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
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week and School Lunch Heroes Day (Friday). If you get a moment to thank a teacher and our cafeteria staff this week, please do so. They deserve our appreciation for all that they have done and continue to do for our kids and school.
During the past couple of years we had no idea what challenges we were going to be faced with when it came to educating our children. Learning new technology, supporting students with academic loss as well as challenges with peer and social interactions and social emotional learning are just a few. Never mind the endless hours during the day and night trying to plan for the next day of unpredictable circumstances. We have been faced with a high absenteeism of both kids and staff due to illness and protocols as well as staffing shortages. Yet, through it all, our teachers and staff do it without complaining. As a school leader, nothing hurts more than seeing your students and staff struggle. Our teachers are the best, and I really mean that. Last year when I gave my 5th grade graduation speech I spent a minute thanking the teachers coming out of remote learning and recognized the challenges they dealt with and I was criticized for talking about the teachers and that I cared too much about them. I am glad to take that criticism because yes, I do care about them, and they deserved one minute of my speech for me to express my sincere love and gratitude for each and everyone of them. There will never be enough words to express my deep appreciation for their work and I hope you all can take a moment to thank them too. Thank you to all of the BSS faculty and staff, we could not do this without you!
Thank you and have a wonderful week!
Ed Trust Survey
Dear Caregivers and Community Members:
The Northampton Public Schools is committed to creating more equitable opportunities for students by seeking feedback from stakeholders. If you are willing to share your thoughts please click on the link below. https://bit.ly/3ELj5z7
Please take a moment to fill out the survey. Your input is important to us.
Covid Update April 29, 2022
Vaccine Clinic
https://www.northamptonma.gov/2219/Vaccine-Clinics and clicking on vaccine clinics. If you find the online appointment challenging or would like to speak with a nurse before making a decision about the vaccine, we will assist you when you arrive. Neither insurance nor ID are required, however if you would like to bring them to the appointment, it can be helpful for record keeping purposes. Immigration status will not be asked. Children do not need to attend a Northampton Public School to receive a vaccine. Together we can keep our children and community healthy.
From the PTO
Dear BSS friends! (Mensaje en español abajo)
It’s the season of appreciation and we’re gearing up to show our fabulous BSS teachers and staff how much we care about them. The PTO is hosting a staff breakfast, bulb giveaway, candy car, and lunch throughout next week and we’d love to have your help in putting it all together. Check out volunteer opportunities here and email president@bss.org with any questions. It’s also a great moment for kids to make cards or send along a note of gratitude to your teachers and ESP’s.
This Sunday’s playground meet-up will include a special teacher appreciation activity. Join us for an afternoon of fun hosted by the third grade (with snacks) from 2:00-4:00 PM. All grades are welcome and no need to RSVP, just come and play!
The annual SEPAC listening session with the Office of Student Services administration and the Superintendent is being held on Tuesday, May 3 at 7:00 PM on zoom. This event offers SEPAC households the opportunity to speak directly and in solidarity with our district’s special education leadership and a chance to say hello to Josh Dickson, the new director. Zoom info is here:
https://zoom.us/j/98562288783?pwd=dURyOWhVVDJ5MzhiOVBmQzA1Z0kyZz09
Meeting ID: 985 62288783
Passcode: 5QtNy1
Our next PTO meeting is coming up on Tuesday, May 10 at 6:00 PM. We’ll be meeting on zoom and you can find the meeting info here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85773417871?pwd=Rm13T1Bmc1BCWlB6SEtya0V2VlhkZz09
Meeting ID: 857 7341 7871
Passcode: 345732
You can always stay connected to your BSS pals through the family directory. You can find contact info for your classmates here with password bridgestreet21-22. If you don’t see your info, or need to update it, feel free to reach out to president@bsspto.org.
Thanks for all you do!
Your PTO
¡Queridos amigos de BSS!
Es la temporada de agradecimiento y nos estamos preparando para mostrar a nuestros fabulosos maestros y personal de BSS lo mucho que nos importan. El PTO está organizando un desayuno para el personal, un regalo de bombillas, un carro de caramelos y un almuerzo durante la próxima semana y nos encantaría tener su ayuda para organizarlo todo. Compruebe las oportunidades de voluntariado aquí y envíe un correo electrónico a president@bss.org con cualquier pregunta. También es un gran momento para que los niños hagan tarjetas o envíen una nota de agradecimiento a sus maestros y ESP's.
