Dear Bates Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at Bates!  I hope you are having an enjoyable summer.  Personally, I’ve enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  This summer we went to the beach and had the opportunity to visit family in Texas.  I have also been excitedly preparing for the start of school. I look forward to seeing all of our Bates students and families in just two weeks.

I’d like to share some important information to consider as you prepare for the start of school.  

PowerSchool Parent Portal & Teacher Assignments

The Parent Portal will open to all families today 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 4.  Please look for a welcome email from your child’s classroom teacher on August 21.

Back to School Information

The Bates 2024-2025 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: 

In the Insider’s Guide to Bates we share important information about all aspects of Bates.  I ask that all families review the Insider’s Guide prior to the start of school, especially the following sections:

  • Attendance 

  • Arrival and Dismissal Guidelines

  • Items Not Permitted at School, Items Best Left at Home and Dress Code

  • Safety Protocols, including Safety During Arrival and Dismissal

Thank you for your cooperation in following all of our school procedures.

  

Welcome New Families

We hope to ease the transition to a new school by inviting new students to visit school on Tuesday, August 27.  The schedule starts at 2:00 in the courtyard off the library and concludes with a PTO sponsored popsicle event at 3:00 on the back playground.  

The First Day of School

The first day of school is Wednesday, August 28.  Please plan to arrive at school at 8:15.  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 and bring them into school.

Back to School Night

Please save the date for the Bates Back to School Night for parents and guardians on Thursday,  September 19 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.

Ongoing Communication

We recognize that an important aspect of a successful home school partnership is strong ongoing communication.  We strive to keep families informed by sending regular email updates.  My email updates are titled “Bates Buzz.”  In addition to receiving these updates, I recommend families subscribe to the WPS districtwide and Bates School calendars, linked here.  Finally, many families really appreciate the Bates PTO weekly updates, which include information about Bates and all PTO events.  If you have not done so already, you can sign up to receive PTO emails here.  

If you have any questions, please reach out to Bates secretary Megan LeBlanc or me at (781) 446-6260 or via email at wps-bates-office@wellesleyps.org or jolleya@wellesleyps.org.  I hope you enjoy the last two weeks of summer.  I look forward to seeing you at Bates soon.

Warmly,

Toni Jolley

Bates Principal

Welcome Back to School