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
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.
A Message From Principal Choquette
We were hoping to hear from the state about next steps for remote learning, but we did not. I am anticipating that we will be receiving guidance from the state on how remote learning may need to change given the new closure date. We appreciate your patience during all of this. Everyone is doing the best that they can and everyone is following the guidance put forth by the commissioner and the department of special education.
Our next school council is meeting at 4:30 on April 30th. The agenda and zoom link are attached below.
I would like to say something about our teachers. They really are my heroes. Remote teaching is almost like starting all over again as a new teacher. Learning how to navigate on-line instruction and meetings while at the same time figuring out how to assist their own children with their remote learning expectations, dealing with sickness in their home and of their friends and families, working endless hours to collaborate with their grade-level teams across the district to ensure some continuity of enrichment and instruction, all has been a huge undertaking, and I just want to take a moment to thank them for everything they are doing.
Have a nice weekend,
Principal Choquette
Thank You For Sharing Your Photos-Keep Them Coming!
Governor Baker's Update on School Closure
Governor Baker announced that public and private schools (not including residential special education schools) will stay closed through the end of the school year. This is a necessary step to keep everyone as healthy as possible. Remote learning is even more important now, and DESE will issue additional guidance to public schools later this week.
The Department is working with various stakeholders to help get students the technological resources they need.
Commissioner Riley views the state’s response to COVID-19 as having four phases:
- The initial school closures, with a focus on students’ and families’ immediate needs, such as safety and food;
- The initial remote learning recommendations, before anyone knew how long schools would be closed;
- The remote learning update that will come later this week, following the announcement that schools will not reopen this school year; and
- Re-opening school, a process that will take shape in the coming months.
New Communication from Special Education
Remote Learning Expectations
I would like to offer clarification:
-Remote learning should occur for 3 hours a day. That time includes both teacher-directed and student-directed learning. Those three hours should not only be focused on academics, but also art, music, PE, and play.
-Teachers are not required to provide synchronous (**see definition of synchronous learning below) learning. Some teachers may be doing it, but that is an individual decision.
-Grade-level teachers across the district created the remote learning plans together. The plan provides you with a menu of options to choose from around various academic areas. However, teachers may decide to do additional things that may be part of their own classroom culture and community such as podcasts, class dojo, google meets, etc.
We all understand the challenges of remote learning and we want to be as helpful and supportive as we can. So please, if you have particular concerns about your child, we ask that you reach out to your child's teacher. They are all willing to help and support you, but please understand, they are all trying to make the best out of a really challenging situation. They miss your children and are also struggling with not being in school.
**Synchronous learning is a general term used to describe forms of education, instruction, and learning that occur at the same time, but not in the same place. The term is most commonly applied to various forms of televisual, digital, and online learning in which students learn from instructors, colleagues, or peers in real time, but not in person.
Fifth Grade News
Zoom link for the 4/27/20 4:00-5:00 p.m. meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/99626810167?pwd=TTNkMVpmU1RKYTJFM2FoNkhBK1lkUT09 Meeting ID: 996 2681 0167 Password: 060350
Link to the doodle poll: ttps://doodle.com/poll/q2vupki6fri46b99
Technology
Resource of how-to's from Mr. Cantler
Here a resource to help families with how-tos.
It has English and Spanish PDFs & videos for things like:
-how to log into a chromebook at home
-how to get to Lexia
-how to to get to Google Classroom
Reading Time with the Principal (New)
Pearl Fairweather Pirate Captain Part 5 by Jayneed Sanders
Pages 22-23: What does 'conditions' mean? Do you think Pearl's conditions were fair? Why do you say that? Should people try to work together in harmony and show respect for one another? Why? Why not? do you think we should respect one another in their classroom/house? why do you say that? How might we do better? Was Pearl right to tell Captain McCross she did not want him to take over her ship? Why do you say that? Can people take things away from other people just because they want to? Why? Why not? Why do you think Captain McCross would not agree to these conditions (rules)? Would you agree to these conditions? Why? Why not?
Pages 24-25: Was Pearl right to ask the crew of the Scurvy Dog what they wished to do? Why do you say that? Why do you think the crew was happy to agree to Pearl's conditions? Do you think they will be happy working with all the other pirates on Harmony? Why do you say that? Would you be happy working on Pearl's ship? Why? Why not?
