Dear Friends of Gateway:

Here is this week’s installment of Gateway’s weekly e-newsletter.  As always, your feedback and suggestions are welcome.  Back issues of Breaking News and past Superintendent’s Corners are posted on the News Archive (under “general information” on the district website).  As always, your feedback and any suggestions for improvements are welcome.   

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:  “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” – Former President Ronald Regan

COMING EVENTS: A schedule of activities for the week ending September 26, 2009 is now posted.  (Items for this calendar should be submitted at least two weeks ahead of time!)

UPCOMING MEETINGS: if you missed the last meeting of the Gateway Regional School Committee, you missed new data on the potential closing of our elementary schools (which will be posted to the EAC website). The Gateway Regional School Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. The Friends of Gateway will hold their first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 15th at 6:30 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office. New members are sought and are welcome to join this group, whose goals include improving communications, parent involvement, and volunteerism in support of student achievement. The public is invited and encouraged to attend all meetings.

TOWN OFFICIALS INVITED TO WEIGH IN ON SCHOOL CLOSINGS: Selectboard and Finance Committee members from the seven Gateway hilltowns have been invited to a meeting in the Gateway Performing Arts Center on September 23 to discuss the potential for some elementary schools to close next year.

(Photo: Area Town Officials at a School Committee Meeting last winter)

TEAM LEADERS APPOINTED TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: With our five elementary schools sharing one principal and one assistant principal, Team Leaders have been appointed at each school to help with issues that come up when the principals are away from the building.

SECOND ANNUAL FAMILY CARNIVAL AT LITTLEVILLE: Scheduled to coincide with National Family Day—A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children—Littleville Elementary School’s Second Annual Family Carnival will be held on Saturday, September 26 at the school.

MS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM STARTS NEXT WEEK: Would your middle school student like to join a Future Inventors Group? Do Outdoor Adventures? Have help with homework afterschool? If so, then the Middle School After-School Program might be just what you’re looking for. Session I begins on September 21, and slots will fill up quickly! Click along for the parent letter, information and registration form for Session I, enrollment form, and behavior policy.

SEPTEMBER 22 EARLY RELEASE DAY: Students in the Gateway Regional School District will have a two-hour early release day on Tuesday, September 22nd; lunch will be served at school.

14TH ANNUAL ALUMNI SOCCER GAME ON SEPTEMBER 26: All alumni who played soccer for Gateway Regional High School are invited to participate in the 14th Annual “Blue and Gold” Game. See the flyer for complete details.

“CUMULATIVE RECORD” FORMS GOING HOME: Elementary school red folders will have a pre-written cumulative record sheet. Parents are asked to review this sheet carefully and make any necessary updates or corrections in the right hand column. Please pay special attention to the Emergency Contact Information section. Parents/guardians are always the first two contacts; if both are unavailable, the school will turn to this information. Please make sure there are three people listed. This new format is being used to reduce paperwork demands on parents at the start of school. If the papers are returned and are accurate, we can keep this system going!

TOMORROW IS MIDDLE SCHOOL PICTURE DAY: Parents of Grade 5 and 6 students are reminded that their Picture Day will be Wednesday, September 16. Photos will be taken by Grynn & Barrett studios, and purchase packages are available. If order envelopes have been misplaced, just enclose payment in any size envelope with student’s name, address, phone, school grade, teacher, package number and background selection.

CHESTER PTO MEETING: The first PTO meeting for Chester Elementary School will be on Monday, September 21st at 6 p.m. at the school.

SEASONAL FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE FOR GATEWAY STAFF: The Gateway School-Based Health Center is offering seasonal flu vaccine for Gateway staff. The fee will be $20, first come first served. Limited quantities are available and staff must make an appointment at the SBHC.

LITTLEVILLE PTO BAKE SALE: The Littleville PTO will be holding a bake sale during the September 17 Open House. Cookies, cupcakes, popcorn or any baked treats are appreciated! Please separate into individual portions (such as 3-4 cookies in a baggie) to make them easier to sell. It is helpful to include a note with the name or flavor of the treat. Donations can be dropped off at the gym at the beginning of Open House. Also, a reminder that raffle basket items are needed as soon as possible.

CDC FLU PROTOCOLS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROVIDERS: The Centers for Disease Control has prepared this website for early childhood providers on the upcoming flu season. Included are a communication toolkit with sample letters to parents, fact sheets, and a poster to download and hang in entryways. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/childcare/toolkit/

PSAT’S FOR SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS: Sophomores and juniors who are thinking about attending college are advised to sign up now for the PSAT. The PSAT is the best practice for the SAT since the format and directions are the same for both tests. On average, students who take the PSAT score higher on the SAT than those who don’t. You also get free online access to My College Quickstart, a great college and career planning tool that lets you review your PSAT, provides you with a customized SAT study plan, and gives a personalized list of colleges, majors and careers. Juniors who take the PSAT may also qualify for scholarships and other programs. The PSAT will be given at Gateway Regional High School on Wednesday, October 14th. Students must sign up in the Guidance Office by Friday, October 2nd for this test. Cost is $14 (cash or check payable to the school), which must be paid at sign-up. You will then receive more information on the test as well as a practice test. Please contact the Guidance Office (413.685.1107) if you have questions about the PSAT.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: Dedicated to helping Gateway parents raise strong, safe, healthy and high-achieving kids!

 

WHAT KIDS REALLY WANT FOR DINNER IS…YOU! Research has shown that kids who eat dinner with their families are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol and more likely to do better in school.  It's that simple! September 29 is National Family Day--A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children. You can join other Hampshire County Families at a picnic in Look Park, join Littleville families at their Carnival on Saturday, or just do your own thing at home!

REMINDERS:

• COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS WORKSHOP FOR GATEWAY SENIORS AND THEIR PARENTS/GUARDIANS: The Gateway HS Guidance Department is hosting an evening workshop to help pave the way for seniors who plan to pursue education beyond high school, on September 17 from 6 – 7 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Please RSVP to 685-1107, jiglesias@grsd.org or sign up in person at the Guidance Office. Click on the flyer for additional information.
• NEW HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY: High school families are probably aware that an attendance policy has been in effect for many years; however, students and parents/guardians should take note of the new guidelines in place this year.
• GATEWAY ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE: A wonderful opportunity to meet teachers and staff face-to-face, look at student work, and see our beautiful schools!
• APPLICATION FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH: The application form is posted to our website. If you need assistance, please contact John Bergeron or Diane Meehan at 667-2204, who would be happy to help.

• FEES FOR 2009-10: As was reported earlier this year, student fees will be increasing for the coming school year.

• DISTRICT CALENDAR FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR: The district calendar for the coming school year is posted on-line, and contains Open House Dates, parent conferences, holidays, vacations, graduation and student early-release days.

• HOW TO FIND THE FALL HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULE: The high school sports schedule for fall sports is posted online at www.highschoolsports.net . Fall season tryout schedules are already posted on-line. Home games will continue to be posted in the “Week at a Glance” column of Breaking News.

• WEBSITE ON THE FUTURE OF GATEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Parents of students in Gateway elementary schools have a new resource for information as the district grapples with tough economic decisions and the possible closure of some schools. Click here for the website.

The Superintendent’s Corner for this week is attached. This week, Dr. Hopson gives a historical perspective on how we’ve reached a point where we are considering consolidating elementary schools. Read the entire column for details!

                                                                                           Wendy V. Long, Editor