El encuentro de este domingo en el patio incluirá una actividad especial de agradecimiento a los profesores. Únase a nosotros para una tarde de diversión organizada por el tercer grado (con bocadillos) de 2:00-4:00 PM. Todos los grados son bienvenidos y no es necesario confirmar su asistencia, ¡sólo venga a jugar!
La sesión anual de escucha de SEPAC con la administración de la Oficina de Servicios Estudiantiles y el Superintendente se lleva a cabo el martes, 3 de mayo a las 7:00 PM en el zoom. Este evento ofrece a los hogares de SEPAC la oportunidad de hablar directamente y en solidaridad con el liderazgo de la educación especial de nuestro distrito y la oportunidad de saludar a Josh Dickson, el nuevo director. La información de Zoom está aquí:
https://zoom.us/j/98562288783?pwd=dURyOWhVVDJ5MzhiOVBmQzA1Z0kyZz09
ID de la reunión: 985 62288783
Código de acceso: 5QtNy1
Nuestra próxima reunión del PTO se acerca el martes, 10 de mayo a las 6:00 PM. Nos reuniremos en el zoom y usted puede encontrar la información de la reunión aquí:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85773417871?pwd=Rm13T1Bmc1BCWlB6SEtya0V2VlhkZz09
ID de la reunión: 857 7341 7871
Código de acceso: 345732
Siempre puedes estar conectado con tus compañeros de BSS a través del directorio familiar. Puedes encontrar la información de contacto de tus compañeros aquí con la contraseña bridgestreet21-22. Si no ves tu información, o necesitas actualizarla, no dudes en ponerte en contacto con president@bsspto.org.
¡Gracias por todo lo que hacéis!
Su PTO
Traducción realizada con la versión gratuita del traductor www.DeepL.com/Translator
SAVE THE DATES
- Tuesday, May 10at 6:00 PM - PTO Meeting
- Tuesday, June 14 at 2:30 PM - PTO Meeting
SPIFFY Coalition Paid Parent/Caregiver Focus Groups
5th Grade
Hello 5th grade families and caregivers,
Happy Spring to all of you!
There are several things happening at BSS for the 5th grade and lots of opportunities to volunteer, including:
- Fundraising – we need to raise funds for the yearbook, Nature Week, promotion (graduation), and a class gift to the school. Attached is a flyer that you can distribute to your friends and family. If you are willing and able, you can make your own donation here: Bridge Street School, Northampton, 5th Grade (givebutter.com). We will also be asking community businesses (Herrels, Big Y, etc.) to show their support of their local school with donations. If you have a personal connection with a business that may be able might help us please contact motownjen@yahoo.com. We hope to raise at least $2,500.
- Volunteers are needed to work on fundraising, promotion, and the yearbook. If you’d like to volunteer, please sign up here or contact Stacey Dakai at sdakai@gmail.com.
- Promotion date is June 23 at 9:00 AM with a rain date of June 24 at 9:00 AM.
- Yearbook – Please provide 6-8 photos of your child(ren) for the yearbook. You can drop the photos in here. There is a folder for each child in 5th grade; click on your child(ren)’s teacher and find the correct folder to put photos in. Also, please provide your name and email address on the BSS 5th Grade Yearbook spreadsheet so that folks working on the yearbook can contact you, if necessary. If you have questions about the yearbook, contact Catarina at costawofford@gmail.com.
- Nature Week is scheduled for the week of May 9 – 14. There are currently two days scheduled at BSS with the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary and one day with Nature on Wheels. The other two day are in the process of being coordinated.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Stacey Dakai at sdakai@gmail.com
Important Dates
May 2-6-Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6-School Lunch Heroes Day
May 11-School Nurses Day
May 30-No School-Memorial Day
June 20-No School-Juneteenth
June 21-Field Day
June 23-5th Grade Promotion (June 24 rain date)
June 23-Last day for 4-day/week preschool
June 24-Last day for 5-day/week preschool
June 27-Last day of school K-5 (1/2 day-11:30 dismissal)
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
_________________________________
From Nurse Jessica
From Nurse Jess
Prior Resources/Letters/Important Information
Spring Clothing Drive
My name is Amelia Durbin, and I'm an 8th grader at JFK Middle School. This spring, I'm planning to do a kids clothing drive for Northampton, in partnership with Project 351 and Cradles 2 Crayons. I am hoping that you might send a virtual flyer out to the parents and caregivers at your schools.
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/
