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

Good afternoon!

I hope you all had a nice week. We've had some strange weather with temps near 80 last week and now much cooler. I'm afraid our days of fall weather are coming to an end. As the weather begins to change, it's a good idea to have kids wear layers. It's quite cool in the mornings and a bit warmer in the afternoons. As we head into the winter months, please let us know if you need assistance with getting winter coats for your children. We are happy to help. Families can contact me or Laurie Sperry.

All students will be dismissed at 12:20 everyday next week for parent/teacher conferences. If your children will be going home a different way than they typically do, please notify the office.

Please Participate in the District Review Parent Survey

The Northampton Public School District is scheduled to participate in a District Review this year. The Office of District Reviews and Monitoring (ODRM) at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) conducts district reviews on a regular basis to provide all districts with an assessment of district systems, enabling district leaders to reflect on progress and strengthen performance.

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!

The week of October 22nd is half days every day for parent/teacher conferences. Dismissal will be at 12:20 everyday. If you have not filled out the bag lunch form that went home please do. If your student does not need a bag lunch please recycle the handout.

The PTO is also going to start collecting Box Tops. Please check your pantries and cupboards for those purple Box Tops and send them along in your children’s folders. The deadline is Nov. 1. We’ll collect the Box Tops which then translate into funds for Bridge Street School. Look for flyers in your children’s folders soon with more details.

Also, it is that time of the year again for the Lyman Orchard pies and Otis Spunkmeyer cookies fundraiser! Order deadline is 10/23 and the pie and cookie dough delivery date is 11/5. Order forms have already gone home. There will be extra forms in the office if you need another one! Please contact Dina with any questions at dinakochanek@gmail.com.

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!

On November 7th we are having an event that has never been done before in the NPS. We are having a vision and action forum to help make our school an ideal model school for all. However, this work can not be done without you! You have all received a letter explaining the event with a link to a survey (https://www.research.net/r/BridgeForum). The survey is confidential and will provide us with information around major themes that emerge. There will be childcare, supervised play, and a movie for the children. The event will be held on November 7 from 5:00-7:30 pm. Also, please fill out the RSVP form that was sent home if you plan on attending. Here is the link to do the RSVP online if you'd rather: http://tinyurl.com/BSSForumRSVP. This will help to give us an accurate count for ordering food and help to determine how many adults are needed for childcare. There are extra copies of both the survey and RSVP form on Ms. Nicole’s desk in the office if you need another one!

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.

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

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This year the 5th graders will be taking their annual Nature's Classroom Field Trip from November 13-16th. It is important to let us know if your child will be going on the trip or not. It is an overnight trip. It is also in November, which means much cooler temperatures and the possibility of snow. If you are in need of supplies or clothing for this trip, please notify Laurie Sperry by calling the main office. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the trip, please contact me.

A representative from Nature's Classroom will be at school to meet with all fifth grade students on October 30th.

If you haven't turned in all of your paperwork yet, please do so asap.

Thank you.

I will be starting my Principal's Chats in November. I will create a schedule in the coming weeks. Most of them will be off school grounds in order to reach more families.

Ms. Kent's kindergarten class will be presenting at Monday's celebration. All families and community members are welcome to attend at 9:00 a.m. in the cafeteria.

I have attached the celebration presentation schedule below.

Oct. 22-26 Half Days everyday for parent/teacher conferences. Dismissal is at 12:20 p.m.

*Day conference times and dates are Mon, Wed, Fri, from 1:00pm-3:00pm. Evening conference times and dates are Tue, Thur, from 6:00pm-8:00pm. All appointments are 20 minutes long.