Dear Bates Families,
I hope you had a restful break! The new year is off to a great start at Bates, and I’m excited to share some of the wonderful events ahead in 2026.
Schoolwide Events
Each year at Bates we celebrate community with several schoolwide events such as Field Day in June, Bates in Bloom in May, the Mini-Marathon in April, the Book Fair in March and one additional event in February or March. Last year we held the Artstravaganza in February. This year, we will celebrate the Magnificent Day of Play on March 11.
The Day of Play is a special opportunity for students to spend the day imagining, creating and building anything they can imagine using cardboard and recycled materials. While more information will be sent in the coming weeks, please mark your calendars for this special event on March 11, as many parent volunteers are needed to help manage materials and cheer on our young creators!
The Anxious Generation Community Conversation
You are invited to join a community conversation with fellow Bates parents, caregivers, and a panel of experts to reflect on key insights from the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt on Thursday, March 19 from 7:00-9:00 pm at Bates.
The Anxious Generation explores the growing mental health crisis among today’s adolescents and young adults. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that smartphones, social media, and a culture of overprotective parenting have led to the “great rewiring” of childhood—contributing to an epidemic of anxiety, depression, and social disconnection. Haidt offers well-researched insights and practical solutions for helping children of all ages. The conversation will address how these trends begin in childhood and what we can do now to build healthy habits, foster resilience, and encourage real-world independence.
Sign up here to join us on March 19! Feel free to add
The Anxious Generation to your winter reading list, but it’s not required to participate. For more information please see the attached flyer.
I look forward to all that’s ahead this winter and spring. Have a wonderful weekend!
Warmly,
Toni Jolley
