Principal's Weekly
Principal Beth N. Choquette, Bridge Street School
Bridge Street School
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 Soutra, Senior Clerk nsoutra@northampton-k12.us
Nora DeJasu, Head Teacher ndejasu@northampton-k12.us
Translation of the Principal's Weekly
At the top of the weekly email, there's a link that reads "View it in your browser," click that and it takes you to the post on a webpage.
Scroll to the bottom where there's a black menu bar and pick the option that says "Translate."
Select the language you would like it translated in and it will then translate it on the webpage.
Traducción del semanario del director
Solo un recordatorio de que el sitio web que uso para crear mis boletines semanales, ahora tiene traducción en muchos idiomas diferentes. Aquí están los pasos para traducirlo:
En la parte superior del correo electrónico semanal, hay un enlace que dice "Verlo en su navegador", haga clic en eso y lo llevará a la publicación en una página web.
Desplázate hacia la parte inferior donde hay una barra de menú negra y elige la opción que dice "Traducir".
Seleccione el idioma en el que desea traducirlo y luego lo traducirá en la página web.
A Message From Principal Choquette 6/7/19
Dear Families,
It's hard to believe that this is my last weekly of the year. I would like to start by wishing you all a wonderful, restful, and safe summer. I hope you all get a chance to take some time to just enjoy the summer and time off with your children.
We had a wonderful year at BSS and I look forward to another next year. I'd like to thank the PTO and all of our families who volunteered throughout the school year at events and activities. There are so many things that happen throughout the year and we couldn't do it without the support of our families and PTO. We are all so grateful.
I'd like to also thank the amazing teachers and staff at BSS for their dedication and love that they give your children every single day. It amazes me to watch the growth that our students make over the course of a school year. Thank you to all of the BSS faculty and staff.
Please remember that the last day of school , June 14th, is a half day with dismissal being at 12:20 p.m.
Thank you and have a wonderful summer!
Thank you and Farewell
Thank you:
Leslie Stein
Nina Shrayer
Michael Merritt
Lauren Martel
Kelly Junno
Spirit Week
Monday 6/10/19: BSS shirts or Blue and White in honor of 5th grade graduation and kindergarten celebration.
Tuesday 6/11/19: Inside out day
Wednesday 6/12/19: Crazy hair day
Thursday 6/13/19: Mismatch day
Friday 6/14/19: Hat day
Lost and Found
Thank you.
Hiring Committees and Staffing for next year
Kindergarten: Mangones/Kent/Hopkins
1st grade: Dubiel/Monopoli/Bradley-Gilbert
2nd grade: Morgan/Nagle/Bunnell/Demerath
3rd grade: Ruyffelaert/Hurd/Tellier/ Vacant special education position
4th grade: Zyskowski/Byl/Vacant special education position
5th grade: Dion/Daniels/Vacant special education position
Congratulations to Brittany Kelly who is the anticipated hire for the new anticipated tiered support specialist position.
Vision and Action Forum Subcommittee Summaries
Social Justice Committee Update (Formerly Diversity Committee)
In our first meeting we collaboratively decided to change the name of this subcommittee to the Social Justice Committee, as we felt this better represented our goals, which include a) expanding the definition of diversity at BSS and b) increasing acceptance, support and inclusion of children from all racial-ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds who represent a range of abilities, needs and households. We prioritized the recommendations provided during the action forum in the fall and aim to start a mentoring program for new families coming to Bridge Street School (see below). Moving forward we also plan to partner with other organizations (REAL, SEPAC) to discuss an ongoing relationship as we continue the conversations around creating a socially just school environment.
SIGN UP TO BECOME A MENTOR
We all know how hard it can be for children and their caregivers starting a new school. The location and layout of Bridge Street also presents special challenges: Where are children picked up? What door do you use to get to the office? If driving, where on earth do you park? You can help new students joining our community by signing up to be a mentor. As a mentor, you will be paired up with a student and their caregiver(s). Your information will be exchanged so that you may reach out to say welcome, answer any questions/address concerns, or set up a time to socialize and meet. If you are interested in becoming a mentor (and we really hope you will sign up!) please fill out the survey link https://www.research.net/r/BSSmentor. It is our goal to send pairing assignments out in mid-August.
