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

Just a reminder that the website I use to create my weekly newsletters, now has translation in many different languages. Here are the steps to have it translated:

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.

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.

Good afternoon, I hope you all had a nice week.

It's that time of year again where our amazing 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders get ready to take the MCAS (Massachusetts Common Assessment System). All 3rd-5th grade families received a letter earlier this week with the testing schedule and tips to help your child(ren) come prepared for testing. It is very important that they have a nutritious breakfast and come to school well rested. Testing can cause anxiety, and we work hard at BSS to not make students feel pressured around testing. We all know that this test is a snap shot of a child and does not measure the whole child. The test helps inform schools where they need to make curricular improvements, changes to instruction, and it helps us to see where the gaps are in both of those areas. In order to get the most accurate data, it is important that ALL 3rd-5th graders participate in the test. I've attached the letter to 3rd-5th grade families below in case you did not receive it. Please let me know if you have any questions.

On Wednesday, April 3rd, Tasha Rimany (BSS Math Interventionist) and Jim Hanson (District Math Coach), will be presenting a Math Workshop for Parents and Guardians of K-2nd grade students. We hope that all K-2 families can attend to learn how we assess your child's progress in number sense development. The workshop is from 6:15-7:45 p.m. in the BSS library. Child care will be provided. Please see attached flyer.

The lost and found was packed up and donated yesterday. There are a few winter coats left, if you think your child is missing a winter coat, please stop in to look through it. The lost and found is located just outside of the cafeteria.

Thank you,

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Unfortunately we are still waiting on furniture for the library. The bookcases, circulation desk, and some other seating have not arrived yet. Once all of the furniture is in, we will then be reaching out for volunteers to help Mrs. Richards get all of the books out on the shelves. This has been a long process but we are excited to see it when it is complete. Thank you for your patience.

The faculty/staff and I are beginning the process of planning for next year. As it looks right now we will have: 2 kindergarten, 2 first grades, 3 second grades, 2 co-taught 3rd grades, 2 fourth grades, and 2 fifth grades. We will be moving faculty/staff around in order to meet the needs of our students and will update you once the process is complete.

Also, I'd like to congratulate Ms. Leslie Stein. She will be retiring at the end of this year as a special education teacher at BSS. Leslie-thank you for your many years of dedication to the students of Northampton and especially our BSS students. We wish you all of the best in your retirement.

Our annual Week of the Young Child Festival is coming up on Saturday, April 6th at the Jackson St. School.

See flyer below.

Our next celebration will be for all K-5 students on April 11th. Parents who ran the read-a-thon will be presenting. Celebration begins at 9:00 a.m. in the cafeteria. All are welcome to attend.

4/3/19 K-2 Math Workshop 6:15-7:45 p.m.

4/10/19 PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30 p.m.

4/15-4/19/19 No School, Spring Recess

4/23/19 K-2 Spring Concert 9:30 a.m. BSS Cafeteria

6/10/19 5th Grade Graduation 9:15 a.m. BSS Gym