Pages 26-27: Why did Captain Pearl say to Captain McCross, 'Then that is your choice'? Sometimes we have choices. We can choose to work together or not. Do you think Captain McCross made the right decision? Why do you think that? Do you have choices in your life? What choices do you have? What is an 'angry pout?' Can you show me an angry pout?
Pages 28-29: Why did Pearl get the crew from the Scurvy Dog to sign a document with all the conditions listed? Do you think the crew will keep to these conditions? Why? Why not? Can people from many different countries work together in harmony? Why? Why not? Do you think the crew would need some rules that they would have to keep to? What rules do we have in the classroom/house? Why do we have these rules? Why did Captain McCross end up all alone in a small boat? Do you think we will ever change his ways? Why? Why not? Do we all need to change our ways from time to time? How might we have to change our ways?
New Quote from 365 Days of Wonder Mr. Browne's PRECEPTS by R.J. Palacio
I feel no need for any other faith than my faith in human beings.
-Pearl. S. Buck
New Idea of the Week from Principal Choquette
Kids have the best eyes for this kind of thing. Give them each a dime so they can compare and an old yogurt container to hold the rocks.
Previous Weekly Postings
Remote Learning
Letter from Elementary Principals: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N1K4ghiiQ9DXRjls5sPaWNjaRHohcdHW/
Remote Learning Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11QIJ6IGTZmxOD6XM6sX55UgAYRX3WwqfcEWvRJeNMN4/
Letter for Families of Special Education Students: https://docs.google.com/document/d/114urNiRILULVAIY43MveHCIdnkWBZrUR1nyTGc7UYz0/edit?usp=sharing
To Our Students...We Love and Miss You All.
Quote from 365 Days of Wonder Mr. Browne's PRECEPTS by R.J. Palacio
April 17, 2020
Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.
-Henry van Dyke
April 10, 2020
He was a bold man that first ate an oyster.
-Jonathan Swift
April 1, 2020
What is beautiful is good, and who is good will soon be beautiful.
-Sappho
March 27, 2020
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.
-Johann Wolfgang van Goethe
March 24, 2020
The man who moves a mountain must start by moving small stones.
-Chinese proverb
March 20, 2020
Where there is love, there is joy.
-Mother Teresa
March 18, 2020
-Cate
District-Wide Adjustment Counselors Website
https://sites.google.com/northampton-k12.us/sacwebsite/home
Idea of the Week from Principal Choquette
7. Draw a map of your home and neighborhood.
In addition to be an important part of understanding how maps work, this activity helps kids define their world.
6. Imagine, create, and fly a full size flag that tells the world about you.
Everyone deserves to fly their own flag. Talk to kids about symbols and give them the creative stuff they need create their own flag: markers, crayons, paper, fabric, glitter, glue.
5. Imagine, create, and fly a full size flag that tells the world about you.
Everyone deserves to fly their own flag. Talk to kids about symbols and give them the creative stuff they need create their own flag: markers, crayons, paper, fabric, glitter, glue.
4. If you have stairs, walk up and count them. Walk down and count by twos. Walk up and count by threes. Continue through tens.
This simple math practice trick gets kids thinking about numbers and exercising!
3. Put your favorite book, toy, and keepsake on a small table in sunlight. Draw or paint a full color still life.
This is a great way to express your love for something. For a variation on this, try out different ways to paint the still life “like” a famous artist.
2. Be completely silent for 60 minutes, then write about the experience
In a world where there are so many distractions, it's amazing what we notice when we're silent.
1. Interview a family member
Taking the time out to learn more about the people in your family might surprise your children. Get them to dig deep and think about their questions and their responses. Save these interviews so you can read them again.
Ms. Dorrie's English Learner Website-Check it Out!
Math Problem of the Week-Just for fun (meant to do with an adult...they can be a challenge for sure!)
Special Education Resources
Art Ideas from Ms. Lilly
Updated Art Lessons from Ms. Lilly
Music Ideas from Ms. Michaud
Writing Prompts inspired by the New York Times-Sign up for free
Free Coloring Books from World Class libraries and museums
Important Information from Dr. Koerner, Mrs. Sperry, Ms. Nora, and Ms. Brittany
Reading With The Principal (Previous Readings)
Pearl Fairweather Pirate Captain Part 4 by Jayneed Sanders
Pages 16-17 What do you think 'tucked away' means? Do you think Harmony is safe tucked away in the Bay of Tranquility? Why? Why not? What do you think might be happening to the Scurvy Dog and her crew in the open sea?