The Culture Club Subcommittee Update
The Bridge Street School Culture Club, a subcommittee of the Bridge Street School Council, was formed to develop and effect changes that lead to a greater sense of pride and a more positive and supportive feeling among students, parents/guardians, teachers, and staff.
This school year, the Culture Club added to the school wide morning announcements by involving students. During announcement, students would greet everyone, read the lunch menu, make birthday announcements, and tell jokes.
Two of the Culture Club's goals for next school year include creating a BSS Facewall and starting a Special Friends Lunch Day. The Facewall would use one of the bulletin boards outside the main office to display photos, names, job titles, and a fun fact about every teacher and staff member at Bridge Street School. The Facewall is intended to help both students and families become more familiar with and connected to the wonderful teachers and staff at the school. Special Friends Lunch Day would be a designated day for each grade to invite special friends to join the class during lunch. These friends could include grandparents, family members, and other special guests from our incredible community.
The 2018-2019 Culture Club is made up of parents/guardians and teachers, and in order to continue and expand our work next school year, we'll need increased participation from our community.
Communications Subcommittee Summary (Identified Priorities)
1. Regular, culturally proficient communication from classrooms teachers about grade-level curriculum (refer to Goal 3 in the current SIP) with a consistent format across grade-levels (i.e., specific template)
2. Culturally proficient communication/translation of all home/school communications
3. Setting standards/expectations regarding PTO Class Representatives for consistency across classes and grade levels
4. Streamline/consolidate access to school information to make it more accessible and easier to find
5. Annual, updated information about school wide procedures/protocols for teacher/staff from school administrators/District (i.e., staff Handbook), especially for new hires
6. Ensuring that new families and teachers/staff entering BSS mid-year are receiving school communications
7. Information about grade level curriculum, such as state or district standards accessible to families at the beginning of each school year (or linked to existing website)
8. Regular communication about PBIS and social-emotional curriculum used at school from teachers and/or school administration
Pollinator Garden
Want to help with the BSS pollinator garden? Installation will take place Saturday, June 8, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, June 9, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m). Please RSVP if you can join us by contacting Jessica at jessicatimetrader@gmail.com.
If you would like to participate in the Bridge Street School Pollinator Garden fundraiser and potentially win a butterfly garden for your home, the home of a family member or friend, simply choose how many tickets you would like to purchase (1 for $2, 3 for $5, or 7 for $10) and return your check or cash to the Bridge Street School office by Thursday, June 6th. The winner will be drawn on Friday, June 7th. For more information about the Pollinator Garden Raffle, call Jessica at 413-727-3295. If you would like to participate in the raffle, and are experiencing financial hardships, please see me or email me at bchoquette@northampton-k12.us.
Walking School Bus
Without these wonderful people, there simply would be no WSB. So if you see our yellow-vested friends, please take a moment to say "thank you" for their generous contributions to the WSB and our school community.
We can't wait to continue the WSB with them in the fall!
SASH-Northampton High Schoolers
Bridge Street School families,
We would love to invite any and all interested 4th and 5th graders to join our student-run after school program, SASH. SASH is a program that teaches and encourages social emotional learning, and works to bridge the gap between high school and elementary school students. Our work is based on the arts; music, writing, acting and improv, and mixed media. Our goal is to create a place where students feel safe to express their thoughts and feelings through these creative focuses. This program will run once a week, and at the end of our 10 week session we will be hosting a final showcase at Northampton High School. We are so happy and excited to be sharing this program with your students this coming fall. Permission slips and sign up sheets will be delivered in September of 2019.
Best,
SASH
(Northampton High schoolers)
On June 13th, there will be an informational meeting for students who are currently in grades 3-5. If you are interested in joining students to hear this presentation by the high school students, please feel free to join us at 9:00 a.m. on the 13th. If you have any questions prior to the informational session, please feel free to contact me.
Library
5th Grade Graduation and Kindergarten Celebration
Kindergarten celebration will also be held on June 10th at 2:00 p.m. in the kindergarten classrooms.
Important Dates
6/10/19 5th Grade Graduation 9:15 a.m. BSS Gym; Kindergarten graduation 2:00 p.m.
6/12/19 PTO meeting 6:30 p.m.
6/14/19 Move up day; Last Day of School-Dismissal at 12:20 a.m.