2 Parsons Street

Northampton, Massachusetts 01060

413-587-1460 (phone) 413-587-1484 (fax)

Beth N. Choquette, Principal bchoquette@northamtpon-k12.us

Elizabeth Peterson, Administrative Assistant epeterson@northampton-k12.us

Nicole Sawula, Senior Clerk nsawula@northampton-k12.us

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. We went New Hampshire to spend the holiday with my grandparents and we ended up coming home with a new puppy! Her name is Luna and she is just adorable.

Can you believe it is December already? At least there is no snow, yet. Although I am sure there are many of you who enjoy the snow and I'm sure your children for the most part enjoy the snow, however, as I get older I am becoming less of a snow fan.

I am so proud of our school! Thank you to the Bridge Street School community for all of their support of our 3rd annual Peanut Butter and Jelly drive, for the Food Bank of Western Mass! This year, together with other local schools and community supporters, we raised a new record 1,833 pounds of Peanut Butter and Jelly! Bridge Street school came in strong contributing over 300 pounds. Thank you all for your work, time and donations! And, we look forward to continuing our service with Bridge St families on 12/9 from 1-3pm at the Food Bank. We have two spaces left for that service day so let alexandra.russellb@gmail.com know if you are interested.

I would like to let you know that the nurse is going to start the state-mandated vision and hearing screenings for grades K-5, as well as height and weight for 1st and 4th next week. If parents want to opt their child out they may do so in writing to the nurse. If children have had a physical in the last 6 months with this information documented, She will not have to screen them.

Although the weather hasn't been terribly cold yet, eventually it will be cold and I know that there will be students in need of warmer clothes. If you are in need of warmer clothes such as coats, snow pants, and boots please let me know so we can help with that.

The bus (walking) is up and running!!! The Walking School Bus will run on a daily basis in the mornings on the Northern Route!

Various volunteer parents and community members will be leading the bus Monday through Friday mornings.

All students are welcome to join as well as parents and families.

The Northern Route will start along Crosby Street beginning at 8:05, travel down North Street, continue onto Parsons Street, and is expected to arrive at school at 8:35.

To learn about Bus Stop Locations and Departure Times, learn about the Walking School Bus, or share questions and ideas please visit the Walking School Bus page on the PTO's website www.bsspto.org.

National Inclusive Schools Week is December 4th-8th this year. The theme is Stand Up Sit Tall for Inclusion! This year, the Inclusive Schools Week’s theme focuses on standing up for inclusion. This is particularly fitting because in our world today, we are embracing changes necessary to protect the practices in education and society essential to making a positive difference for all. In schools where inclusive education flourishes, there is an inspirational, more positive culture. This year, we will focus on how and why each person should stand up for inclusion (inclusiveschools.org).

The chat is back! I will be hosting the my first chat of the year on Wednesday, December 6th from 8:35-9:30 a.m. in the library. My chats are open ended. It is a time for you to come and ask questions, talk about an initiative, or just to come and have some coffee and chat. Hope to see you there.

Thank you to everyone who donated their time and talent to making the 1st Annual BSS Parent-* * *The Teacher Talent Show was a huge success! What a great show, an amazing silent auction, and a wonderful night for our community! Over $1,300 was raised to help fund resources for our teachers, students and school!

* The BSS Family Arts & Crafts Night is this Friday, December 1st from 6-8 p.m. in the BSS cafeteria. Usher in December with other BSS families by joining in a night of socializing and creativity! There will be fun craft activities, delicious food, and a winter clothing store offering a variety of gently used kids' winter outerwear. All proceeds from the bake sale and winter clothing store will be donated to Hurricane Maria recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. If you would like to make a delicious treat for the bake sale, please sign up online.

**Sunday, December 3rd is the Hot Chocolate Run to support Safe Passage! Please come out and cheer on the Run participants, especially our very own BSS team! You can donate to the BSS team any time before December 1st. Thank you!

* Please join other BSS families for the December PTO meeting on December 5th at 3:15 p.m. in the BSS library. Child care will be provided. All BSS community members are welcome.

December 4: K-5 Celebration

December 5: PTO meeting 3:15-4:15 BSS Library

December 6: Half day-dismissal at 12:20 p.m.

December 13: School council meeitng 3:30-5:00 p.m. BSS Conference Room

December 22-January 1: No School-Holiday Recess