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

I'd like to wish our families who celebrate the festival of lights a very Happy Hanukkah. Hanukkah began at sundown on December 2nd and lasts until sundown on December 10th. I wish you all joy and happiness not only during Hanukkah but throughout the year.

I really don't like to sound like I'm lecturing, however, there has been a lot of concern raised regarding the video games many of our students are playing, in particular, Fortnite. First, all video games have ratings just like a movie. Fortnite is rated T for teen. We do not have teenagers in our building. The game has violence and it encourages kids to make in-game purchases. I recently learned that kids are learning on youtube and elsewhere from other kids on how to take and use multiple credit cards from their parents to buy these in-game purchases. The game also exposes children to random online players that they do not know. It is not my job to tell you how to parent, however, it is my job to share with you the growing concern that I have regarding this video game, the dangers of our children meeting and playing with strangers online, and the impact it is having on their behavior in school. When I first heard about Fortnite I thought it was a dancing game. As someone who cares deeply for your children and their safety, all I ask is that you read the ratings and the descriptions of any game you purchase (and not by the company trying to sell them); there are reasons why these games are not rated for young children.

As we all share in the excitement of the holiday season, please remember that we have students and families who celebrate holidays other than Christmas. I am in no way saying to diminish what you do, all I ask is that you have conversations with your children about remembering that right now we have students and families celebrating Hanukkah, there may be students and families celebrating Kwanzaa December 26th-January 1st, and we may have families celebrating other holidays or none at all. Being mindful and respecting all beliefs and religions is important in an inclusive environment. Thank you.

I hope that all of you have a wonderful season with your family and friends.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Look Park has agreed to open their doors for Santa's Trains and to meet Santa for sensory and special needs kids! The date is Saturday Dec 15th 1:30 - 3-ish (doors open to the public at 4) so kids can get some quiet time with the trains, decorations, and meet Santa with less crowds. It's free for all.

Please see Spanish flyer attached below.

Poem Honoring Ethan

Ethan is a happy four year old boy.

Though he cannot stand , he sure does stand out in the crowd.
He has a special chair to get him round
Known as Ethan’s Ferrari
He loves being spun around in it
Which makes his moms stomach turn.
He loves fast racing cars
Like most boys do

You will always hear a beeping sound
Whenever Ethan is around
He has so much equipment you see.
Ethan always has to have an oxygen cylinder like the one the deep sea divers have.
He has a ventilator which is a machine to help him breathe
And a cool tube that sticks out of his neck called a tracheostomy.
The extra loud beep that you may hear often is a monitor which tells you how he is doing.
Oh and he has a really special button in his tummy where his food goes through.
Yes he likes his food
Like most boys do

Ethan is funny
He has a cheeky smile
Although he cannot speak he sure can tell you a lot by his facial expressions
He loves being read to,
loves music and being sang to.
Best of all he enjoys massages

Next time you see someone like Ethan
Don’t stare, be kind and talk to them if you like .
They are just like you and I only different but the same really.

Written by Kasandra Masango
Inclusive Schools Week 2018

There will no salads available next week (12/10-12/14)

All kindergarten aged students must be picked up by a parent/guardian or someone on the student’s pick up list. No kindergarten aged student will be let off the bus without an approved adult/guardian. This is a district policy and for the children’s safety.

The next PTO meeting will be on December 12th at 6:30 p.m.

The PTO is sponsoring the 2nd annual BSS Family Craft Night on Friday, 12/14/18 from 6-8pm in the cafeteria. There will be button making, pipe cleaner ornaments, card making, duct tape flower pens, reindeer ornaments, picture frame decorating, and open crafts. The 5th grade will have pizza and treats for sale.

The next celebration will be for all K-5 students and families on December 10th at 9:00 a.m. The fourth grade music classes will be presenting.

12/12/18 PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m.

12/14/18 Family Craft Night

12/24/18-1/1/19 No School, Holiday break

1/2/19-First day of the New Year.

Thank you to all of you who honored and celebrated inclusive schools week and thank you to community member and school council member, Becky Shannon, for her wonderful fiddle music on Wednesday morning. Our students and staff enjoyed hearing you play as they entered the building in the morning.