Principal's Weekly
Dr. Beth N. Choquette
Bridge Street School
2 Parsons Street
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
413-587-1460 (phone) 413-587-1474 (fax)
Dr. Beth N. Choquette, Principal bchoquette@northamtpon-k12.us
Elizabeth Peterson, Administrative Assistant epeterson@northampton-k12.us
Jordan Celino, Secretary jcelino@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.
Bridge Street School Vision and Mission Statements
Bridge Street School’s faculty and staff, caregivers, and community are committed to providing educational excellence and equity to its students by challenging the injustices that create barriers to high academic achievement, to access and opportunities to learn, to high-quality teaching and learning, and to a climate of belonging. This commitment to educational equity, where all children are successful regardless of their personal, social, or cultural contexts, is at the core of our practices, structures, and policies.
A Message from Principal Choquette
It's hard to believe that we are headed into March. Spring is around the corner, we'll be changing the clocks again next week, and the remainder of the school year really gets busy. March is a long month for sure, but knowing that the nicer weather is coming and that we have made a positive turn for the better in regards to the pandemic, will hopefully cheer everyone up and help us all to feel hopeful for what lies ahead.
Over the coming weeks I will be starting up my "Principal's Chats" again. I think for now, during the colder weather, they will have to be over zoom, and hopefully once the weather is warmer, I can hold one or two outdoors before the years end. I will also be holding some specific grade level meetings as well. The fifth graders will be gearing up for their "Nature Week" (more information coming soon) and for their end of the year activities so it will be important for 5th grade caregivers to join any 5th grade meetings I hold. I will also be starting up my weekly celebrations again, but by grade level and unfortunately, without visitors. I may not start with all grade levels right away, currently, I am planning on 2nd and 3rd grade. We are still struggling with some ongoing behaviors. 2nd graders are struggling with personal space/boundaries. They are very hands on with each other (not in an aggressive/angry way). They are constantly touching each other out of play, and even without covid protocols, we have a "no hands on" policy at school out of respect for each other. With 3rd grade, we are still struggling with kindness and treating everyone with respect. We are seeing bullying type behaviors and some real verbal unkindness towards peers. It would be a big help if caregivers could remind their children, regardless of their grade, about keeping hands to ourselves and treating everyone with respect and kindness at school. Our students need to know that their caregivers, teachers, and school are working together to create a welcoming and safe community for all who enter our doors.
I'd like to thank all of our classrooms that participated in the African-American Read In before the break. Below is a PDF of a slideshow used in classrooms that I thought I would share with you. A special thanks to our Diversity and Equity Committee for pulling it all together.
As we are seeing better numbers and less illness in regards to the pandemic. I'd like to remind you all to please not send your children to school if they have any symptoms of illness. We have done a really great job at keeping the pandemic out of school and although things are getting better, we can't stop protecting each other.
Finally, I'd like to announce the upcoming retirements of our PE teacher, Kathy Flaherty as well as our kindergarten special education teacher, Martha Hopkins. Both will be retiring at the end of this school year. Kathy and Martha have given so much to our kids and our school and to the field of education. We will be sorry to see them go, but wish them all the best in this next chapter of their lives. Best of luck and happy retirement to you both!
As always, feel free to reach out to me anytime. Have a great rest of your Sunday.
Johanna McKenna Obituary
https://obits.masslive.com/us/obituaries/masslive/name/johanna-mckenna-obituary?id=33314923
PTO Save The Date
- Tuesday, March 8 at 6:00 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, April 12 at 2:30 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, May 10at 6:00 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, June 14 at 2:30 PM - PTO Meeting
Important Dates
March 8: All Schools School Council Joint Meeting 4-6 p.m.
March 10: Kindergarten Registration 2:30-5:30 BSS
March 29: MCAS begin for grades 3-5
New Curriculum Newsletter from Karen Albano
Welcome to our first volume of the NPS Elementary Curriculum Corner!I In this monthly newsletter, we will share curriculum news, offer a view into a different grade levels and curriculum, and share the many reasons we are grateful for the amazing NPS educators and all of the joy and learning taking place among the wonderful students in our schools!
Newsletter Link:
https://www.smore.com/4c1m2-nps-elementary-curriculum-corner?ref=email-content#w-5799051425
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From Nurse Jessica
Prior Resources/Letters/Important Information
Girls on the Run
State At-Home Covid Testing Consent/Information
Link to district website re: State At-Home Covid Testing Consent/Information
https://northamptonschools.org/additional-covid-screening-options-consent-needed/