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 Sawula, Senior Clerk nsawula@northampton-k12.us

As most of you are aware, I have been in a doctoral program since last summer. The second semester will begin next week. There were some questions as to who the head teacher is in my absence and there were some who thought that I attend classes every Friday. My program is a 3 year program designed for working administrators which means it happens two weeks in the summer and 5 weekends (Friday/Saturday) a semester. Due to the weekend classes taking place on Fridays, I agreed to not attend any other professional development for the next 3 years that would take me out of the building. Carol Ruyffelaert has been the head teacher for the past couple of years and steps into my place when I am absent and we get a substitute for her. She also is the acting principal if I am out of the building for a meeting. I put the spring dates of my program under Important Dates.

I don't usually get political, but I have to say I was deeply disturbed by remarks that were made on the national level about specific countries and the continent of Africa yesterday. It reminded me of the work we have started as faculty and staff on cultural proficiency. We had a faculty meeting this past Monday where much of our work on cultural proficiency will take place. At the end of the staff meeting I had the faculty watch a video of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She did a Ted Talk called 'The Danger of a Single Story.' I have attached the link below because I think her message is powerful. Also, given the local news regarding BSS and the way our wonderful school has been unfairly portrayed, as well as the national news yesterday, I think it is important for all of us to remember the danger of a single story and the harm it can have on a person, a race, a family, and a school.

Thank you and have a wonderful long weekend.

January 15: No School-Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 16: Principal's Chat 8:35-9:30 a.m. Library

January 17: Library Committee Meeting 3:15 p.m. Library

Principal Choquette's Spring Semester Doctoral Dates:

Jan. 19

Feb. 9

Mar. 16

Apr. 6

Apr. 27

Snow Date: May 4