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
A Message From Principal Choquette 10/26/18
Good afternoon. Here we are at the end of October already, I can't believe it! The weeks just fly by. Please remember to dress your children appropriately for the cooler temperatures. If you need assistance with clothing, please let the school know.
I hope you all were able to attend the parent/teacher conferences this week. If anyone had trouble scheduling or connecting with your child's teacher(s), please contact the school and we can try to get something set up. Parent/teacher conferences are an important time to learn about the progress your child has made so far during this school year. It's also a time to take a look at some of their work and to connect with the teacher. It is a nice opportunity for families and for our teachers.
As we approach Halloween, I know many students get excited about wearing costumes. If your child decides to wear a costume to school on Wednesday, we do have a few rules to limit the distraction and to ensure we do not scare our very young students in the preschool and kindergarten. The following items are NOT allowed: face masks (no covering of the face at all), weapons of any kind, fake blood on the body. Students should also wear shoes that are safe for running at recess and should have a change of clothes in case they get too warm or if the costume prohibits them from participating in classes such as PE. Thank you for your cooperation.
Over the past few years I have become more concerned with the the movies and video games our young elementary aged students are watching. Many of our students are playing video games that are rated teen or higher. Our students are not teenagers and often times struggle with what is real and what is not. Fortnite is a perfect example, it is a game that is rated "12" meaning it is not suitable for students under the age of 12. I know the students like the dances, but you need to kill someone in order to dance. This is not a message we encourage sending to our students. Also, with Halloween next week, many of our students are watching adult horror movies. This has been impacting their behavior and coming out in drawings and threats to other students that are just not appropriate. I can't tell you how to parent, but I can tell you that these video games of violence and movies that depict violence are impacting school behavior and the students focus on learning. Please consider following the ratings of video games and movies and at the very least please read the descriptions of them and have conversations with your children about safety and violence as well as why these things are not appropriate for young children. Thank you.
Many of you know that Mrs. Hurd took a fall here at school a few weeks ago. She is doing okay, but will still be out for a while. Being in a co-taught classroom has allowed the structures and routines to remain consistent. Mr. Merritt has done a wonderful job at supporting the class and the substitute teachers. Please keep Mrs. Hurd in your thoughts, she is getting better every day.
Originally Mrs. Ruyffelaert's class was going to present at celebration on Monday, but due to a family emergency, she will be absent on Monday. There will be no class presenting at Monday's celebration.
On Wednesday, October 31st from 1:30 - 2:30pm in the cafeteria, former BSS parent and children's book author, Eric Bennett will be reading his new book, Noodles' & Albie's Mermaid Parade, to our kindergarten through third grade students. Families are welcome to attend. You can read a review of his book at https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/eric-bennett/noodles-albies-mermaid-parade/.
Don't forget about the District Review Parent Survey!
The district review is intended to add value to the improvement cycle by providing an experienced team of district leaders who will provide an objective analysis and suggestions for improvement. The value of the district review is measured: first, by the reflection preparing and participating in the review promotes; second, by the usefulness of the findings and recommendations to district leaders and stakeholders; third, by the effectiveness of the resulting action steps and goals that the process generates; and, ultimately, by improved results.
As part of our preparation for the District Review, we have developed a set of standards-linked questionnaires for various stakeholder groups including parents. English and Spanish versions are posted on the district homepage http://www.northamptonschools.org/
Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts by responding to this survey.
Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
Walking School Bus
Why haven't you tried the Bridge Street Walking School Bus yet? It's convenient! It has the friendliest bus drivers in town! It always runs on time! It promotes healthy habits! It helps your child transition more easily into the school day! It contributes to a sustainable environment! So don't delay--get on the WSB today and ride the best bus in town!
The WSB runs daily beginning at Sheldon Field at 8:25 and arrives at BSS around 8:35. For more WSB route information, visit the WSB page. Questions: email Stephanie at spouliot2009@gmail.com.
We are considering adding WSB routes along Williams St./Pomeroy Terrace and from the South Street/downtown area. Please contact Stephanie if you are interested in driving or walking these potential routes.
PTO
The PTO is still looking for a volunteer or two to stay until 5 on November 5 to help distribute pie orders.
Karaoke Fun!!!
Friday, Nov. 16, 7 pm
World War II Club, Conz Street
We’re on the hunt for silent auction items: anyone have any Red Sox or Celtics tickets to donate? Any fun overnights they can offer to be auctioned? Email Hope Ross at learninmotionma@gmail.com.
It promises to be a fun night with lots of special guests!
Vision and Action Forum
Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passage
Bridge Street School has once again registered a team for the 15th Annual Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passage on Sunday, December 2nd! Please help support the important work Safe Passage does to assist families who have lived with domestic violence by signing up to run or walk with other BSS community members. All participants receive a delicious mug of hot chocolate!
If you aren't able to join in the fun, you can still support the BSS team and Safe Passage by making a financial contribution. No amount is too small!
Visit the BSS team page to either join the team or to make a donation to Safe Passage.
Thank you for your support! Questions: contact Stephanie at spouliot2009@gmail.com.
Volunteers in Northampton
What is VINS? VINS is a non-profit founded in 1981, and our mission is to provide volunteers in the Northampton public schools. VINS volunteers are community members, students, parents, and grandparents. We encourage people of all ages to volunteer! Volunteer participation enriches the offerings of our Northampton teachers and significantly increases the quality of education in our schools.
Candice Tauscher, Coordinator
Volunteers in Northampton Schools, Inc.
c/o RK Finn Ryan Road School
498 Ryan Road Florence, MA 01062
Office Hours are M-Th 8:30am-2:00pm
413.587.1332
5th Grade Trip to Nature's Classroom
Thank you.
Principal's Chats
3-5 Celebration 10/29/18
I have attached the celebration presentation schedule below.
Important Dates
November 7th: Vision and Action Forum 5:00-7:30 PM at BSS
November 13th: PTO Meeting 3:15-4:15 at BSS
November 14th: School Council 3:30-5:00 BSS Conference Room
November 16th: Karaoke fun! 7:00 pm at the World War 2 Club
November 21st: Half day, dismissal at 12:20
November 22 & 23: No school, Thanksgiving break