Dear Bates Families,
We are very excited to welcome all students back to school on Wednesday. Our custodians have worked tirelessly all summer to clean our building and reorganize our classrooms. Our cozy rugs and shared tables have returned and look better than ever. Students will return to using lockers and moving around the building to the gym, music room, art room and library. While some aspects of school such as field trips are still to be determined, we are thrilled to be able to start school with many of our familiar structures and procedures.
As you prepare for the start of school, I share a few final reminders and notes below. Please note in particular the new location for our New Family Coffee and Orientation tomorrow.
Masks
Masks continue to be one of the best ways to keep students and staff safe and healthy. For now, masks are required while inside the school building for all WPS students and staff. Please make sure your child’s mask fits well, covering the nose and mouth and that it stays in place as they talk. Students and staff are allowed to remove their mask when outside for eating, recess and PE, as well as before and after school. We recognize that wearing masks, particularly in warm weather, can be challenging for all. Teachers will make every effort to provide outdoor mask breaks as needed.
Snack and Lunch
We will eat a daily snack and lunch outside whenever possible. In the event of inclement weather, students will eat indoors, spread six feet apart. Prior to eating, students will be instructed to wash or sanitize their hands. The US Department of Agriculture has extended free lunch for every student through the 2021-2022 school year. Students may bring lunch from home or choose a lunch provided by Whitsons Food Service. A lunch menu can be found at www.fdmealplanner.com. In addition, please send your child to school with a refillable water bottle each day.
Arrival
Students may begin to arrive at school as early as 8:15. Between 8:15 and 8:28, students in kindergarten and grade 1 will gather on the front playground and students in grades 3-5 will gather on the back playground. Students who arrive after 8:28 should enter through the front door. During inclement weather students should proceed directly inside to their classroom. An indoor arrival is signaled by orange flags on the front and back of the building.
New Family Orientation: New Location
New families are invited to the New Family Coffee and Orientation on Tuesday, August 31 at 9:00. We will meet in the courtyard area, on the back side of the school adjacent to the building. The orientation will include a quick tour and a brief visit to students’ classroom. Please note that this year’s classroom visit is being offered to new students and those students who did not attend Bates last year.
Illness and Absences
If your child is not feeling well or presents with any of the COVID-19 symptoms, please do not send him to school. Please contact Bates nurse Chris Spolidoro if you have any questions. To report your child’s absence, please complete this absence form by 8:30 am if possible. The form can also be found on the Bates website.
Finally, please note the school and holiday schedule for the upcoming weeks. We look forward to seeing our students on Wednesday!
Warm regards,
Toni Jolley
Upcoming Dates:
Wednesday, September 1 First day of school (noon dismissal)
Monday, September 6 Labor Day – No School
Tuesday, September 7 Rosh Hashanah – No School
Monday, September 13 Kindergarten starts full days
Thursday, September 16 Yom Kippur – No School