Dear Bates Families,
Thank you to all who volunteered at our Pumpkin Fair last weekend. The Pumpkin Fair is a wonderful Bates community event and fundraiser for our school. Many thanks to Pumpkin Fair co-chairs Livia Madden and Betsey Sullivan.
MCAS
At last Friday’s PTO meeting I shared Bates’ 2018 MCAS results. Attached are those slides for your information. If you have any questions about MCAS results, please contact your child’s teacher or me.
School Safety Drills
A few weeks ago the Bates staff conducted emergency drills with the Wellesley Police Department using the A.L.I.C.E. protocol. During the week of November 5, the Wellesley Police will join us in conducting a student emergency drill. The emergency drill for our elementary students is developmentally appropriate and presented as one of the many things we do to keep safe, similar to fire drills and wearing bike helmets. During the emergency drill students practice leaving the school quickly and running to a designated spot away from the school. Next week I will share with you the slides we use to instruct students about the drill.
STEM Week
Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito, in collaboration with the STEM Advisory Council, planned a statewide “STEM Week” this week to highlight the connection of strong STEM education to a talented and skilled workforce. Schools were encouraged to highlight STEM learning through engaging in special activities or showcasing efforts already underway. While STEM education happens throughout the year, this week was an opportunity for schools to highlight or enhance their STEM experiences for students. Bates students enjoyed a range of STEM activities this week such as the one in the attached photo.
Halloween Parade
Looking ahead to next week, the Bates School will hold its annual Halloween Parade on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 8:45 a.m. Students who wish to participate in the parade are asked to wear their costume to school and bring a change of clothes to school for after the parade. We ask that costumes be appropriate for the K-5 audience and please, no masks. Parents are invited to stand outside the school to watch. A fun alternate activity will be hosted in the gym for students who do not wish to participate in the parade.
Finally, if you have not yet signed up for a conference with your child’s teacher, please be sure to do so. Conferences start next week.
Have a great weekend!
Warm regards,
Toni Jolley
Upcoming dates:
Wednesday, October 31 8:45 a.m. Halloween Parade
Tuesday, November 6 Early Release (12:00) – Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, November 7 Walk and Roll to School Day/ Bates Spirit Day
Monday, November 12 No School – Veterans Day