I ask that you familiarize yourself with several sections in the Insider’s Guide to Bates in particular:
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Arrival and Dismissal Guidelines
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Behavior Guidelines
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Items Not Permitted at School, Items Best Left at Home and Dress Code
Thank you for your cooperation with all of our school procedures.
Welcome New Families and Kindergarten
I’d like to extend a special welcome to all of our new Bates and Hunnewell families. We recognize that all students, and new students in particular, may experience a range of emotions about starting school. This year we hope to ease this transition by inviting new students to visit school on Tuesday, August 29. The schedule starts with a Meet and Greet in the courtyard off the library. We hope new families will join us.
The First Day of School
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 30. Please plan to arrive at school between 8:15 – 8:30. Kindergarten and grade 1 arrive on the front playground and grades 2-5 arrive on the back playground. Students are asked to line up by the sign with their classroom name. Teachers will greet students at their designated line up spot.
Back to School Night
Please save the date for the Bates Back to School Night for parents and guardians on Thursday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to visit your child’s classroom, meet your child’s teacher and learn about the curriculum. More details will follow.
I look forward to seeing you at Bates very soon. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please reach out to Bates secretary Megan LeBlanc or me at (781) 446-6260 or batesoffice@wellesleyps.org. I hope you enjoy the last few weeks of summer.
Warmly,
Toni Jolley