Principal's Weekly
Dr. Beth N. Choquette
Bridge Street School
2 Parsons Street
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
413-587-1460 (phone) 413-587-1474 (fax)
Dr. Beth N. Choquette, Principal bchoquette@northamtpon-k12.us
Elizabeth Peterson, Administrative Assistant epeterson@northampton-k12.us
Jordan Celino, Secretary jcelino@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
Le gustaría traducir esta carta de noticias? 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.
Bridge Street School Vision and Mission Statements
Bridge Street School’s faculty and staff, caregivers, and community are committed to providing educational excellence and equity to its students by challenging the injustices that create barriers to high academic achievement, to access and opportunities to learn, to high-quality teaching and learning, and to a climate of belonging. This commitment to educational equity, where all children are successful regardless of their personal, social, or cultural contexts, is at the core of our practices, structures, and policies.
A Message from Principal Choquette
Good morning. I think this is the earliest I've sat down to write my weekly. It's slightly lighter outside right now, but not by much. At least now I'll be able to enjoy the sunrise driving into work, before the time change it was dark the entire way. Now, I will just deal with it being darker when I drive home.
Please make sure you check your email for the COVID-19 Vaccination Update that I sent out last night from Dr. Provost. The information around getting vaccines for 5-11 year olds is in that email. I've also attached the information and attached letters below.
November 10th will be the last day for Liftoff Learning until after we return from the Thanksgiving break. During the week of November 15th, the Liftoff Learning instructors will meet to look at benchmark assessments to see which students no longer need the program. If your child is no longer in need of the program, you will receive a letter in the mail. Once we have determined who no longer needs the program, we will then regroup students based off of their needs in both reading and math. November 10th will be the last day of Liftoff Learning. There will be no Liftoff Learning Program from November 15-26. Liftoff Learning will resume on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
Our next school council meeting will be held on November 10th at 6:30 pm. via zoom. The agenda is below. We are still in need of caregivers/community members to join our council. If you are interested, please contact me.
We have a tremendous amount of clothing in our lost and found. Because we can't have members of the public in our buildings, on Wednesday, November 10th we will bring the lost and found items outside in the morning during drop off and again in the afternoon during pick-up. Please take a moment to look through the items and take what belongs to your child(ren). If the items aren't claimed, we will donate them. We will have the items outside next to the big playground doors.
We have a few more weeks of 3rd-5th graders eating outdoors. It's going to be a beautiful week with highs in the lower 60's, however, the week after looks much cooler. Please dress students appropriately for the cooler mornings.
Thank you.
I hope you all have a wonderful week.
Free COVID-19 Vaccine for children ages 5-11! No insurance needed. Appointments are open for all children at all sites regardless of which school they attend. To make appointments and find more information: https://www.northamptonma.gov/2219/Vaccine-Clinics Or go to www.northamptonma.gov and click on Vaccine Clinics Ryan Road School Tuesday, November 9th: 4-6 pm JFK Middle School Saturday, November 13th: 12-3pm Jackson Street School Thursday, November 18th: 4-6 p.m. Elks Lodge, Florence, MA 17 Spring Street Sunday, November 7th: 10am-4pm Mondays in November: 4-6pm Thursdays in November: 3-6pm Additional clinics are being planned in the downtown neighborhood that will be accessible on foot or bus to make vaccine access equitable across families’ transportation needs and healthcare status. Vaccine is also available at several local pediatrics offices. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine approved for 5-11 year olds will be given. A second dose must be at least 21 days after the first dose. You will be able to make the appointment for your child’s second dose at any of the above sites as soon as your child receives their first dose. One caregiver should plan to be with their child for their vaccination. These specific clinics are by appointment to accommodate the needs of children and for safe distancing in the vaccination area. This is the same vaccine that is available also at local pediatrics offices. Please note: The Pfizer vaccine approved for ages 12+ will NOT be available at these clinics. Booster shots will NOT be available at these clinics. ¡Vacuna de COVID-19 gratis para los niños de 5 a 11 años! No se necesita seguro. Las citas están abiertas para todos los niños en todos los sitios, independientemente de la escuela a la que asistan. https://www.northamptonma.gov/2219/Vaccine-Clinics O vaya a: www.northamptonma.gov y pulse en Clínicas de Vacunación Escuela Ryan Road Martes, 9 de Nov.: 4-6 p.m. Escuela Intermedia JFK Sábado 13 de Nov.: 12-3 p.m. Escuela Jackson Street Jueves 18 de Nov.: 4-6 p.m. Logia Elks, Florence, MA 17 Spring Street Domingo 7 de Nov.: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Lunes en Noviembre: 4-6 p.m. Jueves en Noviembre: 3-6 p.m. Se están planificando clínicas adicionales en el centro de la ciudad a las cuales podrá llegar a pie o en autobús para que el acceso a las vacunas sea equitativo para las necesidades de transporte de las familias y el estado de la atención médica. La vacuna también está disponible en varias oficinas de pediatría locales. Se administrará la vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech aprobada para los niños de 5 a 11 años. La segunda dosis tiene que ser por lo menos 21 días después de la primera dosis. Usted podrá programar la cita para la segunda dosis de su hijo/a en cualquiera de los sitios anteriores tan pronto como su hijo/a reciba su primera dosis. Un cuidador debe planear estar con su niño/a para su vacunación. Estas clínicas específicas son con cita previa para atender las necesidades de los niños y mantener un distanciamiento seguro en el área de vacunación. Esta es la misma vacuna que también está disponible en las oficinas de pediatría locales. Favor de tener en cuenta: La vacuna de Pfizer aprobada para los mayores de 12 años NO estará disponible en estas clínicas. Las vacunas de refuerzo NO estarán disponibles en estas clínicas.
