September 14, 2010
Dear Friends of Gateway:
Here is this week’s installment of Gateway’s weekly e-newsletter. Back issues of Breaking News and past Superintendent’s Corners are posted on the GRSD News Archive (under “News” on the district website). As always, your feedback and any suggestions for improvements are welcome.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The politicians were talking themselves red, white, and blue in the face." - Clare Boothe Luce
UPCOMING MEETINGS: If you missed the last meeting of the Gateway Regional School Committee, you missed requests for out-of-state field trips; a presentation by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; a vote to establish a new Finance Sub-Committee for the School Committee; and discussions with parents about bussing issues. The Gateway Regional School Committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22 at the former Blandford Elementary School. The public is welcome to attend School Committee meetings, as an important way to learn more about how the district operates. Please note that any questions or concerns should first be brought to the appropriate district staff member (i.e. a specific teacher, principal or Central Office staff member). The first three minutes of every school committee meeting is dedicated to hearing items that are not on the posted agenda, including any unresolved issues from the public.
GATEWAY SENIOR UNDERTAKES SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: "When I attended Gateway's Biotech Camp as an 8th grader, I thought this might be what I wanted to be when I grew up," said Gateway senior Chelsea K. Cassidy, of Huntington.
Cassidy aboard a marine biology research vessel docked at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
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EARLY RELEASE DAY ON SEPTEMBER 21: Students in the Gateway Regional School District will have an early release day on Tuesday, September 21, 2010. Preschool will end at 11 a.m., Grades 5 - 12 will be dismissed at 12:10 p.m., and elementary students will be dismissed at 1:10 p.m.
OPEN HOUSES SCHEDULED: Littleville Open House will kick off the season on Thursday, September 23rd.
MIDDLE SCHOOL AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM OPENS SEPTEMBER 20: The program will run four afternoons a week, with one late bus day each week. In addition to reading the article, you can download a Letter from Shannon Madden, Coordinator; the After-School Program Schedule of Activities; the Enrollment Form; the Late Bus Schedule; and Parent Consent and a Physician's Medication Order to be used if your student needs to take medication while attending the program.
CHESTER PTO SPONSORING "WARM YOUR HOME OR FILL YOUR WALLET" RAFFLE: $5 will purchase a chance on 150 gallons of fuel oil, to be delivered by Wheeler Oil of Chester. If you don't use oil, or live outside the district, you can take home a $350 cash prize. Not a bad deal with colder weather and the holidays just around the corner!
GATEWAY COLLEGE APPLICATION WORKSHOP: The Guidance Department is sponsoring a "College Application Process: A Workshop for Seniors and their Parents/Guardians" on Thursday, September 23 from 6 - 7 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center.
UPCOMING SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETINGS: The Gateway Sr. High School and Jr. High School Councils will meet on Wednesday, September 22nd. Sr. High Council will meet from 4 - 5 p.m.; Jr. High will meet from 5 - 6 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the high school conference room.
INSTRUMENT RENTAL NIGHT: Gerry's Music of South Hadley and Performance Music of Westfield--businesses that rent musical instruments to students--will be at Gateway on Wednesday, September 22nd to enable families to rent a range of band instruments for their students. The Middle School band program includes a weekly group lesson free of charge, during the school day.
REMINDER ON PARENT NOTES TO SCHOOLS: When sending in a note for your child, please include a date, your child's first and last name and teacher's name on the note.
COLLEGE REP VISITS FOR HIGH SCHOOL: Xavier University will visit on the 15th at 11:15 a.m.; Becker College will visit on the 20th at 7:35 a.m.; Western New England College will visit at 8:15 a.m. on the 21st; and the Albany College of Pharmacy & Health will also be at Gateway on the 21st (9:45 a.m.). This schedule is subject to change and students should check frequently for additions. Students should sign-up int he Guidance Office in order to meet with college representatives.
GOLF TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT GATEWAY ATHLETICS: Any foursome wishing to participate in the Wacker Open Golf Tournament at Southampton Country Club on October 3rd should call 568-4595; please register by September 24th.
UPCOMING DATES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL: Wednesday, September 15 is Picture Day for students, and the Magazine Drive kicks off on September 29th.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: Dedicated to helping Gateway parents raise strong, safe, healthy and high-achieving kids!SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH...and this week marks Emergency Preparedness Week. FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Association) has developed the "Ready.gov" Website, to help all Americans plan for natural or man-made disasters. Another great tip: Colorado has prepared a Top Ten "Preparedness on a Budget" list.
REMINDERS:
- ONLINE ACCESS TO STUDENT GRADES FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Parents/guardians of students in grades 5 - 12 can now monitor their student's assignments, homework, grades and attendance online.
- GATEWAY CONTINUES SCHOOL SAFETY HOTLINE: As part of the district's ongoing commitment to school safety, a school safety hotline is in place for all schools. Anyone wishing to report harassment, bullying, drug or alcohol concerns, vandalism, and school safety issues can call 685-1050.
- TRANSPORTATION UPDATE: Parents/guardians and students are reminded that all Gateway school buses are now at 75% capacity or higher. As a result, we can no longer issue passes to guest riders from other buses.
- GATEWAY MEAL PRICES REMAIN THE SAME: Meal prices for the 2010-11 school year are the same as last year. Breakfast is $1.25; elementary lunch is $2; and grade 5 - 12 lunch is $2.25. Breakfast for students qualifying for reduced lunch will be $.30, with lunch costing $.40 for qualifying students.
- LIBRARY AND PARENT CENTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Littleville Elementary School is looking for help staffing their school library. Volunteers are needed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the school day (hours vary). Click here for a sign-up form to return to the school office, and additional information on volunteering at the library. The Littleville Parent Center is also looking for volunteers who can donate time to help teachers. Click here for more information and a sign-up sheet to return to the school office.
- SAVE THE DATE FOR ANNUAL ALUMNI GAME: The Annual Alumni Soccer Game will be held on Saturday, October 2 on Booster Field. Please check back for additional details.
- The Application for Free and Reduced Lunch
- CHORAL BOOSTERS TO MEET: The Choral Booster Club will meet on Monday, September 20 at 7 p.m. in the Choral Room (#125). Also, the boosters still have several stadium blankets available for sale at $29/each. If interested, please email Ms. Beauregard .
- STUDENT FEES FOR 2010-11: Information on student fees for parking and athletics, and building use fee information are posted in this article.
- HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULE ONLINE: For a look at all of the home and away sports contests this fall, go to highschoolsports.net and enter "01050" for the Gateway HS Sports Calendar.
IN CLOSING, this week's Superintendent's Corner is now posted. This week, Dr. Hopson reports on the federal stimulus bill to save teacher jobs, and how Gateway plans to use the funding. Read the entire columns for details!
Have a wonderful week!
Wendy V. Long, Editor
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, please send an email request to gatewaynews@grsd.org
“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
© 2010, Gateway Regional School District