Here is your current issue of Breaking News -- the weekly e-newsletter of the Gateway Regional School District. Previous issues of Breaking News and past Superintendent’s Corners are posted in the GRSD News Archive (under “News” on the district website).  As always, your feedback and any suggestions for improvements are welcome. 

THIS WEEK'S EVENTS: Tuesday, May 14 is the kickoff for this year's community reading event! Join the Gateway community for a "Delta Dinner" at 5:30 p.m. in the Gateway cafeteria. Chef Carlos Neville will cook; his father Charles Neville will entertain and speak about growing up in the region. FREE! See more details in the Reminders section, below. All are welcome, but please RSVP to 667-2203, ext. 3. 

ALSO: Wednesday night (May 15) at 6 p.m. is the Jr. High Orientation in the Gateway Performing Arts Center.

GATEWAY MUSICIANS SCORE AT MUSIC COMPETITION: Students scored three excellents and one good, and an individual musician--John Armitage--was one of three earning individual medals at the competition in New Jersey. Photos: Members of the Gateway bands and choirs, with their trophies.

SHIPMAN MEMORIAL CONCERT MAY 24: The public is invited to the first annual Shipman Memorial Concert, which will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 24 in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. 

CRAFTERS SOUGHT FOR 4TH ANNUAL GatorROO MUSIC FESTIVAL: Crafters are sought to sell their wares during the well-attended concert by Gateway children on Saturday, June 8 from 5:30 - 8 p.m. Click here for a form to register for a craft booth.

FOURTH GRADERS TO VISIT MIDDLE SCHOOL: The students will experience a (half) day in the life of a middle school student on May 23, visiting classes, learning their way around the building and having lunch in the cafeteria. Their parents are invited back in the evening for an orientation in the Gateway Performing Arts Center.

SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY: All schools, the Littleville Wrap Around Program and the Gateway Wellness Center will be closed. The parade schedule for the band is in the article.

KINDERGARTEN SCREENING REMINDER: Gateway elementary schools are holding kindergarten screenings for any child who will be age 5 on or before September 1. Screenings (June 3 and June 10) are by appointment and must be scheduled with each school.

2013-14 BUDGET UPDATE: The proposed budget has passed in the towns of Middlefield and Blandford, but failed in the towns of Russell and Worthington. It will need to pass in the three remaining towns--Chester, Huntington and Montgomery--in order to be ratified. 

TASK FORCE LAUNCHES SURVEY: $200 cash prize drawn from surveys returned by hilltown residents; survey open to all who live or work in the hilltowns. Early survey results are good, but we know more people need to weigh in! The Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force has an online survey that will inform upcoming projects. Please help the task force by taking our confidential survey and sharing the link with friends. Results will be used to design a community education and outreach campaign later this year. Hard copies will be available at town libraries, town halls, and at many community events. The survey will take 5-10 minutes. (Click the title at the beginning of this paragraph to get to the survey).

GATEWAY NEWS NETWORK: Click the title to go to the most recent edition of GNN--the Gateway News Network, with local, regional and national news presented by students. 

PARENT OPINION SHIFTS NATIONALLY ON MOBILE DEVICES FOR LEARNING: A recent national survey finds parent attitudes shifting on the use of mobile devices, including schools having "BYOD" (Bring Your Own Device) policies. Skepticism has been replaced to an expectation that their children will 
be active users of technology in their classrooms. And 43% of parents want guidance from educators on selecting appropriate and effective applications for their children to use at home.

• READERS: SAVE-THE-DATE FOR DELTA DINNER AND 'MUDBOUND': Chef Carlos Neville, of the famous musical family, will prepare a deep south dinner for everyone taking part in this year's 'Community Read' event. The dinner is part of the kickoff event at Gateway on Tuesday, May 14, as area residents start reading the 2006 Bellwether Prize-winning novel, "Mudbound" by Hillary Jordan. Events are grant-funded and free to staff, students, families and community members!
• COURSE SELECTION SHEETS DUE NOW: The high school guidance department has met with 8th graders and high school students to talk about the high school courses scheduling process for next year. Students were all given course selection sheets recently; these must be completed, signed and returned to the Guidance Office as soon as possible. Anyone with questions about scheduling is advised to call the Guidance Office at (413) 685-1107.
• JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS BANQUET RESCHEDULED: The Annual Sports Banquet (originally scheduled for May 22) has been postponed to Thursday, May 30 at Tekoa Country Club. Tickets are $10 for athletes and coaches, and $25 for adults. See any Booster Club members, the high school front office, or call Kath Mackechnie at 862-4710 to purchase tickets.
  
• ANNUAL TOWN MEETING DATES: Two important warrant articles--"One Man, One Vote" (see this week's Superintendent's Corner) and the town of Worthington's withdrawal from the district--and the 2013-14 Budget will be voted on at Annual Town Meeting. Click the title for a listing of towns and meeting dates. 
• ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS SOUGHT: The Gateway Athletic Booster Club is seeking nominations--athletes, coaches or others--for the Athletic Hall of Fame. Nominations are due by May 13.
• GATEWAY SAFE SCHOOLS PLAN: In the event of an emergency at your child's school, please do not call or drive to your child's school. We need to keep phone lines and roadways clear in an emergency. Please remain by your phone and wait for information and instructions from school staff, which will be sent using our auto-dialer. It is important that parents keep school secretaries up-to-date with their contact information.
• ONLINE PARENT ACCESS TO STUDENT GRADES, ATTENDANCE: Parents/guardians of students in grades 5-12 are reminded that they can access their student's assignments, homework, grades and attendance online. "A wonderful new feature this year is a 'single sign-in', where parents can view info on all of their children with just one sign-in," reported Technology Director Angela Burke.
  
• SCHOOL SAFETY HOTLINE: Students, parents and community members can leave a message on the Safety Hotline by calling 685-1050.

IN CLOSING, this week's Superintendent's Corner is now posted. This week, Dr. Hopson explains the roles of the School Committee and Superintendent under Massachusetts General Laws. Please read the entire column for details. 

                                                                                         Wendy V. Long, Editor

To subscribe to this newsletter, send an email request to wlong@grsd.org. To unsubscribe, look for  information at the bottom of your e-newsletter.

“Breaking News From Gateway”
Is published weekly by the Gateway Regional School District
12 Littleville Rd.
Huntington, MA  01050

For questions or feedback, please contact Wendy Long @ (413) 685-1003 or email wlong@grsd.org