Para hacer una cita y hallar más información:
Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund
The Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund is accepting applications and donations right now. This 89 year-old WONDERFUL fund helps families by providing a $40 voucher to local stores for any child* between the ages of 1-14.
DEADLINE: November 12, 2021
TO APPLY: Families can apply online at this link (Toy Fund Application) by November 12.* This is the fastest and most secure way to apply. We have application forms available at the front office if you would prefer to mail or deliver an application in person. Applications must be received by the Gazette by Nov 12, 2021.
New Curriculum Newsletter from Karen Albano
Welcome to our first volume of the NPS Elementary Curriculum Corner!I In this monthly newsletter, we will share curriculum news, offer a view into a different grade levels and curriculum, and share the many reasons we are grateful for the amazing NPS educators and all of the joy and learning taking place among the wonderful students in our schools!
Newsletter Link:
https://www.smore.com/4c1m2-nps-elementary-curriculum-corner?ref=email-content#w-5799051425
_________________________________
From the PTO
Dear BSS Families, (Mensaje en español abajo) The next PTO meeting is coming up on zoom next Tuesday, November 9 at 6:00 PM. This is a great way to learn more about the PTO and get involved with community building at our school. Here’s the meeting info: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82708615144?pwd=eVF4Z2UxdG1nOXQ5SmduQThaYWJsdz09 Meeting ID: 827 0861 5144 Passcode: 967349 And thank you to everyone who participated in the PTO pie and cookie dough fundraiser! Pie and cookie dough pick-up date is Friday, November 12 from 2:30 - 4:00 PM in the parking lot outside the school. You must pick up your pies and cookie dough at that time unless you have made alternate arrangements with Dina beforehand. Any pies and cookie dough that are not picked up on that date will be donated as they come frozen and we do not have the space to store them. Any questions, please contact Dina at dinakochanek@gmail.com or 413-297-8980. Many thanks!
Your PTO
Queridas familias de BSS, Únete a la reunión de Zoom
La próxima reunión del PTO se acerca en el zoom el próximo martes, 9 de noviembre a las 6:00 PM. Esta es una gran manera de aprender más sobre el PTO y participar en la construcción de la comunidad en nuestra escuela. Aquí está la información de la reunión:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82708615144?pwd=eVF4Z2UxdG1nOXQ5SmduQThaYWJsdz09
ID de la reunión: 827 0861 5144
Código de acceso: 967349
¡Y gracias a todos los que participaron en la recaudación de fondos del PTO para pasteles y masa de galletas! La fecha de recogida de los pasteles y la masa de galletas es el viernes 12 de noviembre de 2:30 a 4:00 PM en el estacionamiento fuera de la escuela. Usted debe recoger sus pasteles y masa de galletas en ese momento a menos que haya hecho arreglos alternativos con Dina de antemano. Los pasteles y la masa de galletas que no se recojan en esa fecha serán donados ya que vienen congelados y no tenemos espacio para almacenarlos. Si tiene alguna pregunta, póngase en contacto con Dina en dinakochanek@gmail.com o en el 413-297-8980.
Muchas gracias.
Su PTO
PTO Save The Date
- Tuesday, November 9 at 6:00 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, December 14 at 2:30 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, January 11 at 6:00 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, February 8 at 2:30 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, March 8 at 6:00 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, April 12 at 2:30 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, May 10at 6:00 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, June 14 at 2:30 PM - PTO Meeting
Important Dates
November 10th: Last Day of Liftoff Learning
November 10th: School Council Meeting 6:30-8:00 p.m.
November 11th: Veteran's Day-No School
November 24th: 1/2 Day Dismissal 11:30 a.m.
November 25th and 26th: No School Thanksgiving Break
November 30th: Liftoff Learning Resumes
BSS Art News
Hello BSS families. This year I plan to write up a little information about what each grade is doing for art in the monthly Newsletter. I plan to photograph all of the students’ artwork and make another google slideshow for viewing in June. Here is the link for the art show I created last June if you didn’t have a chance to see it yet:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UFLsF9VyERsBQFKuh6u_tj2pD9siR9HWUOqvYGd6hkM/edit?usp=sharing
5th Grade:
The fifth graders learned how to draw cylinders and cones and created their own planet or city using the new way to draw those shapes. Their drawings are very creative and unique! They are now learning about the Mexican artist: Frida Kahlo, who is famous for making self-portraits.They are creating a self-portrait using colored pencils and watercolor paints.
4th Grade:
The fourth graders drew objects in a Still-Life that were set up at each table. Their still-life drawings were created by trying to draw 3-dimensional objects on a flat surface by adding shading and shadows. They used colored pencils and watercolors.
3rd Grade:
The third graders drew an animal portrait from a photo of their choice. The animal portraits were colored using texture with colored pencils. The next step was to paint a frame for their portraits, which they used metallic colored paints. Once the paper was dry they cut a window out of the paper and made an Art Journal with the scraps, which they took home already. The framed Animal Portraits are beautiful!
2nd Grade:
The second graders learned about the artist, Kelsey Montague, who created large murals depicting designs inside wing shapes. Her work is on social media showing people from around the globe in front of her beautiful wings. The first graders made a mural in the hallway for everyone to enjoy.
1st Grade:
The first graders learned about the Dutch artist, Vincent van Gogh, who is famous for painting Sunflowers. Their sunflowers are just as colorful, especially with yellow as that was Vincent’s favorite color. They used oil pastels and watercolors for their sunflower pictures.
Kindergarten:
The kindergarteners are learning about abstract Art, using shapes, lines and patterns to create several works of art. Now they are creating a city street using lines and shapes with inspiration from pictures of downtown Northampton.