Pages 18-19 Oh dear! What has happened here? Do you think Captain McCross wishes now he had listened to Captain Pearl Fairweather's advice? Why do you say that? Is it a good idea to always listen to people's advice? Why? Why not? Do you always have to do what other people say? Whose advice do you listen to? Why do you listen to that person? What things do you like about that person?
Pages 20-21 What do you think Pearl was really thinking when she saw the crew from the Scurvy Dog drifting towards her ship? When Pearl said, 'I suppose you want my ship?' was she being serious? Why do you say that? Even though Captain McCross was in a small boat far below Pearl's big ship, he was still being rude. Why do you think he acted like that? Why didn't Captain McCross just simply ask for help in a nice manner? If he had asked for help in a kind manner, do you think Pearl would have helped Captain McCross and his crew? Why do you say that? Do you think Pearl should let him come aboard? Why? Why not? What would you have done if you were Captain Pearl Fairweather?
Pearl Fairweather Pirate Captain Part 3 by Jayneed Sanders
Pages 14-15: What does 'not on your nelly mean?' (Definition: Cockney rhyming slang for 'not on your life.' Nelly rhymes with smelly, which moves on to smelly breath, breath moves on to breathing to keep alive, which then leads to 'not on your life.' Do you think Pearl was right to stand up to Captain McCross? Why do you say that? Why did Captain McCross decide to 'weather the storm' in the seas around the Islands of Plenty? Why has the author described him as 'rather silly?' What does 'tranquility' mean? Why do you think Pearl and her crew sailed Harmony to the Bay of Tranquility? What do you think is going to happen to Captain McCross and the crew on the Scurvy Dog? Do you think it was kind of Pearl to warn Captain McCross about the storm? Why? Why not? Why does Captain McCross think that he knows better than Captain Pearl Fairweather? Does Captain McCross think he is more powerful than Pearl? Why might he think that?
Pearl Fairweather Pirate Captain part 2 by Jayneen Sanders
Pages 10-11: Do you think Captain McCross was rude when he said, 'Give me your ship?' Did he have the right to take over Pearl's ship? Why? Why not? Why does he think he has the right to take over her ship? Why do you think he wanted to take over Pearl's ship in the first place? What did he mean when he said, 'I want none of your useless crew?' Why didn't he what the crew? What would you have done if you had been Captain pearl Fairweather? Should Captain McCross be speaking to Pearl in the this manner? Why? Why not? Do you think Captain McCross is a bully? Why do you say that? Should Captain McCross call Pearl a 'silly goose?' Why not? Why is it rude to call people names? How does it make people feel when they are called names? Should we call people names when we don't get what we want? Can you explain what you mean? Captain McCross was being 'disrespectful.' What does this mean? What should you do if someone is being disrespectful?
Pages 12-13: Why do you think Captain Pearl Fairweather did not answer Captain McCross? Why did she simply turn away? What would you do if someone was shouting at you? What does 'calmly and with grace' mean? Why was Pearl so calm? Did Pearl do the right thing by turning her ship away or should she have stayed to fight? Do you think Pearl showed she was a good leader? Why do you say that?
Pearl Fairweather Pirate Captain part 1 by Jayneen Sanders
'Pearl Fairweather, Pirate Captain' can be used as a teaching springboard for discussions around gender equality, respect, respectful relationships, empowerment, diversity, leadership, recognizing bullying behaviors, and the prevention of violence. All of these discussions only increase your child's sense of self-worth their confidence and empowerment,
Pages 4-5: Do you think Pearl's mother and grandmother were pirates? What kind of pirates do you think they were? Why do you think Pearl was different from other pirates?
Pages 6-7: What kind of adventures might Pearl have had? Where might she sail to? Why do you think Pearl stood tall and proud at the bow of her ship? What do you think the author meant when she wrote, 'the sea had gifted calm'?
Pages 8-9: Why do you think sailors came from all over the world to join Captain Pearl Fairweather on the good ship Harmony? Do you think Pearl was a good leader? Why do you say that? What qualities might a good leader have? Do you think people from different countries can live and work together peacefully? Why do you say that? Why do you think 'never a cross word was spoken' on Captain Pearl's ship? Why do you think Pearl's ship was called Harmony? What do you do if someone speaks to you in a cross or angry manner? Do you work well with: others in your classroom/your brother/sister at home? Why do you say that? How might you/the students in your classroom work together in a more respectful way? Why do you think the author has written, 'one cloudy afternoon' when Captain McCross is introduced into the story? Can you guess what type of character Captain McCross will be?