Bates Family Newsletter
February 17th, 2023
Bates Community
Please check out our family newsletter with some updates on upcoming events. Please remember there is no school next week. We will see you on the 27th!
Have a great break!
Gavin Softic, principal
Beacons of the Week
1st Grade Scientists
Save the Date: Collins Middle School Showcase
On Thursday, March 2nd from 6:30 - 8PM incoming 5th grade families are invited to visit Collins Middle School and learn more about the school. This event would provide parents/guardians an overview of our wonderful programs as well as provide students an opportunity to see what Collins has to offer (Curriculum, STEM, Band, Athletics etc.) first hand. Light refreshments will be served. 29 Highland Ave.
Celebrating or Multi-Lingual Students
SEL: Communication
This week’s focus is on Communication. Communication is fundamental to development. There are so many fun ways to explore and teach healthy communication with your kids. Communication fundamentals include:
Empathy
Conversation skills
Established listening and speaking procedures
Respectful vocabulary
The power of the pause
Practice speaking and listening in natural settings
Introspection
Turn-taking
One VERY easy way to enhance your child’s communication skills is to TALK TO THEM. A lot. When they are little, it may seem silly, but narrating things as you go about your life can be incredibly powerful. For example “I have to do some laundry, which means FIRST I am going to collect alll the baskets, NEXT I will sort it out by colors and types of clothes. THEN, I will put it all together with some soap and then give myself a reminder to come back and check on it.”
Some additional resources on communication can be found here:
https://positivepsychology.com/communication-activities-adults-students/#importance
PTO Activities
It's March Madness Calendar time! Tickets are $10 each and you have 31 chances to win. Prizes include hotel stays, Celtics tickets, restaurant gift cards and cash. Extra tickets available in the main office.
Update on Principal Search:
PTO Spirit Rock
Our Bates spirit rock is available for weekly rentals. Celebrate your student's birthday or other accomplishments by painting a message on our rock. Please click here to rent the rock!
Spirit Wear
Please let us know...
Download the ParentSquare APP
A reminder that ParentSquare is the district platform for communication. You will receive communication from the district, your school, and your student's classroom all in one space. You can communicate 1-to-1 with teachers, sign up for parent-teacher conferences, and more.
This is how the schools will communicate with families districtwide going forward. Please be sure you are receiving messages from ParentSquare. If you are having trouble, contact your school's front office. You can visit www.parentsquare.com for more information.
Bates Elementary School
978-400-6378
Email: gsoftic@salemk12.org
Location: 53 Liberty Hill Avenue, Salem, MA, USA
Phone: 978-740-1250
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bateselementarysalem/
Twitter: @sps_bates